Wedding Practices
Casadinhos
Brazilian dating and wedding practices do not differ dramatically from those of the United States, although they are certainly not identical. With regard to dating, Jaime Sichman writing at the University of Oregon states that dating begins around age 15 or 16. It is traditional for the boy to ask permission from the girl's father to be her boyfriend Typically, couples date for several years before marrying. This could be deemed a difference from American dating habits as often the period of dating to marriage is shorter.
The Transparent Portuguese Language Blog (2007) describes a phenomenom known as "Cultura de Ficara" where public affection is displayed openly very quickly between two people. This does not necessarily imply that the couple will quickly move on to a sexual relationship, but rather a casual expression of fun and affection. which may seem strange to Americans, but is very much in keeping with the Brazilian temperament.
The Transparent Portuguese Language Blog (2007) describes a phenomenom known as "Cultura de Ficara" where public affection is displayed openly very quickly between two people. This does not necessarily imply that the couple will quickly move on to a sexual relationship, but rather a casual expression of fun and affection. which may seem strange to Americans, but is very much in keeping with the Brazilian temperament.
Engagement and Marriage
Brazilian Wedding Ceremony
According to weddingnouveau.com, the tradition of "Bumba-Meu-Boi" may precede the engagement of a young couple where the groom must tame an unbridled donkey, and if successful, can gain permission to marry from his intended bride's family. This is followed by an engagement party where the couple exchange rings which they wear on their right hands. Claudia Costabile (personal communication, October 27, 2012) advised me that this exchange of rings is the tradition, but Brazilian brides are becoming more influenced by American culture, and more recently, diamond engagement rings are somewhat more commonplace.
The wedding ceremony itself traditionally takes place in a church, and in this predominantly Catholic country, is typically done with a mass. Weddingnouveau.com outlines some of the features of the ceremony including the bride in an extravagent white gown, bridesmaids who must each wear individual colors, the groom wearing a Brazilian flag in his lapel, and groomsmen who carry Brazilian flags. The bride and groom switch the rings exchanged at the engagement from their right to their left hands. It is considered bad luck if the rings are dropped. The couple kisses at the end of the ceremony and then is showered with flower petals as they leave the church. Costabile did explain that the legal ceremony is generally done first at a courthouse, and then the church ceremony will follow.
The wedding reception is often a lavish affair with a Brazilian Carnival spirit, states weddingnouveau.com, including dancers and festive music. The bridal couple will dance with the bride's shoe in the middle of the floor to collect donations. Instead of numbers, the tables are designated by the names of Brazilian cities. Among some of the other reception traditions are the best man going table to table cutting pieces of the groom's tie to solicit monetary gifts from the guests, and the bride and groom delivering "lembrancinhas" or wedding favors which traditionally are "casadinhos" or a cookie or cake sandwich symbolizing that the couple are "glued together in a sweet new life" (weddingnouveau.com). The groom is to carry his bride over the threshold putting his right foot in first.
While some of the specific wedding practices differ, the similarity is that Brazilians and Americans both honor the act of marriage with a sense of celebration. Also, the superstitions are different but there are a number of indicators of good and bad luck. In both cultures, it is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony. The exchange of rings is a highly symbolic feature in both traditions although the Brazilians move the engagement rings from the right to the left hand to signify the change from being engaged to being married. Carrying the bride over the threshold is another common tradition.
Gay marriage has been a topic very much in the forefront of American political discourse recently. Brazil is also encountering similar challenges to same sex unions and marriage laws. The Huffington Post (2011) reported that cases have gone to the Brazilian Supreme Court,and individual marriages have been deemed legal. However, the Brazilian legislature continues to grapple with making gay marriage legal, although civil unions are legal (Reid-Smith, 2012). Costabile advised me that Brazilians in general are very tolerant of gays, although Reid-Smith (2012) notes that Brazil has had the highest number of LGBT murders in the world in 2011 and as of May 2012.
The wedding ceremony itself traditionally takes place in a church, and in this predominantly Catholic country, is typically done with a mass. Weddingnouveau.com outlines some of the features of the ceremony including the bride in an extravagent white gown, bridesmaids who must each wear individual colors, the groom wearing a Brazilian flag in his lapel, and groomsmen who carry Brazilian flags. The bride and groom switch the rings exchanged at the engagement from their right to their left hands. It is considered bad luck if the rings are dropped. The couple kisses at the end of the ceremony and then is showered with flower petals as they leave the church. Costabile did explain that the legal ceremony is generally done first at a courthouse, and then the church ceremony will follow.
The wedding reception is often a lavish affair with a Brazilian Carnival spirit, states weddingnouveau.com, including dancers and festive music. The bridal couple will dance with the bride's shoe in the middle of the floor to collect donations. Instead of numbers, the tables are designated by the names of Brazilian cities. Among some of the other reception traditions are the best man going table to table cutting pieces of the groom's tie to solicit monetary gifts from the guests, and the bride and groom delivering "lembrancinhas" or wedding favors which traditionally are "casadinhos" or a cookie or cake sandwich symbolizing that the couple are "glued together in a sweet new life" (weddingnouveau.com). The groom is to carry his bride over the threshold putting his right foot in first.
While some of the specific wedding practices differ, the similarity is that Brazilians and Americans both honor the act of marriage with a sense of celebration. Also, the superstitions are different but there are a number of indicators of good and bad luck. In both cultures, it is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony. The exchange of rings is a highly symbolic feature in both traditions although the Brazilians move the engagement rings from the right to the left hand to signify the change from being engaged to being married. Carrying the bride over the threshold is another common tradition.
Gay marriage has been a topic very much in the forefront of American political discourse recently. Brazil is also encountering similar challenges to same sex unions and marriage laws. The Huffington Post (2011) reported that cases have gone to the Brazilian Supreme Court,and individual marriages have been deemed legal. However, the Brazilian legislature continues to grapple with making gay marriage legal, although civil unions are legal (Reid-Smith, 2012). Costabile advised me that Brazilians in general are very tolerant of gays, although Reid-Smith (2012) notes that Brazil has had the highest number of LGBT murders in the world in 2011 and as of May 2012.