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The main South American communities include the Venezuelan, Argentinean and Chilean communities. The South American wedding traditions are similar though each community has its own interpretation of the cultures. In Toronto, couples celebrate such ceremonies with both the immediate and extended family members, as it is important in the establishment of strong family relationships or ties. They have cultural guidelines that assist in the organizing of the engagement ceremonies and they have their traditional ministers who unite both the groom and bride in holy matrimony.

Before getting married, the priest normally confirms whether the bride and groom have informed their parents. The South American natives value their relations with the priests and this explains why they normally inform them subsequent to informing the parents. They believe that when a priest blesses the couple, they will experience good luck.

Venezuelan Customs

The Venezuelans in Toronto value family life and this is why they have to include every family member in the preparations. The groom has to seek permission from the father-in-law before making a proposal to a woman the groom intends to marry. The couples normally introduce each other to their parents when they are courting as an indication that they intend to marry each other. South American wedding traditions require both families to organize a civil ceremony where they inform all the other family members of their wedding plans.

The civil ceremony normally takes place a fortnight prior to the main ceremony. Subsequent to the civil ceremony and the main service, the invited guests attend a reception at a selected venue. These ceremonies are vital to the Venezuelan community nonetheless, the spiritual service includes more festivity. As the main ceremony is in progression, the families exchange thirteen gold coins as a sign of good fortune and prosperity. They refer to these gold coins as 'arras'. Many Venezuelan couples living in Toronto prefer to follow their wedding tradition. The newlyweds normally sneak from the reception venue as a way of bringing good luck to their marriage.

Argentinean Ethnicity

The exclusion of both the best men and bridesmaids is a common thing in the Argentinean community. The only people allowed to escort the couple are the groom's mother and the bride's father. The South American wedding traditions require the couples to exchange the rings during the engagement ceremony and their customs forbid them from doing so when making vows. Many Argentinean couples reside in Toronto and this is why most of them prefer to have their weddings there.

Chilean Traditions

Chilean couples residing in Toronto can organize a traditional engagement ceremony conducted by a minister who knows the cultures. A Chilean couple is required to exchange rings immediately after the groom makes a proposal. South American wedding traditions require a couple to wear wedding bands around their hands prior to making vows. After they get married, they place each other's ring on the ring finger of the left hand. South American wedding traditions require that the bride dress in a white gown if she is a virgin. If she is not, they should dress in either cream, light yellow, or beige gowns.



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