Creating A Wedding Lazo: A Step-By-Step Guide

The wedding lasso is a unity ceremony that is popular among Catholic Latinx and Filipino cultures. The lasso, typically an oversized rosary, silk cord, or flower garland, is placed over the couple to symbolise their everlasting union. The tradition is believed to have originated from the Aztecs, dating back to the 14th or 15th century.

Choosing your lasso materials

The wedding lasso is a symbol of unity and everlasting union in a marriage ceremony. The lasso is placed over the couple's shoulders in a figure-eight shape, representing new beginnings and infinity.

When choosing your lasso materials, you can opt for a variety of options to suit your preferences and wedding theme:

• Rosary beads: The use of rosary beads is significant in the ritual, as it symbolises that the couple is bound together in unity by God. You can link two rosaries together, joined by a crucifix in the centre.
• Flowers: Fresh flowers, such as orange blossoms, or crystal flowers can be used to create a floral lasso.
• Fabric: Ribbons, usually in white, can be used to create a simple and elegant lasso.
• Cords: Cords can be made from various materials such as silk, silver, gold, or crystal.
• Other materials: For a unique touch, you can consider using painted wood, pearls, or even gold and silver coins.

The lasso can be draped over the couple's shoulders, necks, or wrists, depending on your preference. If you have children, you may also choose to include them in the ritual by placing the lasso around them as well, symbolising their inclusion in the new family unit.

Lasso placement

The wedding lasso is placed around the couple's shoulders, forming an infinity symbol or figure eight. The lasso is placed over the groom's shoulders first, then the bride's. It is usually the officiant or the couple's godparents who place the lasso, but family members can also be involved.

The lasso is placed after the couple has exchanged their vows, and they wear it for the rest of the service. It is removed by the officiant or whoever placed the lasso, and it is then given to the bride as a memento.

The lasso is typically an oversized rosary, but it can also be made of silk cord, flowers, ribbon, fabric, silver, crystal, or wood.

Lasso prayers and blessings

The wedding lasso is a unity ceremony that symbolizes the union of two souls into one. The lasso is a long rope decorated with flowers, rosary beads, and ribbons, wrapped around the couple's shoulders in an infinity symbol, reflecting their eternal commitment and limitless love. The lasso ceremony is supervised by either the officiant or the couple's parents, who say a prayer to bless the newlyweds. Here are some prayers and blessings that can be used during the lasso ceremony:

Prayer for the Newlyweds

Heavenly Father, we ask that you bless the marriage of [name] and [name] as they begin their journey of marriage. We don't know what lies ahead, but we're grateful for your guidance and help whatever may come. Thank you for helping them learn from each other. Thank you for the love they share and for helping them respect each other's hopes and dreams. Thank you for helping them build and nurture their relationship now and forevermore.

Nuptial Prayer

O God of love, Thou has established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind. Thine was the plan, and only with Thee can we work it out with joy.

Bless this husband. Bless him as the provider of nourishment and raiment, and sustain him in all the exactions and pressures of his battle for bread. May his strength be her protection, his character be her boast and her pride, and may he so live that she will find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs.

Bless this loving wife. Give her tenderness that will make her great, a deep sense of understanding, and a great faith in Thee. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast the things that never age.

Teach them that marriage is not living merely for each other; it is two uniting and joining hands to serve Thee. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and other things shall be added unto them.

May they never take each other's love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, "Out of all this world, you have chosen me."

When life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, hand in hand, still thanking God for each other. May they serve Thee happily, faithfully, together, until at last one shall lay the other into the arms of God.

This we ask through Jesus Christ, the great Lover of our souls. Amen.

Wedding Blessing

May God bless this marriage with hope that is sure, with faith that is steady and with love that endures.

Wedding Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Bible Wedding Blessing

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Bible Wedding Blessing

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.

Lasso presentation

The wedding lasso is a unity ceremony that is popular among Catholic Latinx and Filipino cultures. It is a ritual in which a lasso, rope, rosary, or cord is placed over the couple's shoulders to symbolise their everlasting union. The lasso is placed in a figure-eight shape, representing new beginnings and infinity.

The wedding lasso is typically provided by the couple's godparents, or "los padrinos de lazo", who are usually a married couple that the pair see as role models. The lasso is given to the couple as a gift on their wedding day.

The lasso ceremony takes place after the couple has exchanged their vows. The godparents, or the priest, will place the lasso over the couple, who are usually kneeling on the altar. The lasso is then worn by the couple for the remainder of the service.

The wedding lasso is often made of rosary beads, but can also be made of white ribbon, orange flowers, fabric, silver, crystal, or painted wood. The lasso can be placed around the couple's shoulders, necks, or wrists, and can also include any children that the couple have.

After the ceremony, the lasso is removed by the priest or the godparents, and given to the bride as a memento. The couple may then choose to display the lasso in their home as a reminder of their commitment to each other and God.

Lasso removal

The wedding lasso is a symbol of unity and everlasting union. It is placed over the couple's shoulders in a figure-eight shape, representing new beginnings. The lasso is usually removed at the end of the ceremony by the priest or the godparents (padrinos).

The removal of the lasso symbolises the couple stepping out of their unity ceremony and into the world as a married couple. The priest or godparents will gently lift the lasso off the couple's shoulders, undoing the figure-eight shape. The lasso is then kept safe during the rest of the wedding night by a trusted person or the wedding planner.

After the honeymoon, the lasso is displayed in the couple's home as a reminder of their commitment to each other and their relationship with God.

In some wedding ceremonies, the lasso is tied around the couple's wrists instead of being placed over their shoulders. In these cases, the lasso is also removed by the same pair of wedding participants who placed it.

Frequently asked questions