Local wedding traditions to incorporate into your big day

share

One of the best parts of travelling is getting to discover new cultures and learn about different ways of life. When you say “I do” in a different country, there are plenty of ways you can honour your destination’s culture and heritage throughout your special day. We put together some wedding traditions around the world that you can incorporate into your wedding in paradise – read on and get inspired!

Mexico: Wedding Lasso

One of the most popular Mexican wedding traditions is el lazo – the wedding lasso. Signifying two people becoming one and everlasting love, the wedding lasso is typically made up of a long string of silk flowers or rosary beads. It’s placed around the couple’s shoulders in a figure eight to represent new beginnings after they exchange their vows and rings. After your wedding, you can keep the wedding lasso as an heirloom to pass on to your own family members or close friends.

Dominican Republic: Cantada Ceremony

Warm up those vocal pipes! A fun wedding tradition in the Dominican Republic is a cantada ceremony or a ceremonia cantada, where guests sing every piece of music throughout the wedding ceremony instead of having a band or musicians. It’s a great way to incorporate your loved ones into your big day and a favourite amongst karaoke lovers. What could be more fun than walking down the aisle to your family and friends singing along to your favourite song?

Cuba: Money Dance

Money dances (also known as dollar dances) are a popular tradition across plenty of European and Latin American countries, including Cuba. Since weddings for Cuban locals are civil and non-religious, money dances are a touching way to help support the couple as they move into the next stage of their life. The happy couple will hit the dance floor as guests dance around and toss dollar bills at them. In Cuba, men also pin money on the bride’s dress to request a dance with them! You can substitute real money for fake dollar bills or handwritten notes from your guests.

Jamaica: Black Rum Cake

If you have a sweet tooth, the cake is probably a pretty important part of any wedding – but in Jamaica, the wedding cake is even more special! Instead of the traditional vanilla or chocolate flavours, Jamaican weddings feature delicious rum cakes full of aromatic spices and dried fruit that’s been soaking in local rum since the couple’s engagement. There’s even a special procession where the cake makes an entrance hidden under a lace veil before the cake is revealed at the reception.

Costa Rica: Pre-Wedding Serenade

A popular Costa Rican wedding tradition is for the groom to serenade his bride or his groom before the wedding day. Known as a serenata, the groom will head to his partner’s house with a few of his closest friends – typically his groomsmen – and musicians to serenade them. It’s a touching and romantic gesture before saying “I do”. If you’re not musically inclined, you can hire a mariachi band or professional musicians to serenade your partner on your behalf.