TRADITIONAL PUERTORRICAN WEDDING (OUR CULTURE)

Except for capias

and bride dolls, there are no unusual wedding traditions. But you can always give your wedding a Puerto Rican flavor. When you think of things Puerto Rican you think of; coquí, orchids, tropics, palm trees, seashells, Taínos, guitars, coconuts, rum, pig roast, and amapolas. You can use things in the wedding and party that remind us of our Enchanted Island. The wedding party could be held in the bride's parent’s house and yard area. That is traditional because long ago there were no ballrooms for rent. Lights were strung on the trees outside to light the yard for the party - I am talking about strings of large bulbs. If it is impossible to have it there finds a party room that has a yard that you can use. Wealthy families would serve a large banquet, jibaritos served a rotisserie roasted pig. That sounds like an unforgettable event - doesn't it? Serve all Puerto Rican foods and desserts. Make the wedding cake coconut, rum, or pineapple flavored. Cake decorations may include seashells, pineapple motifs, etc.

The wedding "brindis" used to be made using coconut cups because there were no fancy glass goblets. The bride and groom may drink a traditional café con leche (espresso) using coconut cups - done more like a ritual and photo opportunity.

I've seen websites selling these coconut cups - some of them are really nice. A traditional brindis may also be included. Capias for all the guests. The capias were attached to ribbons that hung from the bridal bouquet. At the reception the bride and groom cut off the capias from the bouquet and pin them on the guests. This is a great way for the bride and groom to make contact with each guest. The capias had a piece of “abeto” fern (spiny fern used in weddings) attached to the capia (about 5 inches of fern), and the capia sat in the middle of the fern. The fern lasts a long time. The capias include a piece of folded narrow ribbon printed with the bride and groom’s names on one end, and the date of the wedding on the other. This ribbon can be ordered at bridal shops. The bride's bouquet was made using wild flowers of Puerto Rico – mostly amapolas, but also Mimosas flowers, and margaritas (include local greenery and abeto). Puerto Rico has over 50 native orchid species. Use orchids. The bouquet may include a fan - in Puerto Rico fans were a traditional part of a woman's attire. Wealthy women had fans in different colors to match their clothing. There is a long and detailed history of fans - too long to go into now. Bridesmaids may carry a fan and an amapola (maybe a silk amapola) - the flor maga, which is similar to an amapola, is the official flower of Puerto Rico.

During the ceremony - in very low volume - play a tape of coquí sounds - that would be most romantic. The Doll - At the traditional Puerto Rican reception it is customary for a doll, dressed similar to the bride, to be placed at the head of the main table. The doll can be a Barbie or a larger doll. She wears a wedding dress to match the bride's. The bride and groom may choose a danza criolla, a Puerto Rican waltz. La Borinqueña is a waltz. There are many, many beautiful Puerto Rican orchestra pieces for ballroom dancing. If you are interested in the Taíno culture use strings of seashell jewelry for the bridal party and to decorate the table. Centerpieces could reflect our Taíno heritage using petroglyphs somehow. Use lots of candles too. Centerpieces - make small palm trees using “abeto” ferns for centerpieces and decorate with seashells. If you can afford it, hire a local Puerto Rican folk dance group to entertain during dinner. Of course - play Puerto Rican music. Flowers were used to decorate the church, house, and the yard. Again these were flowers that grew wild including amapolas, margaritas and Mimosa flowers as well as local greenery and palm branches. Select a wedding invitation with a tropical theme like ferns, palm trees, or sea shells. Select matching napkins.

If you need napkin rings they can be made using elastic and have a sea shell on top with some ferns. The napkin rings are those rings that hold the silverware that has been rolled on a napkin. ... Honeymoon – a Caribbean Cruise, of course.

The Caribbean Wedding - My Latest Work

Melody Joy Guerra & Adrian Marcus Landa

About the bride

Melody Joy Guerra was born on November 16th, 1981 in Dallas Texas. Raised and still residing in Texas by her Mother, Kathy Goria (married to Bob Goria), and her father, Michael Guerra (married to Theresa Guerra). She has two siblings, her sister Elissa Barbosa (married to Andy Barbosa), and Jon-Michael Guerra (engaged to Bethany Pagel). She has a niece and nephew, Mia and Christian. The rest of her family resides in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding suburbs. She also has two step brothers, Bryan and Tony Goria.


About the groom
Adrian Marcus Landa was born on June 22nd, 1978 in Dallas, Texas. Raised and still residing in Texas by his Mother and Father, Argie and Richard Landa. He has one brother, Chris Landa (married to Jody Landa), and has two nephews, Carlos and Cruz Landa. He shares his home with Melody, and their kids......Mama's, Mr. Bigglesworth, Cleopatra, Reggie, and Turtle.


