Marriage took place in the late teens or early twenties. When a youth arrived at the marrying age, his parents looked about for a suitable partner. A meal was prepared and the young man's schoolmasters were invited, to be told that his schooldays were over. Then another council was called and the assembled kinsmen decided which young woman was the most eligible. Matchmakers were sent to the parents of the maiden to solicit her hand in marriage. The next day they would go again, and so on until the fourth day when her parents would give an answer. The marriage ceremony was proceeded by elaborate preparations. As the evening of the appointed day approached, the bride was ceremonially bathed, dressed, and pasted with red feathers on her arms and legs. Her face was painted with glittering pyrites.

She was then counseled by her kinswoman and one of the strongest bore her back in a torchlight procession to the house of the groom. The bride and groom were seated upon a mat. A fire was lit in the hearth and copal incense laid out. After gifts of fine clothing were given by the mother of the groom, the elder matchmakers tied the groom's cape to the shift of the bride. Then the groom's mother fed the bride four mouthfuls of tamales in a special sauce, and another four mouthfuls to the young man. After that the bride and groom were led into their bedchamber. Four days of feasting followed, at the conclusion of which the elder women of the grooms family admonished and counciled the bride as to diligence, humility, and trust, and the bride's mother spoke to the groom of his duties and obligations, exhorting him to hard work, and self-sacrifice.