Now That’s a Wedding!

There's nothing private about these Oaxacan celebrations. The bride and groom seem more than happy to share their big day with enthralled tourists, all taking pictures to send around the country and around the world.

These very public wedding calendas happen every Saturday but I never get tired of the excitement and the blasting brass bands.

When the bridal party and their guests exit the ornate Santo Domingo church they will be met with giant puppets called monos de calenda which represent the bride and groom, white twirling globes called marmotas, and a team of China Oaxaqueña dancers with huge baskets on their heads.

Everyone will dance their way down the Alcalá, the main pedestrian street of the city.

The wild characters covered in strips of cloth and woven grass headgear, never stop twirling and jumping as they weave around the parade.

They are tiliches, raggy symbols of working class celebrations from an earlier time.

There's nothing working class about these weddings. Although I enjoy the spectacle and the liveliness in the street, the enormous outlay of cash leaves a bad taste for me. This part of Mexico has a high rate of poverty.

Renting the most elaborate church in town, hiring performers for the festivities in the street, and especially paying for the luxurious private reception that follows is only an option for wealthy foreigners and nationals.

The customs that were traditional at one time, are now choreographed by wedding planners in a city that has become a wedding destination.

Nothing new about these inequalities.