Beauty

[Starpolisher]

My son is getting married this month. His bride is Filipino. We're having Capias at the reception. The brides parents are wearing the traditional Filipino dress at the wedding and Capias, which are a traditional Puerto Rican favor(small corsages with ribbon and bride and grooms names and wedding date) would be from the grooms side. This would bring cultural traditions from both families. Traditionally Capias are pinned on each quest by the bride and groom. I'm not asking my future DIL to do this(my mom did it at my wedding) I was thinking of putting a Capia at each place setting and having the Story of the Capia in a 4x6 frame at each table. This would explain what a Capia is and to please wear it at the reception and take it as a favor. The bride likes this idea. I was just wondering if anyone had any other ideas about how to display or incorporate this into the reception. Capias are old-fashioned and we want to make it more modern.

Here are some pictures of Capias.

[luvdoodles]

I was not familiar with what a capia was. I think your idea is wonderful especially explaining the tradition of the capia. Not everyone would be familiar with it. They are very pretty. Do you make them by hand?

[Jolexi]

That is a lovely idea, starpolisher. I have not seen capias in ages as I have not attended any family functions in quite a long time and most of my family still lives on the island. I like that you are including a small history of the capia for your future daughter-in-law's family, and well, let's face it, for some of the younger members of the family from either side as you noted, it is a very old-fashioned tradition and most younger members might not understand the significance or tradition well.

The work that goes into preparing them is something that is also tradition as it's mostly the ladies in the family that gather with the items to prepare the capias. It was a bonding sort of thing, at least I remember it that way. As time went on, it became something you had made by the dozen or so at a bridal shop or such, if there wasn't enough time. Capias are used in most any special occasion ie. christening, Sweet 16 (or 15), birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, etc. Like I said, I haven't seen them in a very long time, but seeing your post brought back many good memories of celebrations attended in my youth, and how much I enjoyed them all.

Best of luck to your family and to your son, and the new daughter and her family, many happy and healthy blessings. Felicidades! :-)

[kabella]

I think your idea is best. Placing a Capia at each place setting with a pretty frame explaning the tradition is best. This way your guests have the option to wear it or not, hopefully they will out of respect. Congradulations!

[Starpolisher]

Thank you Ladies. They are good memories for me also Jolexi! Yes luvpoos, they are made by hand. Myself, mom and sister will be making them. I'm happy to have been able to introduce them to you. Thank you kabella for the best wishes and I'm glad you like my idea. Capias are old-fashioned and many young ladies no longer use them at weddings. They seem to show up more at Baby showers. I had them for everything, wedding, son's baptism, my bridal and baby showers and anniversary party. I'm giving my mom an 85th birthday party in October and Capias will definitely be there! Thanks again.

Starr

[beautybee]

I love it! I think since you and your mom and sister are making them, I would put a footnote on the Capias history to say something like your Capia was lovingly crafted (or handmade) by ..... I think that would make it extra special. Are you putting them in individual boxes? I think that would be nice, like receiving a piece of jewelry. I wouldn't worry about it as coming off old fashioned, I think that would be charming. Save one for the bride so she can put it in her wedding album.

[Starpolisher]

Is anyone else familiar with this custom or have any other ideas?