Tips for organizing Polish-English wedding in Poland with US guests.

Hey guys we are getting married next year in Poland. We have guests coming from USA and we were wandering if any of you have any experience with how to incorporate American and Polish guests to the traditional Polish wedding.

Our biggest concern is with the language barrier [I know vodka solves the problem but still] and if its possible to somehow set everything up so that the guests participate in everything together. In other words, we don't want all the Polish folks dancing and singing while the Americans sit separately bored at the table.

Well, which kinds of guests do you have coming? Are they family or friends or what?

You could advise them as to Polish wedding traditions. You could explain when to expect what at what times. And keep the vodka flowing... ;)

I don't think you'll actually have a problem though. I doubt your American guests will be bored but maybe the Polish celebrations will be too exhausting for them. ;)

It will be mostly his friends (depending on how many will come) cause we had already one wedding for his family.

Maybe I am worrying too much but I am just scared that they are going to helplessly sit and not have fun....so I was looking for some kind of entertainment and tips how it went at someone's else's wedding.

I was at a Polish wedding where some English guests were invited. The English were told beforehand what to expect and English speakers were put near them and it went absolutely fine. I am sure it will go fine for you too.

Yeah
We are in process of producing booklets with all you want to know about polish wedding, itinerary, some interesting facts and some polish drinking songs like "sto lat" or others in a pronunciation form. We also have a wedding site, that tells about the tradition, what to wear, what the weddign is about and for those who want we have movies from the weddings from Poland that my parents went to so they know in advance....i am just worrying we are going to forget about some important stuff that I havent thought about

visas for American citizens :)
some may know it, but some may be surprised if Poland introduces them.

What are you talking about?

We need no visa to visit Poland.

For me the weddings here are too long. Two days of disco polo and drunk people bothering you are not fun in my book. I like the smaller dinner party kind of weddings.

The wedding will be next year, you don't know what happens until that time, especially after the recent decision about leaving the visas for Poles.

Oh give me a break. You think Poland would close the free visa travel it has had for Americans for ages because of illegal Poles blocking visa free travel to the USA for good Poles? That would be petty and really cause problems.

I think they have other things to worry about than crazy speculation.

Well I dont really think they will need visas but if they will introduce it just before then we are screwed. Its enough for the guests to buy 1000$ ticket and take a week off but its another to go to the ambassy and wait in the lines and stuff....that will dramatically decrease the amount of people (and as for what I hear its already small). I was hoping my husband would have someone from his site.

Don't worry about the visa thing. That was a very misinformed and ignorant comment. We have not needed visas for years and they will not introduce it now.

My advice is this: Do not worry about language. I am American and had a wedding in Poland, the country I live and even though it was American and Polish language was not problem at all. Do not worry. Further, vodka is not required at weddings in my opinion if it is not your style. What town are you having it in? somewhere like Krakow or a small town? Either way I would not worry it only adds to wedding when it is international.

I agree just plan it how you guys want it. I have been to different kinds and I have to say I like the smaller calmer ones over the two day drunk fests where a lot people get blasted and make arses of themselves, puke on everything and damage stuff that you end up having to pay for.

You probably know this but for the non Polish speaking one of you there will need to be an official translator hired for the civil ceremony part as it is conducted in Polish. It is really easy as they just repeat the declarations etc in English and you can answer in English then the translator confirms it. I did not find it disrupted the flow at all.

blasphemy!

Yeah quite honestly...and I am sure its the same in all countries...most people don't go to the wedding for you...they go to eat and get drunk for free. Without alcohol though you can ensure only people that really care about you will show up ;)

Thanks guys.

Thanks to the wedding in States that we already had (very small) we don't need official translator, what is more we were planning to make it bilingual (like bible readings in polish and then english and some more). So basically this wedding in Poland we are planning to make as fun as possible for us and for guests, that is why I am concerned so much for everybody to make it as much fun as possible.:)

Vodka and beers will be on the wedding (I don't think the polish site would consider it a wedding:) and anyways thats what I am used to so I would not take it out.

We are going to have one person translating most of the fun part to both sides, so this will also be covered and we were thinking about sitting the guests next to those polish ones that know a bit of English.

As for the place it will be in very small town but we are advising our guests to come to the wedding week before (to eliminate jet-lag) and visit some of major tourists attractions (Krakow, Warszawa, etc...) depending on the people either we will organize them or they will do that individually. Additionally we have some entertainment planned on Thursday and Friday so there would be initial "get to know everybody".

Gosh it is still one year to go but I am trying to figure out what else to think about since we are going to Poland this Christmas and the next time we will show up will be at the wedding. :)

Hello,if you need any help i can taking care of what you need.My name is Dorothy and I am wedding&event planner.In febbruary my company CELEBRATION will move from Italy(where is operating now on) till the Poland;i am polish native.If you are interesting please let me know,it will be a pleasure to taking care of you.Kindly,Dorothy.