Celebration

Mexican weddings are full of customs and rituals that are steeped in Mexican history and beliefs of the Catholic Church. They are different from city to city, town to town, and family to family. Many Mexican weddings have "padrinos" who are sponsors who provide financial support to the bride and groom in the form of paying for a certain aspect of the wedding cost. These sponsors may be grandparents, parents, godparents, relatives, or friends. Let me tell you that being a couple's sponsor is a honor and a big responsibility. This type of sponsorship stems from old times when a couple's wedding was more of a get together and different people helped the couple with this or that, a wedding potluck of sorts.

Religious wedding ceremonies are the most popular because Mexico is more than 80% Catholic, which means that all weddings are celebrated in the Catholic Church. It's also the most special occasion and memorable time for a couple that had decided to join their life together. During the ceremony, the bridge and groom kneel on pillows that are placed on the kneelers. So, they can listen to a Father’s or Pastor’s speech to wish them the best in their new promise and their responsibilities to the marriage. The guests participate tossing rice or rose petals on the couple once they are out of the church. It's also common to have the couple present the bridal bouquet to the Virgin of Guadalupe after the ceremony in hopes that she will bless their marriage.

Usually the bride wears a white long dress with many accessories, including a veil, a bridal bouquet, and a blue garter for good luck. It's worth mentioning that, in some local traditions, the bride's dress is sewn by the members of her family at the expense of the groom's family. They incorporate imagery elements of good luck, fertility, and prosperity. In the cities, there are also many brides who look for the most beautiful and fashionable dress in magazines or prestigious stores. The groom wears a nice and modern suit in black or white colour. But, if the groom follows local traditions, he will wear a traditional suit or clothes according his customs.

 The wedding reception is often a larger celebration, and it takes a long time, hours and hours, around seven hours or more. There is a Master of Ceremonies who guides the wedding party, while the guest will enjoy food served three times, if the budget allows. First, the appetizer can be salad or fruit. Second, vegetable soup, pasta or cream made with carrots, broccoli or mushrooms. Third, it might be beef, chicken or pork. But, if the reception is offered as a traditional family event, the menu can be different and easier. Guests will enjoy pork, beef or chicken with rice, sauce, tortillas or bread. The couple also decides what kind of drinks to serve at the party such as beers and juice water in different flavors as "Jamaica", "horchata", "tuna" or "tamarindo". As you can see, people will enjoy delicious Mexican drinks and dishes which can be prepared in honor of the couple.

They determine the type of music to dance, for example: Pop Spanish or English, Salsa, Mariachi, Rock and Roll, etcetera. The DJ mixes all of them because it's a long party. The bride and groom may dance the traditional money dance to collect donated money from the guests. This dance is to the song called "La vibora de la Mar", the viper of the sea. Some guests hold hands around of them and throw them up as if they were clothes or toys. Everybody has a lot of fun with the couple.

 Another important moment of the wedding party is when they decide leave the party or finish it. So, they can go on their honeymoon that can be to one of their favourite Mexican beaches or another of the country's exotic locales. If they got a generous sponsor's gift, the honeymoon can be in a famous city out of the country.

The people of Mexico love to throw parties and weddings are one of the most important celebrations and a perfect occasion to host a fantastic event. A wedding is a special ceremony with family traditions and special clothing. There is good food, drinks and music. It is the perfect occasion where we can see relatives and friends to enjoy and be part of the happiness of the special celebration of a wedding.