- the knot.com is a helpful wedding forum for women
- Puerto Rican traditions: there must be pork, rum, maybe jibaritos :) A cake that's rum, coconut, or pineapple flavored. Have he & I drink cafe con leche from a coconut cup. Orchids (think bouquet and decor) Also think palm trees or branches for decor maybe even to accent the bouquet.
- Arras are 13 coins representing christ and the 12 disciples. They are used to represent your blessings. The groom places the coins in the brides hands and makes a vow to share his blessings with her. She then does the same.
- At a traditional Puerto Rican wedding ceremony in a church, the priest blesses a plate of coins and hands it to the groom. After the vows are exchanged, the groom gives the plate of coins to the bride as a gift. The bride keeps these coins as a memory of the wedding because they symbolize good luck and prosperity for the newly married couple.
- A cojin (cushion or small pillow) is used during the lasso ceremony. You should have two cojines, one for each of you and the officiant usually says something to the effect that they represent the support you should give each other during your marriage.
- The lasso is a rope in the shape of an infiniti, and is placed around your shoulders when you are kneeling on the cojin. This represents unity, two become one
- If you are having a Christian ceremony, a bible is also given which is meant to be the copy the family will share and abide by.
- The Bridal Doll: At traditional Puerto Rican weddings, a doll wearing a dress identical to that of the bride sits at the center of the main table at the wedding reception. Its dress is typically pinned with a variety of souvenirs. The guests traditionally pin money on the bridal doll after the bride and groom pin them with corsages at the reception. The doll can be a Barbie or a larger doll.
- This "bride doll" is covered with little charms, and are given to the guests as gifts. "Copias" are also passed out as presents to guests. These reception favors are ornately decorated cards with the newlyweds names and the date of the marriage.
- At the Reception: Puerto Rican custom dictates that at the head of the main table, a doll that is similarly dressed as the bride is placed. The doll is covered with charms and these charms are passed out to the wedding guests.
- Have coqui or nature sounds in the background (real or taped)
- If you are interested in the Taíno culture use strings of seashell jewelry for the bridal party and to decorate the table. Centerpieces could reflect our Taíno heritage using petroglyphs somehow. Use lots of candles too.
- Think cuatro & guitar. Bongos, congas, güiro, maracas, panderetas (panderos). Maybe ask Mamita to be my "madrina of song" (hehe I made that up) & sing puerto rican music or Tio Cesar to play the guitar for us. Papito to play an instrument too.
- Wedding ducks are a symbol for a long and happy marriage. Cranes are a symbol of long life and may be represented on the woman's sash.
mar 21 2012 ∞
mar 21 2012 +
mar 21 2012 +