Wedding Traditions of South America’s West Region
Wedding traditions in South America can be just as entrenched in customs as any other country
or continent, and on the western side of South America this is the norm. South America has a
variety of religious beliefs and ways of living, which can be seen in their wedding traditions. For
the countries of Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, these customs are apparent.
Bolivia
For the people of Bolivia, a marriage is the sign of a person’s status as an adult. A Bolivian
marriage also represents the formation of a new home and this is a big expectation from all
Bolivians.
An Andean marriage involves three steps that are high in tradition and custom. The first step is
juntados, or living together. This arrangement generally will last up to three years. During this
time, the couple will set up the home and have children. The second step will be a civil wedding,
with the third step being the religious ceremony. The religious wedding aspect is then followed
with a celebration that can last two to three days.
Monogamy marriages are usually the way of life in Bolivia, but within the Oriente ethnic
society, polygynous marriages are acceptable. What’s more important to Bolivians in the
highlands is that no one marries with an identical first surname, as well as anyone within a range
of a third cousin. Hamlet or village exogamy often is the case. After married, a couple will set up
their home separate from their parents.
In rural communities, although rare, divorce is legal. A widower is also expected to remarry as it
is common in Bolivia that all adults become married.
Chile
One of the customs of a wedding in Chile is the exchanging of wedding rings at the same time as
of the engagement proposal. The wedding rings will be worn on their right hands until the vows
are exchanged at the ceremony at which point the rings will move to the left hand.
A marriage in Chile is one of the bigger rites of passage. A Chilean wedding is a two step
process. First is a civil wedding, followed by a religious one. A marriage in Chile is not official
until the church ceremony takes place. Chileans are free to marry and are not restricted to any
type of group or background.
Many Chileans will marry at a young age, usually by their mid-twenties and usually will have
kids soon after. Many people in Chile still believe in being old fashion lifestyles when it comes
to premarital sex and living together before marriage. Chile is still the only Latin American
country that does not have a divorce law. Therefore, instead of divorce, any couple that wants to
put an end to their marriage and ask for an annulment of the marriage. An annulment is costly
and therefore some Chileans may just walk away acting divorced. However, they cannot remarry
until their marriage is dissolved.
Ecuador
Most Ecuadorian weddings will mirror that of either the traditions of the United States or of a
Catholic ceremony. Outside of that, one different tradition is that single males would get the
garter from the groom, who had previously removed it from the bride and then would put them
on the legs of eligible women. This happens while the women balance themselves on one leg
while holding two glasses of water.
Peru
Traditions and Peruvians go hand and hand, as they are entrenched in their country’s customs
and weddings are no exception. Like in many countries, the man will ask the woman’s parents
for permission to marry their daughter and only with their permission will the planning of a
wedding continue.
At the ceremony, the bride is dressed in a traditional wedding gown. Although the dress can be
any color, white is still the most popular choice. The bride also will wear a flowered tiara on her
head and a white veil. At the end of the ceremony, the couple is blessed by the elder members of
their families.
After the ceremony, the reception full of dance and music begins. Usually a lavish event, the
reception is full of great cuisine, drinks and many gifts. One of the keys to a great reception is
the wedding cake. Generally there are several layers to the cake and ribbons are attached to the
cake. Single women will pull on the strings as the bride and groom cuts into the cake together.
Wedding Traditions of South America’s West Region
Wedding traditions in South America can be just as entrenched in customs as any other countryor continent, and on the western side of South America this is the norm. South America has avariety of religious beliefs and ways of living, which can be seen in their wedding traditions. Forthe countries of Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, these customs are apparent.
Bolivia
For the people of Bolivia, a marriage is the sign of a person’s status as an adult. A Bolivianmarriage also represents the formation of a new home and this is a big expectation from allBolivians.
An Andean marriage involves three steps that are high in tradition and custom. The first step isjuntados, or living together. This arrangement generally will last up to three years. During thistime, the couple will set up the home and have children. The second step will be a civil wedding,with the third step being the religious ceremony. The religious wedding aspect is then followedwith a celebration that can last two to three days.
Monogamy marriages are usually the way of life in Bolivia, but within the Oriente ethnicsociety, polygynous marriages are acceptable. What’s more important to Bolivians in thehighlands is that no one marries with an identical first surname, as well as anyone within a rangeof a third cousin. Hamlet or village exogamy often is the case. After married, a couple will set uptheir home separate from their parents.
In rural communities, although rare, divorce is legal. A widower is also expected to remarry as itis common in Bolivia that all adults become married.
Chile
One of the customs of a wedding in Chile is the exchanging of wedding rings at the same time asof the engagement proposal. The wedding rings will be worn on their right hands until the vowsare exchanged at the ceremony at which point the rings will move to the left hand.
A marriage in Chile is one of the bigger rites of passage. A Chilean wedding is a two stepprocess. First is a civil wedding, followed by a religious one. A marriage in Chile is not officialuntil the church ceremony takes place. Chileans are free to marry and are not restricted to anytype of group or background.
Many Chileans will marry at a young age, usually by their mid-twenties and usually will havekids soon after. Many people in Chile still believe in being old fashion lifestyles when it comesto premarital sex and living together before marriage. Chile is still the only Latin American
country that does not have a divorce law. Therefore, instead of divorce, any couple that wants toput an end to their marriage and ask for an annulment of the marriage. An annulment is costlyand therefore some Chileans may just walk away acting divorced. However, they cannot remarryuntil their marriage is dissolved.
Ecuador
Most Ecuadorian weddings will mirror that of either the traditions of the United States or of aCatholic ceremony. Outside of that, one different tradition is that single males would get thegarter from the groom, who had previously removed it from the bride and then would put themon the legs of eligible women. This happens while the women balance themselves on one legwhile holding two glasses of water.
Peru
Traditions and Peruvians go hand and hand, as they are entrenched in their country’s customsand weddings are no exception. Like in many countries, the man will ask the woman’s parentsfor permission to marry their daughter and only with their permission will the planning of awedding continue.
At the ceremony, the bride is dressed in a traditional wedding gown. Although the dress can beany color, white is still the most popular choice. The bride also will wear a flowered tiara on herhead and a white veil. At the end of the ceremony, the couple is blessed by the elder members oftheir families.
After the ceremony, the reception full of dance and music begins. Usually a lavish event, thereception is full of great cuisine, drinks and many gifts. One of the keys to a great reception isthe wedding cake. Generally there are several layers to the cake and ribbons are attached to thecake. Single women will pull on the strings as the bride and groom cuts into the cake together.