A wedding is a joyous celebration and that is no different in Puerto Rico. There are some traditions that are associated with a conventional Puerto Rican marriage. One of these traditions is to offer the bride and groom a drink called café con leche and served in coconut glasses.
The bride’s bouquet
Bridal bouquets in Puerto Rico abound with the poppy, which is a traditional flower often used at a Puerto Rican wedding. The bouquet can also contain a fan, as it is part of the traditional wedding attractions in Puerto Rico. Bridesmaids also carry bouquets of poppy flowers, whether royal or silk, and fans, as these things are said to signify good luck for the couple.
Traditional wedding favors
Typical wedding favors presented to guests at a Puerto Rican wedding are called capias. They are narrow ribbons printed with the names of the bride and groom on one end and the wedding date on the other. The bride and groom cut them from the bouquet before the happy newlyweds pin them to their guests.
The wedding ceremony
A Puerto Rican wedding ceremony is similar to most others, except for one thing. During the wedding ceremony, a priest will bless a plate of coins and present it to the groom. Once the wedding vows have been exchanged, the groom gives the same plate of coins to his new wife as a gift to her. This gift is a symbol of prosperity and good luck for the married couple. While the ceremony is taking place, you can usually hear the soft chords of the sounds of the coquí, which gives the atmosphere a most romantic air.
In the reception
Puerto Rican custom dictates that a doll dressed similarly to the bride be placed at the head of the main table. The doll is covered in charms and these charms are given to the wedding guests. A typical Puerto Rican wedding cake is decorated with seashells and is often flavored with rum, pineapple, or coconut.
Puerto Rican weddings are packed with delicious food and upbeat music. For their first dance, the bride and groom can choose a traditional Puerto Rican waltz called “Creole dance.” The centerpieces are usually made from palm trees and use “fir” ferns and then decorated with shells. Candles are also popular as decorations at a traditional Puerto Rican wedding.
