Planning a Cuban wedding that honors your Cuban culture can feel tough. How do you respect traditions while making it your own?
Many Cuban couples want a celebration full of family, music, and meaningful customs.
This guide will help you understand key Cuban wedding traditions—from the beautiful wedding dress and symbolic rituals to lively Cuban wedding songs and delicious Cuban wedding food.
In this article we explored 7 traditions and:
- Learn about important customs
- Blend culture with style
- Find ideas for your special wedding day
Keep reading to start planning a joyful and unforgettable Cuban wedding.
Customs and Rituals of Cuban Wedding Traditions
1. Engagement and Pre-Wedding Traditions
In a Cuban wedding, parents and the extended family play a major role in planning the wedding date and pre-wedding events. Engagement parties include food, tropical drinks, music, and blessings from wedding guests.
Family approval is a key part of Cuban tradition, ensuring that the date is set only when everyone agrees. Some follow a Catholic tradition by having a priest bless the engagement. This adds meaning to the couple’s promise.
These customs show how much family and tradition matter in Cuban culture.
See Also Festivals in Cuba
2. Wedding Attire
In a Cuban wedding, Cuban brides typically wear a long white bridal gown, symbolizing purity. Many choose dresses adorned with lace details, ruffles, or bold, stylish elements that make their look a truly beautiful thing.
To add a touch of tradition and vibrant color, Cuban brides often carry bouquets of tropical flowers, while some wear a veil or a mantilla, a delicate lace shawl.
The groom often opts for a guayabera—a white or pastel embroidered shirt perfect for the tropical climate—but some prefer a formal suit depending on the style of the wedding venue and ceremony.
The wedding party includes bridesmaids in vibrant dresses, often complemented by floral accessories featuring tropical flowers, while groomsmen wear coordinated outfits matching the groom’s look.
Wedding guests dress in light, comfortable clothes to stay cool and enjoy the lively celebration. Since dancing—often to salsa—is key, comfort is essential.
Overall, wedding dresses beautifully blend Cuban wedding traditions, culture, and practicality to match the joyful spirit.
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3. Religious and Symbolic Ceremony Rituals
Many Cuban wedding traditions include Catholic traditions, especially in religious families. These customs add meaning and reflect Cuban wedding traditions and faith.
- Catholic Mass: A full Catholic wedding ceremony is common. It includes prayers, blessings, and readings that celebrate the couple’s union.
- El Lazo (Wedding Lasso): A decorative cord or rosary is placed around the bride and groom in a figure eight. This shows their eternal bond and asks for God’s blessing on their marriage.
- Las Arras (13 Gold Coins): The groom gives 13 coins to the bride during the ceremony. This shows his promise to support their home and future life together. A priest or elder may bless the coins for added meaning.
- Ring Exchange and Vows: Most couples exchange rings and speak personal vows, showing love and commitment.
- Elders’ Blessing: Family elders often give a special blessing. This adds honor and tradition to the wedding ceremony.
These rituals make the Cuban wedding ceremony both spiritually and meaningfully significant.
See Also Christian Wedding Traditions
4. Music and Dancing
Music is essential in Cuba. Live bands play salsa and other rhythms that get all wedding guests moving. These customs create a joyful and lively atmosphere that lasts all night.
The bride and groom share a first dance, which is always a special moment. After that, the dance floor opens to everyone. Group dances like the conga line are common. They are a fun way to get all the guests moving together.
Music plays all night long. Some weddings have both a DJ and a live band. They take turns playing classic Cuban wedding songs and modern hits.
Dancing is more than fun—it’s a tradition. It reflects the spirit of Cuban wedding traditions and fills the reception with life and joy.
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5. Traditional Cuban Wedding Food
Food at a Cuban wedding reflects the rich culture of this country. The full meal is served at the wedding venue, bringing everyone together to enjoy traditional dishes. The wedding reception usually includes a full meal with traditional dishes that honor Cuban roots.
Popular Cuban wedding food includes:
- Lechón asado (roast pork), a must-have dish
- Moros y cristianos, a mix of black beans and rice
- Ropa vieja, tostones (fried plantains), and yuca con mojo
Appetizers and desserts are also a treat. Common sweets include:
- Pastelitos (pastries with sweet or savory filling)
- Flan
- Tres leches cake, a rich and creamy favorite
The wedding cake is often multi-tiered and detailed. It may include tropical flavors like coconut, guava, or mango.
For drinks, Cuban weddings often serve:
- Cuban rum
- Mojitos
- Cuba Libre (rum and cola)
- Coquito, a creamy coconut drink
All the food, wedding cake, and drinks help create a festive and joyful atmosphere. They also celebrate the natural beauty and flavors of Cuba.
See Also Casual Wedding Attire for Men
6. Unique Cultural Traditions
Traditional Cuban weddings include many traditions that add fun and meaning to the celebration:
- Money Dance: It is a popular special dance tradition in the country of Cuba. Guests pin money gifts to the bride’s dress, helping the couple start their new life with financial support.
- Hora Loca (The Crazy Hour): A fun and high-energy part of the wedding reception that includes party props, costumes, loud music, and dancing. It helps keep the joyful atmosphere going late into the night.
- Throwing Rice or Confetti: Guests throw rice or confetti after the wedding ceremony, a tradition that brings good luck and future prosperity to the bride and groom.
- Candle Lighting or Unity Sand: A modern addition to some Cuban wedding ceremonies, this tradition symbolizes the joining of two lives into one.
These traditions show the love, fun, and deep family ties in Cuban wedding traditions. They make every wedding feel personal and unforgettable for all guests.
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7. Post-Wedding Traditions
Weddings in the country of Cuba often don’t end after the wedding day. Celebrations often continue beyond the wedding day, with family gatherings that reinforce bonds and highlight the importance of family in Cuban wedding traditions.
The next day, family members may gather again for a relaxed brunch. It’s a time to share stories and enjoy more time together.
Many couples choose to honeymoon in beautiful places within Cuba, like Varadero, Cayo Coco, or Havana. These spots offer beauty and a tropical climate, perfect for relaxing.
Family visits continue after the wedding. These moments help keep the spirit of togetherness alive and show the strong bonds in Cuban wedding traditions.
Cuban Wedding Traditions: A Recap
Cuban wedding traditions are full of love, family, and joyful celebrations. From engagement to post-wedding customs, every part of the wedding shows the deep connection between culture and marriage.
Family plays a key role in planning, and the wedding ceremony often includes both religious and symbolic rituals.
The bride and groom wear meaningful outfits that reflect Cuban style and comfort. Music, dancing, and festive Cuban wedding food create a fun and unforgettable wedding reception. Unique customs like the money dance, el lazo, and throwing rice add special moments for all the guests.
These traditions help the new couple to start their new life with strong family support and joyful memories. Whether held in the city or by the sea, each Cuban wedding celebrates the rich culture of a beautiful country.
For many Cuban people, keeping these traditions alive is a proud and meaningful part of getting married.