HOT AND SPICY WEDDING
ABI KRUGER
"Marriage is the golden ring in a chain whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is Eternity." - Kahlil Gibran
Marriage is the strongest bond the world has ever known. It is a pledge of love meant to last a lifetime. A wedding ceremony occurs when a bride and groom pledge themselves to one another for a lifetime. Latin American weddings are festive and fun filled with rich traditions that will fulfil any bride’s dreams.
Historically, the night before the wedding, hand lanterns were used to light the way from the groom’s home to the bride’s home. The groom’s family would then carry a chest filled with wedding goods to the bride’s house for the family of the bride. Although these traditions are historic, continue reading the article below to find out today's Latin American wedding traditions.
Arras: The groom gives the bride thirteen gold coins. These thirteen gold coins represent Christ and his 12 apostles. The Arras is given to the bride as a symbol of the unquestionable trust and confidence the groom has in her. In most cases, the Arras is given in a silver or gold jewellery box. While giving the bride the coins, the groom pledges to be a good provider and supporter, to care and to love his bride forever.
Lasso: A lasso is a large rosary, a ribbon or a decorated cord that symbolically drapes around the necks or shoulders of the bride and groom. The lasso is placed as an infinite sign around the couple, while they are kneeling at the altar, to confirm their union and their commitment to stay together, side by side, through thick and thin. As the Lasso is wrapped around the bride and groom, the priest is likely to say, “Let the union of binding together this rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary be an inspiration to you both. Remember the holiness necessary to preserve your new family can only be obtained by mutual sacrifice and love.” At the end of the service, the Lasso will be removed and given to the bride as a keepsake.
Los Anillos (Wedding rings): The bride and groom exchange wedding rings during the wedding ceremony. The rings are to be worn on the right hand prior to the ceremony and then switched and worn on the left hand.
Fun fact: According to a tradition found by the Romans, the wedding ring is to be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand as there is a vein thought to run directly from the heart to the finger. This vein is known as the ‘Vena Amoris’, the ‘Vein of Love’.
Orange Blossoms: Latin American brides often decorate their weddings with orange blossom flowers. The orange blossom flowers have a spectacular fragrance as well as representing joy and happiness for the couple. The orange blossom flower also symbolises fertility.
Para La Novia (Bridal Gown): Traditional Latin American dresses are very detailed. Latin American brides traditionally wore black dresses made of silk, accompanied by a beautiful lace mantilla veil. The black gowns showed the brides devotion to her groom until death. Although black gowns are traditional, Latin American brides today wear white wedding gowns. Material used to make modern Latin American gowns include taffeta, organza, chiffon and tulle. Latin American brides wear a popular type of bridal jewellery known as earrings with pizazz.
“I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well” – Oliver Goldsmith
Bridal escort: In Latin American weddings, the job of the bride’s father is to hide the bride from the groom. The father later escorts the beautiful bride down the isle of the church. The groom is not allowed to see his bride before the wedding day, as the bride and groom will need to learn to appreciate seeing one another.
“I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, a church filled with family and friends. I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for, he said one that would make me his wife” – Anonymous
Cost: Both families are involved in planning the wedding and paying for all expenses. Sponsors of the wedding, such as parents, godparents and other relatives are recognised throughout the ceremony. One of the families will agree to buy the flower bouquets and the dress while the other family will purchase the Lasso, as well as the Arras.
Wedding Ceremony: On average, 200 – 300 guests are expected to attend a Latin American Wedding. Ceremonies are held in the early evening letting the celebrations go on until the early hours of the following day.
“I just want to marry the man I love in front of the family and friends that I adore” – Ali Besaw
Wedding dance: After the ceremony, a festive mariachi band, salsa music, or a Spanish guitarist will bring an abundance of fun to the reception. During the first dance, the guests form a heart shape around the newlyweds, to cheer them on. The money dance is a traditional dance where male guests pay to dance with the bride. The bride usually carries a purse to collect the money at the beginning of each dance. The guests are expected to be generous as the bride and groom will be using the collected money to start their lives together.
“It is with your feet that you move… but it is with your heart that you dance.” – Aalaynah Thompson
Bebidas (Drinks): A traditional Latin American drink is sangria, a delicious punch made from a secret combination of wine, brandy, sugar, fruit and seltzer.
Comidas Latinas (Wedding Dinner): The meal of choice for Spanish ceremonies includes paella and some other seafood dishes, while in Mexico it would include dishes such as spicy rice, beans, and steak (carnè) accompanied by a spicy tomatillo sauce. The cake is often decorated with bright flowers.
Latin American weddings provide the perfect mix between cultural and fun. If you find yourself reading this article and thinking this is the perfect wedding for me, go ahead with the idea. Finding the perfect wedding can be hard, however if you follow your instincts and take advice from the experts, your wedding will be better then you could have ever imagined.