3 Traditional Wedding Mass Rituals in the Hispanic Culture - Part II

This is the second in a series of six blogs dedicated to Latin weddings. To read Part I, please click here.

In Part I of this series, I wrote about the giving of “arras” or gold/silver coins. This beautiful tradition follows the exchanging of wedding vows and the blessing of the rings.

The second, unique element of Hispanic Catholic weddings involves a lasso. Introduced by Spanish missionaries many years ago, the ritual calls for placing a rope around the couple as a symbol of eternal unity. To this day, the lasso represents a timeless, unbreakable union blessed by God.

There are diverse materials found in a typical wedding lasso, including silver, gold, silk, pearls, crystals, and fabric flowers. Most lassos have a crucifix placed in the center and are long enough to go around the couple's shoulders. Many used today are giant replicas of rosaries.

LASSO MADE OF SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS

The lasso ritual takes place following the giving of the arras. The bride and groom, who are kneeling or sitting next to each other, are adorned with the lasso by “padrinos,” or sponsors. Padrinos are a married couple in the Catholic faith who have a solid and exemplary relationship and who will be able to offer guidance and counseling to the couple, if needed. Traditionally, they are responsible for buying the lasso.

Once the lasso is removed and the priest has blessed the couple, the bride and groom offer a bouquet of flowers to a statue of the Virgin Mary. The offering serves as an act of thanksgiving while the couple asks Mary to bless their marriage. The bouquet is usually medium-sized and is made of white flowers, which symbolize purity. The placing of the flowers is the third and last ritual in a traditional Hispanic Catholic wedding Mass.

Aside from these unique elements – the arras, lasso, and bouquet offering to the Virgin Mary – Catholic wedding ceremonies in the United States are celebrated the same way. Should you decide to incorporate any of these Hispanic rituals into your own wedding, you now have an understanding of their origins and meaning.

BOUQUET TO THE VIRGIN MARY

Finally, and on a related note, most of my clients like to have their wedding Mass conducted in English and Spanish. In addition to recognizing the blending of two cultures under one faith, this gesture is particularly welcoming for Spanish-speaking family members and guests who come to the United States to attend the wedding. As most people are aware, the Catholic Church is universal, so the order of events and prayers at the Mass are the same; nevertheless, because the language barrier can make people feel excluded, celebrating the Mass in both languages helps your guests to feel comfortable and welcome.

If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me, 703.690.1075 or via e-mail: esme@bodamaestradc.com

Happy planning!

Esme

www.bodamaestradc.com

P.S. I’m biased, but having a Spanish-speaking wedding planner also is appreciated by your Latino family members and guests!

LASSO MADE OF SILK THREAD AND PEARLS.