Mexican Wedding Traditions

If you're planning a destination wedding to Mexico, you may want to include some traditional Mexican wedding customs as a fun way to incorporate your destination into your ceremony and reception. Here are a few Mexican traditions that may add a nice touch to a getaway wedding:

1. During the vows, a white ribbon or rosary--called a lasso--is wrapped around the necks of the couple, representing their union. 
2. It is customary for a Mexican groom to give his wife a wedding gift of 13 gold coins, which are blessed by the  priest during the ceremony. This represents his commitment to support his new wife. 
3. As the newlyweds leave the church, guests toss red beads to bring good luck.
4. At a traditional reception, it is customary for guests to form a heart shape around the newlywed couple, as they begin their first dance as husband and wife.
5. A pinata is hung from the ceiling at many Mexican receptions--generally shaped like a heart or an animal and filled with candy to be hit at by the children. 
6. Mexican wedding cakes are usually fruit cake soaked in rum.