Traditionally in Chile wedding rings are exchanged at the engagement but, the bands are worn on their right hands until they exchange their wedding vows. Then the rings are worn on the traditional left hand, symbolizing man and wife.
The family is very important in Venezuela with the groom expected to ask the prospective father-in-law for permission to marry his daughter before proposing. At the wedding ceremony thirteen gold coins are exchanged between the families of the bride and groom. At the reception it is tradition for the newlyweds to leave without saying goodbye. This will bring the couple good luck.
Traditionally at an Argentinean wedding there are no bridesmaids, or best man these duties are left to the mother of the groom and father of the bride, who escort the couple down the aisle and stand with them at the altar. Another Argentinean tradition involves the exchanging of wedding rings, which occurs at their engagement and not at the wedding ceremony.
In a traditional Mexican wedding the Godparents are normally the financiers of the wedding. They also act as the couple’s guidance counselors. After the couple has exchanged their vows at the ceremony the ring bearer ties a rope of rosary beads around the couple. The rope represents the love that binds them together.
Cuban weddings are full of dance and celebration. One of the most famous Cuban wedding traditions is the “money dance”, where each man who dances with the bride must pin money on her dress, the money goes towards the couple’s new life together.
A Hispanic wedding combines the best of both worlds a traditional Catholic ceremony combined with dancing and celebrating at the reception. On the wedding day a bride will wear a wedding dress that has been passed down by her mother from her grandmother as a sign of respect. To promote abundance of food, wealth and passion the bride will sew yellow, blue and red ribbons into her bridal lingerie. At the ceremony the groom gives the bride thirteen coins as a pledge to always support her. By accepting, the bride indicates her faith in husband’s ability to provide for their family. Another Hispanic wedding tradition involves using a ribbon which is tied in the number eight around the couple’s necks or waists as a symbol of their unity. The number thirteen is used in Hispanic weddings; it represents Christ and his twelve apostles.
