Answer:
Among the many parallels, both Quinceanera and Mexican weddings start with a traditional, church-based ceremony. The Quinceanera is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, very similar to the American concept of Sweet 16. A traditional Mexican wedding ceremony is a long Catholic mass, punctuated with specific rites.
Two of the most important events in a Mexican woman's life are undoubtedly her Quinceanera and her wedding day. These two milestones celebrate an ascendance for the woman from one stage of life to another — in the former, a coming-of-age; in the latter, a lifelong commitment —and both are marked with similar rites and traditions that are deeply embedded in Mexican culture.
Among the many parallels, both Quinceanera and Mexican weddings start with a traditional, church-based ceremony. The Quinceanera is a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, very similar to the American concept of Sweet 16. The religious portion of the Quinceanera is typically a Catholic mass wherein the young woman — the Quinceanera — affirms her faith. This ceremony often includes the presentation of religious gifts and tokens from her family, including a bible and a rosary.
A traditional Mexican wedding ceremony is a long Catholic mass, punctuated with specific rites. During the ceremony, the groom gives "arras," a tray or container of thirteen silver or gold coins that has been blessed by the priest, to the bride. She passes this back to him, and he to her, and so on. This custom is for good luck, and represents the groom's promise to support his wife. Another custom is to literally bind the bride and groom together with a large rosary, lasso or rope, or in some cases an heirloom mantilla.
