Classic Cuban Wedding Songs

You future spouse has Cuban origins or you’re just a Cuba lover? Then a Cuban-themed wedding is just what you need. Like all other Latino events, Cuban weddings are famous for their festivities, being accompanied by lively music and dancing. Some of the Cuban wedding traditions are similar to the American ones. One tradition that is very important for the Cuban wedding is the money dance.

While the music plays, the bride and groom dance together and the guests pin money to the bride’s dress, money considered to be a gift for the couple as they start a new life together. Another Cuban wedding tradition comes in the form of small gifts given by the bride and groom to each guest.

Many couples give their guests gifts such as handmade items or ribbons with the name of the couple. At more extravagant events, the guests are given a traditional Cuban cigar to celebrate the occasion. Most Cuban music, including the instruments and the dances, has European and African origins. As there is simply no Cuban gathering without music and dancing, here are some traditional Cuban wedding songs:

Junto al palmar del bajio, Guajiro love by Guillermo Portabales: This is a picturesque song about a country boy preparing his hut for his lover. Guillermo Portabales was a Cuban singer and guitarist who made famous the guajira style of Cuban music from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Amor en gua gua by Trio la Rosa. Trio la Rosa is one of the most romantic bands in Cuban music scene. It is a charming song about a man meeting his wife to be in the bus and falling in love at first sight.

Como fue by Beny More: The song has a beautiful, molasses-thick melody and romantic lyrics. It is considered to be the most romantic Cuban song ever. Piel canella by Bobby Capo: This is probably the best ode brought to Caribbean beauty. Bobby Capo sings here about a lady with black eyed and cinnamon colored skin.

Sabor a mi by Rolando Laserie: The song reminds us that no matter the course of our lives, the love we share with our special lover will unite us forever. Aunque me cuesta la vida by Alberto Beltran: As the title says, the man in the song would risk his life to find true love.

Loca passion by Beny More: This is another torch song from Benny More who is known as the greatest Cuban singer of all time. Cita en el platanal by Celina and Reutilio: This is a naughty song about a girl planning to sneak out to meet her guajiro, disobeying her father’s will. El solterito by Carlos Argentino: The song is about a man who is tired of his single life and looks for commitment and true love.