PSA: Just found this new site!

peaches85 · April 2010

It focuses on "the modern Latina wedding." It's very similar to The Knot and other wedding websites, except it has tons of information about ways to incorporate various cultural traditions and it has answers to a lot of the questions that are asked on this board about music, the ceremony, invitations, etc. So far I'm liking it A LOT better than some of the other wedding websites I've been frequenting lately.

The website is: www.paratinovia.com

latina40299 · April 2010

Gracias,I will definitely check it out!!

jenandcris · April 2010

That's really cool!! I gotta make my way there, too!

jenandcris · April 2010

)o: I wish there was a website that explained PR traditions.

peaches85 · April 2010

Have you seen any of these sites? They might be helpful...

- http://www.elboricua.com/weddings.html

- http://www.destinationweddinglink.com/puerto_rico_wedding_customs.html

- http://www.worldweddingtraditions.com/locations/caribbean_traditions/puerto_rican_traditions.html

Nikkanny · May 2010

Does anyone know of a website for Dominicans? Thanks!

peaches85 · May 2010

This might give you some information:

*****

Dominican culture is a rich fusion of Spanish colonial and African influences. Wedding customs in the Dominican Republic reflect the island nation’s Spanish cultural heritage. In the Dominican Republic, it is traditional for the man to propose to the woman. The bride-to-be’s family typically makes all of the preparations for the ceremony. Because weddings can be so costly for people who live in the Dominican Republic, many couples skip over the church wedding altogether, have only a civil wedding, and organize a small gathering with friends and family following the civil ceremony.

In other cultures it is considered taboo for the groom to see the bride in her dress before the ceremony but that is not the case in the Dominican Republic. Generally, the bride and groom have photographs taken together a few hours prior to the ceremony when they are already dressed.

Civil weddings in the Dominican Republic take place in the Civil Court of the Judges Chamber. Couples planning a church wedding generally have their civil ceremony on the morning of the day of their wedding and sometimes even the day before. Unlike in the US, church weddings in the Dominican Republic usually don’t involve bridesmaids and aren’t large, extravagant ceremonies. They typically include a nuptial mass. Flower girls and ring bearers are usually always present at church weddings in the Dominican Republic. Young family members serve as flower girls and ring bearers and dress similarly to the bride and groom. There is usually also another child who carries a white bible down the altar. Traditionally, Dominican brides wear white but nowadays some of them even wear red or black dresses.

The Padrinos

The godfather and godmother, or padrino and madrina, are the godparents of the wedding ceremony. Customarily, the mother and father of the bride serve as the godparents. Their role in the ceremony is to be the primary witnesses. Both the couple and the godparents must sign the marriage certificate. In the Dominican Republic, couples sign the marriage certificate at the actual ceremony.

The mother of the groom typically always accompanies him to the altar in the Dominican Republic. At the end of the liturgy, numerous friends and family members go up to the altar to serve as witnesses. It is considered an honor in Dominican culture to be named a witness for a wedding.

The Arras and the Ceremonia Cantada

One tradition followed at church weddings in the Dominican Republic involves having a young guest pass 13 coins on a silver tray to the priest. The priest then passes the coins to the groom, who then passes them to the bride. This ritual symbolizes the couple’s willingness and pledge to share material things and provide for each other throughout their marriage.

Rather than just being accompanied by instrumental music, all music is sung during wedding ceremonies in the Dominican Republic. This tradition is known as the “ceremonia cantada.” Receptions tend to consist of sit-down dinners. It is not considered taboo to leave a wedding reception before the bride and groom since they tend to stay till the end of the party, which usually ends up being in the wee hours.

In conclusion, wedding traditions in the Dominican Republic are based on conservative Spanish customs.

peaches85 · May 2010

Here is another:

Some Marriage/ Matrimoniales Traditions in Dominican Republic

Usually the man proposes. If the couple decides to have a church wedding/ boda and reception then the preparations are mostly done by the bride's family. Weddings can be expensive and so some people choose to have smaller gatherings or just marry in civil court.

