Franklin Dean
Planning an Afghan wedding involves many intricate customs and rituals that bring the families of the bride and groom together to celebrate their union. From the engagement party to the wedding ceremony, there are many steps to follow and traditions to uphold. For example, the engagement party is a vital component of the wedding process, where the bride and groom get to know each other well. During this party, the bride wears a purple, pink, or blue dress, and the groom wears traditional Afghan clothes. The henna night follows the engagement party, where the mother of the groom tries to open the bride's closed hands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engagement party | A vital component of the wedding process, where the bride and groom get to know each other well |
| Henna (Khina) night | Follows the engagement party; the groom wears traditional Afghan shirt and pant (jami) with headgear (lungy), while the bride adorns conventional Afghan clothes |
| Wedding ceremony | A group of women stand in a line on the right, and a group of men stand in a path to the left of the entry to welcome guests; the bride and groom sit in decorated chairs, with a decorated table in front of them |
| Dowry | Includes items such as jewellery, clothing, furniture, household appliances and other items the bride will need when she moves in with her husband |
| Bride price | Agreed upon before the dowry is prepared |
| Wedding planner | It is recommended to hire a professional wedding planner who is familiar with Afghan wedding traditions and customs |
Engagement parties
The engagement party is followed by the henna (Khina) night. During this time, the bride and groom get to know each other properly before marriage. The relatives and friends of the bride play the tambourine as a sign of celebration and joy.
The pre-wedding traditions are full of intricate customs and rituals that bring families together to celebrate the union of two people. The families of the groom and the bride will lead the guests to their respective tables. The guests will be in their best attire and also add some jewellery. They interact freely with their loved ones and discuss whatever they feel is necessary.
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Henna (Khina) night
The henna night is also known as a bachelorette party, and the groom and his friends may also attend. It is often celebrated by hanging a flag in the bride's house to signify the start of the wedding, accompanied by singing and dancing. The henna night is a representation of the bride and groom's rich and exquisite culture. It is traditionally organised in the bride's home the night before the wedding with her girlfriends.
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Wedding day celebrations
The wedding day celebrations are preceded by intricate pre-wedding traditions and rituals that bring the families together to celebrate the union of the couple. On the wedding day, the families of the bride and groom will lead the guests to their respective tables. There will be two decorated chairs for the couple, and a decorated table with candles in front of them. The guests will be dressed in their best attire, adorned with jewellery. They will be free to interact with their loved ones and discuss whatever they wish.
The engagement party is a vital part of the wedding process, and it is during this time that the bride and groom get to know each other well. The bride wears a purple, pink, or blue dress, and the groom wears traditional Afghan clothes. Musicians play music, and people dance the Attan. It is customary for the bride to close her hands, and for the mother of the groom to try to open them.
The bride's family arranges the engagement party, but the groom pays for the rest of the festivities. The engagement ceremony is an important custom where the couple can get to know each other properly before marriage. The bride's relatives and friends play the tambourine as a sign of celebration and joy.
To plan an Afghan wedding, it is recommended to hire a professional wedding planner who is familiar with Afghan wedding traditions and customs.
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Wedding attire
For the engagement party, the bride wears a purple, pink, or blue dress, while the groom wears traditional Afghan clothing, including a shirt and pants (jami) with headgear (lungy).
Afghan wedding dresses are often made with luxurious fabrics like silk, chiffon, and velvet, and are crafted with intricate hand embroidery and beading. These dresses are designed to be both comfortable and durable, with a lightweight and breathable fabric.
For those attending an Afghan wedding, it is customary to wear formal attire. This can include a suit or dress, with an emphasis on being well-groomed and wearing stylish hair and cologne or perfume. It is also common to wear traditional Afghan clothing, such as the Gande Afghani, or Punjabi clothes.
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Dowry
The dowry is a way for the bride's family to show their generosity and ensure that their daughter has everything she needs to start her new life as a married woman. It is also a way to honour the bride and her family and to celebrate the union of the two families.
In addition to the dowry, the bride's family is also responsible for arranging the engagement ceremony. This is a time for the bride and groom to get to know each other properly before the wedding. The engagement ceremony is a vital component of the wedding process and is usually a joyous and celebratory occasion, with the bride's relatives and friends playing the tambourine.
While the bride's family takes care of the engagement and dowry, the groom's family is responsible for paying all the other expenses of the marriage festivities. This includes the cost of the wedding ceremony and reception, as well as any other related events or celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
Pre-wedding traditions include an engagement party, where the bride wears a purple, pink or blue dress, and a henna night, where the groom wears traditional Afghan clothing. The bride's family arranges the engagement party, and the groom pays for the rest of the wedding festivities.
At the beginning of the wedding ceremony, a group of women will stand in a line on the right, and a group of men will stand in a path to the left of the entry to welcome guests. The families of the bride and groom will lead the guests to their respective tables. The bride and groom will sit in two decorated chairs, in front of a table with candles. Guests will wear their best attire and jewellery.
The dowry should include items such as jewellery, clothing, furniture, household appliances and other items the bride will need when she moves in with her husband. The dowry usually reflects how wealthy both families are.
It can be helpful to hire a professional wedding planner who is familiar with Afghan wedding traditions and customs.
