Mexico is a beautiful country that values family, faith, and tradition. This means that Mexican weddings are elaborate affairs with customs that date back hundreds of years.

If you or your future spouse have Mexican heritage, incorporating these traditions when planning a wedding will honor those who came before you and allow you to feel more connected to your heritage.

Pre-Wedding Traditions

Mexican wedding coins are passed down from generation to generation. Photo Credit: ChallengeCoins

La Pedida de Mano

Also known as the proposal, the groom and his family will pay a visit to the bride and her family to formally ask for her hand in marriage.

Since respect and family is so important in Mexican culture, this highlights the union between not only two lovebirds, but their families as well. There, they will discuss the couple’s future, including the wedding and beyond.

Selecting Los Padrinos y Madrinas

Once the couple has decided they will wed, they choose an important family member to act as their padrino or madrina.

These people will act as god parents and guide them through the wedding process. They will also stand at the couple’s side as they exchange wedding vows.

Las Arras Matrimoniales

Las Arras Matrimoniales, or the wedding coins, symbolize the couple’s willingness to share their material possessions and support each other throughout their married life. These coins are traditionally passed down from generation to generation.

So, before the wedding day, a female elder will present las arras matrimoniales to the bride.

They will play an important role during the ceremony when the groom presents them to her to prove he will provide for her. The bride will keep them safe until the big day.

The Importance of a Church Wedding

A couple participates in a Catholic wedding ceremony. Photo Credit: Sergey Green

In Mexican culture, religion is the center of all events and decisions. Much like Christian wedding tradition, couples are expected to have an elaborate church wedding so they start their union off on the right foot.

Kneeling Pillows

Most Mexican couples are Catholic, meaning mass is often an hour or more. Since the church service will be lengthy and involve a lot of kneeling, the couple will have special kneeling pillows to ensure their comfort.

These are often gifted by a loved one.

Sunday Services

Many Mexican couples will get married during the normal Sunday service. Essentially, The community service will go on as usual, but with a wedding attached at the end.

This means that all community members, as well as guests, will be in attendance to cheer the couple on and bless their union.

Presenting the Bouquet to The Virgin Mary

At the end of the service, the bride and groom will place her bouquet at the feet as a symbol of devotion. It’s also an offering of thanks to Mary and a request for her blessings on their marriage.

It can be done at the church in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary or even at a home altar.

Mexican Wedding Ceremony Rituals

Mariachis are an important part of any Mexican wedding celebration. Photo Credit: Julieta Photography

La Serenata

This ritual dates back to the time of the colonies, but it’s still a very prominent tradition in modern Mexican weddings.

The groom will serenade his bride at various times throughout the wedding process, including the night before the wedding and during the ceremony. He will hire a group of musicians known as Mariachis to accompany him.

La Madrina de Ramo

Also known as the mother of the bouquet, this tradition requires a female elder to sponsor the essential bridal bouquet that will be carried by the bride and presented to the Virgin.

She will play an important role in the ceremony because she will walk the bride down the aisle holding the bouquet until it’s time for the bride to take over.

El Lazo

This ritual represents the long-lasting bond between the couple. During the wedding ceremony, a rosary or beautiful fabric rope will be draped to form a figure 8 around the couple.

This loop allows guests to see the couple’s unity and symbolizes that they will be together for their lives and beyond.

Post-Wedding Festivities

A wedding party celebrates the newlyweds with a parade to the reception venue! Photo Credit: Junebug Weddings

La Callejoneada

This Mexican wedding tradition can be found across multiple cultures. The couple, the wedding party, and all of their guests will parade from the church to the reception location. But it’s not just a procession!

This journey involves Mariachis singing, a tequila cart, handmade coups, and beautiful decorations. The guests will drink shots of tequila and offer them to community members along the way so they can join in the merriment!

La Vibora de La Mar & Other Dances

Dancing is an important component of the celebration. There are several unique dances that are done at all weddings. La Vibora de La Mar, or The Sea Snake, is a game that involves singing.

Guests hold hands to create the “snake. The bride and groom stand on chairs dancing with each other to join hands. The guests will snake through the arch. The couple must take care not to break the snake!

Another dance is El Baile del Mandilon, or The Dance of the Mandolin. This is a humorous act where the bride and groom reverse roles.

In Mexico, the term Mandilon is used to describe a man who is being bossed around by his wife. In this dance, the man will dance with a broom, sweeping the floor, while the wife commands his next move.

Finally, you may see the dollar-dance done at a Mexican wedding. The bride and groom will choose a fun song. Guests line up with dollar bills to “pay” for a dance with the bride or groom, who will collect the money.

This is done to show support for the happy couple and allow them to interact with the guests of honor in a fun way.

La Tornaboda

Mexican tradition dictates that just because the reception is over doesn’t mean the party has to end! La tornaboda is the afterparty. The bride, groom, and special guests will take the party to someone’s home to continue the fun.

Usually, it’s more intimate and casual. The party will rage on into the early hours of the morning. Sometimes the afterparty will take place the next day, allowing guests to rest in between celebrations.

La Hora Loca

Sometime during the reception, couples will host La Hora Loca or the crazy hour.

This is strategically placed to provide a burst of energy and excitement that will keep the party lively. Everything needed for this special time will be hidden until they are ready to surprise the guests!

The lights will be turned down as the music and fun lighting are turned up. Guests are given fun props, noise makers, and costumes to wear. Hired performers will enter the reception to hype up the guests.

These couples include jesters, dancers on stilts, or dancers in fun, feathered costumes.

How to be the Perfect Guest at a Mexican Wedding

If you’ve been invited to a Mexican wedding, congratulations! You’re in for a real treat! There will be lots of traditions you’re already familiar with, like the exchanging of vows and rings.

However, there are other rituals and activities you’ll need to be prepared for so you can participate to the fullest!

Time Requirements

When you RSVP to the event, know that Latino weddings are notorious for being long. After the ceremony, the reception often starts later in the evening and continues as late as three or four AM.

While you can always excuse yourself early, you may miss some of the most memorable and exciting events if you do! So plan accordingly to have the best time.

What to Wear

Since the first part of the wedding will be in a church, your outfit must be appropriate. Women should wear a dress that goes to their knees and covers their shoulders and upper arms. You can bring a shawl or jacket that you can use to cover up during the ceremony and remove for the party.

Men should wear a tie or bolo. For the reception, the attire is much more casual, but you can still dress up. Always refer to the invitation for a specific dress code.

Unlike other cultures, it’s appropriate to wear dark colors like navy, gray, or black to the wedding. It won’t make it look like you are mourning the union!

Prepare for the Traditions

Have some cash in small bills for the various traditions, like the dollar dance. Wear comfortable shoes so you can dance the night away and participate in other activities, like the procession to the ceremony.

Proper Gifts

Mexican wedding gifts can vary greatly. Money is always acceptable. Try to give enough to cover your plate at the event. Handcrafted pottery or glassware that depicts alebrije or painted with traditional Mexican patterns will be colorful accents to their home.

You can also gift traditional Mexican decor and artwork to give a nod to the couple’s heritage. Luxury bedding is also a good gift because it shows you want the couple’s home to be comfortable.

Finally, modern couples may set up a fund to collect donations for an experience, like a honeymoon or cruise excursions. This is a great way to support their dreams!

Concluding the Magical Ceremony

Mexican weddings are beautiful, meaningful events that honor the past while preparing the couple for the future.

If you want to incorporate any of these beautiful traditions, make sure you do so respectfully and you will experience the beauty and joy this culture has to offer!

Mexican Wedding Traditions & Customs