Wedding
Customs
in Spain
Spain
is a nation
of many
regions,
most of
which were
once independent
countries,
so wedding
customs
sometimes
vary from
area to
area.Traditionally,
the groom
gives a
watch to
the bride's
father when
his proposal
is accepted.
Though
some brides
still uphold
custom by
embroidering
their groom's
wedding
shirt, today's
Spanish
brides generally
choose white
wedding
dresses
for themselves
rather than
the black
lace or
silk gowns
that were
once popular.
No matter
what color
the dress,
lacey mantillas
secured
with combs
often complete
the ensemble.
In Andalucia
(Andalusia),
a few brides
wear a frilled,
flamenco
style dress
in homage
to the distinctive
regional
dance. Flower
selections
vary from
region to
region.
In Seville
(Sevilla),
where richly-scented
orange trees
abound,
brides wear
orange blossom
wreaths
or carry
generous
bouquets
to represent
the promise
and fulfillment
of the orange
tree. Brides
in Andalusia
prefer pink
and white
rose garlands,
while Castillian
brides wear
white flowers.
Because
dining late
is a Mediterranean
custom,
wedding
ceremonies
often aren't
scheduled
until evening.
According
to tradition,
the bride's
father escorts
his daughter
to the church
after having
ensured
that the
groom has
not seen
her the
night before
the ceremony.
The groom's
mother walks
down the
aisle with
her son.
Spanish
wedding
ceremonies
are marked
by an exchange
of 13 gold
coins in
a special
purse or
box. Details
of this
custom vary
from source
to source,
but even
today it
is readily
possible
to buy reproduction
coins to
honor the
tradition.
Whether
gold or
imitation,
these coins
are blessed
by the officiating
priest.
They are
said to
represent
Jesus Christ
and his
apostles,
so they
not only
have a religious
connotation
but also
a practical
one since
they represent
a dowry,
a pledge
of the new
groom's
willingness
to support
his wife.
The
bride and
bridegroom
exchange
wedding
rings as
well. These
are worn
on the ring
fingers
of their
right hands.
As
they emerge
from the
church,
the newlyweds
are often
greeted
with firecrackers.
Once the
reception
begins,
the festivities
continue
into the
night with
dining and
dancing.
The wedding
dance is
called "sequidillas
manchegas."
Guests who
dance with
the bride,
traditionally
give her
money, but
pieces of
the groom's
tie and/or
the bride's
garter may
also be
auctioned
off for
good luck.
Though
the Spanish
bride throws
her bouquet
to whomever
will be
next to
marry, she
also hands
out pins
with a flower
motif to
unmarried
ladies who
attach them
to their
clothing
upside down.
The hope
is the pins
will be
lost during
the dancing,
and therefore
indicate
the lady
will soon
marry. Other
favors for
wedding
guests are
cigars for
the gentlemen
and something
nicely scented
for the
ladies.
Area
delicacies
are always
on the reception
menu. Paella,
a delicious
seafood
and rice
stew, is
popular
along the
coast while
sangria,
a red wine
punch, is
found at
most Spanish
gatherings.
The wedding
sponge cake
is rich
with fruit
and almonds.
Whatever
your heritage,
consider
adopting
a custom
or two from
the rich
culture
of Spanish
weddings.
