Wedding Unity Coins

Wedding Unity Coins Sets with the Large Unity Coins	Wedding Unity Coins Sets with the Dime Size Wedding Coins
Wedding Lassos Wedding Lazos Rosary Lassos Rosary Lazos	Rosarys, Kneeling Pillows Ring Bearer & Wedding Unity Coin Pillows

Wedding Unity Coins / Arras Coins/ Arras Wedding Unity Coins

History
The custom of the wedding unity coins originated in Spain. The madrina de arras holds the thirteen gold unity coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the bride�s dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.

Groom�s pledge to the bride
The groom gives the bride thirteen gold unity coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. The symbolism, which may be explained by the officiant, is that the Groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider, and pledges his ability to support and care for her. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.

Why 13 coins?
The number 13 represents Christ and his 12 apostles.

How to use in ceremony
The Unity coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the unity coins in the box and hands them to the groom.

The groom will then pour the unity coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.)

Wording on the Coins
These tokens generally have the words "Recuerdo Matrimonial" which translates as "Wedding Souvenir" or "Marriage Memory".

Uses
The use of the unity coins is a Latin American tradition for Hispanic and Filipino weddings, for Cinderella Weddings, Fairytale Weddings, Sweet 16 celebrations, Debutante Balls, Quincea�eras, and Bat Mitzvahs

Other Mexican Wedding Traditions

Lasso (Lazo Cord)
The Lasso is associated with a wedding prayer during the ceremony. As part of the ceremony to symbolize unity, a large loop of rosary beads is placed in a figure eight shape around the necks of the couple after they have exchanged their vows. The symbolism of the lasso is to show the union and protection of marriage. Special members of the wedding party may be in charge of "lassoing" the Bride and Groom together after they kneel for the wedding prayer. They drape what is usually a white satin circle of cord around the shoulders of the kneeling Bride and Groom, groom's shoulder's first. The lasso may also be tied around their wrists.

The couple wears the lasso throughout the remainder of the service. The loop is symbolic of their love, which should bind the couple together everyday as they equally share the responsibility of marriage for the rest of their lives. A double rosary lasso may also be given by one set of the parents and may be blessed with holy water three times in honor of the trinity.

At the end of the ceremony, the lasso is removed by the couple who placed the lasso on the couple, or the priest. The lasso is given to the Bride as a memento of her becoming the lady of the groom's heart and home and shows their promise to always be together side-by-side.

Sponsors: In the mexican tradition when someone gets married there is padrinos or sponors. The padrinos help the bride and groom pay for their wedding. When you are a padrino you agree to help pay for different things in the wedding such as the lazo. Then they will also take part in the church services and put the lazo around the couple during the ceremony.

Pre-wedding tradition: A party to celebrate the engagement is common. The couple may be blessed at home by their parents before the wedding.

Wedding attire and jewelry: The Spanish mantilla, or veil, completely covers the face and shoulders. Brides in many Latin-American countries wear a light blue slip beneath their dresses. The flower girls and ring bearer may be dressed as miniature versions of the bride and groom.

Ceremony: Godparents or sponsors of the wedding (padrinos and madrinos) place pillows for the couple to kneel, present the couple with a bible and present coins in a treasure box. A cord, el lazo, is placed around the couple to show that they are bound together for life. The groom gives the bride 13 coins, called "Arras", as a sign of sharing his wealth with her. In some Latin American cultures only the couple's parents stand with them at the altar.

Most weddings will use the mariachis at the end of the ceremony as a part of the recessional.

Wedding Coins and Arras: The thirteen coins (arras or monedas) is presented to the bride by the groom to symbolize the groom's commitment to take care of his bride and make his wealth hers. The passing of coins back and forth is a symbol of sharing wordly goods, for richer or for poorer. The number of coins is significant, thirteen. In catholis Spain, the number thirteen represents Christ and his twelve apostles. The treasure box, el cofre, in which the coins are kept is often elaborate and reflects the status of the family.

Reception and food: The reception is always family oriented and festive. A money dance is sometimes performed to collect dollars from guests. Special favors, called capias, are displayed on a doll dressed like the bride.

For the bridal couple's first dance, guests will gather in a heart-shaped ring at the reception around the couple. Salsa, merengue and the flamenco guitar music may add a Latin flare to the reception.

The capias have the couple's names and wedding date inscribed on them, and are given as favors to the guests. Food may include chili, soups, tamales, fajitas, paella, cake, flan and sopapillas. Other favors could be wedding cookies wrapped in tulle, Spanish fans, note cards of Mexican painters, or pieces of pottery could be given.

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The Unity Coins are a contemporary version of the traditional wedding coins known as arrhae or arras in the Philippines. While the arrhae have come to symbolize material wealth for the newlyweds and their future family, today's couples embrace life & face the world together in a more mutually supportive way than ever before. madrina de arras arras para boda coffres arras coffres coffres & arras

Mexican Wedding Traditions

Sponsors of an Engaged Couple in Mexico

In Mexico, a traditional couple getting married are sponsored, financially, by their Godparents, to act as padrinos, sponsors of the wedding. They are mentors to the bride and groom throughout their engagement, and even after they are married. Needless to say, the bride and groom honor them with a place in the wedding program. The padrinos may present the couple with a rosary and a Bible during their wedding ceremony.

Mexican Wedding Ceremony Traditions

During the marriage vows, a white ribbon or rosary, called a "lasso", is symbolically wrapped around the necks of the couple, which represents their joining.

It is customary for a Mexican groom to give his wife a wedding present of thirteen gold coins, which are then blessed by the priest during the marriage ceremony. This gesture represents the groom's commitment to support his new wife.

As the newlyweds leave the church, red beads may be tossed at them, to bring good luck. At the wedding reception, all the guests will join hands and form a heart shape around the newly married couple as they have their first dance.

Wedding Receptions in Mexico

At a traditional Mexican reception, it is customary for the guests to form a heart around the newlyweds, as they begin their first dance as husband and wife.

A paper mach� container known as a pinata is suspended from the ceiling at Mexican wedding receptions. It will be shaped like a heart or an animal. Filled with candy, it is hung by a string and swatted at by children. When it breaks, the candy falls out and is shared among the guests.

The Mexican wedding cake is, usually, a fruit cake that has been soaked in rum.

Wedding Coins

Arras Sets

The Wedding Unity Coins have come to symbolize more than just prosperity. Today's couples embrace life & face the world together in a more mutually supportive way than ever before. Each coin in our "Wedding Unity Coins" set has a unique design, representing one of thirteen universal tenets of marriage: ~:~ Love ~:~ Trust ~:~ Commitment ~:~ Respect ~:~ Joy ~:~ Happiness ~:~ Harmony ~:~ Wisdom ~:~ Wholeness ~:~ Nurturing ~:~ Caring ~:~ Cooperation ~:~ Peace ~:~