Hispanic Weddings Spanish II Culture Assignment

Latino weddings

Kelsey Vollenweider

Spanish 2

Hispanic weddings

Many traditions and customs in Spanish-speaking countries can be traced back the influence of Spanish settlers.

Weddings are big affairs and while some customs are similar to other cultures, others are less familiar.

Some traditions remain a thing of the past, but a good amount of them are still used today.

Introduction

The evening before the wedding ceremony, hand lanterns were known to be used to show the light along the way from the grooms house to his brides.

Once the bride receives her soon-to-be in-laws, her groom and family will carry boxes lavishly decorated in lacquer and red colored cloth represented wealth.

Tea is then served and advice is traded between parents and children.

During this tea party the grooms mother opens the box and gives her daughter-in-law gifts, most often jewelry.

Pre-wedding traditions

http://www.behindthelensmaui.com/traditions-and-customs-of-the-spanish-and-latin-american-wedding/

Most weddings begin later in the evening around 7p.m. and continue late on into the night.

This time is common in Spanish events due to the weather. Avoiding the midday sun is another aspect that has to be taken into account for the everyones comfort, and well-lit photographs.

A qu hora?(What Time?)

http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/customs/spanish-weddings.asp

The wedding dress (vestido de bodas) is an important aspect of the wedding much like it is in America.

A dramatic mantilla veil , triangular with lace trim, is a custom essential in Spain instead of a velo nupcial (wedding veil.)

Also in Spain, they traditionally wear a black gown to symbolize their til-death devotion. In recent years white has become another acceptable color.

Flamenco-style ruffles at the hem of their gown is also a traditional style.

Para La novia (for the bride)

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-customs/articles/a-roundup-of-latin-american-wedding-traditions.aspx?print=1&MsdVisit=1

Vestidos de bodas

While the bride has many traditions, a groom has a couple as well.

A groom from Spain may wear a guayabera, a short-sleeved, light shirt perfect for tropical temperatures.

He has 13 gold coins to be blessed by the priest before they are given to the bride.

Por el novio(for the groom)

http://www.countryclubreceptions.com/blog/wedding-insider/hispanic-wedding-family-traditions-customs.html

The bride will receive 13 gold coins, which represents Jesus and his 12 apostles, known as the arras.

These coins are blessed by the priest before they are given to the bride with a promise by the groom to care, love and support her.

Arras, trece monedas (13 coins)

All sources contained information regarding the Arras tradition.

La Procesion (The procession)

Walking the bride down the aisle is different in every culture, and country.

In Argentina, the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father, much like in American tradition. Although she is brought to the altar by her father, there are no bridesmaids or groomsmen.

-The only people to stand with them are their parents and godparents.

In Chile, only the couples parents are standing at the altar with them.


Madrinas y Padrinos are tradition throughout Latin America; chosen by the parents to guide their children through engagement and marriage.

In Mexico, the godparents are essential to funding the wedding, and overall supporting the couple both spiritually and financially.

The godparents can be chosen at birth or even marriage, who continue to play a large role in their wedding and the rest of their lives.

Madrinas y padrinos (Godparents)


Los anillos (the rings)

Unlike the tradition of waiting til the wedding day, Chilean couples wear their rings on their right hand until they get married; then they switch to the left hand.

Argentinean couples also exchange rings when they get engaged.

In Spain, the alianza (wedding ring), is worn on the right hand ring finger.

Information on engagement and weddings rings came from all sources.

Ate el nudo (Tie the knot)

An interesting tradition in Guatemala is the binding of the couple. During the ceremony they bind themselves together with a silver rope.

Mexican couples engage in a similar ritual, where a rosary, or white rope, is wound around their shoulders in a figure eight to symbolize their union.

While they are bound the priest will recite a prayer to bless their union.


Every Spanish country has their own set of signature foods, so the food at a wedding is enormously varied.

Appetizers can be pasteles (pastry), empanadas (Puerto Rican meat patties), Spanish tapas (Columbian pastries with meat and veggies).

For a honest Latin-American flavor stations are set up for make-your-own fajitas or tacos. Other dishes include rice and beans, arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), ropa vieja (beef stew), paella and plantains.

La comida (the food)


For dessert, a common one is flan; a custard made with milk, eggs, vanilla, and caramelized sugar.

In Mexico, Panama, and throughout the Caribbean, traditional wedding cakes are made with nuts and dried fruit and soaked in lots of rum.

