Mojigangas, Mariachi and Mezcal: San Miguel Wedding Traditions to Borrow

A town that knows how to celebrate

San Miguel de Allende is a place of festivals. Hardly a week goes by without a procession, a fiesta or fireworks over the Parroquia, and the town's love of celebration makes it a natural setting for a wedding. Many couples, even those with no Mexican heritage, choose to borrow local traditions to give their day a strong sense of place.

Here are the customs we see most often, with a little background and some practical advice on how to include them. None of them is compulsory, and all can be adapted to a symbolic or civil ceremony.

The aim is to honour the culture rather than turn it into a costume, so we always work with local musicians and artisans who keep these traditions alive.

The callejoneada

The most famous San Miguel tradition is the callejoneada, a festive procession through the cobbled streets. After the ceremony, guests follow a band of musicians, often an estudiantina in old-fashioned dress or a mariachi, through the lanes towards the reception. Townspeople and visitors stop to cheer, and sometimes join in.

Small clay jarritos of mezcal or tequila are handed out, and a decorated donkey carrying drinks sometimes leads the way, though many couples now prefer a cart or a waiter. A callejoneada needs a municipal permit and a planned route, which we arrange, and comfortable shoes for the cobbles are essential.

Route planning matters more than couples expect. The streets are steep in places, so we choose a path that runs mostly downhill or level, keep it to around twenty minutes and make sure a car follows for anyone who would rather ride. Timing it for dusk means the procession ends just as the lanterns come on.

Mojigangas

Mojigangas are giant papier-mâché puppets, worn by dancers who lift them high above the crowd. Their origins lie in festive traditions brought from Spain, and in San Miguel they appear at weddings, festivals and parades. Many couples commission mojigangas made in their own likeness, which become a joyful, slightly surreal highlight of the day.

Local artisans build them by hand, so commission them at least two months ahead and share good photographs. The puppets usually lead the callejoneada and dance at the reception. Afterwards, some couples keep the heads as a souvenir, though shipping them home is another adventure.

Smaller mojigangas, or a pair representing grandparents or a beloved pet, are a playful variation. Children adore them, and the puppeteers are skilled at drawing shy guests into the dancing.

Mariachi and music

Mariachi music, with its trumpets, violins and guitars, is a symbol of Mexican celebration. A mariachi band might play at the cocktail hour, lead the callejoneada or burst into the reception as a surprise. Songs such as Cielito Lindo and Volver, Volver bring guests of every nationality to their feet.

Other musical options include a trio playing romantic boleros during dinner, or a son jarocho band from Veracruz with its lively harp and jarana guitars. For dancing, a band playing cumbia and salsa alongside international hits keeps everyone happy.

Ask for a short list of requested songs early, and include one or two from home. Good mariachis can learn a favourite tune given a few weeks' notice, and hearing a family song played on trumpets in a candlelit courtyard is the kind of surprise that brings even reserved fathers to tears.

The lazo, the arras and the padrinos

Traditional Mexican weddings include symbolic rituals that work beautifully in any ceremony. The lazo is a ribbon, rope or rosary placed around the shoulders of the couple in a figure of eight, symbolising unity. The arras are thirteen gold coins, given by one partner to the other as a promise of shared prosperity.

Both are presented by padrinos, godparents or honoured friends who sponsor different parts of the wedding, from the rings to the cake. Including padrinos is a lovely way to recognise important people in your lives, and each can say a few words as they present their gift.

Other gentle rituals can sit alongside them. Some couples include a Bible or a book of significance presented by padrinos, or a blessing from both mothers before the vows. In a civil or symbolic ceremony, a celebrant can explain each moment briefly in English and Spanish, so international guests feel part of it.

Food and drink traditions

Mexican weddings are generous with food. Mole, a complex sauce of chillies, spices and chocolate, is a celebratory classic, often served with turkey or chicken. In central Mexico, the tornaboda, a late-night or next-day gathering with comforting dishes such as pozole or chilaquiles, keeps the party going.

A tequila or mezcal toast is customary, and Guanajuato's growing wine scene offers excellent local bottles. For dessert, try traditional sweets like cajeta, a goat's milk caramel, alongside the wedding cake.

Fireworks are another local habit worth knowing about. San Miguel has a deep tradition of pyrotechnics, including castillos, tall bamboo towers that spin and explode in sequence. They need permits and careful siting, but a small display at the end of the night is a thrilling, very Mexican finale.

Bringing traditions together

You do not need to include everything. Choose the traditions that feel meaningful and fun, and explain them to guests in your ceremony booklet or welcome notes, so everyone can understand and join in. A single well-chosen ritual, done with care, often means more than a crowded programme.

Above all, let the town play its part. Church bells, fireworks in the distance, children dancing behind the mojigangas and the light on the pink stone of the Parroquia will all make your wedding feel uniquely San Miguel.

It also helps to brief guests on etiquette. A callejoneada passes homes and churches, so a little restraint near doorways and at mass times goes a long way. Tipping musicians and puppeteers generously is expected, and locals warmly appreciate guests who greet them with a buenas noches as the procession passes.