Wealthy families used gold bands, and commoners used leather or wooden rings. Before the placing of the rings in an Indian ceremony, the priest made a knot in a pink ribbon and slipped it over the heads of the couple. Then the groom handed her the arras and for the first time they called each other husband and wife. The old Aztecs' customs also included the tying together of the clothing of the boy and girl as the sanctifying act. Instead of a ribbon, the Spanish padrinos draped a lazo, a large double-loop rosary, over the couple, to symbolize their eternal union.

After the communion and blessings the bride and groom presented a bouquet of flowers to the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe and guardian of the marriage, symbolizing that she would watch over the couple. As a final traditional symbol of their union, the couple lit the Easter candle with the candles they had received at baptism. Following the wedding, they participated in a procession including musicians. Gun salutes, music, and the gaiety that greeted the new couple as they exited the church dispelled the evil spirits that might prey on the newlyweds. Food such as rice or pinole (sweetened cornmeal) thrown at the couple also distracted the evil spirits, much like is tradionally done today.

They ate breakfast at the bride's home and then moved to the salón or hall for the wedding reception and dance. Guests congratulated and donated the couple a token of gold piece. A modern version of this custom exists in the popular money dance, when friends and relatives take turns dancing with the couple and pinning currency bills to their clothing.

The groom's parents usually prepared a sumptuous banquet for all the guests. The dinner included traditional Mexican food, barbecued beef or venison along with varied forms of cake, candy, and cookies. "In colonial New Mexico, meals were only shared between trusted friends and relatives. A shared meal signified the marital affinity that now joined the groups."29 In Zinacantan, after the main meal, the groom took the bride to his house. They changed clothes and he sat on a chair while she sat beside him on a straw floor mat. This ritual was very significant because it marked the bride's introduction to her new home and new relatives. Then she became a married woman. "This entering of the house was the true marriage ceremony."30 Customarily, the bride and groom began their married life in the husband's parents' home. The newlyweds did not leave on Honeymoons or wedding trips as practiced today.

The wedding dance usually began with la marcha or wedding march. The participants formed a long chain and followed a skilled couple in follow-the-leader style steps. The distinction between social classes showed in the dancers' dress, movements, and manners. Only aristocratic people knew how to dance the courtly, genteel dances such as the Varsoviana and the Cuadrilla. Also, throughout the festivities, the bride disappeared often to change to other dresses to display some of the new fine drresses provided by her husban in las donas. This custom is rarely practiced in today's celebrations.

Another fun custom consisted of kinsmen of the bride who 'stole' the bride from her husband and demanded a ransom for her return. The groom would promise a future party or dance to win her back. "This rite was truly a final attempt by the bride's kin to symbolically protest their loss and demand compensation for the taking of a productive member. An event that fostered unity between the two kinship groups usually appeased all."31

La entrega de novios (release of the newlyweds to their new life) marked the end of the wedding dance and festivities. The local poeta sung sets of verses dedicated to the newlyweds and their parents. This custom is still practiced throughout the Southwest. "The entrega would refer to the couple as roses which had left the church blessed by the church in matrimony."32 The verses gave advice to the couple and told anecdotes about family members of both sides. The singer reminded the couple to bid farewell to their parents and embrace their new roles as husband and wife, and dedicate their lives to each other.