Many people will marry in a Civil Court of Judges Chamber before the large ceremony so they can have all the legal documents. Then have a church wedding.The couple would marry in civil court or in a judge's chamber the morning of the wedding or even the day before the actual church wedding. Especially if they choose not to marry in a Catholic ceremony.

Bridesmaids and large wedding parties are not the norm here. Having a cute little ring bearer and flower girl is. Many times they dress the same as the bride and groom, in smaller scale.

Having "padrinos and madrinas" (godparents of the wedding) is very traditional. The godparents are usually the mother of the groom and the father of the bride and their role is to serve as witnesses. Along with the couple, the godparents also sign the marriage certificate.

Another tradition is to have a child (usually a boy) carry the "arras" or coins on a silver tray. The boy would have 13 coins (they are usually 10 cents coins) that at some point during the ceremony will be passed to the priest. The priest will pass them to the groom and he in turn will pass them to the bride. This exchange signifies that the couple pledges to provide for each other and that material goods are to be shared equally. The whole thing is very symbolic and is quite romantic.

In addition to the flower girl, the ring bearer and the coins bearer, we also have a child that carries a fancy white bible.

The mother of the groom with the groom escorting her enter the church first. The mother of the bride then enters escorted by the father of the groom. The wedding party enters next including the children, usually entering in pairs.

Another Dominican tradition is to have what is called a "ceremonia cantada" meaning that every piece of music was actually sung, instead of being just instrumental.

It used to be that Dominican wedding receptions consisted mostly of cake and champagne, along with light appetizers at best. Today, sit down dinners are the style.

Usually, there's a bachelor party/ despedida de soltero and what you call a bachelorette party/ despedida de soltera. There is also the usual bridal showers.

The vast majority of Dominicans deliver their gifts to the bride’s home before the wedding day. Never take a gift with you to the wedding ceremony or reception.

The church is usually not divided into “bride’s” and “groom’s” sides. So you can sit where you would like.

At the end of the liturgy, a large number of people go to the altar. These are witnesses, and there could be dozens. Asking someone to be a witness is a way of honoring them as a special guest. Many family members and friends will be included.

The newly married couple will be the first to exit the church. Do not try to greet them outside. Instead, proceed directly to the reception.

The bride and her father have the first dance. They are joined by the groom and the bride’s mother. Then the entire wedding party and family enter the dance floor. After this then the guests can start dancing.

Most newlywed couples will stay until the end of their party, which could last til 3 AM or later. They are never the first to leave. So if you want to leave do not hesitate to leave before the bride and groom. Any time after the meal is socially acceptable, although you are likely to miss quite a party.

There is no tradition about the Groom not seeing the Bride before the wedding. This is when most of the wedding party photographs are taken.

MsSunshine · May 2010

Going to check the site out. Thanks!

jenandcris · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_latino-weddings_psa-just-found-this-new?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:680Discussion:5a42ab32-5d72-42c7-9d1e-84453118f594Post:4f772b34-5f8c-4f63-8e27-53515a72e476">Re: PSA: Just found this new site!</a>:
[QUOTE]Have you seen any of these sites? They might be helpful... - <a href="http://www.elboricua.com/weddings.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.elboricua.com/weddings.html</a> - <a href="http://www.destinationweddinglink.com/puerto_rico_wedding_customs.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.destinationweddinglink.com/puerto_rico_wedding_customs.html</a> - <a href="http://www.worldweddingtraditions.com/locations/caribbean_traditions/puerto_rican_traditions.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.worldweddingtraditions.com/locations/caribbean_traditions/puerto_rican_traditions.html</a>
Posted by peaches85[/QUOTE]

I actually saw those links prior to posting on the Latino board last year. (o: Thanks!!

nen_bananie · May 2010

Thanks!

PSA: Just found this new site!

Re: PSA: Just found this new site!

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