DRESS CODE FOR THE WEDDING CEREMONY DEC 28

Many of our family and friends have asked us about the dress code for the wedding ceremony. Two years ago, on our last trip to Brazil, we participated in the New Year tradition of dressing in white to greet and honor the Ocean Goddess - Iemanjå.

We woud like to merge this strong and beautiful color symbol into our wedding as well.

So please- all white elegant attire for the wedding day festivities.

Many have asked if there are exceptions for off-white or different colored accessories. We kindly request that everyone adhere to standard white with no additional color accents (i.e. shoes, handbags..)

Here is a travel link and the matching text that we found describing the New Year tradition.

Thank you everyone...

Love and Affection

Numa and Francis

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=rio_de_janeiro@129&cur_section=fea&feature=30007


New Year's Eve in Rio

Although Rio's annual Carnival is an amazing spectacle, there is perhaps no stranger sight than that which takes place on the beaches in many of Brazil's cities each New Year's Eve. Under the warm tropical sky and with the backdrop of the modern city, thousands of adherents of the Candomblé religion -- vulgarly known as macumba -- honor Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea.

The advent of the new year is a time for renewal and to ask for blessings. The faithful of all ages, colors, and classes pour onto the beaches at around 10 PM, mostly at Copacabana. Some draw mystic signs in the sand. Others lay out white tablecloths with gifts befitting the proud, beautiful goddess: combs, mirrors, lipsticks, hair ribbons, perfumes, wines. Still others bring flowers with notes asking for favors tucked amid the blossoms. Worshippers chant and sing over their offerings and set candles around them.

By 11:30 PM the beaches are a mass of white-clad believers with flickering candles -- the shore looks as if it has been invaded by millions of fireflies. At midnight the singing, shrieking, and sobbing is accompanied by fireworks, sirens, and bells. After that the faithful rush to the water for the moment of truth: if the goddess is satisfied with an offering, it's carried out to sea, and the gift giver's wish will come true. If, however, Iemanjá is displeased with an offering, the ocean throws it back; the gift giver must try again another year.