Mexican Wedding Reception Traditions

This silver and blue mariachi sombrero encapsulates the tradition of music and dance at a Mexican wedding reception. Photo by Darrell Perry on Pixabay.   A Mexican wedding reception centers around food and drinks, music, and dancing. While a handful of traditions mirror those of other cultures, these three central aspects remain distinctive to Mexico.  

Mexican Wedding Food and Drinks

Main Dishes

A Mexican wedding reception, of course, includes all the staples of Mexican cuisine. Spicy rice, stewed tomatoes, salsa, and refried beans, corn and flour tortillas, and all manner of meat dishes. Meat dishes include spicy meat stews, savory tamales, chiles rellenos, chiles en nogada, and seafood stews and soups. On the side, pozole, salads, and other savory accompaniments. Traditionally, mole serves as the sauce of choice for weddings. Specifically, mole blanco made with chili pepper and nuts blended together into a smooth and delectable white sauce. (source)

Desserts

Following the main course, Mexican desserts round out the meal. Indeed, the dessert table serves as a center piece for the reception decor. Laden with sweet cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, candies, and chocolates, the dessert table also serves to display the elaborate wedding cake. Some couples opt for a spicy fruit and nut cake infused with rum. Others choose the traditional tres leches cake for their wedding cake. This milk-infused confection nearly melts in the mouth. However, its soft texture does not lend itself to towering tiers. Therefore, some choose a more traditional cake recipe in order to ensure the wedding cake stands above all the rest. Meanwhile, the dessert table also includes grandmother's almond cake, tamarind candies, and polvorones. Made with pecans and butter and then rolled in powdered sugar, polvorones serve as the traditional Mexican wedding cookie. Interspersed among the cakes, candies such as alegrias made with amaranth and molasses, as well as cocadas made with coconut, offer tasty bites throughout the evening. (source) The dessert table might also include dulce de leche, as well as artisan chocolates laced with cinnamon and brown sugar. Of course, throughout the evening the drinks flow freely.

Drinks

Certainly, drinks are served from beginning to end. The night begins with offerings of the famous fresh fruit waters (aguafresca) - horchata, tamarindo, zapote negro, and more. In some regions, such as Oaxaca, the evening kicks off with a shared communion of hot chocolate and bread. (source) Of course, some localities brew their own specialized spirits. Some of these include Mezcal, Posh, and Bacanora. Additionally, each table receives their own bottle of tequila. Then there are the mixed drinks - mojitos, margaritas, palomas, micheladas, and rosadas.  

The Music & Dancing

Of equal import to food and drink, the music and dancing at a Mexican wedding reception form the core of the party. First of all, a reception often begins with a Mariachi serenade. Although many couples opt to hire a DJ, mariachi bands punctuate the evening with special performances that add a distinctive Mexican flavor. The mariachi band often kicks off the dancing by leading the couple in their first dance. When the announcement is made, the newlyweds weave through their guests into the center of the dance floor. Subsequently, their guests form a circle around them as the band starts playing. The bride and groom dance through the first song all by themselves in the center of the dance floor. Next each of them dances with their parents. Finally, they dance with their padrinos. Then, the music shifts, possibly back to the DJ, and the Money Dance begins. The bride and groom remain on the dance floor as their guests pin money to their clothing in exchange for a dance with them. The newlyweds rely on the Money Dance to provide extra funds for their honeymoon.  

Universal Traditions

In Mexico, wedding receptions include a few traditions that seem universal. For one thing, the bride throws her bouquet, and the groom throws the garter. As usual, those who catch the proffered wedding favors enjoy the hope of being the next to marry. Another tradition practiced in several other cultures is the After Party. In Mexico, they call it tornoboda. Two possibilities present themselves for the after party. In some cases, the reception just continues until dawn. Other couples choose to catch a few winks and then meet up with their guests for brunch the next day. Of course, always this continuation of the party includes more food (sometimes a specialized menu), more drinks, and more music and dancing! ~Angela Magnotti Andrews