Above: Jenna and Adam enjoy watching their guests take in and embrace the Mexican Hug gesture – Captured by the amazing Lauren Campbell Photography at Number 10 Hotel, Glasgow
What is a Mexican Hug?
Imagine your guests walking into your humanist wedding ceremony and instantly feeling the warmth, love, and connection of everyone in the room. That’s exactly what the ‘Mexican Hug’ brings to your special day—a heartwarming and lighthearted way to set the tone for a relaxed, love-filled celebration!
A Mexican Hug is a modern, fun twist on the traditional handshake exchange often seen in religious wedding ceremonies. Instead of shaking hands with the people next to them, the couple kicks things off with a big, loving hug. Then, they turn to hug the person next to them, who hugs the next person, and so on, until everyone in the room has shared a warm embrace. It’s a simple but powerful way to connect your guests and make them feel part of something truly special from the very beginning of the ceremony.
Why Include a Mexican Hug in Your Wedding?
As wedding ceremonies can sometimes start with an air of formality or even nervous energy, both for the couple and their guests, The Mexican Hug breaks the ice immediately, replacing any tension with smiles, laughter, and a genuine sense of togetherness. Here’s why you might want to include it in your wedding:
- Instantly Creates Connection: Your guests will feel engaged and part of the moment, rather than just spectators.
- Brings Joy and Fun: There’s something undeniably heartwarming about a whole room full of people exchanging hugs!
- Encourages a Relaxed Atmosphere: If you want a laid-back, love-filled wedding, this is the perfect way to set the tone.
- A Unique and Memorable Start: Your guests will be talking about this moment long after the wedding is over!
When to Do the Mexican Hug
The best time for a Mexican Hug is right at the beginning of the ceremony, just after the couple takes their place at the front and your Fuze humanist celebrant has introduced the ceremony and its purpose. This ensures the moment feels organic and doesn’t interrupt the flow of the rest of the ceremony structure. However, for larger weddings, it’s worth considering whether this will take too long—smaller, more intimate gatherings are perfect for this gesture.
The Origins of the Mexican Hug
While the exact origins of this symbolic gesture aren’t widely documented, it draws inspiration from communal greetings and unity-focused traditions found in many cultures. In Mexican culture, greetings are often warm and affectionate, with hugs and embraces being the norm rather than a handshake. This tradition of physical connection, combined with the idea of community and togetherness, makes the Mexican Hug a beautiful addition to a humanist wedding ceremony, which is all about celebrating love and human connection. It is also a twist on a Mexican wave which travels across and back large crowd gatherings. Instead of a wave, a hug is exchanged.
How to Make It Work in Your Ceremony
- Talk to Your Fuze Humanist Celebrant: Let your celebrant know you’d like to include the Mexican Hug so they can introduce it smoothly.
- Set the Example: The couple should start with a warm, enthusiastic hug—your guests will follow your lead!
- Encourage Everyone to Join In: A little encouragement goes a long way, and once the first few guests start hugging, the rest will follow.
- Enjoy the Moment: This isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, so have fun with it!
Final Thoughts
The Mexican Hug is more than just a fun moment—it’s a symbolic way of sharing love and warmth with everyone in the room. It reminds your guests that they are part of your love story, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of joy and togetherness.
If you’re looking for a unique, heartwarming start to your ceremony, why not give the Mexican Hug a go? After all, a wedding is about love, and what better way to share that than with a room full of hugs?
We’d love to hear if you’ve included a Mexican Hug in your wedding ceremony! Share your stories and photos with us—we can’t wait to see the love in action!
Celebrant – George McLean, Fuze Ceremonies Humanist Celebrant
Venue – Number 10 Hotel, Glasgow
Photographer – Lauren Campbell Photography
Content Creator – Insta Love Story
