Lebanese Traditional Weddings

In traditional Lebanese weddings when a guy has found a girl they want to marry, they guy’s side sends his family over to the girls side of the family for a marriage proposal. The guy’s side of the family goes to the girl side of the house at least three time. During the second visit, the guy and the girl are both presented in order for both sides of the family can see the guy and the girl. Once the parents of girl side has accepted the proposal, the girls side of the family gives the guy side some sweets, which basically represents that we have accepted the proposal. Whereas, in exchange the guys side of the family gives the girl (bride) gold.

Thus, after the acceptance, the girl’s side of the family organises an engagement at a reception, where the groom formally asks the girl (bride) in marriage from the father in front of the guests, the father of the girl says yes. After the father agrees, they begin to recite a passage from their holy book (Quran). Once, the Quran has been recited both families have a little party where the guy (groom) and the girl (bride) exchange their rings. 

Before the wedding, in the Lebanese tradition, they do a celebration called ‘Katb el-Kitab.’ This is the traditional marriage contract where it’s usually done at home or the mosque. During this celebration only close families are invited. In this celebration they invite the sheikh (Muslim priest) and he gives a short speech about how the Prophet had honoured and cared for his wife and that the new couples should follow his lead. The sheikh then gives a speech to the girl where he tells the girl that you need to care and look after your husband.

One the actual wedding day, all families and family friends are invited. Before the guy and girl goes to the reception, they release doves before leaving the house and leave in traditional carriages. Children will then throw rice for good luck. At the reception both side of the family and the newly married couples stand at the entrance and personally greet their guest member.

Once they have done that, the bride and groom walk down the aisle with their traditional drums and they dance while walking down the aisle both side of the families stand on the side and claps for the bride and groom.  Once the bride and groom reach the dance floor, they ask their family members to join in with them. Throughout the night, both bride and groom family dance.  At the end of the wedding, they have fireworks and the bride and groom goes to their new home.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=lebanese+drum+dance&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjd46Wot_TTAhXEoJQKHZWYDBsQ_AUIBygC&biw=1366&bih=613#tbm=isch&q=lebanese+drum+dance+wedding+entrance+&imgrc=r-hsMG4on24znM: 

There is a YouTube video to watch on how the bride and groom comes down the aisle with drums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMnQS5-dcps   

By: Shabnam Mangal 

Sources: 

A Family Affair: A Lebanese Wedding". Third World Living 2014. Retrieved from https://thirdworldliving2014.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/weddings-weddings-weddings/#comments

"Lebanese Drum Dance - Retrieved from: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=lebanese+drum+dance&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjd46Wot_TTAhXEoJQKHZWYDBsQ_AUIBygC&biw=1366&bih=613#tbm=isch&q=lebanese+drum+dance+wedding+entrance+&imgrc=r-hsMG4on24znM: