Hispanic Wedding Traditions

When I think of what it means to be a Latina the first thing that enters my mind is family, going back to the generations before us that struggled and persevered to provide the best opportunities for their loved ones to hopefully achieve the American Dream. I am in all honesty content by not following the accustomed Mexican wedding traditions. My Hispanic culture is rich with traditions to say the least and I am a bit weary that some of our non Hispanic guest will be a bit disappointed we will not be following the so call “Mexican” tradition. Even though my fiancé would not be opposed to such a traditional wedding; I think even though very proud being Latina, I have made the initial decision to have a beautiful outdoor garden wedding instead. Traditionally, a Hispanic wedding or Matrimonio is deeply spiritual and involves a full mass in a Roman Catholic Church. The bride and groom and their attendants stand or kneel at the Church’s alter. Prayers are said for the couple as they begin their life together; I think we’re following that area pretty close. We will not be involved in the traditional Padrinos, lazo or the very customary arras. I guess what I’m trying to express is that all in all a wedding has no rules; there are no wrongs or rights. It really is just two people in love coming together whether in a church or outdoors the prayers still mean the same. James and I have very diverse back grounds, but have managed to love and accept all the differences we bring to the table. Maybe it’s all the years that I have lived here in the US and I have come accustomed to those traditions, but have not forgotten where I come from or what my name represents. I am proud and blessed to have such a wonderful culture behind me. I don’t think having mariachis play at the wedding would be such a bad thing; it’s in my blood.