Portuguese
Considering that the majority of people in
Portugal are Roman Catholic, a mass would
follow the engagement. After this mass,
close relatives would be invited to a small
reception. The Bride would choose a "Madrinha"
-- a Maid of Honour -- and the Groom would
choose a "Padrinho" -- a Best Man. In some
cases, two couples would be chosen to fill
those roles.
Portuguese wedding ceremonies usually
consist of a Roman Catholic mass, where
traditionally the priest would bind the
couple's hands with his stole, or call for
the Bride and Groom to exchange rings, and
then cover the couple with his stole, to
unite and protect them. As the newlyweds
exit the church, friends and relatives
customarily throw bonbons and flowers, in
lieu of tossing rice.
Portugal is renowned for its wine, and the
Romans used to associate the country with
Bacchus, their God of Wine and Feasts.
Popular wines include Vinho Verde, Vinho
Alvarinho, Vinho do Douro, and Vinho da
Bairrada, as well as sweet Port and Madeira
wine, and wedding guests indulge in frequent
toasts to the happy couple.
Portuguese wedding
guests, traditionally, are served only what
the hosts can afford. Each region of
Portugal has its own traditional dishes.
Codfish is a favourite throughout the
country, and it is said that there are over
365 ways to prepare it.
Portuguese wedding receptions
usually take place at a private home or,
more commonly, these days, at a restaurant.
They typically involve traditional music and
a lot of dancing, while guests exchange
stories about the Bride and Groom. The
ancient custom of passing the Bride's shoe
around to all the guests, to receive
monetary donations that will help the couple
set up their new home, is still maintained
today, and guests eagerly join the
festivities and participate in this ritual.
Traditionally, there will also be a money
dance, where the Bride's shoe is passed
around the dance floor, as young -- and not
so young -- men pay for the privilege of
dancing with the Bride.
Another important part of the reception is
called "Copo d' Agua" (cup of water.) During
this ritual, the Bride and Groom go from
table to table to spend time with their
guests, and ensure that everyone is having a
good time and enjoying their meal; a
champagne toast is offered as the newlyweds
cut their wedding cake, and offer the first
slice to a single friend, to bring them
luck. The Bride then customarily throws her
bouquet into an eagerly awaiting group of
single girls. |
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