A reception normally has 7-10 courses.

El Postre (dessert)


Sangria, Caipirinha, wine, batidos and caf con leche are just a handful of drinks popularly served at weddings during the reception.

Sangria is a punch made from wine, brandy, sugar, fruit, and seltzer.

Caipirinha is a Brazilian potion of fresh lime juice, sugar, and sugar cane liquor.

Chile, Argentina, and Spain are excellent producers of fine wines.

Batidos are fruit shakes made from fresh fruit, ice and milk.

Caf con leche is a common addition with the wedding cake.

Bebidas (drinks)


Bebidas

There is a large variety of Latin music to chose from for a wedding reception, such as;

Salsa

Merengue

Mambo

Flamenco

Samba

For the celebration, a Mexican mariachi group or a Cuban big band may be hired to make sure the party is entertained.

Bailemos (lets dance)


Seguidillas Manchegas is a dance also referred to as the money dance, which symbolizes prosperity and financial security for the newlyweds.

The couple dances with their guests and during this short interaction they are given blessings and pinned with a certain amount of money.

By the end of the dance both the bride and groom have bills hanging off their suit and dress.

Video of the Money Dance:

http://youtu.be/kis13QR6bqo

Seguidillas manchegas (Money Dance)

http://www.uv.es/~serranoj/seguidilla.htm

In Spain, during the reception, the bride and groom greet members table to table handing out detalles, wedding favors.

During this interaction the guests will likely return the favor and hand the bride/groom dinero en sobres, money in envelopes.

Regalos (gifts)


Some couples also send out the number of a bank account with the wedding invitation to make sure money can be passed to them before or after the wedding.

In Puerto Rico capias, or small favors are presented to guests which are made of feathers tied with ribbon and printed with the couples name and wedding date.

Regalos (gifts)


In lieu of attending a traditional wedding, I have interviewed a person that has attended one and asked him of his experiences and observations. This slide will include the first half of questions and answers.

Interview Part II

How did you know the soon-to-be wed couple? Where did the wedding take place?

What time of year did it take place? What time of day was it? How was the weather for the wedding?

Was there anything unique about the bride or grooms attire? Was there a specific color scheme?

Questions by Kelsey Vollenweider

Response by Orion Oneill

It took place in a main Catholic church in Caguas, Puerto Rice.

It occurred during the fall at about 11:00 in the morning. It was a overcast day oddly, with a slight chance of rain. Humid and hot despite the grayness of the sky.

The groom wore traditional guayabera attire (a white shirt to get married in with lines down it). The bride wore a very long dress with many ruffles at the end. Color scheme was white.

Interview Part II

Questions

Response

What kind of music and entertainment was there? What kind of foods and drinks did they serve?

Was there anything overall the stood out to you?

A lot of salsa, bachata, merengue, and reggaeton music at the wedding. The food consisted of rice, beans, salad, pernil, coca cola, medalla, rum and Hennessey.

Many family members gave a presentation contesting to the hoped duration of the bride and grooms marriage, while also supporting their characters through their life. It stood out because usually people just give cheers to the couple. This was a sequential family member orientation presented orally giving opinions and certainties about their marriage and in general.





http://www.ehow.com/about_6306243_south-american-wedding-tradition.htm

http://www.notesfromspain.com/2008/09/10/how-do-spanish-weddings-work/

http://newweddingtips.net/wedding-tips/traditional-wedding-custom-for-spanish.html

http://www.uv.es/~serranoj/seguidilla.htm

Works cited

How many gold coins are given to the bride from the groom during the ceremony?

A. 10 coins B. 13 coins C. 15 coins D. 8 coins

What happens during seguidillas manchegas, the money dance?

A. Money is thrown into the dance floor B. Certain song played that costs money C. All guests dance with the couple and pin money to their outfits.

Who financially supports the couple during and beyond the wedding?

A. Parents B. Older siblings C. Godparents D. In-Laws

Name one common dance performed during the reception?

A. Waltz B. Ballet C. Hip-hop D. Salsa

What is a common, and expected, gift given to the couple at the reception?

A. Beer B. Money C. Jewelry D. Kitchen supplies

Preguntas (Questions)

Date post:	17-Jul-2015
Category:	Education
Upload:	kelsey-vollenweider
View:	399 times
Download:	1 times

Hispanic Weddings Spanish II Culture Assignment

Education