Wedding traditions vary around the world. And while it may seem unheard of in many Western countries, a Moroccan wedding can last up to seven days. Traditionally, a week-long wedding was standard in Morocco. However, it is commonly shortened to about three days nowadays. But some couples may still choose to have an extended wedding, and these events are jam-packed with events that fill the days with celebration.
Most of the week is spent engaging in elaborate pre-wedding ceremonies, preparation rituals, and days-long feasts. A few of the events you will find at a Moroccan wedding include:
- The signing of the marriage contract: The wedding festivities start with the signing of the marriage contract. Unlike wedding ceremonies in Western countries, this part of the wedding isn’t open to guests. Instead, it usually includes only the couple and the wali (guardian) of the bride. Once the paperwork is signed, the couple, wali, and witnesses will accompany the imam to complete the marriage contract. And even though the contract is signed, the marriage isn’t usually considered ‘final’ until after the rest of the wedding events.
- Hammam day: The hammam day is for women and usually includes the bride, female family members, friends, and neighbors. Similar to a pre-wedding spa day, the bride will be pampered by getting her body and hair washed, massaged, perfumed, and waxed to prepare for her wedding night.
- Henna party: The henna party is also a female gathering in which the bride will have henna tattoos done on her hands and feet. Henna is considered a sign of fertility, beauty, and optimism. Therefore, henna tattoos are added to give the bride luck in her married life.
- The blanket tradition: As part of the wedding celebration, the couple will be draped in a wedding blanket during the ceremony, usually made of Berber. Wedding blankets are generally passed down from generation to generation and tend to be a neutral color.
- The ceremony: The ceremony is actually several events spread across several days. In addition to signing the marriage contract, guests are expected to offer milk and dates. Music is usually present. And when the married couple officially enters the venue, people will shower them with special blessings to recognize the change in marital status.
- Food: A Moroccan wedding lasts several days, so you can find plenty of food surrounding these events. The wedding feast will include dishes, such as grilled chicken with saffron sauce and lamb tagine with prunes and almonds. Pastries are also served, meaning guests can indulge in multiple sweet treats rather than one cake. Some weddings even feature an entire sheet at each table.
Moroccan wedding celebrations are lively affairs that usually start late, around 9 PM, and last until the early hours of the following morning, but also incorporate plenty of religious traditions. Once the couple leaves the ceremony, they are usually followed by guests who will lead a parade down the streets to the groom’s home, where the groom’s family will be waiting with more milk and dates to wish them a sweet and peaceful life together.
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