Brazilian Engagement Traditions for the Really Committed Lover

Love relationships (or, as we say in Brazil: "amorous" relationships) follow a step-by-step evolution that must be respected lest it be confused with indecency:

First, dating, then engagement, then marriage, and, if all goes well, death after a long life together.

And each step has its own traditions and customs. Today, we're talking about the Brazilian engagement traditions you should know if you're already dating a Brazilian and want to play the part.

Brazilian engagement traditions involve a combination of romantic gestures, religious customs, and unique practices. These traditions go from the old-fashioned offer of a bouquet of eleven roses, the setting up of a moonlight serenade, the exchanging of commitment rings, and the planning of a party to celebrate the engagement.

In this article, we will delve deeper into these customs and explore the various aspects of Brazilian engagement traditions.

If you're old-fashioned or straight-up romantic, you should know of these courtship and proposal customs.

In Brazil, courtship and proposal customs involve a variety of romantic gestures that set the stage for a memorable engagement.

According to EraGem, here are some of the most common Brazilian courtship and proposal customs:

• Offering a bouquet of eleven roses: In traditional Portuguese culture that was passed down to us through colonization, the number eleven is considered a lucky number. As such, a person in love may offer a bouquet of eleven roses to their significant other when proposing, showing that they are the most important person in the world [in PT]. The bouquet is typically made up of red roses, which symbolize love and passion.
• Setting up a moonlight serenade ("a serenata"): Another popular Brazilian engagement tradition used to be setting up a moonlight serenade for your significant other. This involves hiring a band or musicians to play romantic music outside your partner's window at night. The serenade is often accompanied by a romantic poem or message. This used to be done in smaller towns, but now it is a dying tradition. However, it has been adapted to become a WhatsApp serenade [link in PT]. And sometimes we use the "Carro do Som" (as you can see in the video below).
• Exchanging commitment rings made of steel or silver: Before discussing marriage and choosing engagement rings, Brazilian couples often exchange commitment rings made of steel or silver. These rings symbolize the couple's commitment to each other and serve as a precursor to the engagement ring. It can be bought at any jewelry store if you feel like spending a lot, but it is not required.
• The man buys the rings: in heterosexual relationships, the man is responsible for purchasing the rings; after all, he is the one who proposes, so he must have the rings beforehand. It follows as well that the family of the bride pays for the wedding ceremony. But this tradition is going away like most of the old-fashioned ones.
• Planning a party to celebrate the engagement: Once the engagement is official (yay!), it's customary to plan a party to celebrate with family and friends. This party is often called the "festa de noivado" (engagement party) and is similar to an engagement party in other cultures.
• Choosing attendants: Finally, Brazilian couples often choose attendants to stand with them during the engagement and wedding ceremonies. These attendants are typically close friends or family members and serve as witnesses to the couple's commitment to each other, as per EraGem.

Wedding Planning and Preparation

Although we discussed Brazilian wedding traditions at length in this article, I'll give you a rundown of what a wedding looks like in Brazil as well.

The wedding rituals and customs in Brazil are influenced by Catholicism, creativity, and personal style. Here are some of the most common Brazilian wedding traditions:

Pre-Wedding Customs

• Kitchen shower: Similar to a bridal shower, a kitchen shower is a pre-wedding custom where guests bring gifts for the couple to help stock their kitchen. Gifts can range from kitchen utensils to appliances.
• Hem on the bride's dress: Brazilian brides often have a hem on their wedding dress, and sometimes they write in it the names of single women the bride knows. This is a way to honor the single women in the bride's life and bring them good luck in finding love.

Wedding Ceremony

• The wedding is held in a Catholic church: The wedding ceremony in Brazil is typically held in a Catholic church. You'll see many traditional Catholic wedding customs, such as exchanging vows and rings.

Reception

• Party-like atmosphere: Brazilian wedding receptions are known for being party-like and can last until sunrise. According to WedBuddy, the reception is often filled with dancing, upbeat music, including samba, and a sweets and snacks table.
• Cutting the groom's tie: One unique Brazilian wedding tradition is the cutting of the groom's tie. Guests will cut pieces of the groom's tie and pay for the privilege. The money collected is then given to the newlyweds. Not everybody does this, though: the tie may be expensive and, worse yet, rented!
• Lembrancinhas: Brazilian wedding favors, known as "lembrancinhas," are often given to guests as a thank you for attending. These favors can range from personalized trinkets to traditional sweets or even photos with unique frames made for the occasion.

One thing that has always been hard for me to understand: wedding bands and rings

In Brazil, wedding bands and engagement rings are an essential part of the wedding tradition. It is a confusing tradition to me because most people I know use the same ring for both occasions, just changing the hands wearing the rings after marrying.

Although tradition may change from place to place and family to family, these are the most common to find here:

• Wearing wedding bands on the left-hand ring finger: Wedding bands are typically worn on the left-hand ring finger in Brazil. This is a tradition that is shared with many other countries.
• Wearing engagement rings on the right hand: In Brazil, engagement rings are typically worn on the right hand before being transferred to the left hand after marriage. The engagement ring is called "anel de noivado" and often has precious stones, but it is also usually made of gold for its durability.
• Wearing multiple wedding bands: In Brazil, it's not uncommon for couples to wear multiple wedding bands. Some couples will wear a plain wedding band during the day and a more elaborate one for special occasions. It helps to avoid problems with violence and lack of safety, and they can also protect their valuables when doing all kinds of work. It's basically the same logic we use for a second, worn-out cell phone for the robber.
• Engraving wedding bands: Finally, it's common for Brazilian couples to engrave their wedding bands with their initials and wedding date. This is a way to personalize the rings and commemorate their special day.

Last tips on celebrating love and tradition in Brazil

Brazilian engagement traditions are rich with cultural significance and romantic gestures.

From offering a bouquet of eleven roses to cutting the groom's tie, these customs reflect the country's celebratory culture, even though many of them disappear as we progress.