Skip to main content

Spanish wedding.




First impression? Nothing has to be perfect, what you see on films isn't the case here in Spain, or at least it wasn't the case this passed Saturday when I attended my first Spanish wedding, what a afternoon and night that was. It was hot, I mean everyone fanning themselves and sweaty hot... Thank god the the plastic mini fans stuck on the church walls!!!!

It was a little church that had to hold a lot of people so it was understandable that not everyone got to sit down, many actually just hung around the back near the door, popping in and out. 

The first thing that surprised me, although not so much when you think what country we are in, was the noise...Everyone was talking, the priest was doing his religious bit and bride and groom were obviously paying lots of attention and sitting quietly, yes they were sitting. 

The line of people sitting behind me did not shut up, neither did the lady next to me who was talking to her granddaughter whilst checking her Facebook page, the couple at the back that walked down the aisle mid ceremony to give the maid of Honor a piece of paper, the kids at the back running in and out of the church...everyone was doing their own thing, but none of them quietly. At first I thought it was a little disrespectful until I saw the closest family members of the newly wedded couple also talking, I then assumed it must just be the norm.

Mid ceremony, I noticed the flower girl and little boy walking around with baskets, I asked the lady next to me what they were for and she said to give money. Apparently that's the way they do it here...some people just tossed a few coins in but as the basket come passed me at the end it was full of notes, and not just the 5 euro ones. I also learnt that you generally don't but the newly weds a gift, but you give them a little envelope after the meal at the celebratory venue. This special little pocket that carries quite a lot of money. Depending on what you thought the meal cost, you give a certain amount, per person...so a family of four going to a very posh wedding can give you around 200-250 euros. I'm still not sure what I think about it, I like money but surely opening pressies is a lot more fun. 

The evening proceeded delightfully, lots of canapés, a lovely meal continued with a free bar and hours of dancing. That is one thing about the Spanish, they definitely know how to drink, dance and have a good time.

All in all it was a lovely evening, which I am glad I could be a part of. It was different to what I was expecting, but who says different has to be bad. Here's to the newly weds, to the ones married for years and not forgetting those, who like me, think marriage is unnecessary. 

They did.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Something about FN

There is something about travelling alone that gives me a good feeling.  Going at your own pace through security, getting a coffee and a croissant and sit down enjoying a good book while waiting for your gate to show up. Walking to the gate (because I gave myself plenty of time arriving early) and waiting it out. Sitting down next some complete strangers who you end up sharing a few words with, in whatever language you both understand (or the language of pointing to things and nodding your head). If you are lucky enough to sit by the window, enjoy the view. See how little things are when you are 10.000 metres above the ground flying at 750 km per hour looking at the melted snow on the top of the Alps, realising it was just over a month ago when they were white coated rocks. There is just something about it. Also about arriving, running, rushing to your bus or train or boat because to get around in Central Europe you may need all three.  There is just something about it. 
1 comment
Read more

Who's the strange one?

I'm a very curious person, the sort of person who, if interested in something, will research every last details of this. Next week is the deadline for 'erasmus' applications to study a term (or more) abroad and I have found myself surrounded by people asking me all about it. I seem to be the only person with a basic knowledge on the subject in my circle of friends. As me and some friends have been preparing a presentation for one of my university subjects, we have been talking about 'known' bloggers here in Spain, I am supposed to give examples in my presentation and my friends have given me loads of names of people with 'funny' blogs or 'funny you-tubers', when I told them I had no idea who any of these people are they were shocked. They may know everything about insignificant matters such as funny videos but at the end of the day none of them have a clue about what they are actually interested in, for example, studying abroad. Some say I take
1 comment
Read more

Are university degrees worth it?

It's exam time and I have decided to write a little piece on a university degree from a current student's point of view. A survey taken place in the UK in 2015 says half of all students agree their university degree was not worth the thirty something thousand pound debt it left them with. However, records show that over ten thousand more students applied to university last year.  A similar study was done in Spain, in 2015 there was a record of 1.361.340 students inscribed in university, public and private. Again, the number of college applications has increased while over half or the recent graduates regret their decisions on course or university.  Sixty percent of graduates in Peru said they regret getting their university degree. Many of the surveyed pupils say they regret their past decisions due to either they didn't get enough orientation or the course wasn't structured properly. Students today are demanding more than what they expected when un
1 comment
Read more