A Mayan Wedding Ceremony
Island Tribe means just that. It is a Tribe, a collective, a family. Together we find hope, healing, and heightened vibrations. Our offerings are curated, conceived, and created with the same wholesome, celebratory, life and Spirit-affirming intentions. When you make Island Tribe a part of your journey, it is much more than a transaction; you become a member of our collective.
This is why we would like to highlight the recent nuptials of a member of the Island Tribe sisterhood, actress, singer, model, and creator, Jenny Williams, well-known for her performance as Sofia Conte on the comedy series Graduates. The Argentine beauty was married in our Gili Macrame Gown, with fringe sleeves. A design that embodies the goddess in every woman.
Those following Island Tribe’s evolution may already know how sacred and inspiring Meso-American Spirituality has been for our vision. As fate would have it, Jenny decided to honor her Divine union with a Mayan wedding ritual. As they say, synchronicity is a reality for all who have eyes to see! We saw this as a beautiful opportunity to explore the traditional Mayan wedding ceremony and share more from our perspective about tradition, spirituality, and sacred wisdom it represents.
Stepping into the Circle of Love
At its heart, the purpose of a Mayan wedding ritual is to unite a couple with the Divine Feminine, Masculinity, and the Spiritual Essence of our Higher Self. It is a transcendental union, blessed and protected by the four winds, four cardinal points, and four elements representing four Mayan Gods of the cosmos. During the ceremony, the couple unites in the Divinity of their love with Mother Earth and Heart of the Sky, or Masculine Cosmic Energy. The ritual is deeply rooted in Nature's Spirit and elevated by the Divine, so it traditionally takes place in nature. Jenny William’s wedding, for instance, took place at Neek Tulum, in a hidden lagoon.
By the Power of Four
The calling forth of the four winds, resulting in the presence of the four cardinal points and the essence of the four elements, is a fundamental part of the ceremony. The cardinal points symbolize the attendance of the four Mayan Gods of the cosmos. The elements represent nature and the essence of the human experience.
When the Shaman opens the directions, the presence of their energies joins together with the Higher Being of the couple’s love, protecting and consecrating the couple’s commitment and blessing it with prosperity, happiness, and longevity into the afterlife of the heavens.
Where Heaven Meets the Earth
Mayan weddings are a transcendental experience. They are not solely a gathering of people to celebrate the union of two individuals. It is a gathering of souls to witness the union of the bride and groom’s Higher Selves, blessed by Mother Earth and the Mayan Gods. Guests are also transformed by this Divine encounter, lending their energy to the cosmic event.
To honor the sanctity of the union, the bride traditionally wears a cloth skirt and wedding huipil. A huipil is a loose-fitting tunic made from natural fabric woven on a loom and finished with designs embroidered or weft into it. The groom wears a similarly embroidered loincloth decorated with feathers, precious stones, and shells.
Modern brides and grooms, like Jenny Williams and Mochi Arzuaga, uphold tradition by wearing white or off-white clothing to align with the Divine frequencies created by the ceremony and the Spirits overseeing it. All-natural fabrics are also worn, often without shoes, to foster a connection to the earth. Attendees usually participate in these traditions to create harmony with the Divinity present.
Seeds of Creation – Pre-Ceremony
Traditionally, the bride and groom partake in a Temazcal purification ritual before the wedding. This is an essential rite of passage before weddings, childbirth, and historically after battles. Like the wedding ritual, the purification ceremony begins by offering copal incense to the four Mayan Gods of the cosmos. The tradition symbolizes being reborn from Mother Earth’s womb.
An altar is also prepared and cleansed in preparation. The altar is dressed to represent the four cardinal points. To honor the Mayan Gods of the four winds, candles and flowers adorn every corner.
Traditional Mayan offerings are laid out before the deities, such as corn, beans, and fruit, cacao. A candle is often placed in the center of the altar, uniting Mother Earth with The Divine Masculine Heart of the sky.
Divine Union – Ceremony
The Shaman oversees the ceremony as a mediator between the cosmos and earth, keeper of Mayan medicine, and in total alignment with the Divine. The ceremony begins with the Shaman purifying the dressed altar with smoking copal resin.
Copal resin comes from the sacred tree of Mesoamerica. When this resin is burned, it is called Copealera and is used to clear negative thoughts, feelings, and energies. The purifying smoke is also used to cleanse the path to the four winds so that only the highest, purest frequencies will surround the bride and groom on their special day.
After the clearing, the Shaman calls forth to the seven directions by blowing through a conch shell, invoking:
According to Mayan Spirituality, music delights deities and elevates our vibration, opening channel between the physical and Spiritual planes. Music is a vital part of the ceremony, namely the conch shell, because it is viewed as a fundamental means of communing with the Gods and Spirits. Other sacred instruments may include clay flutes, drums, and conch shell trumpets, which can be played during the ceremony or afterward.
With the seven essential subtle bodies present, the Shaman will offer prayers of happiness, longevity, and abundance, asking the cosmic Gods to protect and nourish the Spirit of the couple’s love. The couple is then invited to exchange gifts. In modernity, rings may be exchanged. However, traditionally, offerings such as tortillas, cacao, corn, and fruit would be shared between the bride and groom to represent prosperity, security, and sustenance.
The Ending & Beginning
After the gifts are exchanged, family and friends may be invited to join the couple at the altar, presenting them with flowers, fruits, or prayers as sacred instruments are played. Sometimes, a final offering is given to the Gods, the winds, and Mother Earth for their attendance and blessings.
Traditionally, a feast highlighting the fruits of the earth, such as beans, rice, corn, tamales, and hot chocolate, is enjoyed. The couple may also partake in Balche, a sacred drink fermented in alcohol with Balche (‘hidden tree”) bark, anise, and wild honey, which takes a month to prepare. Whereas guests may have a liquor infusion made with anise, and fermented honey, known as Xtabentún, to toast to the couple’s ever-lasting love and prosperity.
Final Thoughts
We, the founders of the Island Tribe Collective, have been so profoundly enlightened by the sacredness of the Mesoamerican culture, and we remain in an eternal state of awe and reverence for the genuine healing and restoration its ancient, authentic energy brings.
We are so grateful to have been exposed to Maya traditions and embraced by Mayan Elders and their way of life through our travels that it is our pleasure to share a glimpse of it with you.
We were filled with profound gratitude and Spiritual unity with the bride, groom, and guests during this ceremony. It was not only an honor to design the bride’s dress but also as humble seekers in search of enlightenment. Our hearts were filled with love, and our eyes were filled with tears of joy.
On that special day, the Spirits of the Mayans felt truly alive. Thank you to Jenny and her groom for making us a part of the magical day filled with Divine energy, transcendental bliss, and pure love. And thank you, the reader, for coming along on this journey with us.