Wedding Lasso Ceremony: Everything You Need to Know About This Tradition

Unity ceremonies are typically incorporated into most wedding ceremonies as a symbolic visual representation of two people becoming one in marriage. From releasing a wish lantern to handfasting, unity ceremonies are symbols of love, unity, and commitment. The wedding lasso tradition is one unity ceremony that is highly popular among Catholic Latinx and Filipino cultures. Couples might choose to incorporate this tradition into their ceremony to honor their heritage and signify their commitment to each other in the eyes of their friends, family, and God.

“Traditionally found in Catholic weddings, the wedding lasso is a large rosary, placed around the couple as a symbol of unity,” says Claudia G. de Velasco, a wedding planner based in Houston. “The lasso ceremony can have a similar meaning as the lighting of a unity candle, also used in many Catholic weddings.”

If you’re considering incorporating the wedding lasso tradition into your ceremony, you may have questions about the history and meaning of this ancient ritual. Keep reading to explore the rich cultural context behind this tradition and find out everything you need to know before incorporating the wedding lasso into your wedding day.

The Wedding Lasso Tradition, Explained

The wedding lasso tradition is a unity ceremony performed after the exchange of vows using a lasso or rope to join the couple. It is placed over the couple’s shoulders by either the officiant or los padrinos (godparents) and symbolizes their everlasting union and status as one in the eyes of the Lord.

What Is a Wedding Lasso?

The wedding lasso can be anything but is typically an oversized rosary, silk cord, or flower garland. “As long as the lasso is an oversized rosary with two loops to form the eternity symbol, your design options can be endless,” says de Velasco. When placed over the couple, it forms an “8” or infinity symbol and is typically joined in the middle by a crucifix.

The History and Meaning of the Wedding Lasso Ceremony

“Rooted in Mexico, the Philippines, and other Latin communities, the wedding lasso continues to be an institution in many ceremonies, Catholic or not,” says de Velasco. The lasso is placed over the couple’s shoulders in a figure eight, which represents new beginnings in the Bible. “The use of rosary beads in this ritual is also significant; using a rosary reflects the couple is forever bound together in unity by God,” says de Velasco.

The wedding lasso was not always part of a Catholic wedding ceremony, but it’s something couples kept requesting, so the church decided to incorporate it. It’s an ancient tradition that continues to be woven into Catholic and non-religious wedding ceremonies today.

How to Have a Wedding Lasso Unity Ceremony

Step 1: Speak with your officiant.

“Should any couple decide the lasso ceremony is something they would love to bring into their wedding, we recommend they speak with their officiant, to ensure the lasso ceremony is included properly,” says de Velasco.

Step 2: Get a wedding lasso.

After you’ve talked to your officiant, the next step is securing your wedding lasso. The wedding lasso is typically provided by los padrinos de lazo, or lasso godparents; they are typically a married couple that the couple sees as role models in marriage and have been chosen to take a special part in the wedding ceremony. They purchase the wedding lasso and give it to the couple on their wedding day as a gift.

If you’ve chosen to have padrinos, let them know your preferences in choosing a wedding lasso, whether you want something simple like an oversized rosary or flowers or something more ornate. Occasionally, the wedding lasso can be used as “something borrowed,” but you can also purchase your own to start your own heirloom keepsake. “Many lassos have been a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation, and we love when couples incorporate this heirloom into their wedding,” says de Velasco.

Step 3: Decide when the lasso ceremony will take place—and who will perform it.

In Catholic ceremonies, the lasso ceremony is performed after the couple exchanges their vows and rings; the lasso is placed over the couple while they’re still kneeling on the altar. Either los padrinos or the priest will place the lasso over the couple to form a figure-eight shape. (In more informal or non-religious ceremonies, close friends can also proceed over this part of the service.)

Step 4: Choose a blessing to say during the lasso ceremony.

The wedding lasso ceremony is traditionally accompanied by a prayer asking that God bless this union and that the couple may grow in faith and love as one for the rest of their lives. In a Catholic wedding ceremony, this is often the Nuptial Prayer. You have other options, too; consider including a meaningful reading, a passage from a favorite book, or a poignant song lyric.

Step 5: Decide who will take your lasso after the ceremony.

After the ceremony, pass the wedding lasso off to a trusted person or your wedding planner to ensure its kept in a safe place during the rest of your wedding night. After the honeymoon, have your wedding lasso displayed prominently in a special part of your home to remember your wedding day, your commitment to each other, and your relationship with God.