TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS IN A MEXICAN WEDDING CEREMONY
Mexican weddings are full of customs and rituals that are steeped in Mexican history and the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. Many traditions still practiced in Mexican weddings date back as far as seven centuries. Weddings are almost always held in a Roman Catholic Church, are very spiritual and involve a full mass, where the couple is considered married for eternity. “La Novia y el Novio” (bride & groom) and their attendants stand or kneel in the sanctuary of the Church.
Family and Godparents “padrinos and madrinas” play prominent roles in the ceremony. During the liturgy godparents may present them with gifts of a prayer book, rosary [libro y rosario] and kneeling pillow [cojines].
EL LAZO
The “Lazo” is a sort of tied rope which can be made from something as simple as a ribbon, to something as ornate as a rosary – either beaded or jeweled, silver filigree, crystals, satin or wreath of orange blossoms, fertility symbols- to symbolically join the bride and groom. It is placed around the necks of the couple in a figure 8, after they have exchanged their vows. The lazo is intended to symbolize the statement of union and togetherness that the couple is making, the joining of two lives. Usually, family of the bride & groom, padrinos or best friends of the couple are the ones responsible for placing the lazo on the Bride and Groom. Tradition requires the couple to wear the lazo for the remainder of the service.
In some of the more spiritual ceremonies of the many that can be performed in Mexico, at some more traditional Maya Rituals even, a lazo is also used, only this is made with natural elements like flowers or sisal twine, of coursed the ritual varies from areas of Mexico and specific indigenous groups to perform it.
LAS ARRAS
In a tradition dating back to ancient Rome, it is customary for the groom to present the bride with coins during the ceremony. The ritual of offering 13 gold coins, originally a part of Spanish wedding custom where the number represents Jesus & the twelve apostles, was practiced in Colonial New Spain, becoming over time part of the religious practice of the cultural. The gift of the coins are presented in an ornate box or gift tray, and are blessed by the priest in Catholic ceremonies. The groom gives the bride these gold coins as a symbol of his unquestioning trust and confidence in her. By placing these in his bride's hands, he pledges all his goods into her care and safekeeping. Acceptance by the bride means she takes that trust and confidence to heart with unconditional and complete dedication and prudence.
LA OFRENDA
An “ofrenda” or offering is usually made by the bride to the Virgin of Guadalupe at the church. The bride, often along witht he groom, kneels and prays for a moment in thanks, leaving a flower bouquet at the altar of the Virgin at the very end of the ceremony before the procession out of the church. Historians speculate that this custom may have served as a “Christianizing” substitute for the Mayan ceremonial offering some shamans would have the bride and groom offer--of a bouquet of flor de mayo (frangipani)—at the ceiba tree, the sacred tree of the Maya, which joins together the heavens and the netherworld.