Anna + Bilal || Walima, Third day of Wedding, Fairmont Hotel San Francisco.

The day everyone has been working towards, Its the Wedding Reception- the most extravagant event yet. It is also Sunnah to hold this event i.e publicly announce the marriage. There aren’t many traditions attached to the Walima, it will vary to suit the household, venue, timings, guest list, etc. The Groom normally opts for a formal Western suit or Tuxedo and the Bride will wear a dazzling dress with Jewellery provided by the Groom. Its common to see: several high end cars, a fully themed venue, four course meal, DJ, dance floor, bridesmaid, flower girls, bouquet for the bride, wedding cake and favour boxes.

Salami – As people go on to the stage, they will give salaam and congratulate the couple. Rather than going empty handed, most people dish out a tenner each for the Bride and Groom. But this has become a trend, it can become embarrassing to only give a certain amount or nothing at all.

As the evening comes to an end, the family prepare to send off the Bride, this becomes a very emotional scene as the daughter is moving from one family to another.

Rice – As the Bride walks towards the car with the Groom, the Bride will stop on her door step and throw rice over her head. Rice in Pakistan is a high source of nutrient so it symbolises wealth and efficiency. When the Bride throws the several grains behind her, she signifies that ‘she is leaving her mothers comfort and nurturing to enter in to a new family’.

Qu’ran – The Qur’an is also held over the Bride’s head as she walks from the Door to the car in order to bless and protect her- yet another oblivious tradition.

The Groom will then take her back to his parents home.

 

Anna + Bilal || Pakistani Wedding ceremony ( Shaadi) , Catta Verdera Country Club.

On this day, the baraat (the procession of family, relatives, and friends of the groom ( Bilal) will go to the bride( Anna) ’s house (or the place of the wedding) for the official wedding ceremony. There is usually a dholki player, lots of wedding songs being sung, etc. The groom was riding the horse to entering . The family and friends of the bride will welcome them warmly with flower garlands and rose petals are thrown on them as they walk inside by the bride’s sisters, female cousins, and friends.

There is a tradition that on his way in, however, he will be tied off from entering the place of the wedding. Here, the bride’s sisters, female friends and family will refuse him entry until he “pays up”. The fun bantering goes on for a bit before he gives them gifts of money, and they let him enter.

The bride enters after him. Usually, she walks up to him with her procession. However, there is a very old tradition in which her sisters and closest friends hide her behind a veil (so nobody can see her) as she walks towards the stage where the groom is standing. When she gets to the stage, they unveil her, thus he is the first person she sees and he is the first to see her. I will be doing this for my wedding :).

The “Nikah” usually takes place at this time. This is an Islamic official wedding ceremony. A marriage contract is signed by the bride and groom. An Imam will usually officiate this, and it ends with all in attendance praying for them. Rings are usually exchanged at this time.

Dinner is served, cake is cut, lots of dancing happens, bride and groom dance, toasts, etc.

Another tradition is when the women on the bride’s side will steal the groom’s shoes. There’s usually fun bantering, and they give them back once their receive more gifts and/or money.

The bride is typically decked out in red, purple, blue, green, or the like. No white dresses here! Red is typically worn, as it is an extremely old and so not pc symbol of the loss of the bride’s virginity due to this marriage.

 

Anna + Bilal || Pakistani Mehndi Ceremony, White Orchid, Auburn.

Mehendi or Henna is same as the Hindu wedding and an integral prewedding function. Before one or two days of the wedding, the Mehendi is organized. Traditionally, it is used to be an all-ladies night event held at the bride’s home, where the  mehndi or henna is applied to the palms and feet of the bride-to-be.

Just like the Indian weddings, this is a celebration when groom ( Bilal)  goes to the wedding for the bride ( Anna) . Sometimes it is with a band and performers. Sometimes the baarat is received by a band. Once they enter, the bride’s side of the family and friends put a flower necklace (Lei) on the groom and some of the family members. They welcome the groom with the flowers.The bride came to entrance by the Doli was carrying by her brother and relatives mens. By later of the night will full of Special dancing performing by guest to Bride and Groom.