If you are one of the over 2 million American couples getting married this year, congratulations! This event is an incredibly exciting time in your life, but it also can be one of the most stressful. That is why figuring out what you want for your wedding and planning it meticulously is important.
A traditional Mexican wedding is one of the most unique and fun ways to celebrate the start of your lives together. Here, we are going to talk about some of the most important aspects of these ceremonies, so read on for some ideas for your special day!
Attire
One of the most important aspects of any wedding is the attire that the newlywed couple wears while exchanging vows.
In most traditional Mexican weddings, the bride’s family will sew her dress by hand. This tradition allows them the opportunity to accentuate embroidered patterns that they believe have meaning to her. Often, symbols and styles will be encoded into this heavy embroidery so that the dress will be as personal as possible.
Most brides also will wear something called a corona in their hair. These are jeweled headbands or tiaras that are worn in place of a veil. Often, they are passed through families- a bride will be wearing the same corona that her mother and grandmother have worn!
For grooms, traditional wedding attire comes in the form of a loosely-cut suit and a wide-brimmed hat. This simple ensemble looks amazing next to his bride’s finery!
‘Padrinos’
At an authentic Mexican wedding, the couple will have sponsored known as ‘padrinos.’ These sponsors can be parents, friends, godparents, or anyone else that plays a crucial role in the newlywed’s lives. To be asked is both a great honor and a great responsibility.
There are generally two types of sponsors. The first, role model sponsors, are a married couple chosen because they are a model for what the newlyweds want to be like. They usually are witnesses to the religious ceremony and civil registration of the newlyweds.
The other type of sponsors, gift-giving sponsors, are those that are paying for an aspect of the wedding. They provide financial support to the newlyweds.
Customs
There are some traditional customs that make a Mexican wedding what it is. Here are some of the most important:
- A traditional Mexican wedding cake is actually a moist, delicious cookie made from ground-up nuts and cinnamon.
- Mariachi bands are often hired to sing hymns at the ceremony and, later, play music at the reception.
- 13 gold coins will be given to the bride as a symbol of the groom’s trust in her.
- A wedding lasso (el lazo) will be placed in the shoulders of the couple once vows are said.
- The bridal bouquet will be given to the Virgin Mary (generally by being placed before a painting/portrait) after the ceremony while the couple asks for her blessing.
More Mexican Wedding Ideas
Now that you know the basics of a Mexican wedding, it is time to learn more before beginning the planning process.
Contact us with any lingering questions that you may have on traditional Mexican wedding customs. We are happy to answer any inquiries and to help you figure out the logistics of your dream wedding, so make sure to talk to us about wedding planning inspiration, vendor directories, and more tools that we offer to make your special day perfect.
Wedding Details is your comprehensive guide to all aspects of your wedding. From traditional ceremonies to questions regarding the guests, our website offers you one place to do all your research.