1. Tame a
Donkey
The tradition “Bumba-Meu-Boi” involves the groom trying to tame a
donkey in order to prove himself to his future father-in-law.
.
2.
Switching Fingers
Brazilians often only have one ring for both the engagement and the
wedding. When a couple gets engaged, the fiancée will wear her ring on her
right hand. After the wedding, she’ll switch the ring on her left hand. It’s
also normal for a man to wear a ring before his wedding day. It’s a way for
couples to show commitment before they are married, or even engaged.
3. All
the Single Ladies
While the bride is getting ready on her big day, she will sometimes write the
names of all of her single girl friends under the hem of her wedding dress.
Apparently this is done so that all the single ladies will have good luck in
their romantic endeavors and “hopefully” get married faster.
4.
Non-Matching Bridesmaids
It isn’t custom for bridesmaids to wear the same dress at Brazilian
weddings. Like almost all wedding guests, they’ll usually opt for long dresses
in very colorful prints. Sometimes bridesmaids will be asked to stick to a
certain color theme, although it’s not too common.
5.
Matching Ties for Groomsmen
Sometimes the groom will gift the same tie to all of his groomsmen or close
male relatives, and they are expected to wear it to the wedding, even if the
color of the suit isn’t necessarily imposed.
6. Ticket
Please
Brazilians love parties, and sometimes uninvited guests show up for the
party too! Many couples have started sending “tickets” to enter the wedding and
reception with their invitations. Security is hired, and they ask each guest to
present their ticket to enter the wedding. This way the couple is sure that
everyone at the party was indeed invited to the party.
7.
Catholic Church Ceremony
Most Brazilians are Catholic, so wedding ceremonies normally take place inside
a Catholic church. The religious ceremonies are also pretty long and can last
around an hour (or more!).
It’s also not too easy to get married in a catholic church, at least outside of
Brazil. You’ll have to prove that you are indeed Catholic and were baptized,
and then you’ll have to sign up for classes with your partner to prepare you
for marriage.
8. Grand
Entrances for the Groom
It’s normal that the bride is the most important person at a wedding, but
at a Brazilian wedding, the groom is a very close second. The groom
will make an entrance as grand as the bride! He’ll often enter the church with
his mother, or close female relative. But no matter how grand his entrance,
he’ll still enter the church before the bride, of course.
9. 10
Minutes Late
Most Brazilians are super chill in general and almost never in a hurry. And
because it’s also very important for the groom to not see the bride before the
wedding, the bride will make a point to arrive late to her own wedding. Some
say 10 minutes late is normal, but in reality 10 minutes can easily turn into
30 or more.
10. BIG
Festive Parties
It’s normal to celebrate a wedding for a veryyy long time. Sometimes receptions can last until 2-5 a.m. There will,
without a doubt, be bands and DJs that play until the early morning and everyone (including children) will be up awake and dancing!
11. Tie
Cutting
During the reception, it is tradition that the groom’s tie be cut up into many
little pieces. The pieces are then sold by bid to the wedding guests to help
fund the couple’s future honeymoon. The groom’s best man, or a close family member
usually leads this auction.
12.
Brazilian Sweets
These little Brazilian sweets or “doces” are almost always present at
special events and parties in Brazil. The little balls of condensed milk and
sometimes chocolate or coconut are displayed on large tables at wedding, and
there are so many of them!
13. Early
Morning Snack
Because weddings usually last until the wee hours of the morning, sometimes you
can expect a snack before the reception winds down. Normally this snack will be
something selected by the couple— one of their favorite midnight snacks.
14. Bem
Casados
Translated as “Well-Married”, this traditional little cake is wrapped up in
a beautiful little package and is given to all wedding guests as a gift at the
end of the night. It’s a symbol of prosperity and good fortune for the
newlyweds.
It’s also a great breakfast
for the morning after a wedding!