8 First Steps for Planning a Bilingual Wedding

planning a bilingual wedding

8 First Steps for Planning a Bilingual Wedding

Congrats on your engagement! Whether you’re still floating on cloud nine or already knee-deep in wedding planning spreadsheets, the first steps can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re planning a bilingual, multicultural, or destination wedding. There are so many decisions to make, it’s hard to know where to even start. It’s kind of like having 27 browser tabs open in your head all at once. That’s why we’ve pulled together the first 8 steps to kick off your planning journey. So take a deep breath, grab a glass of bubbly, and let’s dive in. You got this. ✨

step 1

Choose a husband.

Haha, kidding. If you’re here, you’ve already checked this one off the list. You’ve found the love of your life that you want to grow old with and you can’t wait to marry him. So cheers to that, because that’s no doubt the hardest step!

step 2

Choose a country.

This is something most wedding planning guides don’t talk much about, but for bilingual and multicultural brides, it’s one of the very first decisions you’ll face.

When we announced our engagement, the first question wasn’t when, but where: “In France? Italy? The US?”

Being a bilingual or multicultural bride usually means there’s more than one country or region in the mix and choosing where to host your wedding becomes a major conversation between you and your fiancé. It’s not always an easy choice. Budget, language, travel logistics for guests, the overall vibe you want, and family expectations all come into play.

step 3

Pick a date.

Instead of locking in an exact date, start with a season or month. Unless you already have a symbolic date in mind (like your anniversary) or a number you love, it’s usually best to stay flexible. Just keep in mind that those “pretty” dates (hello, 11/11/2026 brides ✨) often come with a higher price tag because you’re not the only one eyeing them! If you do pick a specific date, be ready to compromise with venue and vendor availability, even if you’re planning ahead.

PRO TIP

Weddings are very seasonal. Choosing a date outside of peak season can save you a ton. Your wallet will thank you.

step 4

Check in with your bridal party.

Now’s a good time to check in with bridesmaids, groomsmen, and closest loved ones. If you are in the wedding stage of life, your friends probably are too which means their calendars fill up fast. The last thing you want is a wedding overlap where your maid of honor or best man missing your big day because of another wedding.

For international brides, this step is even more important. Some guests may need visas or have travel restrictions. In our case, my husband’s best man and my bridesmaid couldn’t make it because of green card travel issues. Ironically, they received their green cards the weekend of our wedding!

step 5

Set the budget.

Scrolling through Pinterest wedding inspo is fun but let’s get real – you need a wedding budget. And no matter how good you are at budgeting, weddings have a way of blowing past your initial budget. I was convinced I could keep everything under budget… spoiler alert: I didn’t. While we didn’t overspend beyond our comfort zone, but we definitely loosened up more than planned.

So start with a number, but be ready to adjust when vendor quotes start rolling in and you realize how wild some wedding prices are. The wedding industry has a way of humbling even the best budgeters.

step 6

Define your non-negotiables.

Once you’ve set your budget, the next step is choosing the two or three things that matter most to you. These are your non-negotiables—the categories where you’re willing to spend a little more, even if it means cutting back elsewhere. For me, those it were:

The DJ → I wanted everyone dancing all night, and for me, a great DJ sets the tone for the whole party.
The catering → Since we got married in France, food was a huge part of our culture and absolutely non-negotiable.

Decide on your top priorities early and let those guide your budget.

step 7

Select your theme.

Now the fun part begins! Choose your wedding theme, color palette, and vibe. Forget what’s trending on Pinterest or what’s considered “cool”, instead choose themes that represent you and your fiancé or maybe even reflect the culture or region where you’re celebrating.

PRO TIP

Every wedding has its own vibe and it’s usually a clear reflection of the couple. That’s what makes it memorable.

step 8

Decide on the languages.

Okay, bilingual and multilingual brides – this one’s for you. If you and your guests speak multiple languages, sit down with your fiancé and decide on the 2-3 key languages for your wedding. Then think about how to balance out the languages and where to use them (invites, save the dates, the ceremony, programs, and even speeches).

Don’t stress if you don’t know right away. This decision evolves as you plan. A simple way to start is by looking at the percentage of your guests who speak each language. Most likely, some will understand more than one.

PRO TIP

To make this easier, I created a free RSVP Google Sheet template with a built-in dashboard that shows you your guest language breakdown at a glance. It’s customizable and super handy—download it below.