Mexican wedding customs

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Mexican weddings include native customs and traditions that brides and grooms of all backgrounds may find appealing. The wedding ceremony takes place in the church, reflecting Mexico's Roman Catholic heritage with hints of Aztec influence. The reception to follow is a great celebration, with guests enjoying traditional foods like tortilla dishes and sangria while festive mariachi, salsa, merengue or flamenco music plays. As with other cultures, families and friends play a big role in bringing the bride and groom together in their union of love.

1. Covering the Wedding Expenses

   • In Mexican custom, the father of the bride doesn't pay for the entire wedding. Instead, both families do their part to cover the expenses. In addition, Mexican weddings designate what's called "sponsors." Sponsors are actually important family members, those who are close to the bride and groom, such as godparents, or aunts and uncles who help cover specific wedding costs.

   Role of the Wedding Party

   • The bridesmaids and groomsmen do more in a Mexican wedding than prepare for their part in the wedding procession. These close enlisted friends take on many roles, which may include paying for a specific part of the ceremony or celebration, such as the bride's bouquet or the ceremonial rosary. Typically, bridesmaids and groomsmen are assigned in pairs to cover specific duties, like providing a wedding prop or announcing part of the ceremony.

   Bride's Dress and Wedding Colors

   • Mexican brides can be found in your traditional white dress, with the addition of a light blue slip worn underneath. The bride may also choose a more traditional look, wearing a ruffled Flamenco dress, a mantilla veil, or even a close-fitting dress with a bolero jacket, substituting flowers with a fan. The groom can get fancy with a matadorian outfit, or select a Mexican wedding shirt, the guayabera, worn by natives for 200 years.

   The Lasso

   • The Mexican wedding ceremony typically takes place in the church, and a traditional event that takes place is the lasso, or lazo. As the couple kneels before the altar after exchanging vows, the bride and groom are wrapped together by a large rosary, ribbon or decorative cord, symbolizing their union and commitment. During this time, a special wedding prayer takes place. The bride keeps the lasso as a keepsake.

   Gold Coins and Dancing for Money

   • The groom's traditional gifts for the bride are 13 gold coins, or arras. They are usually presented to her in a special box or tray- during their wedding ceremony, the groom first hands the box to the priest for blessing, and then to his bride. His gift to the bride symbolizes trust and confidence, and her acceptance of the gift symbolizes the return of her trust and confidence in him. Like the lasso, the arras become a family heirloom. During the ceremony, music, dance and celebration ensue. Money dancing is part of the ceremony, when dancers generously place money either on the bride's dress or in her money purse before dancing with her.

Source: www.ehow.com

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