How we met

Adrian and Melody met through friends, and of course, the infamous, Tia's Tex Mex, where Melody worked for many years. They knew many of the same people, and probably crossed paths plenty of times before they actually began dating, and never even knew it. They both went to Newman Smith High School, but graduated 5 years apart. They actually started hanging out because he was dating a friend of Melody's, and when they broke up, which was winter of 2000, Melody and Adrian began spending more time together as friends, and grew stronger feelings as time progressed, but not a word of it was spoken until February 14th, 2001. Adrian woke up extra early on Valentine's Day of 2001, picked up two dozen roses, and headed to Melody's sister's apartment where she was living. He walked in, kissed her on her cheek, handed her the two dozen roses, and said he has to go to work, but that he wanted to see her that night. She was stunned, for it was 5:00 a.m. on Valentine's Day, and she already had her valentine. They have been together ever since! Ten incredible and adventurous years!

Ceremony Site

Information for our guests

Melody Joy Guerra and Adrian Marcus Landa will be uniting their love on June 11th, 2011 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The ceremony will be taking place on the beach in a large resort subdivision in The Palmas Del Mar in Humacao. It will begin promptly at 5:oo in the afternoon, right before sun down.
Driving directions

Humacao, Puerto Rico is estimated about 40-50 minutes southeast of San Juan, PR and approximately . San Juan is where you will be arriving at the airport San Luis Munoz International Airport.

Reception Site
Information for our guests

The Reception will immediately follow the ceremony:

PLACE: Cedro 6, Palmas del Mar, Humacao, PR
TIME: Approximately 7:00 pm

We will be serving a whole Pig as the main course, as well as stuffed Chicken, shrimp cocktail, and of course the wedding cake!

What to Wear

We want our guests to feel relaxed and laid back for our ceremony and reception, so please feel free to dress nice, but not formal. It is a beach ceremony, so tropical attire would be nice, but not required. If you would care to know our colors, they will be aqua's, blue's, yellow's, red's, and oranges. TROPICAL FLAVOR!

Our wedding party

The Best Man: Chris Landa
Maitron of Honor: Elissa Barbosa
Flower Girl: Mia Barbosa
Father of the Bride: Michael Guerra
Mother of the Bride: Kathy Goria
Father of the Groom: Richard Landa
Mother of the Groom: Argie Landa

Special Thanks to all the Vendors;
Officiant: Santana Ministries (787) 435-3145
Decorator: Ideas a tu Gusto (787) 595-8726
Wedding Cake: Jossi's Cakes (787) 678-7872
Catering: Ita's Creole Kitchen, Absolute Catering (787) 738-6090
Entertainment: H & M Entertainment (787) 429-3474
Rental: Party Line, Inc. of PR (787) 747-9092
Misc. Vendors: JCJ Remodelaciones (787) 212-4182 Installation of Ceremony Site
Luxery Villa Rentals: (787) 507-1966 Reception Site
Healing Flowers: (787) 562-4207

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Coordinadora de Eventos & Bodas en Puerto Rico

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Wedding Planner in Cecil County & Puerto Rico- Coordinadora de Bodas en Puerto Rico EnhancEvents LLC

Wedding Planner in Cecil County & Puerto Rico- Coordinadora de Bodas en Puerto Rico EnhancEvents LLC

Puerto Rico Traditional Wedding

The wedding party is organized at the bride's house. Lights are strung to make it more bright and attractive.

The bride and the groom flaunt traditional costumes and traditional food is served at Puerto Rico weddings.

The bride and the groom are offered a traditional drink called café con leche using coconut cups.

The wedding cake gets decorated with sea shells and pine apple motifs.
At the reception the bride and groom cut off the capias from the bouquet and pin them on the guests.

The capias includes a piece of folded narrow ribbon printed with the bride and groom's names on one end, and the date of the wedding on the other.

The bride's bouquet is made up with beautiful flowers specially the traditional flower amapola.

The bouquet usually includes a fan which is a part of the traditional Puerto Rican wedding attire.

The bridesmaid carry amapola, fan to the wedding which symbolize good luck.

During the ceremony a soft music is played to make the ambience romantic and cozy.

While the priest performs the traditional Puerto Rican wedding he blesses a plate of coins and offers it to the groom.

After exchanging the wedding vows the groom gives the plate of coins to his bride which she treasures as a part of wedding gift from her husband.

The gifts of coins signify good luck and prosperity for the newlyweds.

At the traditional Puerto Rican wedding it is mandatory to place a doll dressed identical to the bride at the head of the main table. This bride doll is covered with charms and is offered to the guests.

Following this a feast is organized along with traditional Puerto Rican music and dance.

A Puerto Rican traditional wedding is a happy and joyful event.

Travour.com describes and provides information on the wedding traditions of Puerto Rico and around the world.