Wedding in Celestun

This past Saturday, January 24, our friends Peter and Sandra were married in the Catholic church here in Celestun.

Peter and Sandra's civil ceremony

The newlyweds and Sandra's son Robert

Actually, legal weddings in Mexico are only done in civil ceremonies at the town office, which they did on January 7, with only a small handful of friends and family in attendance. But the unofficial, large religious ceremony is the big event that everyone is invited to.

Celestun Catholic church

Sandra arriving at the church

The church received a fresh coat of paint in preparation for the big day, a 3-piece orchestra was in place and everything went off exactly as planned.

Inside Celestun Catholic church

Sandra entering with her father.

Even the flower girl and the bride's 5 year-old son as ring bearer did a great job.

The “Lazo” is a sort of tied rope which can be made from something as simple as a ribbon, to something as ornate as a rosary – either beaded or jeweled, (this one is made of glass beads)- to symbolically join the bride and groom . It is placed around the necks of the couple – in a figure 8- after they have exchanged their vows to represent their linked future together; the joining of two lives.

Following the ceremony, close to 80 people followed the newlyweds to their ocean-front home for hours of eating, drinking and partying, Cuban style!  

Professional singer at the reception is a friend of Sandra

Sandra and Peter, First Dance

Their caterers and entertainment were great and everybody had a wonderful time, eating for over 4 hours and drinking and dancing the night away.

Sandra throwing her bouquet

Sandra, her sister Eda, and their parents

Gerardo, dancing like only a Cuban can!

Unfortunately, our salsa lessons had not progressed along far enough for me to have enough confidence to step out on the floor, especially with a few professional dancers there and a bunch of Cubans who are born with Latin rhythm in their bones!

Peter going for the garter.

"What took you so long?!?"

Sandra singing to Peter