Wedding cookies a traditional family favorite

Wedding cookies go by many different names around the world. Some call them Russian tea cakes, some Mexican wedding cookies or Polvorones from the Spanish word polvo which means powder or dust. At Italian weddings, Italian wedding cookies can be found at a dessert or sweet table with the cake.

Italian wedding cookies

Sometimes the cake is even made of Italian cookies piled on top of one another. There's even a cookie dance in which the bride and groom lead guests around the reception area and then to the cookie table where each person takes a cookie. Even those who don't dance get a cookie, and it's not unusual for guests to pocket a cookie or two to bring home.

Mexican wedding cookies history

Mexican wedding cookies, Polvorones, are also popular holiday cookies in Spain and its former Latin American colonies, and also in the Philippines. Food historians actually trace the history of these cookies to Medieval Arab cuisine. It is thought that these wedding cookies were originally brought to Spain by the Moors, and that the recipe spread throughout Europe from there.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

This explains how wedding cookies from so many countries and cultures are so similar – a crumbly shortbread type dough made of sugar, flour, butter, and nuts. It's a sweet tradition that was introduced to the New World by the 16^th century.

Makes a crumbly shortbread type dough

Here I offer the recipe our family has enjoyed for generations. But for those who don't have the time or inclination to make cookies can find quality wedding cookies available on store shelves.

Traditional wedding cookies recipe

Ingredients for wedding cookies recipe:

• 1 cup butter (not margarine)
•  2 cups flour
•  4 Tbls. sugar
•  2 cups finely chopped pecans
•  2 tsp. vanilla

Mamas Bakery Buttery Almond Wedding Cookie

Directions:

1.  Place butter in large bowl, and let soften at room temperature.
2. Cream butter and sugar, and stir in vanilla.
3. Stir in flour and nuts.
4. Roll into little balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 300 for 30-45 minutes.

The size of the balls of dough determines the length of baking time. I use a heaping measuring teaspoon to keep cookie size consistent. They are done when they turn a light cream color. Remove from sheet and roll in powdered sugar. Let cool and roll in powdered sugar again.

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Photo credits:  wikimedia

4 wedding traditions in Mexico

Like every culture, wedding traditions in Mexico have evolved over time with a blend of ancient customs from Mayan and Aztec rituals, Spanish customs, as well as the incorporation of modern wedding trends. While things like food, music, wedding dresses, and such elements of weddings vary from one family to another in Mexican tradition, one thing that holds true − the belief that marriage is a pillar of the family. With that said, for today’s post we’ll look and four special wedding traditions popular in Mexico.

Wedding Arras

Wedding arras – 13 gold coins

One unforgettable wedding tradition in Mexico is the giving of 13 gold coins known as wedding arras. The roots of this tradition are actually from a Roman tradition of breaking a silver or gold coin in two and giving half to the bride and the other to the groom. This is to symbolize the finding of middle ground in the marriage union.

In the Mexican wedding tradition, the bride receives the wedding arras from the groom. These 13 gold coins are a symbol of trust – that he trusts his bride with his finances. When the bride accepts, she is essentially promising to live up to that financial trust with careful attention and prudence. This traditional gift is customarily offered in an ornate box or on a gift tray which symbolizes good wishes for prosperity. The 13 gold coins are thought to represent Jesus and his 12 apostles and are presented to the priest at the start of the ceremony to be blessed. He then gives them to the groom, who hands them to the best man who gives them back to the priest near the end of the ceremony. In the end, the coins are given to the groom who then presents them to his new wife.

Unique Mexican Wedding Kit

Godparents serve as sponsors

Another special custom practiced in the Mexican wedding tradition includes Godparents (Los Padrinos) who serve as sponsors for different facets of the wedding including things like flowers, the cake, and even the bride’s dress, plus they contribute to the cost of the wedding ceremony. The role for the godmother (madrina) includes carrying a wine glass for the toast, and other roles for godparents can involve a prayer book, guestbook, an embroidered kneeling pillow, and a large loop of rosary beads known as the wedding lasso which is used for another wedding tradition as the godparents place it on the couple after they exchange vows.

What does the wedding lasso tradition mean?

The wedding lasso tradition represents unity. The godparents place the lasso or lazo around the necks of the couple in an eight-shape configuration which represents infinity and symbolizes the love that binds the couple as they face the shared responsibility of marriage together. It is laid upon the groom’s shoulders fist, and then intertwined to join him to the bride. The lasso is then worn for the remainder of the service, and once it is taken off is presented to the bride as a keepsake that reminds her she has become the mistress of the groom’s heart and home. 

Variations of this tradition can include interlacing orange blossoms with the beads which is thought to represent fertility and happiness. In some families, a double wedding lasso is given by one set of the parents.

Delicious Mexican wedding cookies

One last Mexican wedding tradition worth mentioning are Mexican wedding cookies known as polvorones. The ingredients in these cookies are very similar to Russian teacakes, or Italian wedding cookies and are made using flour, butter, sugar and ground nuts. These cookies are also known as Mexican wedding cake cookies but their origins date back to medieval Arab according to food historians. No matter where they originated, they are a special treat at any wedding.

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4 benefits of a prewedding photo shoot

Taking prewedding photos is a growing trend and has become a new wedding tradition in its own right. A prewedding photoshoot, also referred to as an engagement photo shoot, usually takes place three to six months before the wedding. If you’re tossing around the idea and wonder if it is worth the extra cost, look for a photographer that includes it as part of the wedding photographer’s package. Otherwise, an hourly charge usually applies.

4 benefits of a prewedding photo shoot

Before the photoshoot, it best for the couple to sit down with the photographer and share their story. This can include things like how they met, what they like to do, and ideas for locations and outfits that can be worn. The photos can be taken indoors or outdoors. Other than developing ideas for where and when the photo shoot can take place, planning a prewedding photo shoot can actually be beneficial in other ways. Two of these four benefits only apply if you plan to use the same photographer for your wedding.

1. Taking prewedding photos is an ideal way to capture romantic moments between the couple and is a perfect opportunity to create special memories to be cherished in the future.
2. Helps develop a good relationship with your wedding photographer. He/she will get to know you and be in touch with how formal or informal you are and what kind of setting(s) or theme(s) are suitable for your tastes.
3. Also these photo shoots let the bride and groom get familiar with the photographer’s style and help them feel more comfortable working with them.
4. Prewedding photos can be used for save the date magnets and engagement announcements in the newspaper.

Creative Elements for Great Engagement Photo Shoot

Shooting great engagement photos relies on a few things.  

• First, you want the photos to tell the bride and groom’s story.
• Secondly, you want photos to capture more than actions. You want them to capture the emotions.
• Thirdly, choose a backdrop meaningful in some way to the couple. For instance, if the bride and groom enjoy horses, pictures can be taken with an equestrian backdrop and even include a horse or two. Another idea may be something you do together, like baking cookies, or eating a romantic picnic lunch. Or for those planning a vintage themed wedding, a fun photoshoot may include outfits specific to an era and having the photographer include some sepia photos with a backdrop like an old train station or some other historic site. Other ideas include pictures taken in a place special to the couple like where he proposed, where they met, or where they went on their first date.

Whatever concept you plan to go with for your engagement photoshoot, it’s important that both the bride and groom are excited and embrace the idea, because a grumpy or bored participant will not make for good photos.

Photo credits: wikimedia.org, maxpixel.net, pexels.com