Watching a traditional Mexican boda is a bit like studying the history of the country over the past seven centuries.  Rituals, customs and traditions informed by the Spanish, Aztec, Native American, and Anglo-American cultures are found throughout the wedding, many of which carry the connotations of years of subjugation and hardship.  But as seriously as these symbolic gestures are treated, the mood of the reception is far from somber. 

“The people of Mexico love to throw parties,” says Camelú Millán, a master bridal consultant based in Mexico City.  “And weddings are the perfect occasion to host a fantastic event.”

Want to have a gran fiesta while still respecting tradition?  Consider incorporating these details into the wedding:

The promise ring.  Many Mexican couples have long engagements, so sometimes a pre-engagement ring or “promise ring” is presented to the bride-to-be up to a year before she receives the actual engagement ring. 

Before the wedding.  Before the bride and her attendants leave her house for the wedding ceremony, the bride’s mother will say a prayer together with the bride.  Similar to the Anglo-American superstition, it is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony.

Padrinos.  Godparents often act as sponsors for the wedding, providing emotional and sometimes financial support for the newlywed couple.  The padrinos guide the couple through the engagement period and are honored in the ceremony program.  The padrinos may also perform a reading, or present the bride and groom with a bible or rosary during the ceremony.  The wedding party attendants are also called padrinos, or the female version madrinas.

The bride’s clothing.  The bride sews three ribbons—yellow, blue, and red—into her lingerie for good luck.  The ribbons are meant to ensure the availability of food, money, and passion in the years to come.  The bride wears a mantilla veil, or a dress with flamenco-inspired ruffles or a bolero jacket.  Some traditional Mexican wedding dresses will have lots of colorful embroidery.  In some instances, the bride will carry a fan in lieu of flowers.  It is considered bad luck for the bride to wear pearls on her wedding day, as pearls symbolize the tears that the bride will shed over the course of her marriage. 

The groom’s clothing.  The groom will often wear tight pants and an embroidered bolero jacket, much like the outfit a bullfighter would wear.

The ceremony.  A large portion of the Mexican people are raised within the Roman Catholic tradition, so the ceremony is typically follows the structure of a full Roman Catholic mass. 

Color scheme.  The bride wears white, and white is also the color of the flowers that decorate the ceremony site.  Bridesmaids and guests often wear red, and the reception venue is often decorated with several vibrant primary colors. 

Kissing the cross.  The priest makes the sign of the cross over the groom’s head, which the bride then kisses in a gesture of faithfulness. 

Gold coins.  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 the thirteen gold coins originated in Spain, where the number represents Jesus and the twelve apostles.  The gift of the coins is meant to represent the groom’s commitment to support his wife throughout their life together, and her acceptance symbolizes her promise to take care of him.  The madrina de arras holds the gold coins, which are often contained in an ornate box or gift tray, and the priest blesses them during the ceremony.

The lasso.  As a symbol of unity, a cord, white ribbon, or string of rosary beads is placed around the necks of the bride and groom after they exchange their vows.  The tradition of el lazo dates back to the days of Spanish rule over the Aztecs, but it is still used today in traditional Catholic ceremonies.

Offering to the Virgin Mary.  At the end of the ceremony, the bride offers her bouquet (or flowers carried by the flower girl or the madrina de ramo) to a statue of the Virgin Mary and asks her to bless her marriage.  After the bride returns to her groom, the priest gives his blessing, indicating that the ceremony is over.

Other attendants.  The madrina de copas carries the glasses used to toast the bride and groom.  The madrina de velacion is the woman chosen by the bride to help guide her throughout her married life.  Finally, the madrina de recuerdos carries “remembrances” given to the guests. 

Leaving the church.  As the bride and groom exit the church, rice or red beads may be thrown up in the air.  Loud shouting or gunfire may also follow, to scare away any evil spirits that might pester the couple.

The first dance.  Traditionally, the guests will join hands and form a heart around the newlywed couple during their first dance.

The money dance.  Relatives take turns dancing up to the bride and groom and pinning money on their clothes, which allows the couple to spend a few moments with each of their guests.  After the money dance, the groom is ridiculed by his friends, tossed in the air while being covered with the veil, and given an apron and broom.  Sometimes he is taken to the bathroom and stripped down to his bare skin.  His clothes are then given to the bride, who returns them to her husband. 

La Vibora de la Mar.  The wedding guests sing this song while ducking under a bridge formed by the bride and groom.  At the end of the song, the bride throws her bouquet to the women and the groom throws the bride’s garter to the men. 

Cake and other food.  Traditional Mexican wedding cakes are often rum-soaked fruitcakes filled with bits of pineapple, pecans, or coconut.  Incorporating religious or cultural symbols in frosting on the cake is also popular.  The food typically served at a Mexican wedding includes rice, beans, chicken, beef, and tortillas.  Sangria is also served.

Mariachis.  Occasionally a mariachi band will replace organ music at the ceremony, but the processional is almost always played with an organ.  Mariachi will often play the recessional after the ceremony, and in some weddings they will play at the end of the reception to indicate that the guests should take farewell shots of tequila and beer before (hopefully walking) home.  Mariachi from the north wear black or white clothing with silver details, while musicians from the south wear blue.  Both groups generally include individuals who play the guitar, violin, drums, trumpet or harp, although southern mariachi may also include an accordion.

Reception music.  Many couples choose to have Spanish-style music play at the reception, including flamenco guitar, merengue and salsa. 

Piñata.  A paper-mache animal or heart filled with candy and toys is presented at the reception and hung from a string on a tree or beam.  Children then take turns being blindfolded and swinging at the piñata with a bat until it breaks, releasing the candy and toys.  The children then scramble to gather as many of the goodies as they can.

Sources: Camelú Millán, MBC; WeddingDetails.com; WorldWeddingTraditions.com; Topics-Mag.com; AssociatedContent.com