Whether you’re just trying to learn about some Cuban wedding traditions, or you plan on attending a Cuban wedding yourself, here are some customs you should know about. Since Castro’s decision to limit the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, Cuban weddings have changed quite a bit since the 1960’s. However, despite having fewer religious aspects, many customs have remained strong pillars of Cuban culture.
Misa de Fianza
The misa de fianza is a ceremony that takes place a couple months before the actual wedding. During this event the couple exchanges rings and perform a special dance together.
Gifts from Parents
If you’re planning a lavish wedding and you’re worried about the cost you can take a deep breath. In Cuba, the cost of the wedding is typically paid for by the bride’s parents. The couple might even receive a new home passed down from the parents as an extra wedding present!
The Wedding Dress
Cuban bride’s will only wear a white wedding dress if they are a virgin. Purity is taken very seriously within the culture. Sometimes they will even be asked to bring their bedsheets with them on wedding day to prove that they are a virgin. Otherwise, the bride will wear a satin or silk dress with some kind of floral motif or pretty design.
Unity Candle
A popular tradition Cuban wedding tradition during the ceremony is the lighting of a unity candle. In this ritual, the couple will use two separate candles to light a central candle symbolizing the joining of two souls.
White Bouquet
Like the white wedding dress, the white bouquet is a symbol of purity and fertility. The bride will often carry a large bouquet with her as she walks down the aisle.
Cuban Wedding Songs and Dances
It’s common to hear music such as salsa, bachata and merengue. Some classic wedding songs you might hear include “Despacito” “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo and “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony.
One dance you’re almost certain to witness is the Conga. The iconic hip swinging movements accompanied by songs like Comparsita are a classic Cuban experience. You might also witness the money dance, where wedding guests throw money at the couple.
Food and Drink at Cuban Weddings
It’s no surprise that the food and drink is one of the most important features of any Cuban wedding. Lavish spreads include everything from fried pork (masitas) and rice with black beans (arroz y frijoles negros) to yuca fritters and sweet plantains.
Dessert is bound to satisfy the biggest sweet tooth. Treats like flan, custard and dulce de leche are common tasty treats at Cuban weddings.
You can be sure that your thirst will be quenched as well. Mojitos, daquiris, and the Cuban classic ‘Cuba Libre’ or Rum and Coke are all sure to feature on the menu.
Officiate a Cuban-Themed Wedding Ceremony
Don’t miss the opportunity to officiate a Cuban-Themed wedding ceremony for one of your friends or family. You can get ordained online for free with a number of online organizations by just filling out a simple form that only takes a couple minutes to complete. We highly suggest getting ordained with American Marriage Ministries. Once ordained, you’ll have access to a library of information to help you learn all the aspects of wedding from writing your speech to filling out the marriage license. Ordination with AMM is only valid for officiating weddings within the U.S. so if you plan on officiating a wedding internationally, you’ll have to look into local laws.
-Bernard Paul