¡Que Viva La Novia!: Celebrating with Latin American Wedding Traditions
From Mexico to Argentina, Latina brides incorporate age-old rituals into their wedding celebrations that have been handed down through generations. And while many of them share American customs such as of wearing a veil or holding a bouquet, there are some that are uniquely Latin. Just in time for wedding season, get to know some of our favorite wedding day tradiciones.
MEXICO
• Bride and groom (or la novia y el novio) enter the church by walking down the aisle with their corresponding parents, rather than only the bride walking down with her father.
• Instead of bridesmaids, the Mexican bride has a number of madrinas each with a specific job during the ceremony. For example, the madrina de lazo helps place the marriage knot around the couple, while the madrina de ramo is in charge of the bride's bouquet.
• The bride sews three ribbons to her underwear: yellow for luck, blue for prosperity and red for passion. So much for just something blue!
• In southern Mexico, the bride doesn't throw her bouquet. Instead, all the single ladies at the reception make a circle around the bride, cover her eyes and turn her around several times. The girl she touches first gets the bouquet.
PHOTOS: Our Favorite Latina Celebrity Brides
VENEZUELA
• Venezuelan couples have not one, but two weddings: civil and religious. They also have two receptions! Both parties are done to the nines with an abundance of local food, drinks and dancing all night long.
• It's tradition for the newlyweds to leave the reception (after the religious ceremony) in secret. It's good luck if they don't get caught!
COSTA RICA
• Costa Rican wedding receptions are well-known for the abundance of food served. From steaks and seafood to arroz con frijoles with fried eggs and plantains, the greater the amount of dishes the more respect is given to the wedding guests.
• The night before the wedding, it's customary for the groom to give his bride a romantic serenata (or serenade) to show everyone in the neighborhood how much he loves her.
Check out Shine's Guide to Weddings
ARGENTINA
• Argentinean couples do not exchange rings at their wedding. Instead, they simply give each other engagement rings.
• Receptions are characterized by having a multiple course dinner (we're talking in the dozens!) with songs and dance between each course. This tradition reflects the influence local Jewish and Eastern European communities have had in Argentinean culture.
• While most couples still choose a waltz as their first dance, many more are opting for the more sensual tango.
UNITED STATES
Many Latinas in the US are putting a unique twist on their festivities by bringing a taste of their cultural heritage to their American weddings. Here are some tips for the modern Latina who wants to honor her familia's roots:
• Incorporate food from your family's country into your reception menu. For example, a bride from a Puerto Rican family who grew up in the American south may serve arroz con gandules and lechon asado, along with fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
• There are some beautiful Latin boleros (romantic ballads) that are an integral part of Hispanic culture and lend themselves perfectly for those special dances during the reception. "Somos novios", a famous song by Mexican composer Armando Manzanero is a great option for a Mexican-American bride to dance with her new husband. And "Mi querido viejo" is a nice choice for a dance with a grandparent.
What are some special wedding traditions you cherish? Have you had culturally-mixed wedding? Share your thoughts with us!
For content that speaks to you, visit Shine Latina.
