Franklin Dean
Saudi weddings are a multi-million dollar industry, with glamorous luxury décor, towering cakes, fleets of supercars, and extravagant dresses. However, despite the cultural evolution of many wedding traditions, the core values of a true Saudi Arabian wedding remain, with religious and social significance at the heart of the celebration.
The marriage process usually starts with meetings between the couple's families, and ends with the consummation of the betrothed. For a wedding to be considered Islamic, both the bride and groom must consent, and the groom must be welcomed into the bride's house, in the presence of her parents only, to maintain propriety.
The proposal, or Al-Khitbah, is a significant event that marks the beginning of the engagement period. The groom's family visits the bride's home and officially asks for her hand in marriage. The bride's family typically responds with acceptance or rejection, and negotiations may take place over the mahr, or dowry, which the groom must pay to the bride. The mahr is a sum of money, property, or other valuable assets, and it is considered a symbolic gesture of the groom's love and respect for his bride.
The wedding day is celebrated in two separate events for the bride and groom. The men's party will consist of traditional sword dances and drumming, providing entertainment for the wedding guests before joining the bride's party. An abundant feast is also presented to guests at the wedding, which conveys the wealth of the families. The wedding procession is comprised of musicians, dancers, wedding attendants, and the bride and groom. The wedding announcement is regarded as one of the most dramatic fundamentals of the Saudi Arabian wedding tradition.
The bride and groom then take their seats in front of their guests, and a sherbet is served to all guests, who toast to the health of the couple. The newlyweds then switch their engagement rings from their right index fingers to their left ring fingers, to signify that they are now married. Following the switching of the rings, the festivities officially begin. In modern societies, the bride and groom have a first dance, then guests join in, with men and women dancing in separate areas of the reception hall.
What You'll Learn
The proposal
In modern Arab societies, the prospective bride and groom may know each other beforehand or may even privately agree to marry before their parents are invited to participate in the process. The proposal is usually followed by the viewing (Shawfa), where a senior female member of the groom's family informs the prospective bride's mother of his intentions to marry her daughter. If both families agree to the match, the bride is formally invited to unveil in the presence of her future husband.
Buddhist Wedding Traditions and Rituals
You may want to see also
The viewing (Shawfa)
The viewing, or Shawfa, is a ceremony that takes place after the proposal. A senior female member of the groom's family informs the prospective bride's mother of his intentions to marry her daughter. If both families agree to the match, the bride is invited to unveil in the presence of her future husband. This is the first time the couple sees each other, and they let their families know if they are ready for the wedding. In the past, this ritual was held only for the couple to meet, and the parents would proceed with the wedding preparations. However, in modern times, if the couple does not like each other, the wedding will not take place.
The word "Shawfa" means "seeing each other". After the Shawfa, both families arrange more meetings to discuss the future ceremony and any concerns they may have. Once all the details are ironed out, the couple can begin preparing for the celebration.
In religious families, the Shawfa is usually skipped, and the parents proceed with the wedding preparations after arranging the marriage.
Red Wedding Betrayal
You may want to see also
Henna night
The henna night is an opportunity for both families to come together and celebrate before the wedding. The groom's family dances through the streets (a tradition called "sahij") until they reach the bride's home, where both families mix the henna. The henna is then used to decorate the hands of the bride and groom—the groom's hands are decorated with his initials and those of his bride, while the bride's henna designs are more elaborate. After the groom presents the bride with her mahr, the families dance and sing traditional songs.
The henna night is an important tradition in Saudi weddings, connecting the families to their roots and allowing them to share their culture with older generations. While some brides choose to skip the henna ritual, the night itself is still a popular part of the wedding celebrations.
Tom Cruise Wedding: Chaos and Control
You may want to see also
The wedding feast
In addition to the food and celebrations, the wedding feast may also include other events such as the cutting of the wedding cake, speeches by family members, and the presentation of gifts to the newlyweds. The festivities can continue until the early morning, with female guests staying up to feast and dance until 5 am.
Castle's Pre-Wedding Mystery
You may want to see also
The wedding procession (Zaffa)
The wedding procession, or Zaffa, is a vibrant and captivating celebration that is deeply rooted in Middle Eastern culture. The word "Zaffa" is derived from Arabic, meaning "procession" or "march". It is a joyful and lively procession that symbolizes the grand entrance of the bridal party and the couple's commitment to each other.
The Zaffa ceremony is a musical pageant with bendir drums, bagpipes, horns, and belly dancers. In some regions, men carry flaming swords. The procession usually starts before the bride and groom arrive at the reception hall, with drummers, bagpipers, horn players, belly dancers, and swordsmen performing. The troupe of dancers and musicians performs for about 30 minutes while welcoming the couple into the hall, after which the party continues with a band or DJ, dancing, singing, and ululations from the women.
The highlight of the Zaffa is the grand march, where the couple makes their entrance surrounded by family and friends. The bride and groom often wear distinctive attire, with the bride in a stunning, intricately designed wedding gown, and the groom in traditional Middle Eastern attire, such as a tunic and headpiece. The atmosphere is charged with excitement as musicians play traditional instruments. Dancers, clad in colourful and elaborate costumes, gracefully move and add to the spectacle of the procession.
In some countries, there is a "pre-zaffa", where the wedding procession cruises the streets with the newlyweds in a decorated car leading the way to the reception hall. Their friends and family follow in their cars, blasting their horns and cheering.
Tully's Fate: Post-Red Wedding
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Saudi weddings are a blend of culture, family values, and love. They are a multi-million-dollar industry, with extravagant decorations, cakes, dresses, cars, and food.
The marriage process usually starts with meetings between the couple's families. The groom's family visits the bride's family to ask for her hand in marriage. The bride's family responds with acceptance or rejection, and negotiations may take place over the dowry, which the groom must pay to the bride.
The family plays a crucial role in a Saudi wedding. In addition to the initial meetings and negotiations, the families come together to decide the date of the wedding and related events. The groom's family also accompanies him during the Zaffa, a traditional wedding procession to the bride's house.
Some unique traditions include the Henna Night, where the bride's hands and feet are adorned with henna, and the Zaffa, which includes a traditional sword dance called the Ardah. Separate celebrations for men and women are also common, reflecting the country's strict gender roles and modesty requirements.
The "Katb el-kitab," or marriage contract/registration, is the official marriage ceremony. It includes a short speech by an imam on how husbands and wives should honour each other, followed by the signing of legal documents witnessed by the eldest men in each family.
