Do you want to know more about traditional Spanish weddings? If so, then take time to read on and find out how Spanish people celebrate their beautiful wedding through special traditions and customs. Most of the Spanish wedding traditions are still being practiced even today, but with slight changes and minimal variations. Spanish weddings have always consisted of a large gathering due to the extensive members of each family. As with many other countries, the Spanish wedding is a festive celebration of two souls coming together as one. Families of both the bride and groom really devote a lot of time for the general preparation. From the Spanish wedding invitations, dresses, favors, up to the reception area, the couple ensures that everything is properly taken care of. The way the celebration is prepared and set up, though, varies greatly, from one family to the other.
The Start
Most Spanish wedding celebrations start late in the afternoon or early in the evening, after usual preparations like the bride’s wedding makeup and hair and making sure the wedding dress looks absolutely perfect. Formal catholic weddings typically last an hour or more. On the average, Spanish brides often have five or more bridesmaids standing beside them when they say their ‘I dos’. The bridesmaids are usually friends or “maidens” who are also a close member of the family, whether on the part of the groom or bride.
The Wedding Dress
Traditionally, brides can also wear black Spanish wedding dresses that are usually made of silk. However, if the family can’t afford a silk dress, the bride can choose one made from “crepe” fabric instead. The wedding dress is complemented with a cathedral or chapel length veil that displays beautiful black meshing which is covered and hand-sewn with a pretty Spanish lace. While there are still brides who wear black bridal dresses, modern Spanish brides now prefer to wear old white, white, or bluish white wedding gowns.
The Ceremony
Typically, the ceremony starts at the house of the groom or at the house of the couple’s Godmother. When everyone is ready to go to church, the family will all gather outside the house and lit up fireworks to announce their departure from the house to the church. Before the actual ceremony starts, the groom presents the bride with thirteen gold Spanish coins, which she will carry down the aisle. The coins will be blessed by the priest for prosperity. Mass used to be in Latin but nowadays it would be a wedding in Spanish.
Centerpieces and More…
The church and reception area are mostly decorated with orange blossoms, which have long been a favorite of Spanish couples. The orange blossoms stand for a life filled with happiness and fulfillment. This is practically the reason why they are commonly used as decorations as well as wedding centerpieces. The Spanish wedding invitations are often custom-made according to the design and motif that both have previously chosen.
The reception of the wedding is a lavish, grand, and fun festivity. Traditional fiesta music is playing and live accompaniment of Flamenco music may also be heard. Everybody will dance and the newlyweds will often take a while before they can sit down and eat. Spanish wedding cakes are usually served as dessert. According to the folklore, the cake should be cut by the newlyweds using a sword. Varied foods and appetizers will be served, but seafood is always the ideal main course. Food will be served for everyone as soon as the newlywed couple has been announced and they both seat on their designated table. Guests are given Spanish wedding favors at the end of the delightful celebration, and celebratory cigars are a common choice.
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