In many cultures, most of the wedding frivolity centers around the bride. In a Mexican wedding, the groom comes in for his share of ribald teasing and horseplay. If you're the groom at a wedding in Mexico, there are some traditions that you should be aware of!
At most wedding receptions, the groom's role is pretty simple. Look good for the pictures, know how to remove the bride's garter, and get as much cake on your new wife's face as you possibly can. Not so at a wedding in Mexico. Many Mexican wedding traditions put the groom in the starring role. If you're planning a Mexican wedding, here are five fun traditions that you might incorporate.
1. No peeking at the bride!
While it's traditional in many cultures for the groom to not be allowed to see the bride until she starts down the aisle, Mexican wedding tradition dictates that he should not see her wedding dress at all until the wedding procession starts. It's considered bad luck for the groom at a wedding in Mexico to see the bride's dress until he sees her in it on their wedding day.
2. No measurements for a tux!
At a Mexican wedding, it's traditional for the groom and the groomsmen to wear Mexican wedding shirts - guyaberas - short-sleeved shirts that are lavishly embroidered. Many tailors specialize in designing custom-made Mexican wedding shirts that incorporate embroidery that is meaningful to the bride and groom. Mexican wedding shirts are far more comfortable than a rented tux - especially for a wedding in Mexico.
3. Tossing the groom
One of the most colorful and fun Mexican wedding customs is that of 'tossing the groom'. Early in the reception at a wedding in Mexico, the groomsmen and male guests all converge on the groom and hoist him into the air. He may be covered with the bride's veil as a symbolic shroud as the men, with much teasing and joking, carry him around the hall and toss him into the air. They may joke that now that he's married, he's as good as dead, though the tradition is meant to symbolize the death of his bachelorhood and beginning of his new life as a lucky married man.
4. Wearing the Apron
Another traditional Mexican wedding custom the groom should know is that of wearing the bride's apron. Like tossing the groom in the air, undressing the groom and dressing him in an apron is accompanied by lots of good-natured teasing about him becoming a henpecked husband. These days, the groom will usually only be stripped of his shoes and socks before being wrapped in the apron, but it's not unheard of for the groomsmen to completely strip the groom, bring his clothing to his new wife, and leave him with just the apron to wear.
5. The Dollar Dance
Another customary part of the Mexican wedding ceremony is the dollar dance. Each of the guests take a turn dancing with the bride or the groom, and during their short dance, pin a dollar bill (or larger denomination) to their wedding clothing. This Mexican wedding tradition gives the couple a start in their new life - and gives them a few moments to spend time face to face with each of their guests.