When Lara contacted me a mere week in advance of her small backyard ceremony I assumed it would be a fairly casual get together. When I got there and saw that everyone was dressed to the nines, with flowers, cake and oh my gosh her gorgeous dress! I was blown away. The only guests in attendance were their closest family members so I felt particularly honored to be a witness to Lara and Miguel's union. In addition to a traditional ceremony they also included the Hispanic custom of blessing coins (las arras) and passing them between each other as a way of promising to provide for each other, and the Lazo cord which is wrapped around the bride and groom to symbolize unity. The coins and rope were then given to Lara's sisters for safe keeping.