Hispanic Catholic · 5 minutes · Photographable moment
Lazo — the wedding lasso
The ritual
- Two padrinos de lazo (lasso godparents) come forward, holding the lazo.
- The couple kneels together at the altar.
- The padrinos drape the lazo over the couple's shoulders — around one partner's shoulders, across the space between them, around the other partner's shoulders — forming a figure-eight (or infinity sign).
- The couple remains kneeling under the lazo for a prayer or blessing.
- The lazo is removed and kept as a keepsake.
The meaning
The figure-eight represents infinity — the couple's union is eternal. The physical binding shows that from this moment forward, the two are joined as one. In many traditions, the lazo is placed by godparents (often family friends or elders) who symbolically witness and sanction the union.
The lazo itself
Types vary by family and region:
- Rosary lazo.A large ornate rosary, often double-length, with two loops that fit around each partner's shoulders. Most common in Mexican tradition.
- Cord lazo.A braided silk or satin cord in white, gold, or ivory. Common in Filipino tradition (where it's called the wedding cord or yugal).
- Ribbon lazo. A wide fabric ribbon, sometimes embroidered.
Families often pass down a lazo across generations.
Cultural variations
- Mexican. Rosary lazo, placed after the vows. Very common.
- Filipino. Wedding cord (yugal), often paired with the wedding veil (velo) placed over the couple. See also arras.
- Puerto Rican, Colombian, Peruvian. Similar to Mexican.
- Spanish. Less common in modern Spain but present in some regions.
Photography
This is the single most photogenic ceremony image in any Catholic wedding when it's present:
- Position: front and center, low angle if possible.
- Wide first: show the padrinos placing the lazo, the couple kneeling, the church setting.
- Tight second:the lazo across the couple's shoulders, the figure-eight visible.
- Faces: the couple looking at each other with the lazo binding them.
- After: the padrinos removing the lazo; the couple standing.
Second shooter, if available: overhead or high side angle. The figure-eight is most visible from above.
Variations by rite and cultural family
Roman Rite and Eastern Catholic parishes
Most U.S. weddings follow the Roman Rite Order of Celebrating Matrimony; Byzantine or Maronite couples may use different processional and blessing texts while still celebrating sacramental marriage. USCCB marriage prep materials describe Roman Rite norms.
Source: USCCB — Marriage
Italian, Mexican, and Filipino American parishes
Latino families may add arras and lazo; Filipino couples may request cord and veil within a Roman Rite Mass. Confirm with the celebrant whether these happen during the Liturgy of the Word or after the exchange of consent.
Nuptial Mass versus ceremony without Mass
Communion lengthens photography needs: you need coverage of the couple at the altar, congregational communion lines, and the nuptial blessing placement. A 45-minute without-Mass preset can still run 55 minutes with a long homily.
How families adapt Lazo Lasso today
Contemporary couples often shorten Lazo Lasso for venue clocks while keeping the element that matters to elders — usually the blessing, exchange, or visible symbol rather than every optional verse. Destination weddings may move the ritual earlier in the day for heat or light, which changes where shadows fall in your frames. Hybrid ceremonies blend English explanations for guests who do not share the family language; plan extra wide shots when the officiant or elder narrates for the room. Always confirm with the planner whether children or wedding party members participate, because a last-minute addition changes spacing and focus priority for both photographers.
Common questions
Who are the padrinos de lazo?
Godparents of the lazo. Usually a married couple who are close family friends or relatives. They symbolically witness and support the marriage.
Can we use a family heirloom lazo?
Yes. Very common. Often it's a lazo used at a grandmother's or great-grandmother's wedding.
Is the lazo Catholic-specific?
It's most common in Hispanic Catholic weddings, but variations appear in Filipino Catholic and some non-Catholic Hispanic weddings. It's not required by the Catholic Church — it's a cultural addition.
Do we keep the lazo?
Yes. The lazo becomes a family keepsake, often displayed or stored to potentially pass down.
Field notes from George
I budget more time for Lazo Lasso than the preset shows — couples pause, cry, or redo a gesture, and those seconds matter for albums. I pre-focus on hands or the ritual object before dialogue starts, then lift to faces when reactions peak.
Tell the second shooter to stay on parent faces during Lazo Lasso; my keepers are usually split evenly between the couple and the family watching them.
Before Lazo Lasso begins, confirm with the planner and officiant where photographers may stand, whether flash is permitted, and how long the block is expected to run. Build that answer into the shared timeline so the second shooter knows when to stay on the couple versus roaming for guest reactions. If the venue shifts this moment outdoors, re-check wind, sun direction, and guest sightlines ten minutes prior — couples rarely announce last-minute layout changes over mic.
For album flow, aim for three usable frames: an establishing wide that shows the full ritual space, a mid shot that includes the couple and officiant or elder, and a tight detail that signals the tradition (hands, ritual object, or symbolic movement). Capture each layer before the moment peaks so you are not changing lenses during the emotional apex. Debrief with the second shooter afterward about which angle produced the cleanest sightlines — reuse that setup if the same family hosts a sibling wedding later in the season.
Sources
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About this guide, sources, and how to reach the author
Written by
Wedding photographer · 15+ years · Former owner, East Shore Wedding Photography · Co-owner, Elena Kay Photography · Co-founder, Aisle & Time
Last updated:
About this guide
The timing, positioning, and photography notes on this page come from George's own lazo wedding lassowedding coverage over a 15-year career. Aisle & Time is the wedding-day system he built and refined across hundreds of weddings before retiring from active shooting in 2025. What you're reading is that system, in guide form.
For how we build every guide on this site, see our editorial methodology.
Sources cited on this page
- Primary: George Stoff's field experience across hundreds of weddings (Central Islip, New York and New York tri-state area, 2008–2025)
- Product: Aisle & Time tradition library (version 2026.09)
- Cross-reference: USCCB — Marriage & Family Life Ministries
- Cross-reference: For Your Marriage — USCCB
See the full sources list for every reference we cite across the tradition library.
Corrections
Spot something wrong? Email george@aisleandtime.com or open the support form. Corrections that hold up get made within 48 hours, with a note on this page recording what changed and when.
Disclaimer
Traditions vary by community, family, and officiant. Always confirm the specific practice with your officiant, family, and vendors. This guide reflects common practice as modeled inside the Aisle & Time product — not doctrine, not religious authority, not a substitute for a real conversation with the people leading your ceremony.