Spanish Wedding Customs – Wedding Stories
Spanish Wedding
I would say one of the first obvious differences between Spanish wedding and for example Northern European or USA wedding, is timing. Spanish wedding tends to start much later during the day so that the sun has lost a bit of its strength. Having a wedding ceremony in the flaming sun it not particularly comfortable. Typically, the ceremony will start between 6PM and 7PM but no need to mention the fact that the party will also continue till the early hours.
Of course the timing of a wedding depends on other key factors as well such as the wedding location and wedding photography. Wedding photos are definitely more flattering around late afternoon or just before sunset. During the day, you and your wedding guests might be squinting or will want to wear sunglasses and hats and it will be hard to avoid shadow markings.
Spanish or Catalan brides and grooms will not necessarily have grooms men, ushers, bridesmaids and flower girls included in the wedding, but an important role will be appointed to the couple’s godparent. They will however have a maid of honour and a best man of which the latter’s most important task is to choose and buy the wedding bouquet. This will be presented to the bride in the morning of the wedding, together with a self-written poem. Quite a lovely tradition to incorporate! If you trust the best man’s flower taste, that is.
Spanish wedding usually does not include any speeches – do I hear a secret sigh of relieve? And instead of receiving gifts, the bride and groom might actually hand out some gifts to their parents or special muñecos (dolls) to the couples that they feel should be next to say ‘I do’. It could definitely be fun to put some of your close friends in the spotlight like that.
Of course a Spanish wedding wouldn’t be a Spanish wedding without some proper Spanish Guitar music, impressive Flamenco dancing and amazingly yummy tapas. But much more of that will follow in other blog posts!
More about Spanish wedding traditions: http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/customs/spanish-weddings