Looking to make your wedding unforgettable? Puerto Rican wedding traditions add a unique, cultural touch to your special day. Family blessings and lively reception dances bring joy and unity through these customs.
You’re not alone—many couples are choosing these traditions to make their weddings more meaningful.
We’re here to guide you with a simple plan:
- Learn key customs like the Lazo Ceremony, Money Dance, and the Serenata.
- Discover how to weave them into your ceremony and reception.
- Create an atmosphere filled with love and memorable moments.
Follow these steps, and you’ll enjoy a wedding steeped in heritage and celebration!
Please keep reading to learn how to make it happen.
- 14 Iconic Puerto Rican Wedding Customs
- 1. Engagement and Family Blessings
- 2. Religious and Cultural Rituals in Puerto Rican Weddings
- 3. The Bride’s Bouquet Toss
- 4. Role of Madrina and Padrino
- 5. First Dance Tradition
- 6. Money Dance in Puerto Rican Weddings
- 7. Ring Bearers in Puerto Rican Wedding Ceremony
- 8. The Lazo Ceremony
- 9. Puerto Rican Wedding Food and Drinks
- 10. Music and Dance in Puerto Rican Weddings
- 11. Wedding Favors (Recuerdos)
- 12. The Serenade (La Serenata)
- 13. El Velorio (Post-Wedding Celebration)
- 14. The Garter Toss
- Puerto Rican Wedding Traditions: A Recap
- FAQ
14 Iconic Puerto Rican Wedding Customs
1. Engagement and Family Blessings
In Puerto Rican weddings, the engagement marks the start of a family journey. The engagement ceremony often includes the participation of both families, highlighting the importance of unity. The blessings from family members, especially the elders, are considered a vital part of the couple’s new life together.
Family involvement symbolizes the deep cultural ties and support, ensuring that both the bride and groom enter married life with strong family backing and divine blessings, reinforcing the sacred bond of marriage.
2. Religious and Cultural Rituals in Puerto Rican Weddings
Puerto Rican weddings are deeply rooted in Catholic traditions. Many couples choose to marry in a church, where religious rituals such as the exchange of vows and blessing of rings take place. These ceremonies reflect the culture of Puerto Rico, which honors both faith and heritage.
3. The Bride’s Bouquet Toss
The bouquet toss is a cherished tradition in Puerto Rican weddings, symbolizing good luck for unmarried women. It is believed that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. This tradition adds excitement and a touch of fun to the wedding reception.
The bride’s bouquet, often an arrangement of colorful flowers, represents fertility, love, and new beginnings. The bouquet toss is a joyful moment that reinforces Puerto Rican wedding customs of happiness and prosperity.
4. Role of Madrina and Padrino
In Puerto Rican wedding traditions, madrinas (godmothers) and padrinos (godfathers) are important. They are chosen from close family or friends and guide the newlyweds. They help with the wedding ceremony, sometimes sponsoring things like the wedding cake or flowers.
Their role shows the strong bond between family and community, which is a big part of traditional Puerto Rican weddings. This unique wedding tradition connects the couple to Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage, symbolizing love and support from the groom’s family and the bride’s family.
See Also Festivals in Puerto Rico
5. First Dance Tradition
The first dance is a key moment in a Puerto Rican wedding, symbolizing the couple’s union. Often accompanied by traditional Puerto Rican music like the “Puerto Rican waltz,” it adds a unique cultural touch. The wedding dress and colorful attire of the couple reflect their vibrant culture.
The dance allows the bride and groom to share a special moment with loved ones, strengthening their connection. Music and dance are integral parts of Puerto Rican wedding celebrations, bringing everyone together for an unforgettable experience.
6. Money Dance in Puerto Rican Weddings
The Money Dance is a fun Puerto Rican wedding tradition where guests pin money to the bride and groom. It symbolizes community support for their new life. Guests offer money for a dance with the newlyweds, making the reception lively and joyful.
Near the main reception table, this tradition highlights the importance of family. Crazy hour adds more fun, with lively music that reflects Puerto Rico’s vibrant Caribbean island culture. It’s a unique tradition, making the wedding celebration unforgettable.
7. Ring Bearers in Puerto Rican Wedding Ceremony
In a Puerto Rican wedding ceremony, the ring bearer plays a significant role in the exchange of rings. Typically, a young boy, the ring bearer, carries the wedding rings down the aisle on a pillow. This act symbolizes the beginning of the couple’s commitment to one another.
