The tradition of asking for a hand in marriage.

La tradición de pedir la mano.
Asking for the bride's hand is one of the most classic traditions in wedding protocol. This action is a formality between the groom and the family of his future partner. He is usually accompanied by his parents; however, it is not mandatory.

The purpose of introducing yourself to the bride's parents is to communicate your intentions to marry her and to request their consent and, in many cases, their blessing, as well as their traditions. During this introduction, he expresses his future plans and mentions his capabilities to create a prosperous home and future for the bride.

This tradition originates in ancient Rome. At that time, women had a series of broad rights in some respects compared to their time. However, the father of a woman was the one who received authority over her, under a rule known as "manus," a civil right understood as established authority, whether a wife or daughter. This Roman law made it necessary to request a manus in order to marry the daughter of a family.

A variation over the years was the formal announcement. In this case, the custom was already linked to a law and became an act of protocol in which the groom and bride, once they had decided to unite their lives, would appear before the bride's parents to make their marriage commitment official and present the news to the rest of the family.

Typically held at the bride's home, it may include dinner, lunch, breakfast, or a small get-together. Some choose a venue for the event, depending on each person's custom. During the ceremony, the groom or the groom's parents bring up the topic of engagement, and then the news is announced, or in some cases, the groom proposes, presenting the bride with the engagement ring in front of everyone gathered.

Many couples today consider this practice unnecessary and somewhat outdated, clearly due to changes in thinking in our social environment, and especially due to the feeling of independence. However, the tradition has a romantic air, seeking to include family members in one of the most important moments in a couple's love story.

Today, beyond formality or arcane tradition, we are faced with a tradition that offers the opportunity to reunite and unite families, where the bride and groom can share with their loved ones the happiness they experience at this important step in their lives.

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