Latino Wedding Traditions

(from www.casaq.com)

Many traditions were adopted from Europeans that settled in Latin America as early as the 15th century.


Arras
Arras come from a Middle Eastern tradition brought to Europe by the Moors. Nowadays it is customary in Latin America for the 13 gold coins to be exchanged between the bride and groom to symbolize the sharing of fortune and wealth.

Ribbon Cake
In Argentina before the cake is cut and served, single women pull ribbons out of the cake. The lucky one (?) who gets the ribbon with the ring is said to marry within the year.

Lazo
Beginning in 7th century Spain, the lasso (lazo)was used as a symbol of the sacramental union of marriage. Today, a double-looped rosary is often used as a lasso to be placed around the couple to show that they are bound together for life.

Capias
These party favors (capias) are usually handmade decorative pins and are very unique to each wedding. The Bride and Groom go around pinning the capias on the guests one by one or a doll dressed similar to the bride is diplayed and covered with capias for the guests to retrieve.

Ramo
In Mexico at a Catholic wedding ceremony, the bride offers her bouquet to the Virgin Mary and leaves it at the foot of the statue in order to thank and ask her for her blessing.

Azahares
The tradition of using fresh or waxed orange blossoms (azahares) as a bridal flower originated in Asia and spread to Europe then the Americas. The orange tree is one of the few in nature that bears flowers and fruit at the same time - a symbol of beauty and fertility.