Skip to main content
Wedding Traditions

Argentina Wedding Traditions & Ceremonies

A researched guide to 9 traditional wedding ceremonies from 4 cultural traditions in Argentina.

Argentine Culture

Reception

Wedding Reception(Fiesta de Boda)

Mandatory

A lively, all-night celebration following the ceremony, featuring dinner, dancing, and various entertainment.

Timing: Starts late evening (8-9 PM) and often lasts until dawn (4-6 AM).Who takes part: Couple, family, friends, guests.

Key elements

  • Multi-course dinner (often featuring beef/asado), local wines (Malbec), dessert tables (mesa dulce), music (Latin pop, reggaeton, cumbia, salsa, English classics), dancing.
Source: bolenbliss.com

Crazy Hour(Hora Loca)

Common

A high-energy segment during the late-night reception featuring costumed performers, props, and upbeat music to energize guests.

Timing: Late at night, typically after midnight.Who takes part: Couple, guests, professional performers.

Key elements

  • Costumes, LED accessories, themed props, confetti cannons, drums/live percussion, high-energy Latin pop, reggaeton, and global hits.
Source: bolenbliss.com

First Dance (Waltz/Tango)(Primer Baile (Vals/Tango))

Common

The bride traditionally dances the waltz with her father, then is handed off to the groom, and other family members, eventually filling the dance floor. Tango is also a popular choice for the couple's first dance.

Timing: Early in the reception.Who takes part: Couple, parents, family members, guests.

Key elements

  • Waltz or Tango music, formal attire.
Source: theknot.com

Ribbon Pull Cake Ceremony(La Cinta de la Torta)

Common

Single women gather around the wedding cake and pull ribbons, one of which has a charm/ring, indicating who will be the next to marry.

Timing: During the reception, typically before the main dancing.Who takes part: Single women guests.

Key elements

  • Wedding cake with ribbons and a hidden charm/ring.
Source: remitly.com

Sweet Table(Mesa Dulce)

Common

Instead of a single wedding cake, a large table filled with various pastries, cakes, and sweets, reflecting Italian and Spanish influences.

Timing: During the reception, available throughout the evening.Who takes part: Guests.

Key elements

  • Assortment of pastries, cakes, dulce de leche-based sweets, chocolates, fruit tarts. Often accompanied by coffee.
Source: remitly.com

Argentine Culture (predominantly European-descended)

Pre-wedding

Engagement Rings (Silver to Gold)(Anillos de Compromiso (Plata a Oro))

Common

Couples exchange silver rings during engagement, worn on the right hand. On the wedding day, these are replaced with gold rings, worn on the left hand after the ceremony.

Timing: Engagement period, then on the wedding day.Who takes part: Couple.

Key elements

  • Silver rings for engagement, gold rings for wedding. Worn on right hand for engagement, left hand for marriage.
Source: remitly.com

Argentine Law (secular)

Pre-wedding

Civil Marriage(Matrimonio Civil)

Mandatory

The legally required civil ceremony performed at the Civil Registry, making the marriage official.

Timing: Before or on the same day as the religious ceremony. Requires booking an appointment in advance (e.g., 20 business days in Buenos Aires).Who takes part: Couple, Civil Registry official, 2 witnesses (4 if outside Civil Registry office).

Key elements

  • DNI (ID), birth certificates, declaration of marital status, signing of legal documents. Formal attire is common.
Source: argentina.gob.ar

Roman Catholic (European-descended population)

Wedding day

Catholic Wedding Mass(Misa de Boda Católica)

Common

A full Catholic Mass where the couple exchanges vows and rings, presided over by a priest.

Timing: Typically after the civil ceremony, often in the evening. Can last up to 2 hours.Who takes part: Couple, priest, family (parents often sit at the altar), guests.

Key elements

  • White wedding dress, dark suit for groom, wedding rings, ribbons and flowers for church decoration. Vows are exchanged.
Source: bolenbliss.com

Marriage Coins(Las Arras)

Common

During the Catholic ceremony, the priest blesses 13 gold coins, which the groom then gives to the bride. This symbolizes the groom's promise to care for the bride and the couple's shared responsibility for their finances and future.

Timing: During the religious ceremony.Who takes part: Couple, priest.

Key elements

  • 13 blessed gold coins.
Source: remitly.com

Planning a wedding with these traditions?

Create a digital invitation that includes the ceremonies that matter to you.

Start your invitation