How to Have a Traditional Latin American Wedding
Wedding Traditions from Central and South America and the Caribbean
Aug 13, 2009
The Spanish-speaking community is a rising force in the United States and around the globe. From Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to stars like Salma Hayek and Javier Bardem to hot new restaurants like Rivera in downtown Los Angeles, Latin culture has a lot to be proud about.
So why not observe Latino culture by incorporating into a wedding ceremony one or more of the following traditions from countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean? It isn’t even necessary to be of Hispanic heritage to use these customs to add a touch of Latin passion to nuptial celebrations.
Hispanic Wedding Traditions
- Engraving his and her names. In a Brazilian wedding tradition, the inside of the groom’s wedding band is engraved with the bride’s name, hers with his name.
- Rings before the wedding. In Argentina and Chile, a bride and groom will customarily exchange their wedding rings in the less formal setting of their engagement party. The rings are worn on the right hands until after they are declared husband and wife, at which time they are switched to the ring fingers on their left hands.
- Civil ceremony before religious service. Venezuelan couples are generally married twice: first, a civil ceremony, and then a religious ceremony two weeks later. Big parties follow both events.
- The missing bride. At some weddings in El Salvador, the wedding ceremony begins without the bride or her family yet in attendance. Seven men are sent from the church to the bride’s home, to escort her and her family to the church.
- No attendants, just parents. An Argentine bride and her groom do not have a maid or matron of honor, bridesmaids, best man, or groomsmen. Instead, they are escorted down the aisle by their parents, who stand beside them throughout the exchange of vows.
- Three candles. During a Colombian wedding ceremony, both the bride and the groom light a single candle. Then, with each lit candle, they together light a third, finally snuffing out the first two, thus signifying the end of their former separate lives and the start of a bright new life together.
- Singing vows. During the marriage ceremony, Venezuelan couples will sometimes sing to each other special promises of lifelong fidelity.
- Thirteen gold coins. To ensure a prosperous life for the newlyweds, in countries including Venezuela, Panama, and Puerto Rico, the families of bride and groom exchange thirteen gold coins, called arras; bride and groom may do the same.
- A silver rope. Guatemalan couples literally tie the knot during their ceremony, binding their hands together with a silver rope.
- Bridal doll and money. In Puerto Rico and elsewhere, a beautiful doll dressed like the bride is displayed on the newlyweds’ table at the wedding reception. Guests may pin gifts of money to the doll’s gown as gifts for the couple
- Sneaking away. Venezuelan newlyweds traditionally sneak away from their wedding party, an act believed to bring them good fortune.
May married life together be filled with happiness, health…and passion! (Interested in other wedding traditions? Check out How to Have a Traditional Greek Wedding and How to Have an Irish Wedding! Thinking about rings? See How to Judge a Diamond’s Quality and Shape.)
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