Wedding Night Customs In Pakistan

Pakistani weddings are a joyous occasion, celebrating the union of two families. The wedding celebrations can last up to ten days and include many rituals and traditions. The night before the main ceremony is the mehndi or henna night, where the bride has intricate henna patterns drawn on her hands and feet to symbolise luck, joy and love. The wedding night itself is when the couple is left alone for the first time and is considered the start of their married life together.

The bride and groom share a glass of milk

The wedding night or the night after, the bride and groom share a glass or bowl of sweet milk or a milky dessert such as kheer. They must drink from the same vessel, and this act symbolises the start of their marriage. This is a time for the couple to be alone together, away from the festivities, and to enjoy the privacy of their new bedroom.

The bedroom has been carefully prepared for the newlyweds. It has been decorated with flowers, and the bed is adorned with rose petals or garlands. The couple's bed and bedroom furnishings are new, and the bride and groom are surrounded by gifts and blessings from their families.

The groom may present his new wife with a small token of affection, such as a ring or a family heirloom. This gift is known as "moon dikhai".

The sharing of milk is a sweet and intimate moment for the couple, and it is a tradition that has been practised for generations in Pakistani culture. It is a simple yet powerful symbol of unity and a new beginning.

The groom gives the bride a gift

The groom giving the bride a gift is a common practice in Pakistani wedding culture. This tradition is called "moon dikhai" and is usually an exquisite piece of jewellery, often a family heirloom. The gift is presented to the bride on the wedding night or the following day.

The groom's gift to the bride is a special token of affection to mark the beginning of their married life together. It symbolises the groom's love and appreciation for his new wife. In addition to the "moon dikhai", the bride also receives an elaborate trousseau, or "bury", from her mother-in-law. This includes a dozen formal dresses, matching shoes and accessories, which she is expected to wear to the formal dinner parties hosted by close family members in the weeks following the wedding.

The groom's gift is an important part of the wedding celebrations and is often highly anticipated by the bride and her family. It is considered a gesture of the groom's commitment and love for his bride. In some cases, the gift may be given privately, while in other instances, it may be presented in front of the wedding guests.

The practice of gift-giving during Pakistani weddings extends beyond the exchange between the bride and groom. The groom's family traditionally presents the bride with a "wari", which includes clothing, jewellery, purses, and shoes. This is intended to be worn by the bride as a newlywed, showcasing her new status.

Additionally, the bride's family also participates in the gifting tradition by offering gifts to the groom's family members, known as "laina daina". These gifts may include saris for the groom's mother, sisters, and other female relatives.

While the specific gifts exchanged may vary, the tradition of gift-giving holds great significance in Pakistani wedding culture, symbolising the love, joy, and union of two families.

The bride's veil is brushed aside by the groom

The wedding night is a highly anticipated event in Pakistani culture. The groom, dressed in a casual black or white shalwar qameez, sherwani, or Western suit, is led to the marital bedroom by his female relatives. The bride, adorned in a brightly coloured shalwar kameez, sari, or lehenga, awaits him with a veil or head covering (dupatta or chador) draped over her face.

As the groom enters the room, he gently lifts the bride's veil, revealing her face. This act holds cultural significance, marking one of the first things the groom does on their wedding night. It symbolises the unveiling of the bride's beauty and the start of their new life together.

The groom may also present his bride with a token of affection, such as a ring or a family heirloom. This gift, known as "moon dikhai," is often an exquisite piece of jewellery that she can choose to wear during the subsequent walimah ceremony, a large dinner party hosted by the groom's parents.

The couple's bedroom is meticulously prepared for this special night, adorned with flowers and strings of roses draped over the bed. The scent of roses fills the air, creating a romantic and elegant atmosphere.

The wedding night is a private and intimate moment for the newlyweds, free from the interference of others. It marks the beginning of their journey as a married couple, where they can create lasting memories and strengthen their bond.

While the specifics of what occurs during the wedding night remain between the couple, it is safe to assume that this night is filled with love, joy, and the anticipation of their future together.

The couple tastes honey as a symbol of their marriage's sweetness

Pakistani weddings are joyous occasions that celebrate the union of two families. The wedding celebrations can last up to ten days and are filled with vibrant colours, lively music, and extravagant rituals.

One of the most important rituals during the wedding ceremony is the Munh Dikhai, or "showing of the face". The bride and groom look at each other in the mirror while wearing an embroidered shawl over their heads. This ritual is followed by the couple tasting honey, symbolising the sweetness of their marriage.

The couple then helps each other to taste the honey, a heartwarming act that symbolises the sweetness of their new union. This ritual is a beautiful way to commence the marriage, as the sweetness of the honey represents the love and joy that the couple will share in their life together.

The honey tasting ritual is usually performed after the Nikah or Nikkah ceremony, which is the formal ritual where the couple exchanges vows and makes promises to one another. The Nikah is a crucial part of the wedding, as it is when the marriage contract is signed and the couple repeats "qubool hai" or "I accept" three times to finalise their marriage.

The Munh Dikhai and honey tasting ritual is a unique and meaningful way to bless the couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness and love. It is a special moment that the couple, their families, and guests will always cherish.

The couple's first night together is called the Shab-i-Zifaf and is a highly anticipated event. The couple's bedroom is decorated with flowers, and the bride, veiled, awaits the groom. The groom then enters the room and brushes the bride's veil aside to reveal her face, a romantic and symbolic gesture.

The tasting of honey is a delightful tradition that adds sweetness and joy to the wedding celebrations. It is a simple yet powerful ritual that captures the essence of a Pakistani wedding – a celebration of love, family, and cultural heritage.

The couple repeats qubool hai three times

Pakistani weddings are a joyous occasion, full of colour, music, and extravagance. The wedding ceremony itself is preceded by several rituals and celebrations, including the Dholki, a pre-celebration involving music and dance, and the mehndi, or henna night, where the bride has intricate henna patterns drawn on her hands and feet. The baraat or barat is a cheerful procession for the groom, who rides a ceremonial horse while his guests dance in front of him.

The wedding ceremony itself is called the Nikah or Nikkah, where the couple exchange vows and make promises to one another. Before the couple sees each other, the groom presents the bride with a Mehr, a symbolic gift of money or jewellery. During the Nikah, the couple may perform the Munh Dikhai, where they look at each other in a mirror while wearing an embroidered shawl over their heads. They then taste honey together as a symbol of the marriage's sweetness.

Once the ceremonies are finished, the couple signs the marriage contract, and the newlyweds repeat "qubool hai" three times to finalise their marriage. "Qubool hai" means "I accept" in Urdu, and this is a crucial step in the wedding ceremony. After the Nikah, the Walima or Valima, a dinner organised by the groom's family, is held to celebrate the union of the newlyweds and their families.

The couple's bedroom is decorated with flowers, and the bride is led there by her family to await the groom. Once their families have left, the groom enters the room and brushes the bride's veil aside to reveal her face. This act symbolises the start of their married life together.

The wedding festivities in Pakistan can last up to ten days, with various rituals and celebrations leading up to and following the wedding ceremony.

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