What to Expect in Andean Wedding Ceremony?

Shamanic healing session, which take place in Peru are popular worldwide. People from around the globe attend these sessions to discover their spiritual journey and experience inner peace in their lives. Some people even choose to tie the knot with an Andean wedding style and they choose Peru as their preferred places for the destination wedding.

As per the ancient tradition, Andean wedding ceremony focuses on powerfully connecting the two souls in the presence of main elements of nature (sun, water, fire and earth). Some people visit Peru to experience Peruvian wedding whereas many others are happy to become spectators as watching Peruvian wedding traditions is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, if you are attending traditional Andean wedding for the first time and want to be a great guest, then take care of the following things:

1. Wear Traditional Dress: You will miss the feel if you attend the Andean wedding ceremony in clothes like shirt and trousers. Soak yourself in the culture by wearing unique Andean wedding attire. Women wear colourful lampshade-like hats, embroidered jackets and layered sequined skirts whereas men wear wooly hats and colourful ponchos. Chances are strong if you attend Shamanic healing session in Peru and staying with Shamans, they will not allow you to attend wedding in simple clothes.

2. Keep Yourself Warm: As per Andean culture, mostly weddings take place in the presence of the Apus (sacred mountain spirits) and the Pachamama (Mother Earth) i.e. at the high altitudes of between (4000-6000 feet). Any spectator can be spell-bound with the magical beauty of high altitudes but believe it, you will start shivering even if you stay there for a few hours during the daytime. Thus, wrap yourself with warm clothes to enjoy the wedding to the fullest.

3. Enjoy Chicha: As per one of the popular Andean wedding ceremony traditions, men and women prepare Chicha. It is a welcome drink of light yellowish color and prepared in huge metal cauldrons. It is an alcoholic drink prepared from fermented corn and serving it to the guests is considered as symbol of hospitality. Even if you do not want to drink it, accept it politely in the gratitude.

4. Take Gifts for Groom & Bride: Gift ceremony comprises one of the main events of the Andean wedding. Once the groom and bride completed their feast, they will tie a red ribbon around their necks and stand on the top of the table. At this time, guests and family members give gifts to the newlywed couple. The immediate family members gift homeware items and other guests gift items such as fizzy drinks, bags of corn, money, etc. As a guest, when you give them gifts, they will accept it gracefully, hugs you and extend their thanks.

5. Expect Gift in Return: Just like any other wedding, even Andean wedding ceremony is incomplete without giving return gifts to their guests. The bride usually gives a handful of boiled corn in return which the receiver can eat later.

Once the wedding rituals are over, everyone hits the dance floor. A circle is formed where family members of the groom’s family will dance with the family members of the bride’s family as the mark of union of two families. A point important to remember is to avoid taking photographs without permission. It is a wise idea to take permission from the Andean community before clicking any pictures.

So, if you are interested in Andean wedding ceremony, it is necessary to make bookings in advance. Just like getting complete details of shamanic healing Peru session beforehand is important, the same stands strong here. Get a complete detail about all inclusions and exclusions of the package. Pay money in advance to book your slot.