Structure of a wedding in Mexico

Wedding Structure in Mexico In Mexico, there are several wedding-day traditions that are not practiced in many other countries. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with the structure of a wedding ceremony, whether civil or religious, we will give you a guideline for what will happen on the bride and groom's most important day. Catholic Ceremony In Mexico, the most common religion among the population is Catholic, and therefore, we will focus on the structure of wedding ceremonies within that religion. Typically, couples who marry before the Catholic Church also do so through the country's Civil Registry, to formalize their marriage in every possible way. Although these types of ceremonies have a fairly fixed structure, they can be extended or certain aspects can be omitted to ensure a specific duration.

1. Reception .

Guests arrive at the church, receive the ceremony program, and take their respective places in the church pews: on the bride's or groom's side, depending on who invited them.

1. Entrance of the groom .

Once all the guests have taken their places, the groom will enter the church accompanied by his mother. If she cannot accompany him, the person he has designated as matron of honor will enter with him.

1. Entrance of the bride .

Once the rest of the bridal party has arrived, the bride will enter the church accompanied by her father or best man, arm in arm. Upon reaching the altar, the groom and best man will greet each other, and the bride will be formally handed over to the groom.

1. Welcome .

When the couple stands before the altar, the priest will welcome and thank everyone for their presence. He will then address a few similar words specifically to the bride and groom.

1. Liturgy of the word .

This section is also known as 'Readings' and consists of two texts read by two people close to the bride and groom for the rest of the guests.

1. Homily .

When the readings are over, the priest will explain the message of each reading and how it can be applied to your marriage and your future life together.

1. Sacrament of marriage .

This is one of the most important moments of the ceremony, as it is when the witnesses approach the altar and attest that the bride and groom wish to marry freely and voluntarily.

1. Exchange of rings and coins .

After receiving the sacrament, the godparents will approach with the rings for the bride and groom to exchange them. First, the groom will place the ring on the bride's finger, and then she will place it on his.

1. Offertory .

This part of the ritual is performed by the priest, who will offer the bread and wine to be transformed into the body and blood of Christ.

1. Eucharist .

The bread and wine are consecrated, and everyone present prays the Lord's Prayer. Afterward, all guests must exchange the sign of peace, and then the bride and groom and those who have confessed may receive Communion.

1. Blessing .

When Communion is over, the priest gives his blessing to the bride and groom. It is at this moment that the bride and groom are told they may kiss each other as husband and wife for the first time.

1. Sign and exit .

When the ceremony concludes, guests leave the church to wait for the bride and groom while they sign the marriage certificate, accompanied by their witnesses. Afterward, the bride and groom will make their grand exit as a newly married couple. Civil Ceremony Civil weddings are officially valid before the State, granting the bride and groom obligations and rights protected by law. Despite their importance, they are much less formal and structurally simpler, and they can be personalized if performed outside the civil registry courts (where they are formally held to save time). A standard civil ceremony consists of two parts:

1. The reading of the articles of the Civil Code that refer to the rights and obligations of the spouses. These readings are performed by a civil registry judge.
2. Both parties, the bride and groom, give their consent and sign the marriage certificate before the judge. It is at this point that the people they have chosen as witnesses at their wedding also sign.

Between one part and another, various rituals can be incorporated, such as:

• Reading of texts that the couple has chosen to symbolize their union.
• Thank you speeches.
• Exchange of vows.
• Exchange of wedding rings .
• Symbolic marriage rites such as: the ceremony of light or the Mayan ceremony.