Mexican wedding tradition question

[TammyB]

Your Royle PITA (aka my FMIL) told us yesterday during dinner that she would like us to do either the rosary or the lesso for our wedding. Does anyone know anything about this process. I would have told Marty to take a flying leap but I need to talk to Cain, because it might be important to him since it's part of his culture.

Can it even be done if here having a legal wedding on the beach?

[Nrvsbride]

I could be wrong about this but I think the rosary is where you recite "Hail Mary's" to each of the beads on the rosary. It takes forever, I swear you will want to kill yourself. But if it's important to Cain then I say do it. I'm not really sure what the other thing is though. Maybe Anny or Merryme know?

-Glenda

[TammyB]

Originally Posted by Nrvsbride

I swear you will want to kill yourself.
-Glenda

Trust me, I've been living with marty for 6 months now, I'm already there... Oh and the kicker is,, Cain came up with "what are we getting my Ma for a house warming gift" all on his own.. UMMM Guys are suppose to think of these things.. UGH... I'm not putting any thougth in this one,, he can figure out whatever he want's to get her..

[Mrs.Morley]

I believe the lasso is where a couple puts this rope around you and your husbands shoulders and it signifies the union of the two. I believe it has to be a married couple that share a good union. I thought this was done only in catholic churches but I can be completely wrong. Hope that helps.

[AnnR]

The Lasso (El lazo) (from Mexican Wedding Traditions - WeddingDetails.com)

As part of the ceremony to symbolize unity, a large loop of rosary beads or a lasso (cord) is placed in a figure eight shape around the necks of the couple after they have exchanged their vows. It also is beautiful when made of entwined orange blossoms (which symbolize fertility and happiness). A double rosary lasso may also be given by one set of the parents and may be blessed with holy water three times in honor of the trinity.

A special person/couple places the lasso around the shoulders of the bride and groom, groom's shoulder's first. The lasso may also be tied around their wrists. The couple wears the lasso throughout the remainder of the service. (The loop is symbolic of their love which should bind the couple together everyday as they equally share the responsibility of marriage for the rest of their lives.)

At the end of the ceremony, the lasso is removed by either the couple which placed the lasso on the couple, or the priest. The lasso is given to the Bride as a momento of her becoming the mistress of the groom's heart and home.

Most weddings will use the mariachis at the end of the ceremony as a part of the recessional.

The reception is always family oriented and festive. Everyone is presumed to be invited.

For the bridal couple's first dance, guests will gather in a heart-shaped ring at the reception around the couple. Salsa, merengue and the flamenco guitar music may add a Latin flare to the reception.

Favors could be wedding cookies wrapped in tulle, Spanish fans, note cards of Mexican painters, or pieces of pottery could be given.

[Cabo Wedding Coordinator]

Originally Posted by TAMMYM

Can it even be done if here having a legal wedding on the beach?

I´m not sure but I think you will need to have a minister to perform this kind of ceremony unless someone from the family could coordinate it for you.

[MERRYME]

Hi-- I think everyone has covered the meaning of the Lasso. It is not only for catholic weddings. Basically the lasso is a big doubble rosary. There are gorgeous ones available in Mexico at many local stores.

I know that a similar ceremony is used during native american weddings. They make the lasso out of flowers or pretty leaves & berries. The lasso is placed arround the coupple by the oldest female family members of the bride and groom. Grandma's or mothers.

Remember this is your wedding and you can adapt any of the traditional ceremonies to "FIT" your needs. Maybe as an alternative to a sand ceremony? It basically means the same thing. I KNOW you do not want to please Cain's mom but maybe this can be a peace offering?

[Cabo Wedding Coordinator]

Here are some pictures of a silver Lasso I hope you are able to see it!



It goes around the bride and groom







I think it would be a good idea if yours was made of flowers and leaves, or maybe sea shells since its a beach wedding!!

[TammyB]

Hmmmm I need to sit down and talk to Cain. And find out what he wants to do, I don't want to keep our wedding some what simple.. But this is part of his tradition so I should find out if this is something he would rather do over the sand cermony..

[MikkiStreak]

I grew up Catholic and am marrying into a Catholic, Mexican family. The rosary is a series of prayers in a specific order, beginning with the Apostle's Creed (if I remember correctly) and then it procees with 10 Hail Mary's, then The Lord's Prayer, then 10 Hail Marys, then The Lord's Prayer, etc... I can't remember how many times it repeats this pattern, tho. Typically the rosary has a person leading the prayer. They will say the initial Apostle's Creed and then they will recite the first line or two of each following prayer. After they lead, everyone else joins him/her with the remainder of the prayer.

If you choose to add something like this to the wedding, be prepared to take 20 minutes to recite the whole rosary (or longer depending on how quickly everyone chants the prayers).

Be careful how this is handled tho if you choose not to implement Catholic traditions in your ceremony. I know that my in-laws are die-hard Catholics (father was a deacon, sister works for the diocese at the historical Cathedral downtown, brothers are members of the Knights of Columbus) and the idea that we are getting married on a beach is *very* difficult for them to deal with. The Catholic church has mandated that all weddings be performed inside the church and only those weddings performed by the Catholic church are blessed by God. (At least, that's the Catholic view I've come across the most)...