Cultural Wedding Traditions - The Mexican Lasso

Bridget & Alex, celebrating the Lasso Ceremony at Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes

Wedding Jeannie embraces couples who recognize their culture, and infuse their traditions into their wedding. I've been honored to be a part of cultural weddings including, Latin, Jewish, African American, Indian, Persian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese....only to name a few. To honor CULTURAL WEDDINGS, I have created this recurring blog post. From time to time, I will feature another tradition that my clients have shared with me. I hope you'll check back often and enjoy each new feature.

Today's feature is the Mexican Lasso. Traditionally a white cord/rope in a figure eight is used, but most commonly, it is a double rosary. The lasso itself signifies the love that binds the couple in marriage.

To signify UNITY, the lasso is placed around the shoulders of the bride and groom by a designated couple, usually referred to as "Padrinos" (sponsors). In modern times, we find that our couples are choosing to give this honor to the persons in their lives that mean the most to them. In the case of Bridget and Alex above, they chose Bridget's sisters. For the remainder of the service, the lasso remains on the couple's shoulders, in unity. 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 memento of her becoming the mistress of the groom’s heart and home.

This is one of my favorite cultural wedding traditions, because it is a reminder of the responsibility both the bride and groom will share in their marriage. They are intertwined during the ceremony, and reminded that this invisible yet indelible bond lives with them forever.

Not only Mexico observes this beautiful tradition. It's shared by the many Latin American cultures, such as Guatemala and The Phillipines.