The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

INSTEAD OF A BEST MAN AND A MAID OF HONOR SERVING AT
THE WEDDING, THE COUPLE CHOOSE TWO OLDER PEOPLE
(COULD BE PARENTS, RELATIVES, OR JUST OLDER FRIENDS).
THE GIRL HAS SIX BRIDESMAIDS WITH NO MALE PARTNERS,
EACH GIRL OR TWO GIRLS CARRY SOMETHING FOR THE BRIDE
AND GROOM. THE INFORMANT COULD NOT NAME THESE SIX
THINGS, ONE HOWEVER, IS A GARLAND WHICH IS PLACED
AROUND THE MARRIED COUPLE'S SHOULDERS BY THE TWO GIRLS
TO SYMBOLIZE THEIR ONENESS, A SECOND THING IS 12 GOLD
COINS WHICH SYMBOLIZE WEALTH IN THE FUTURE, THE PRIEST
BLESSES THESE AND GIVES THEM TO THE COUPLE. ALSO THE
BRIDESMAIDS ARE CALLED "MADRINAS," WHICH MEANS
GODMOTHERS.

Where learned: WESTERN YMCA ; MEXICO

Date learned: 11-11-1971