Mexican WEDDING TRADITIONS

Working as a wedding photographer in Southern California, especially in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas, we are exposed to all sorts of diverse cultures. Not just in everyday life, but through the weddings we photograph at. And it doesn’t matter if it’s one of the many Asian cultures, Hispanic, African or European, seeing all the traditions from yesteryear play out is a real treat for us. That all said, Orange County has a very high density of Mexican residents, therefore we are often hired to photograph their ceremonies and receptions. Three16 Photography honors the Mexican Wedding Ceremony, as well as all Latin Wedding Traditions throughout the world.

Mexicans hold their customs and cultural values in high respect. But they also love their events filled with love, family, friends, music, food, drink and of course, fun as Mexican weddings can be quite the party. Many ceremonies and receptions are similar to other countries, but like other countries, Mexico has a few traditions of their own.

The Role of the Padrinos y Madrinas
Padrinos y Madrinas are those who often sponsor the wedding, whether in full or partial. Meaning they generally sponsor the financial aspect of the wedding and become mentors to the couple before and after the wedding. Traditionally, the Godparents are selected to serve in this role, but not necessarily.

A Bride’s Traditional Mexican Wedding Dress
Like many countries or cultures, traditions come from the various parts of the country where you are from. Similar to having a different accent even though you are in the same country. Therefore, the Mexican wedding dress, known as the Vestido de novia, could also be different depending on what part of the country you are from.

In south Mexico you can expect to see quite a bit of lace as well as other decorations. Go a little further east to Chiapas, it might include goose feathers. Today, some of those traditions have been altered, but a true traditionalist will keep it the way it was. Today’s Mexican bride, la Novia Mexicana, will wear a white wedding gown, along with lingerie that includes garters, and she won’t wear pearls. Two other wedding attire items to note when getting married in the church, is that she must wear a veil that covers her head and if her dress does not cover her shoulders, she must wear either a bridal shawl or a bolero jacket.

The Groom’s Wedding Attire
Over the years, the shirt worn by the groom was known as a guayabera, along with black pants or linen. This traditional shirt typically has four small patch pockets, along with two rows of vertical, fine pleats. Today, this shirt is often seen being worn to many formal events that are held internationally by the president of Mexico and other leaders too and not just to a wedding.

The Lasso Makes Them One
The Lasso, known in Spanish as El Lazo, is used during the wedding ceremony. As the vows are being made, it’s custom for a white ribbon or rosary to be placed around their necks of the bride and groom, representing the coming together as one.

Red Beads are Better than Rice
Much like the rice toss in America, Mexicans generally toss red beads as the couple leaves the ceremony. The beads represent the wishing of good luck to the new married couple.

The Purpose of the Marriage Coins
Las Arras Matrimoniales, or Marriage Coins, are made up of 13 gold coins that have been placed in a gold box. During a Mexican wedding ceremony, the pastor or priest will take the coins and bless them before the groom presents the coins to his bride as a wedding gift. The presentation of the coins represents the groom’s commitment to his bride by supporting her. The 13 coins also represents Jesus and the 12 apostles, and this commitment is to show her that they are to have a strong relationship with God and that God will be at the center of their marriage.

Taking of Communion
Taking Communion, or Liturgy of the Eucharist, often takes place sometime after the vows have been said and serves as their first meal together. This first meal represents them relying on God to support them during their marriage.

Presentation of the Bouquet
Traditionally, after a Mexican wedding has ended, you will often see the newly married couple present the bridal bouquet to the Virgin Mary. They will ask her for her blessings for their marriage. If a couple plans on presenting their bouquet, the bride will usually have additional bouquets that she can carry with her during the rest of the evening and for photos.

The Wedding Parade
The Wedding Parade, also known as La Callejoneada, will take place after the wedding ceremony is completed. The parade takes the wedding guests to the reception from the ceremony as they walk and dance along the way. Led by music that has the upbeat sounds of mariachis, the mood is set for a good time to be had by all.

Heart Shapes at a Mexican Wedding Reception
One of the traditions you will often see at the reception includes a heart shaped piñata filled with candy to be broken and enjoyed. In addition, the guests form a heart shape around the couple as they share their first husband and wife dance together. As we all know, the heart represents love and plenty of hearts means lots of love for the newly married couple.

Mexican Wedding Cakes
A tradition amongst Mexicans for their wedding cakes is not to go with the tiered cakes you often see in America, but rather their cake table often holds three cakes. The one cake that has to be included is the Polvorones. Polvorones is not your typical cake, in fact it’s are more cookie-like and are so delicious. Other cakes include the fruit cake and the milk cake, or better knows as the tres leches cake.

Of course, with Mexico having such a long history, there are many more traditions that can be included, but this gives you a great idea of the romance that comes along with Mexican wedding traditions.


