Love Translated: Why Language Barriers Are Actually Bridges in Wedding Ceremonies

Hawaii is a beautiful melting pot where people come from all over the world to celebrate on their shores, botanical gardens, and mountain tops. This melting usually means bringing families together that come from different cultures and speak different languages! As Your Oahu Officiant, I am frequently asked if a “language barrier” will be an issue from the ceremony. My answer is always the same: it’s not a barrier; its actually an opportunity to build a bridge. 

My First Lesson in Love Language

Growing up, walking into my paternal grandmother’s home felt like stepping into a familiar but foreign world. She is from Korea, and Korean has always been her first (and highly preferred) language. Even though my Korean is bad (okay nonexistent), love, respect, and celebration don’t need a dictionary. 

That bit of personal history has served me so well when navigating the language barrier in my professional officiating career!

E + E’s Celebration 

A recent wedding I officiated perfectly illustrated the magic of a thoughtfully crafted bilingual ceremony. 

They had a clear vision for their logistical challenge. They wanted that fun, modern ceremony that resonated with their English speaking college friends, but it was also vital that their parents and older relatives (who primarily spoke Chinese) fully understand (and felt included) in the weight of the commitment being made. The language barrier during their wedding ceremony was becoming a bridge.

They didn’t want two separate ceremonies, they wanted one blended, melting pot moment. So we got creative. 

I wrote out the personalized ceremony, telling them about their love in English. Meanwhile E + E enlisted their parents and loved ones to come up and say some words in Chinese before the official ceremony began. I said my words in English, and they did their personal vows in Chinese. 

Their pupper, Nemo, needed no translation as he ran around co-officiating with me and acting as ring bearer. 

Personalized, Perfect, and Inclusive

E + E’s wedding is exactly why I am so passionate about personalized ceremonies. A wedding shouldn’t ever be a cookie-cutter script where half (okay ALL) the guests are just politely waiting for the “kiss the bride” moment and a dismissal to cocktail hour. 

My goal as Your Oahu Officiant is to make sure everyone is comfortable and everyone can be let in on the love story that brought us all together! 

Your ceremony starts the tone for the entire celebration. It should feel like you, and tis should wrap every guest in the warmth of the occasion. 

Let’s Tell Your Story—In Any Language

Are you planning an Oahu wedding that involves merging two languages or cultures? Don't stress about how to make it work. Let's embrace it.

I would love to help you navigate the logistics to create a ceremony that is inclusive, deeply personal, and absolutely perfect for all your loved ones.

Contact me today, and let’s start planning a ceremony that speaks everyone's language.

Venue: Hanalani Garden

Planner: Hunnybee.events.and.florals

Photography: Jesyleephotography 

Videographer: Yours4evermore

Bouquet: By Me (and bonus it split in two to give to her two bridesmaids) 

Live Guest Portraits: Ladybird_drawing