7 Must-Have Elements for a Latin Wedding

 

If you love the idea of a colorful Latin wedding, there are many unique traditions to incorporate. Whether you have a passion for food, music or dance, these special touches can help make your big day unforgettably memorable.

One of the most fun and symbolic is La Hora Loca or “Crazy Hour”. During this time guests will often be welcomed with loud music, noise-makers and performers to reignite the party and keep the energy high.

1. La Hora Loca

If you’ve ever been to a Latin wedding, you might have experienced la hora loca or the “frolicsome hour.” It is a one-of-a-kind experience where guests let loose and celebrate the night with their friends and family. And it’s a must-have element for any Latin wedding.

Originally celebrated as part of New Year’s Eve festivities, it was eventually brought over to weddings. And now, it is the most important part of any Latin American wedding.

The hora loca is a time of wild celebration that’s filled with music, dance, and a Mardi Gras-like entourage of performers and dancers. The energy of the hora loca will transform your wedding into an insane party. And it’s a great way to get even your most introverted guests out on the dance floor.

To get your guests ready for the hora loca, you can give them noisemakers and glow sticks. And if you want to go all out, you can even have confetti cannons. This will add an instant pop of color that’ll make your photos and videos look amazing. It’s also a great way to show your appreciation for your guests. They’ll thank you for putting on such an unforgettable party.

2. El Encerróna Cord

For couples with Latin American roots, it’s important to take into account wedding traditions that are specific to their heritage. “While there are many common elements of a Latin American wedding,” says Baca, it’s also incredibly important to listen to the couple and understand what aspects of their culture they want to be incorporated into the celebration.

One example is el lazo, or the wedding lasso ceremony, in which the couple is joined together by a cord, rosary, or rope to symbolize their new union. While steeped in Catholic tradition, it’s a beautiful symbol for both religious and non-religious couples.

Another ceremony is the arras, or exchange of wedding coins, which is typically included in a Catholic wedding ceremony. Often, it is paired with the bride’s black mantilla veil as a symbolic reminder of the couple’s commitment to each other until death do them part.

Other smaller, but meaningful Latin American wedding traditions include handing out capias, small charms or feathers tied with ribbon, to guests during the reception, as well as serving a variety of alcohol unique to their region, such as a refreshing sangria, Tequila, Brazilian Caipirinha, or Argentinean wine. Including any of these rituals is sure to bring a sense of authenticity to the event!

3. The Bouquet Toss

In many cases, modern brides and grooms eschew traditional wedding customs because they feel unnecessary or are based on outdated/offensive views. However, incorporating some of these Latin-inspired traditions can help couples honor their heritage and family on their special day.

A common tradition is tossing the bouquet or garter. This is a fun way to get guests involved at the reception and adds to the celebratory mood of the event. It can also make for some great photo ops!

Another fun element is a lasso or arras. This is a generational ceremony that takes place after the couple exchanges their vows. The lasso is typically a rosary, silk cord or silver rope that has been wrapped around the couple by their Padrinos. The arras are usually 13 gold coins that the bride receives as a symbol of her new marriage.

A final tip is to include dance genres like salsa, merengue and flamenco guitar music at your wedding reception. This is a great way to add some Latin flavor and keep guests entertained and dancing throughout the night!

4. The Coconut Cups

A touch of tropical decor can make any wedding feel more authentic. A popular way to honor Latin culture at a ceremony or reception is to hand out coconut cups—known as “bolos”—to guests during the toasts. These handcrafted cups are usually made from polished, coconut shells and can be a beautiful symbol of the couple’s Latino heritage.

Another beautiful nod to culture can be found in the bridal dress or veil. A lace-trimmed, flamenco style gown is an elegant option while a sleeker silhouette with a bolero jacket could give a more modern twist. Additionally, many brides carry a hand fan to add a romantic feel to the ceremony.

The wedding culture in Latin America is different. It consists of the godparents of the couple, known as the padrinos, as well as the flower girl and ring bearer. The padrinos typically sponsor the arras, lazo, and other accessories used in the ceremony, while also serving as special mentors for the bride and groom.

While it may be difficult to incorporate every tradition into a single event, Baca says that choosing those that speak most to the couple and their heritage is key. Even small touches, such as adding a few Spanish phrases to the invitations or displaying traditional figurines at the dessert table, can bring a sense of authenticity to a Latin wedding.

5. The Money Dance

This wedding tradition is an important part of the night because it symbolizes the support the couple has from their community in terms of financial blessings as well as love and good wishes. Often times, the money dance is also a way for guests to thank their madrinos (or sponsors).

To keep the energy high during this portion of the evening, consider booking entertainment like samba dancers or an LED Robot to engage your guests. Alternatively, you can also choose to play a popular Latin hit during this portion of the night. Whether it be Don Omar’s Danza Kuduro or Pitbull’s Fireball, these tunes will be sure to make your guests te daras de bailar!

For couples who want to celebrate this tradition but don’t want to include monetary contributions, you can substitute the money for wedding well wishes. Ask your guests to write down their thoughts and advice on cards that will be pinned during the dance. This keeps the traditions alive and provides you with a beautiful keepsake from your special day!

While these are some of the most common elements that you’ll find at a traditional Latin American wedding, each couple is unique and can choose to incorporate these traditions into their own way. Remember that it’s all about celebrating your relationship, so don’t feel compelled to include every single one of these elements at your own wedding.

6. The Lazo and Arres

During the ceremony, the couple will be joined together with a wedding lasso or arras, which is typically a silk cord, rosary, or rope. This generational tradition, steeped in Catholicism, is a symbol of unity and love. In the past, the padrinos and madrinas—similar to best man and maid of honor—sponsored the lasso, but more modern couples often choose to buy their own for a symbolic touch.

The lasso will be removed at the end of the ceremony during a recessional led by mariachis or, in a civil ceremony, by guests who will throw rice or bird seeds. These celebratory tosses signify fertility and good fortune, but many modern Latinx couples choose to swap these for confetti or rose petals.

At the reception, salsa, merengue and flamenco guitar music will add a Latin flare to the party. Aguas frescas—sweet, flavored water beverages—are often served to keep everyone hydrated and happy.

As you plan your big day, Baca recommends considering how you want to celebrate your culture and picking the traditions that speak to you. After all, the best way to have a truly memorable wedding is one that’s uniquely yours.

7. The El Churro Bar

As brides and grooms navigate their wedding planning journey they often face a delicate balance of creating an event that feels unique to them while also celebrating their family heritage and culture. One of the ways they can do this is by incorporating meaningful Latin American traditions throughout the ceremony and reception.

Rather than traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen, many Latin couples choose to honor their godparents or padrinos in the wedding party. These guests are typically married themselves and act as mentors to the couple. As part of the ceremony they may wrap a lasso, or silk cord, around the newlyweds to symbolize their support. The bride may wear a mantilla veil or a more modern style with scalloped lace detailing. She can also carry a beautiful hand fan to add an elegant nod to her heritage.

After the ceremony, guests may toss rice or bird seeds at the couple as they exit, symbolizing fertility and luck for their future. Alternatively, more modern Latinx couples can opt for other types of confetti or rose petals. As for the reception, Mexican weddings usually feature a food menu filled with tasty foods like tamales, tacos, carnitas, enchiladas, and more. They’ll also likely have an open bar with tequilas and margaritas along with non-alcoholic drinks such as agua frescas in flavors like horchata, tamarind, and limon.