The arras are 13 gold coins inside an ornate gold box, and they’re often a gift from los padrinos y madrinas (the godparents). During the ceremony, the pastor will bless them, and the groom presents these 13 coins to his bride as a gift. This Mexican tradition signifies the groom's commitment to supporting the bride and serves as a representation of Jesus and his 12 apostles to show that their relationship with God isb crucial to the success of their marriage.
Communion takes place after the vows because receiving the eucharist as our “first meal” together signifies reliance on God to sustain and support us during our marriage. Only Catholics can receive the Holy Communion. Non-Catholics have the option to stay seated or if you would like to receive a blessing, put your hands over your chest in an X and the priest will bless you when you come up to the altar.
El lazo is a unity ceremony performed after exchanging vows using a lasso to join the couple. The lasso could be anything, but it’s typically an oversized rosary or a silk cord. El lazo is placed over the couple by los padrinos y madrinas (the godparents) and signifies their new status as one.
At the end of the ceremony, the priest will perform the Nuptial Blessing, which is a prayer for the couple that unites them as “one flesh.” The priest asks God to watch over them and pray that they may be faithful to each other and live a long, happy life together.
Soon after the ceremony we’ll be presenting a second bouquet to the Virgin Mary and ask for her blessing.