Traditional Pakistani Weddings

Asian weddings can be a lengthy process due to their vast customs and traditions.  Similarly the majority of Pakistanis continue to follow such cultural trend of marriage. Weddings in Pakistan typically lasts for about a week to up to ten days, it varies with all people depending on daily festivities celebrated by different families. There are many customs and traditions associated with a Pakistani wedding ceremony and there are various functions celebrated in a Pakistani wedding, these include:

v  Engagement

v  Nikkah

v  Mendhi

v  Shaadi (the actual wedding )

The initial meeting between the two families (the couple’s family) begins with the boys family approaching the prospective girl in both arranged and love marriages. During this meeting, the boy’s parents will propose on behalf of their son, and give sweets and gifts to the girl. If the proposal is accepted, the girl’s parents will give their word, and then following this they will set a date for their marriage and functions.

Engagement:

After the initial meeting, depending on the families and the couples wish, the families will hold an engagement party, which is a formal ceremony to mark the coming together of the two people; usually the engagement ceremony is celebrated with close family members held at the girl’s house. The couple exchange rings, and prayers and blessings will be read along with cutting the cake.

What is the Nikkah all about?

The Nikkah is the first major ceremony it is the Islamic marriage that takes place mostly after the engagement party in Pakistani culture. The Nikkah is the official signing of a marriage contract between the couple. It is essential that the Nikkah must be done in front of two witnesses at minima, but usually the family and close relatives will attend. In Islam, it is also required that the groom provides a dowry called ‘Mahr’to the bride, this is a financial security for the girl, and varies according to the Groom’s financial stability.

Mendhi:

 About two of three days prior to the wedding day, the Henna night ceremony also known as the 'Mendhi' takes place, where guests apply henna on the Bride. Traditionally the Mendhi functions is held again at the Brides house, with a few friends over, to apply Henna on the Brides hands and feet. Some of the Groom’s and Brides friends perform various dances to celebrate the wedding.

Wedding Day:

A few days after the Mendhi, the Shaadi/ Wedding takes place. The common theme on the Wedding day is to wear very traditional clothes, usually most brides wear red on their Wedding day, the Bride will wear a heavily embroided dress in a rich red colour accompanied with gold or silver jewellery. The groom wears a suit or a Sherwani that usually matches with the Bride’s dress.

By : Faiza Hameed

Sources:

https://www.desiblitz.com/content/the-pakistani-wedding-ceremony

http://www.namsp.org/upload/440x320-wedding-ring-engagement-ring-cartoon-clip-art-9-engagement-rings-1388905.jpeg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/60/77/97/6077976db0fca68ca674e29e1187f637.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcRgEHPjESigztgbt6dCycI4nzSxVHtN1WwcUTH7J8MtS8zTjeDTs6XbM0G-f8e2OFFEh9QKsrQvnxchs41k7tBZjfZi8306AK1Jf9RutbPu9QOTGPsnxJ7ch8mXy3ryDdPbbh18Y-CE/s1600/pakistanipunjabi1.jpg

http://www.maharaniweddings.com/media/gallery/19789-Qiu-Photography-Shaadi-Fatima-Ali-0074.jpeg

https://www.hilalplaza.com/blogs/islamic-cultures/120782467-pakistani-wedding-customs