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Muslim Marriage in Pakistan

Preludes Of The Wedding

Pakistan, a country owning a rich heritage influenced by Mughal era has weddings with sequence of ceremonies making it a truly memorable one. The process is generally set on by sending of proposal to the prospective bride's family through the elders. If the bride's side has an eye over a suitable alliance, the bride's parents wait for the respective alliance to propose or try to initiate the sending of proposal to them through a third person who mediates. This is the general custom.

Preparatory measures include preparation of bride for the marriage ceremony. The bride sits in some corner of a room and generally abstains from doing usual daily house hold chores some days before marriage.

Generally just two days before the marriage, a ceremony of putting henna on the hands of bride is done which goes on till late night. This is celebrated in both households of bride and groom.

In these ceremonies, the bride does not participate in bridegroom's household in person and neither does bridegroom in bride's place.Though they are part of the celebration within their own household celebrations. In such times, the bride wears light coloured clothes,traditional upper and lower garment called salwar kameez and a light cloth draped over known as dupatta. Whereas the groom wears a traditional dress of kurta and a traditional coat known as sherwani in those celebrations.

The Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony,the Nikah, is held in mosque or a community hall or a house where a sermon is read and then the proclamation aloud stating the conditions of matrimonial contract in presence of bride's guardian generally her father,minimum two witnesses and guests.This is put forward in front of bridegroom for acceptance and his verbal acceptance and the signing on the nikahnama which is a matrimonial contract marks the validitation of the marriage.Bride's consent is already been taken prior in front of same two witnesses and her guardian with the documents of acceptance duly signed by her. Soon then, small packets of eateries are distributed amongst guests which are a light snacks or some kind of sweet items. Also some other gifts may be given as momentos with the name of bride and bridegroom printed. After this ceremony, reception is hosted immediately or at the later part of the day by the bride's parents.The pakistanis have great flair towards dressing, jewelry and decoration.

When the groom's procession which is called baraat arrives at the bride's place for reception held by the bride's guardians, it is welcomed with traditional drums, showering of flower petals and great cheer.Many a times a small teasing in which the procession of the bridegroom for making them partake with some money takes place. This is done by the close ones of the bride for fun and laughter,with mischievous and humorous schuffle between the close ones of the two families.

Dress

The type of dresses worn by the bride are Salwar Kameez or a long elegant lower wear with traditional upper wear called lehnga with beautiful and intricate works .Her head is draped with exquisite cloth which is an over cover. The dress is heavily embroided usually dark red, though other shades like green or purple and so on too catch fancy.

As for the bridegroom he adorns a white dress an upper wear and a lower wear called Kurta pajama with a traditional coat over it called Sherwarni.The head is crowned with a beautiful turban . Though western business coats too go fine.The footwear can be eloquent leather sandles or typical pointed shoes which heavy design pattern or just an elegant pair. The foods like curries of various kinds, barbeque and different kinds of vegetable dishes are relished along with dishes like pulao, roasted chicken and thick breads. Usually men and women have seperate arrangements.

The Conclusion Of The Wedding Ceremony

Finally an emotional farewell time comes.At the ending of the great feast the bride prepares to leave with her new husband and inlaws. The journey to her new home is nowadays by car which is heavily decorated with flowers and ribbons.

After this event another important feast hosted by the groom is the party called Walima mostly a day after the reception .The bride wears beautiful dress, with heavy gold jewelry provided by the groom's family. New family ties are cherished under the warmth of celebrations and feast, with prayers for the couples being in the bliss of matrimony for ever.