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Cuban Wedding Traditions
"A Cuban wedding is always one big family party"
Cuban Wedding Traditions,
a wedding, in any country, is usually considered a major affair. Often, a great deal of money is spent on the ceremony and reception, and other events like showers, luncheons, and rehearsals. Of course, a wedding is a special occasion. In countries like Cuba, nothing is spared on the Cuban Wedding. Just like many other celebrations on the island, weddings are turned into a festivity. A Cuban marriage is an exciting event for the bride, the groom, the attendants, and all of the guests too.
The ceremony itself, in Cuba, is actually quite understated. Because of the laws and regulations of the country, which is still communist, wedding ceremonies are not a religious event. Instead, the Cuban marriage is considered civil. Since the celebration does not happen during the ceremony, the festivities happen both before and after.
Generally, a parade or procession of guests, family, and members of the wedding party takes place on the way to the venue. Often, music, dancing, and plenty of excitement come along with this procession. In fact, it has been noted that, in Cuba, just attending a wedding costs quite a bit of money!
Cuban Wedding Dresses
The Cuban wedding attire for the ceremony is generally as equally extravagant as the festivities, for the bride that is. Cuban wedding dresses traditionally tend to be made from fine silk or satin, and often include full skirts and ruffles. Often, the more extravagant the dress is the better.
However, in more recent times, the Cuban wedding traditions, have been somewhat influenced by the United States. It is not uncommon for a wedding dress on the island to have a more beach style appearance, made from linen or cotton and in a more flowing or understated style. This style of wedding dress is usually favored by women from other countries who choose to wed on the beaches of Cuba.
For men, the wedding attire is fairly basic. It is most common for a man in Cuba to choose a
Guayabera shirt. These shirts, a tradition of many Latin American countries, include light linen fabrics, button down designs, and lines of tiny pleats that run vertically between the front pockets. In the Cuban wedding traditions, the Guayabera is called the
Mexican wedding shirts.
The Cuban Wedding Celebration Cuban Wedding Party
As mentioned, everyone is involved in the event when a couple marries in Cuba. Most of the time, the guests will take part in the event by celebrating along with the couple on their way to the church. In essence, the Cuban wedding party consists of more than just the couple, bridesmaids and groomsmen. The wedding party includes everyone who attends the event.
After the wedding, the festivities generally kick into high gear. Often, the reception or party will last for hours as guests enjoy upbeat music, extravagant meals, and a great deal of dancing.
Cuban wedding traditions and authenticity is held in high regard throughout the whole event, and it can be seen clearly at the reception. One Cuban tradition that is very important for the Cuban wedding is the money dance. During this event, while the music plays, the bride and groom dance together. Guests then pin money to the bride’s dress. This money is considered a gift for the couple as they start their married life.
Another of the Cuban wedding traditions comes in the form of gifts. While it is expected for guests to bring gifts for the bride and groom, in the form of items or money, it is also tradition for the bride and groom to provide a gift to each guest. Many wedding couples present their guests with such gifts or favors as handmade items or ribbons with the name of the couple. At more extravagant weddings, the guests are presented with a traditional Cuban cigar to celebrate the occasion.
Cuban Wedding Decorations
Because Cuba is home to many types of exotic flora, the Cuban wedding decorations generally include flowers that are vibrant and bold. If the wedding is to take place on the beach, which is a common choice, the ceremony will often include rustic yet bright décor. Tulle or ribbons may be tied around palm trees and the ceremony itself may take place under a traditional hut or out in the open on the beach sand. Depending on the style of the Cuba weddings, the decorations can vary, but bright and bold is almost always a continued theme.
While it is well known that the island of Cuba has been a place of contention throughout the years, it is also a place of celebration. Despite troubles with government control and financial strain, the Cuban people know how to take part in joyous festivities. This can be most reflected in Cuban wedding traditions
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