Hispanic weddings bring together the dignity of Catholic mass with Latin traditions of music and celebration. Consider incorporating these traditions to your wedding for an experience you and your guests will cherish for years!

Early in the engagement, Hispanic couples will choose a sponsor couple known as the Madrina and Padrino. This couple will help pay for the wedding and guide the newlyweds through their first years of marriage. The Madrina and Padrino often have special roles in the wedding ceremony, which can include walking the bride down the aisle or providing a pillow on which the bride and groom can kneel. Generally, the sponsor couple has been important in the life of the bride and the groom.

When shopping for a traditional gown, the bride should look for a slim dress over which she can wear a jacket and a mantilla veil. The veil is triangular in shape and features lace edging. Ideally, the bride will wear a gown that has been passed down through her family for generations. Under the dress, brides often wear yellow, blue and red undergarments. These colors promote abundance of money, food and passion in the couple’s life. Remember when choosing bridal jewelry – Hispanic brides do not wear pearls as they signify the future tears and grief in a marriage. To be very traditional, you could opt for a black dress. In Spain, brides often wear black on their wedding day to signify their devotion to their future husband until death.

Traditions in the ceremony originate in Spain and are a special part of the day. At a designated time, the groom will give the bride 13 coins as a pledge of his support and sign of trust. When the bride accepts the coins, she signifies she will be faithful to her future husband and will use their provision wisely. The number of coins is said to represent Christ and his 12 disciples.

Another important part of the ceremony is El Lazo. Members of the wedding party, often the Madrina and Padrino, are responsible for tying a rosary, long rope or piece of satin around the couple. The rope is wrapped in a figure eight around the couple’s neck or waist to symbolize the love that the bride and groom share. It also shows how the couple equally shares responsibility for the success of the marriage.

The reception can include a number of fun traditions as well. The couple’s first dance is generally held with their guests forming a heart around them on the dance floor. Later, family and guests can participate in the money dance. This is a unique way to give the bride and groom a healthy start to their new lives together. During a designated dance, guests will pin money on the bride and groom to dance with them. Just be sure to have a money bag on hand to collect the cash after the dance is over!

When planning your reception food, look for items that are traditional to the Hispanic culture. Empanadas, rice, beans, paella, fried plantains and arroz con pollo are all excellent choices that are sure to please your guests. Often the wedding cake is a fruitcake that is soaked in rum. If you would like to have a white tiered cake instead, consider choosing from one of many Hispanic wedding cake toppers available.

One of the most important ways to share your traditions with your guests is to explain them! For some of you guests, this could be their first Hispanic wedding ceremony. A brief explanation of what is happening during the ceremony and reception either as the events or happening or in the form of a program insert will ensure your guests fully appreciate the rich history of traditions they are witnessing.