Learn About More Wedding Traditions

Catholic Wedding Traditions
Chinese Wedding Traditions
Christian Wedding Traditions
Filipino Wedding Traditions
Greek Orthodox Wedding Traditions
Indian Wedding Traditions
Jewish Wedding Traditions
Non-Denominational Wedding Traditions
Tea Ceremony Wedding Traditions

Working as a wedding photographer in Southern California, especially in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas, we are exposed to all sorts of diverse cultures. Not just in everyday life, but through the weddings we photograph at. And it doesn’t matter if it’s one of the many Asian cultures, Hispanic, African or European, seeing all the traditions from yesteryear play out is a real treat for us. That all said, Orange County has a very high density of Mexican residents, therefore we are often hired to photograph their ceremonies and receptions. Three16 Photography honors the Mexican Wedding Ceremony, as well as all Latin Wedding Traditions throughout the world.

Mexicans hold their customs and cultural values in high respect. But they also love their events filled with love, family, friends, music, food, drink and of course, fun as Mexican weddings can be quite the party. Many ceremonies and receptions are similar to other countries, but like other countries, Mexico has a few traditions of their own.

The Role of the Padrinos y Madrinas
Padrinos y Madrinas are those who often sponsor the wedding, whether in full or partial. Meaning they generally sponsor the financial aspect of the wedding and become mentors to the couple before and after the wedding. Traditionally, the Godparents are selected to serve in this role, but not necessarily.

A Bride’s Traditional Mexican Wedding Dress
Like many countries or cultures, traditions come from the various parts of the country where you are from. Similar to having a different accent even though you are in the same country. Therefore, the Mexican wedding dress, known as the Vestido de novia, could also be different depending on what part of the country you are from.

In south Mexico you can expect to see quite a bit of lace as well as other decorations. Go a little further east to Chiapas, it might include goose feathers. Today, some of those traditions have been altered, but a true traditionalist will keep it the way it was. Today’s Mexican bride, la Novia Mexicana, will wear a white wedding gown, along with lingerie that includes garters, and she won’t wear pearls. Two other wedding attire items to note when getting married in the church, is that she must wear a veil that covers her head and if her dress does not cover her shoulders, she must wear either a bridal shawl or a bolero jacket.

The Groom’s Wedding Attire
Over the years, the shirt worn by the groom was known as a guayabera, along with black pants or linen. This traditional shirt typically has four small patch pockets, along with two rows of vertical, fine pleats. Today, this shirt is often seen being worn to many formal events that are held internationally by the president of Mexico and other leaders too and not just to a wedding.

The Lasso Makes Them One
The Lasso, known in Spanish as El Lazo, is used during the wedding ceremony. As the vows are being made, it’s custom for a white ribbon or rosary to be placed around their necks of the bride and groom, representing the coming together as one.

Red Beads are Better than Rice
Much like the rice toss in America, Mexicans generally toss red beads as the couple leaves the ceremony. The beads represent the wishing of good luck to the new married couple.

The Purpose of the Marriage Coins
Las Arras Matrimoniales, or Marriage Coins, are made up of 13 gold coins that have been placed in a gold box. During a Mexican wedding ceremony, the pastor or priest will take the coins and bless them before the groom presents the coins to his bride as a wedding gift. The presentation of the coins represents the groom’s commitment to his bride by supporting her. The 13 coins also represents Jesus and the 12 apostles, and this commitment is to show her that they are to have a strong relationship with God and that God will be at the center of their marriage.

Taking of Communion
Taking Communion, or Liturgy of the Eucharist, often takes place sometime after the vows have been said and serves as their first meal together. This first meal represents them relying on God to support them during their marriage.

Presentation of the Bouquet
Traditionally, after a Mexican wedding has ended, you will often see the newly married couple present the bridal bouquet to the Virgin Mary. They will ask her for her blessings for their marriage. If a couple plans on presenting their bouquet, the bride will usually have additional bouquets that she can carry with her during the rest of the evening and for photos.

The Wedding Parade
The Wedding Parade, also known as La Callejoneada, will take place after the wedding ceremony is completed. The parade takes the wedding guests to the reception from the ceremony as they walk and dance along the way. Led by music that has the upbeat sounds of mariachis, the mood is set for a good time to be had by all.

Heart Shapes at a Mexican Wedding Reception
One of the traditions you will often see at the reception includes a heart shaped piñata filled with candy to be broken and enjoyed. In addition, the guests form a heart shape around the couple as they share their first husband and wife dance together. As we all know, the heart represents love and plenty of hearts means lots of love for the newly married couple.

Mexican Wedding Cakes
A tradition amongst Mexicans for their wedding cakes is not to go with the tiered cakes you often see in America, but rather their cake table often holds three cakes. The one cake that has to be included is the Polvorones. Polvorones is not your typical cake, in fact it’s are more cookie-like and are so delicious. Other cakes include the fruit cake and the milk cake, or better knows as the tres leches cake.

Of course, with Mexico having such a long history, there are many more traditions that can be included, but this gives you a great idea of the romance that comes along with Mexican wedding traditions.


Learn About More Wedding Traditions

Catholic Wedding Traditions - Chinese Wedding Traditions - Christian Wedding Traditions -
Filipino Wedding Traditions - Greek Orthodox Wedding Traditions - Indian Wedding Traditions -
Jewish Wedding Traditions - Non-Denominational Wedding Traditions - Tea Ceremony Wedding Traditions