Wedding traditions are cultural in Venezuela

Venezuelan culture is the product of extensive influence from American Indians, Spanish, Africans, Italians, Portuguese, Germans, Arabs, and others from South American countries. The cultural traditions of weddings in Venezuela are therefore as diverse as the many cultures that have made them what they are today. One of the common cultural traditions of weddings in Venezuela that would surprise the people of Toronto is that of wedding couples sneaking out of the reception without being noticed. Venezuelans have continued this tradition as they believe it brings good luck to newlyweds and is therefore done in good faith. Visitors to Toronto attending the weddings of friends and loved ones in Venezuela are alarmed when they realize they can’t trace the bride and groom, yet everyone else seems uninterested in their whereabouts. It can be very alarming for a person who does not understand this tradition because the wedding day is mainly for the bride and groom whose presence is vital. Guests are encouraged to eat, drink and continue partying even in the absence of the bridal couple.

The cultural wedding tradition in Venezuela incorporates ethnicity through food. Vendors serve food from Spanish, African, Portuguese, Amerindian, Italian, or any of the other ethnic cultures mentioned above. The cultural wedding tradition in Venezuela is very festive and colorful. Visitors to Toronto enjoy these weddings that specialize in revelry, music, and food. They are also very colorful and this is mainly seen in how Venezuelans decorate their places and themselves. Another aspect of Venezuelan wedding cultural traditions is that both the flower girl and the ring bearer wear clothing, which is similar in design to the bridal couple. This is very unique and rare in Toronto, where the flower girl, especially, can wear a wide range of clothing, from princess to pleats, depending on age and size. In Toronto, the bride may prefer designs that are too mature for a flower girl, such as straps, halter, or another design that requires a shapely body and curves that the flower girl may not have. Due to these factors, the bride and her florist rarely wear the same design in most parts of the world, making this wedding a unique tradition in Venezuela.

Another tradition involves an exchange of thirteen coins. Some families prefer to use gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins as facsimiles. These coins are commonly known as Aras. These coins can be presented by the groom or by the father of the bride. When the groom presents the coins, it symbolizes his willingness and love to support his bride. If they are presented by the father of the bride they symbolize the dowry for the bride. This is a very unique practice as most traditions do not require the bride’s family to pay the dowry, but receive it from the groom’s family. It is likely that these cultural wedding traditions in Venezuela arose from indigenous influence, as this group of people is known to practice this tradition to this day.