Latin Wedding Traditions

Today's post: Colombian Wedding Traditions.

After having conversation with numerous Colombian friends, I found very little differences between American customs and Colombian customs. In America, the wedding reception is paid for by the bride's family in most cases. The groom buys a ring. The bride and her family find the dress and make most of the wedding preparations, etc. etc. 

There were a few differences that I found that might be of interest.

1. No Bridesmaids or Best Man

Most of the people I spoke with said that though some people may have adopted this tradition today, typically most ceremonies and receptions will not include them. The wedding is  based on the bride, groom, and the padrinos (best man & maid of honor). 

2. Walking Down The Aisle

Another difference is the way the bride and groom enter the church... in the Colombian tradition, the groom is waiting halfway the aisle (holding her bouquet) with his mother and the bride enters with her father (she brings his label pin), they meet half way, parents say "here is my son, daughter" bride and groom give each other the bouquet/pin and then walk together to the alter. 

3. The Coins

Many Colombian couples will follow the tradition of LasArras. The Arras are little coins that are exchanged during the wedding ceremony. These coins are given by the groom to the bride as a symbol that what is mine (monetarily speaking) is now yours. Some people mentioned that there are actually 13 coins given, others didn't mention a specific number, just that the bride received the coins. Still one other person mentioned that at her wedding both the bride and the groom exchanged coins. So, apparently the way and number of coins is not as important as the actual exchange of the coins.

4. A Dance

Most families will host a dance as part of the celebration. Couples will dance to Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Vallenato,just about anything. But, they will dance. And so will most of the guests. Here a dance may be rather hit or miss depending on your family. There, EVERYONE, no matter the age, dances to the same music. No what it is Colombians sure know how to party.

From your,

Event Specialist