Though a small role, it highlights the importance of family and tradition, and it reflects the deep-rooted customs of Puerto Rican wedding ceremonies, where every detail carries symbolic meaning.
8. The Lazo Ceremony
The Lazo ceremony is a unique and symbolic ritual in Puerto Rican weddings. During the ceremony, a lazo, a cord or rosary, is placed around the bride and groom to bind them together, symbolizing their eternal bond. This ritual represents unity, love, and the commitment the couple shares.
The lazo is usually blessed by a priest and is an important part of the Puerto Rican wedding ceremony. It emphasizes the couple’s connection, not just to each other, but also to God and their families.
See Also Native American Wedding Traditions
9. Puerto Rican Wedding Food and Drinks
Puerto Rican wedding receptions offer a rich variety of traditional foods and drinks that showcase the island’s culinary heritage. Popular dishes include lechón (roast pork), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), and pasteles (Puerto Rican tamales). For dessert, guests enjoy flan or tres leches cake, while traditional drinks like piña coladas and coquito add a festive touch.
To complement the tropical ambiance, lightweight linen tablecloths are often used for the reception tables. These delicious offerings, along with lively celebrations, reflect the vibrant culture of Latin America and ensure a memorable wedding experience.
10. Music and Dance in Puerto Rican Weddings
Music and dance are vital components of Puerto Rican weddings. Traditional wedding dances include salsa, merengue, and the popular “bomba” and “plena.” These lively rhythms energize the celebration and bring the guests to the dance floor. The first dance is often accompanied by a Puerto Rican waltz, a beautiful and traditional piece.
Music connects everyone at the celebration, reflecting the island’s vibrant culture. In Puerto Rican weddings, dancing is a joyous expression of unity, love, and the shared happiness of the day.
11. Wedding Favors (Recuerdos)
Wedding favors, or “recuerdos,” are small tokens given to guests to show appreciation for their presence. In Puerto Rican weddings, these favors often reflect the island’s culture, such as handmade crafts, local treats, Puerto Rican wedding capias, and even Doll’s Skirt.
Offering recuerdos is a way to thank guests for their support and celebrate the couple’s special day. These thoughtful tokens, like gold coins or wedding favors, serve as lasting reminders of the day, ensuring that the joy of the celebration continues long after the event.
See Also Holiday Traditions in Puerto Rico
12. The Serenade (La Serenata)
Puerto Rican wedding traditions include La Serenata, a beautiful custom where the groom serenades the bride before the wedding. This romantic gesture often involves the groom singing or having a band play love songs outside the bride’s home.
It’s a way for the groom to express his love and admiration, setting the tone for the wedding day. La Serenata adds a personal, heartfelt touch to the celebration, reflecting the deep emotions and romanticism inherent in Puerto Rican wedding customs.
13. El Velorio (Post-Wedding Celebration)
El Velorio is a fun, casual post-wedding celebration in Puerto Rican wedding traditions. Held the day after the wedding, it brings together the bride’s family and groom’s family for more music, dancing, and delicious food. Unlike the formal traditional Puerto Rican wedding reception, El Velorio is relaxed and full of joy.
Wedding favors like gold coins and local treats are shared, symbolizing good luck. It’s a time to celebrate love and family, extending the happiness of the wedding day into a second day of fun!
14. The Garter Toss
The Garter Toss is a fun and playful tradition in Puerto Rican wedding traditions. During the reception, the groom removes the bride’s garter and tosses it to the single men in the crowd. The man who catches it is said to be the next to marry.
This lively tradition adds excitement to the celebration and is often accompanied by music and cheers. It’s a lighthearted moment that reflects the festive and joyful atmosphere of Puerto Rican wedding celebrations.
Puerto Rican Wedding Traditions: A Recap
Puerto Rican wedding traditions mix culture, family, and joy. Family blessings during the engagement and lively dances at the wedding reception each hold deep meaning. The lazo ceremony symbolizes the couple’s spiritual bond, while unique customs like the Money Dance and Serenata celebrate community support. The wedding party enjoys traditional foods and vibrant moments.
Modern Puerto Rican weddings also feature customs like wedding coins and the unity candle, bringing beauty and meaning. These timeless wedding customs connect the couple to Puerto Rican culture and their new life together. Every part of the wedding ceremony, from the cake topper to the gift table, makes the celebration unforgettable.
Danza criolla, long skirt, café con leche, and light colors add to the charm. This ultimate guide will show you how to incorporate these traditions into your wedding celebration.