The exchange of gold coins is part of traditional Mexican wedding etiquette.
If you will be attending the wedding of a Mexican bride and groom soon, it's important to be aware of the etiquette associated with the occasion. Following these courtesies will help to ensure that you, other guests and the bride and groom have a wonderful time at this sentimental celebration.
Arras
In a traditional Mexican wedding ceremony, proper etiquette calls for the groom to pass a collection of 13 coins to his bride, called arras. These coins represent the groom's acknowledgment of his responsibility to support his bride. During the ceremony, the priest blesses the coins and passes them between the newlyweds. Ultimately, the coins end up in the bride's hands.
Madrinas y Padrinos
In Mexico, it is appropriate for godparents, or madrinas (female) and padrinos (male), to be responsible for sponsoring the wedding. Not only does the couple lend their financial support to the wedding, but they also serve as spiritual guides and advisers for the newlyweds. Traditionally, the bride and groom choose individuals who are close to the couple, such as lifelong family friends, or an aunt and uncle, for this position.
Ate el Nudo
Ate el Nudo, or "tying the knot" is a custom in Mexican weddings that is centuries old. This part of the ceremony takes place near the end of the wedding, and a white rosary binds the bride and groom together to signify their new union. They tie the rosary around their shoulders in the shape of a figure eight; it is also customary for the couple to recite a pledge of their love and fidelity to one another while bound by the rosary.
Gathering of Guests
At a Mexican wedding reception, guests often gather around the newlyweds and form the shape of a heart. This symbolizes the love and support that the couple will receive from their family members during their marriage. The bride and groom stand in the middle of the "heart" and dance their first dance as a married couple.
Mexican Wedding Food
Be prepared to eat a number of savory foods, such as beef or chicken, prepared with spicy yellow rice as a side dish at a Mexican wedding. Mexican wedding cakes often include pieces of fruit soaked in rum for additional flavor. If a white cake, or tres leches cake, is the couple's choice, it is proper etiquette to offer guests cafe con leche, or coffee with milk. It is also appropriate to serve sangria, which is a wine drink with seltzer water and fruit. The couple can also serve flavored sodas at a Mexican ceremony for those who do not want alcoholic beverages.
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