Matrimonios -- Colombian Wedding Traditions

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After having polled numerous Colombian family and friends, and found painfully little that was very different between American customs and Colombian customs. Like here the wedding reception is paid for by the bride's family. The groom buys a ring. The bride and her family find the dress and make most of the wedding preparations, etc. etc. etc.


There were a few differences that I found that might be of interest.


#1 -- No Bridesmaid or Best Man


Most of the people I spoke with said that though some people may have adopted this tradition today, typically most ceremonies and receptions will not include them.


#2 -- A Dance


Most families will host a dance as part of the celebration. Couples will dance to Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Vallenato, just about anything. But, they will dance. And so will most of the guests. Here a dance may be rather hit or miss depending on your family. There, EVERYONE, no matter the age, dances to the same music and so it is quite a party.


#3 -- The Coins


Many Colombian couples will follow the tradition of Las Arras. The Arras are little coins that are exchanged during the wedding ceremony. These coins are given by the groom to the bride as a symbol that what is mine (monetarily speaking) is now yours. Some people mentioned that there are actually 13 coins given, others didn't mention a specific number, just that the bride received the coins. Still one other person mentioned that at her wedding both the bride and the groom exchanged coins. So, apparently the way and number of coins is not as important as the actual exchange of the coins.


Clipart:


Comments

Carolina D. said…
Another difference is the way the bride and groom enter the church... in the Colombian tradition, the groom is waiting halfway the aisle (holding her bouquet) with his mother and the bride enters with her father (she brings his lapel pin), they meet halfway, parents say "here is my son, daughter" bride and groom give each other the bouquet/pin and then walk together to the altar.
I realized that was not the American tradition once I figured nobody knew what we were doing at my wedding.
April 6, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Anonymous said…
I am getting married to a wonderful Mexican man but I would like the wedding to be centered on my Colombian culture as well as all the traditions that a Catholic wedding has. I have no clue where to start. HELP!!! ZM
September 7, 2010 at 10:28 PM
Unknown said…
I feel the exact same way. I too will be getting married to my Mexican boyfriend. His family has so many traditional dances while I have nothing. HELP! -DC
November 28, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the info here- these nuggets are interesting; I wanted to learn about my culture's nuances when it comes to weddings. God bless
August 13, 2012 at 11:29 AM
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