Wedding Traditions of South America’s East Region
Wedding traditions in South America can share many of the same values and traditions of the
western world, but yet continue its own traditions and customs by integrating them. Along the
east coast of South America, the wedding traditions of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay have
adapted to the new world, and yet still has that touch of its own history.
You will notice in a traditional Argentinian wedding the omission of a best man, maid of honor
and other bridesmaids. Instead, the groom’s mother and the bride’s father will fill these rolls and
escort the marrying couple down the aisle. In addition, they will be the ones standing beside the
couple during the ceremony. It is also customary in Argentina for the couple not to exchange
their wedding rings at the ceremony, as this generally takes place at the engagement instead.
After the ceremony, the wedding reception will take place. Most receptions serve continuous
meals and then after the feasting is complete, song and dance will begin. However, since
Argentina is so steeped in history and the different cultures involved, it is more common to have
songs and dancing take place between each course. The most popular dance of choice? A sultry
tango.
Brazil is known for their lavish galas and a wedding celebration is no different. As you can
imagine, a Brazilian wedding can also become quite expensive as well.
Before a wedding can commence in some parts of Brazil, the groom-to-be needs to show his
worth to his future father-in-law so that he would be deemed suitable as his daughter’s husband.
Therefore the hopeful groom will have to tame an unbridled donkey that is owned by the girl’s
father.
Other Brazilian traditions include:
- On the day of the wedding, the bride must arrive at least 10 minutes late so that she is
guaranteed not to be seen by the groom. If for some reason the timing is off, she needs to at least
allow time for the groom to get there first.
- In lieu of flowered boutonnieres, the groomsmen will show their country’s patriotism by either
being pinned with or by carrying with them small Brazilian flags.
- In a traditional wedding, a prayer is said in the Portuguese language and either a Vinicius de
Morais Brazilian song or Brazil’s national anthem will be sung. The song or anthem is performed
to honor and commemorate the marriage.
- Unlike other countries, the groomsmen and bridesmaids are not selected until the time of the
wedding ceremony.
- Dropping either the wedding band or ring at any time during the course of the ceremony is
considered bad luck and may be an omen to a marriage that isn’t expected to last long.
- As mentioned before, Brazil is known for their exuberant parties and whether it is the Carnival
or a wedding reception, a good time is expected by all. Often at a reception you will have song
and dance, loud music, wonderful clothing, lots of colors and many of its traditions.
- Quite popular at a wedding reception is the samba dance known as Pagoda. Pagoda includes
music and a lot of beats.
- Another tradition at a reception is to write the names of the different cities of Brazil on the
dinner table.
- Witnessed at almost every ceremony is the drink Capirinha, which is made of Brazil’s most
common alcohol, Cacasa, along with sugar and lime. In addition to this drink being served, you
will usually see the Brazilian cookie Casadinhos.
- After the wedding and ceremony, it is tradition for the groom to carry his new wife into the
house or hotel by stepping in with his right foot first.
A wedding in Paraguay is one of the more social aspects in life; therefore weddings are still
considered a big deal in the country. A wedding and marriage in Paraguay generally come in one
of three forms. They include a church, civil or consensual service.
Generally the church wedding is for the people of higher financial status as these weddings are
a bit more costly. With it, more is expected in the way of joy and celebration. A church wedding
also includes most, if not all family members.
Civil or consensual weddings are less expensive than the church ceremony; therefore the
celebration is a lot less elaborate.
In Paraguay’s more rural areas of the country, common law marriages are more the norm than
either of the church or social weddings and marriages. In lieu of big celebrations, generally the
common law marriage includes a get together for barbecue feasts.
Wedding Traditions of South America’s East Region
Wedding traditions in South America can share many of the same values and traditions of thewestern world, but yet continue its own traditions and customs by integrating them. Along theeast coast of South America, the wedding traditions of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay haveadapted to the new world, and yet still has that touch of its own history.
You will notice in a traditional Argentinian wedding the omission of a best man, maid of honorand other bridesmaids. Instead, the groom’s mother and the bride’s father will fill these rolls andescort the marrying couple down the aisle. In addition, they will be the ones standing beside thecouple during the ceremony. It is also customary in Argentina for the couple not to exchangetheir wedding rings at the ceremony, as this generally takes place at the engagement instead.
After the ceremony, the wedding reception will take place. Most receptions serve continuousmeals and then after the feasting is complete, song and dance will begin. However, sinceArgentina is so steeped in history and the different cultures involved, it is more common to havesongs and dancing take place between each course. The most popular dance of choice? A sultrytango.
Brazil is known for their lavish galas and a wedding celebration is no different. As you canimagine, a Brazilian wedding can also become quite expensive as well.
Before a wedding can commence in some parts of Brazil, the groom-to-be needs to show hisworth to his future father-in-law so that he would be deemed suitable as his daughter’s husband.Therefore the hopeful groom will have to tame an unbridled donkey that is owned by the girl’sfather.
Other Brazilian traditions include:
- On the day of the wedding, the bride must arrive at least 10 minutes late so that she isguaranteed not to be seen by the groom. If for some reason the timing is off, she needs to at leastallow time for the groom to get there first.
- In lieu of flowered boutonnieres, the groomsmen will show their country’s patriotism by eitherbeing pinned with or by carrying with them small Brazilian flags.
- In a traditional wedding, a prayer is said in the Portuguese language and either a Vinicius deMorais Brazilian song or Brazil’s national anthem will be sung. The song or anthem is performedto honor and commemorate the marriage.
- Unlike other countries, the groomsmen and bridesmaids are not selected until the time of thewedding ceremony.
- Dropping either the wedding band or ring at any time during the course of the ceremony isconsidered bad luck and may be an omen to a marriage that isn’t expected to last long.
- As mentioned before, Brazil is known for their exuberant parties and whether it is the Carnivalor a wedding reception, a good time is expected by all. Often at a reception you will have songand dance, loud music, wonderful clothing, lots of colors and many of its traditions.
- Quite popular at a wedding reception is the samba dance known as Pagoda. Pagoda includesmusic and a lot of beats.
- Another tradition at a reception is to write the names of the different cities of Brazil on thedinner table.
- Witnessed at almost every ceremony is the drink Capirinha, which is made of Brazil’s mostcommon alcohol, Cacasa, along with sugar and lime. In addition to this drink being served, youwill usually see the Brazilian cookie Casadinhos.
- After the wedding and ceremony, it is tradition for the groom to carry his new wife into thehouse or hotel by stepping in with his right foot first.
A wedding in Paraguay is one of the more social aspects in life; therefore weddings are stillconsidered a big deal in the country. A wedding and marriage in Paraguay generally come in oneof three forms. They include a church, civil or consensual service.
Generally the church wedding is for the people of higher financial status as these weddings area bit more costly. With it, more is expected in the way of joy and celebration. A church weddingalso includes most, if not all family members.
Civil or consensual weddings are less expensive than the church ceremony; therefore thecelebration is a lot less elaborate.
In Paraguay’s more rural areas of the country, common law marriages are more the norm thaneither of the church or social weddings and marriages. In lieu of big celebrations, generally thecommon law marriage includes a get together for barbecue feasts.
