Learn About These 10 Dominican Wedding Traditions
Two people holding hands on a beach in the Dominican Republic Via Haniel Espinal.
The Dominican Republic is a small Caribbean island with a robust culture. Dominicans pride themselves on their sense of family and take every opportunity to celebrate life and love.
Whether you were raised in a Dominican family or are marrying into one, knowing the essential Dominican ceremony traditions will help keep you connected to the culture and make your wedding even more memorable.
If you’re planning a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic, you can honor their culture by learning about these traditions as well. Here are the top ten Dominican wedding traditions you can incorporate into your special day.
Traditions Before The Wedding
A bride and groom before their wedding in the Dominican Republic Via Caribbean Weddings.
The Role of Religion in Pre-Wedding Rituals
Dominicans are very religious. Many identify as Catholic and incorporate aspects of their culture into pre-wedding traditions. So it’s essential for the happy couple to seek blessings from revered members of their family.
The bride and groom will ask the elder members of their family for blessings before any major event, including a wedding. They will say “Bendiciones” and then address the family member by name. The elder, typically a parent or grandparent, will return this greeting by repeating the phrase.
If you choose to have a church wedding, there are special rituals that will happen during the ceremony, such as the eucharist and readings of selected Bible passages.
Giving Gifts A Day in Advance
Dominican weddings don’t typically include a gift table or envelope box. It is customary for guests to deliver gifts to the bride’s home the day before the wedding. They may also mail the gift well in advance and never think to bring anything to the reception.
If you’re looking to incorporate this Dominican wedding tradition, you can include a line on your invitation that asks guests to send gifts to your home rather than bring them to the ceremony.
This will allow you to focus on your special day and not worry about transporting gifts home at the end of a long night.
The Bride and Groom’s First Look
Dominican culture does not hold superstitions over the groom seeing his bride in her dress before she reaches the altar. In fact, couples will often share a first look several hours before the ceremony.
This allows couples to have a unique, private moment and time for family photographs without the rush of making it to the reception.
It helps create a relaxed atmosphere prior to the ceremony. Additionally, family members will be fresh for photographs since they wouldn’t have had to walk down the aisle or wait in humid conditions.
Traditions During a Dominican Wedding Ceremony
A Catholic wedding ceremony in the Dominican Republic Via Caribbean Wedding.
The Wedding Ceremony: Church vs. Civil
While Dominicans are typically religious, it’s not unusual for couples to opt for a civil ceremony.
Church ceremonies usually require the couple to be active members of the church. The bride and groom will meet with the priest for pre-wedding counseling. The ceremony takes place in the sanctuary of the church and lasts about as long as a typical mass since many rituals take place.
Civil ceremonies take place in government buildings. The couple registers with a clerk and then is married in a ceremony room. These events are usually done on a much smaller scale, with only witnesses and a handful of guests in attendance.
No matter which type of ceremony you choose, your day should be all about you and focus on your happy union.
Unique Roles in the Wedding Party
Large wedding parties are not common in Dominican weddings. Usually, only a select few close family members play a role in the ceremony.
Young relatives are often included in roles such as flower girl, coin carrier, or ring bearer, where they may be dressed similarly to the bride and groom. Children may also participate by carrying the Bible for the ceremony.
It’s common for Dominican couples to elect godparents for the wedding, also known as “madrinos” and “padrinos.” They serve as witnesses to the wedding and are usually the mother of the groom and father of the bride, but other family members can fulfill this role.
The godparents will stand next to the couple during the ceremony and sign the marriage certificate. They also will honor the new anniversary every year and help guide the couple by offering support and advice.
The Symbol of Arras
Crystal-decorated Arras box Via WeddingLassos on Etsy.
Arras are Dominican wedding unity coins. This tradition has Spanish origins and is a deep-rooted tradition.
The thirteen coins are passed to the priest during the wedding ceremony, usually by a special young person in the family. The priest hands the coins to the groom, who then gives them to the bride.
They are typically presented on an ornate tray or in a beautifully decorated box. These coins represent the bride’s dowry and are symbols of prosperity.
The arras become family heirlooms, passed down to future generations. You can purchase them from specialty shops and independent sellers if you want to start a new Dominican wedding tradition in your family.
Ceremonia Cantada: A Musical Element
Music is a staple in Dominican culture. So, it’s no surprise that Dominican weddings opt for live music rather than pre-recorded.
You won’t find instrumental music here. All the songs in the wedding ceremony are sung live by wedding guests or a hired singer. This adds a layer of personalization to the event.
Guests are usually given a program with the song selections so they know ahead of time which ones will be sung.
Dominican Wedding Reception Traditions
Dominican Wedding Food Via Mary Pily.
Traditional Dominican Wedding Reception Foods
Wedding guests often look forward to the cuisine served at a Dominican wedding. Dominican dishes take inspiration from Spanish, West African, and Caribbean cuisine, creating an amazing array of textures and flavors.
Here are some of the most popular dishes at any Dominican wedding.
Pernil - A savory pulled pork dish, pernil is a staple on any table in the Dominican Republic.
Mofongo con chuletas - Mofongo is a dish made from mashed plantains. Add chuletas, or fried pork chops, and your guests will be talking about the meal for years to come.
Moro de habichuelas - Rice and beans are a staple in Dominican cuisine, so they are a must for any wedding spread. The bride and groom can choose from a variety of beans, including gandules, or pigeon peas.
Flan - This creamy custard is covered in a fresh caramel sauce, making it an irresistible dessert. Since it’s made in individual servings, it’s a great choice for a Dominican wedding buffet.
Dominican cake - No wedding is complete without the perfect cake. Dominican cakes are usually filled with fruit, like passion fruit or guava. The ornate icing adds a light, fluffy sweetness that contrasts well with the thick, moist cake.
Whether you choose a sit-down meal or a buffet feast, Dominican flavors are the perfect treat for your wedding guests. Plus, the ingredients are pretty cost-effective, meaning you can offer huge portions at a reasonable price.
Dancing the Merengue
It’s no secret that Dominican culture is crazy about dancing. Once the reception starts, the couple will opt for a soft, slow song to kick off the evening. Then, the dance floor fills with couples dancing the merengue, the official dance and music genre of the Dominican Republic!
This fast-paced dance is full of twists, turns, and swinging hips and is considered part of the cultural fabric of the island. It’s a great Dominican wedding tradition to include because it’s easy to pick up and fun to dance.
Consider asking a few seasoned merengue pros to help guests who may have never danced to this music before. It will help build a bridge between cultures and bring family members together.
La Hora Loca: The Crazy Hour
A crazy hour at a Dominican Wedding Via Puntacana Photographer.
While dancing takes up most of the night during a Dominican wedding reception, guests look forward to La Hora Loca or the crazy hour.
During this time, they can expect the unexpected: masked dancers, fire eaters, and other types of outlandish entertainment. Magicians and belly dancers are also common performers during the crazy hour.
Hire intriguing and interesting acts to make your wedding night one to remember. Look for entertainment companies that offer multiple types of performers so you can choose the most unique ones to honor a unique Dominican wedding tradition.
Conclusion
Dominican culture is full of love, celebration, and deeply rooted in beliefs and traditions passed down through generations.
Whether you’re from a Dominican family, marrying into one, or simply seeking to learn more about the culture, these Dominican wedding traditions will help you create an authentic experience.
So celebrate your love, soar away to a Dominican honeymoon, and enjoy this special culture and its traditions.