Costa Rica Wedding Customs: Tying the Knot the Tropical Way

A wedding is a huge event. It is the time when two people madly in love with each other tie the knot and say their promises of forever. Thus is why those getting married do everything to make this moment unforgettable. They choose a date and time that is special to them. They also make sure that the venue is something that they will always remember. Thus, some people are willing to fly to another country just to get married. If you are one of these people, you might want to fulfill your tropical fantasies by getting married on a beach. If you're thinking of which country to choose, you might want to consider Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a small country between Panama and Nicaragua. The country is a paradise in every sense of the word. Its white sand-covered shores are perfect for your dream tropical wedding. To complete the Costa Rican wedding feel, there are wedding customs to follow. Being predominantly Catholic, all weddings must be performed by the Church or notary. If you belong to another religion, you can push through with the religious ceremonies but must also have a civil ceremony to make it legal. The event is usually held in the late afternoon or early evening. Other customs can be divided into three major groups.

Family

In traditional Costa Rican weddings, family is very important. In a traditional Costa Rican wedding, the extended family is included in the celebration. Most of the time, the entire village may join as well. The bride's father escorts the bride to the church. The groom's mother walks him down the aisle.

Food

“Plenty” is the best adjective to describe the food in a Costa Rican wedding. Common dishes at wedding tables include casados, which literally means “marriages.” You'll also find a lot of meat, plantains, salad, and the crowd favorite gallo pinto. Seafood barbeques are also very popular for beach weddings.

Music

Live music is very common in Costa Rican weddings. The country's music is very rich so you have a lot of songs to choose from. Music ranges from traditional Latin to Top 40-style beats. If your wedding's theme is a little contemporary, a reggae band can provide the suitable island-themed tunes for your beach wedding.