Wedding Rituals you might consider for your wedding ceremony Part X

Another one that goes with the Mexican and even Roman custom/tradition is 'Thirteen Gold Coins'.
This something that typically has been passed down through the families.

"The Thirteen Gold Coins (Trece monedas de oro)"

What is it?

• The madrina de arras holds the 13 coins the bridegroom presents to the bride.
• The coins, or arrhea, was a Roman custom of breaking gold or silver, one half to be kept by the woman and the other half by the man, as a pledge of marriage.

How is it done?

• The groom gives the bride thirteen gold coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. It is presented in ornate boxes or gift trays.
• He pledges that he places all of his goods into her care and safekeeping.
• Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.
• These coins become a part of their family heirloom.
• The number 12 represents Christ and his 12 apostles. The 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. This can be done using the mother of the groom.
• Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the coins in the box and hands them to the groom.
• The groom will then pour the 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.)

I hope that some of these will speak to you as something you can use in your ceremony. I have one special one that I am going to share tomorrow that I will thank someone very dear to me for sharing it.