Translating guestbook text

Learn how to translate your guestbook form fields into multiple languages so guests can leave messages in their preferred language.

Having a multilingual wedding website? You can translate your guestbook form fields for each language! Guests see the guestbook in their preferred language with translated labels.

Note: This feature requires the Pro plan with multiple languages enabled.

What you can translate

For each language, you can translate all guestbook field labels:

Photo:
- Label for the photo field
- Example: "Photo" → "Foto" (Spanish)

Upload a photo:
- Photo upload button text
- Example: "Upload a photo" → "Subir una foto" (Spanish)

Your message:
- Message field label
- Example: "Your message" → "Tu mensaje" (Spanish)

Your name:
- Name field label
- Example: "Your name" → "Tu nombre" (Spanish)

Submit:
- Submit button text
- Example: "Submit" → "Enviar" (Spanish)

Every field can be translated!

Requirements

To translate guestbook text, you need:

  • Pro plan (includes multilingual support)
  • At least one additional language added to your website
  • Guestbook section on your site

See our article on "Working with multiple languages" for how to add languages.

Accessing translation settings

  1. Go to Site → Guestbook
  2. Select a language from the dropdown and click Translations
  3. The translations sidebar opens

The sidebar title is "Translations" with the language name in parentheses, like "Translations (Español)".

Translating field labels

In the translations sidebar, translate each field label:
- Photo - photo label
- Upload a photo - upload button text
- Your message - message label
- Your name - name label
- Submit - submit button

Then click Save changes!

Language dropdown

The language dropdown appears in the header when you have multiple languages:

Shows:
- Your default language
- All additional languages you've added

Select a language:
- View that language's guestbook entries (if any)
- Access translation settings for that language

Default language:
- Uses the labels from Guestbook settings
- When selected, shows "Guestbook settings" button instead of "Translations"

Translation workflow

Step 1: Set up your default language
1. Go to Guestbook settings
2. Customize field labels in your primary language
3. Save

Step 2: Translate for each additional language
1. Select language from dropdown
2. Click Translations
3. Enter translated field labels
4. Save
5. Repeat for each language

Each language gets its own custom labels!

How translations appear to guests

When a guest selects a language:
- Guestbook form uses that language's labels
- Submit button shows translated text
- All field labels appear in their language

Guest experience:
- Seamless language switching
- Form feels native to their language
- Professional multilingual experience

Placeholder text

In the translation fields, placeholders show:

  • Your default language's custom labels (if set)
  • Or the system default if you haven't customized

This helps you keep translations consistent with your main language!

Example:
- Default language custom label: "Share your well-wishes"
- Spanish translation field placeholder: "Share your well-wishes"
- Spanish translation: "Comparte tus buenos deseos"

Default language vs translations

Default language (Guestbook settings):
- Primary language of your website
- Set in Guestbook settings
- Field labels section

Additional languages (Translations):
- Other languages you've added
- Set via Translations button after selecting language
- Separate translation fields

Keep them coordinated!

Entries in different languages

When guests submit entries:

  • Entries are associated with the language they used
  • You can filter by language in the entries view
  • Select language from dropdown to see entries from that language

Each language has its own entry collection!

Photo field translations

If you've enabled photo uploads:

Translate both:
- "Photo" label
- "Upload a photo" button text

For all languages:
- Make sure photo fields are translated
- Keep button text concise (fits in button)

Photo uploads work the same in all languages!

Submit button translation

Don't forget to translate the submit button!

Field label: "Submit"

Common translations:
- Spanish: "Enviar"
- French: "Soumettre"
- German: "Einreichen"
- Italian: "Invia"
- Portuguese: "Enviar"

The submit button is part of the form experience!

Keeping translations consistent

For the best experience:

Tone:
- Match the formality of your default language
- Formal in one language = formal in all

Length:
- Keep translations similar length to originals
- Ensures they fit in the UI

Style:
- If you're playful in English, be playful in Spanish
- Consistency across languages

Use a native speaker or translation service for quality!

Testing translations

After translating:

  1. Switch to each language on your website
  2. Find the guestbook section
  3. Check that labels appear correctly
  4. Verify everything is spelled correctly
  5. Make sure text fits in fields/buttons
  6. Test submission process

Quality check every language!

Updating translations

To change a translation:

  1. Go to Site → Guestbook
  2. Select the language from dropdown
  3. Click Translations
  4. Update the translation
  5. Click Save changes

Translations can be updated anytime!

Removing translations

To revert to defaults:

  1. Access Translations for that language
  2. Delete your custom translation text
  3. Leave the field empty
  4. Click Save changes

The system default will be used!

Language links

Make sure guests can switch languages:

  • Enable language links in Site settings → Menu tab
  • Add Display languages in menu toggle
  • Choose language display format (name, code, flag, etc.)

Guests need a way to access different languages!

See our article on "Displaying languages in menu" for details.

Common translation mistakes

Avoid:
- Literal word-for-word translations that don't make sense
- Overly formal translations for casual weddings
- Machine translations without human review
- Forgetting cultural context

Do:
- Rewrite in your own words rather than translating literally
- Use native speakers when possible
- Consider cultural appropriateness
- Keep translations natural and conversational
- Test with speakers of that language

We recommend always reviewing translations and personalizing them in your own voice. This makes your guestbook feel more authentic and ensures the tone matches your wedding style.

Regional variations

Some languages have regional differences:

Spanish:
- Spain Spanish vs Latin American Spanish
- "Foto" is universal, but some phrases differ

Portuguese:
- Brazilian vs European Portuguese
- Choose based on your guests

French:
- French vs Canadian French
- Usually minor differences

Know your audience!

After the wedding

Keep translated labels active:

  • Late messages can still come in any language
  • Your guestbook remains accessible to all
  • Archive includes multilingual entries

A beautiful multilingual memory!

Character sets and special characters

WedSites supports:

  • Accented characters (é, ñ, ü, etc.)
  • Non-Latin scripts (Chinese, Arabic, Cyrillic, etc.)
  • Special characters

Your translations will display correctly!

Translation help

Need help translating?

  • Ask bilingual friends or family
  • Use professional translation services
  • Google Translate for basic guidance (then refine with native speaker)
  • Consider cultural consultants for important events

Get it right for your guests!

Translating guestbook text ensures all your guests can comfortably leave messages in their preferred language, creating an inclusive and welcoming experience!