The Tradition of Papel Picado
PAPEL PICADO, which means cut or perforated paper, is a decorative storytelling craft made out of tissue paper or vinyl “cut” into ornamental designs. Generally seen strung together into long banners that crisscross a street, a courtyard or an entire party tent, these all white or brightly colored flags are traditionally used throughout Mexico to decorate celebrations, such as Easter, Christmas, the Day of the Dead, as well as during weddings, birthdays, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and other festivities.
IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, you can see words such as “amor” and “felicidades” cut into the papers, or perhaps skulls and hearts, suns and moons, or other symbols of Life and its many stories. Although we always love the clean elegance of all white papel picado used in some of our weddings, there really is nothing like a sky of colorful, lacy banners!
{Photos courtesy of Ashley Turner}
