Good afternoon and welcome to the last full week of April 2010! Spring is sure flying by! Today’s blog inspiration came from how the Simply Jubilee team meets so many beautiful brides of all backgrounds and cultures on a weekly basis. This inspired me to look deeper into the Latin wedding traditions. Being Hispanic myself, I thought it would be a perfect learning experience for my wedding one day.
Latino wedding traditions have a long history with meaning; here are some of these beautiful traditions and what they mean.
Selecting godparent-sponsors for support during your nuptial festivities and to guide you through your married life.
The Godparent presents the couple with a Bible or prayer book to encourage them to pray.
A veil ceremony to symbolize God’s Protection
God-parents sponsors drape the bride’s veil over the shoulders of the groom while the couple kneels. This symbolizes that although the couple may shoulder unexpected burden in marriage they will always be covered and protected by God’s Love.
A cord ceremony is to symbolize that marriage is for life.
The cord is a fabric cord, floral garland or long rosary wrapped around the couple to bind them as husband and wife. The cord is tied in a figure eight, the mathematical symbol of infinity, to symbolize eternity.
A coin ceremony is to symbolize the sharing of worldly goods.
The thirteen coins presented to the bride by the groom symbolize the groom’s commitment to take care of his bride and make his wealth hers. The passing of coins back and forth is a symbol of sharing worldly goods, for richer or poorer. The reason for thirteen coins is because it represents Christ and his twelve apostles. There is also a treasure box, in which the coins are kept in.
A money dance to symbolize prosperity and financial security
Relatives take turns dancing up to the bride and groom and pinning money on their clothes, which allows the couple to spend a few moments with each of their guests. After the money dance, the groom is ridiculed by his friends, tossed in the air while being covered with the veil, and given an apron and broom.
Other traditional dances
At wedding celebration in Mexico, the guests form a heart and the newlyweds dance in the middle.
Another Mexican wedding dance is the Snake Dance, La Vibora. This is where single women form a line and pass under the couples clasped hands. When the music stops, one woman is captured in the newlywed’s arms and is given the bouquet. The single men perform the same dance.
Cake Tradition
A Latino tradition is a cake pull. One ribbon has a fake diamond ring attached. Before the cake is cut and served, single women at the reception pull out the ribbons. The one who gets the ribbon with the ring will marry within the year. If her marriage doesn’t take place, tradition calls for the bride to throw a party in the girl’s honor.
I hope you learned as much as I did and if you know of any wedding traditions please share! Viva el Amor!
Photo cortesy of Style me Pretty, Honolulu magazine, and A Pertura Photography
Information provided by Edna R. Bautista in “Viva al Amor”
Social Media