Arab Weddings

زواج ملك جمال لبنان السابق وسام حنا و المذيعة السعوديه ندى الفضل

2011-09-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

زواج الفنانة هند صبري

2011-08-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Wedding Dress By Designer Zuhair Murad

2011-08-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Gold in the khaleej - A wedding tradition

2011-08-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

Omani Weddings

2011-08-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

مصمم الأزياء اللبناني آدم كوتور

2011-02-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

حفل زفاف ابنه الرئيس التركى

2011-02-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

تم عقد قران ابنة السيد عبد الله غول

رئيس الجمهورية التركية

حضور رئيس الوزراء التركي رجب طيب أردوغان وعقيلته وعدد كبير من المدعويين

وقد قام رئيس بلدية اسطنبول قادر طابتاش بعقد القران ، واجراء المراسيم الرسمية

وشهد على العقد رئيس الوزراء التركي رجب طيب أردوغان

ومن اللافت أن العروس كانت ترتدي ثوب زفاف ابيض جميل

غير أنه كان يغطي كافة أجزاء جسدها ورأسها ويستوفي شروط الحجاب الشرعي

كما قامت العروس بتقبيل يد ابيها أمام عدسات المصورين

لفت الموضوع نظري وجاءت الصور لتعكس صوره مخالفه لكل ما شاهده العالم

عن المجتمع التركي والتي نقلتها المسلسلات التركيه المشينه في الاونه الاخيره

استغربت من مراسم الزواج

وما استدعى اندهاشي هو الزي المحتشم لكل من ظهر في الصور

زوجة عبد الله غول وزوجة رجب طيب أردوغان والعروس

وأقول لكل من شاهد المسلسلات التركيه وجعل من أزيائهم موضه يقتدي بها

هذه هي ابنة الرئيس التركي تلتزم بالحجاب الشرعي

فلنجعل منها نموذج راقي نحتذي به فهي الاولى منا بأتباع موضة مسلسلات بلدها الا انها فضلت الحجاب والستره

كل الشكر والامتنان للعروس الراقيه لما نشرته من رسالة

ونسال الله ان تكون قدوه لغيرها ممن يتاح امامهم فرص السفور لكنهم فضلو الحجاب والاحتشام

شاهى للجلباب الشرقى

بعض الفنانين وزوجاتهم من الوسط الفني

2010-08-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

حسين فهمي وزوجته سابقا ميرفت امين
محمود عبد العزيز وزجته المذيعه بوسي شلبي
حسن مصطفى وزوجته ميمي جمال
سمير غانم وزوجته دلال عبد العزيز
نور الشريف وزوحته بوسي
احمد حلمي وزجته منى زكي
سلاف فواخرجي وزوجها الفنان وائل رمضان
نورمان اسعد وزوجها المخرج عدنان ابرهيم
الفنان تيم حسن وزوجته الفنانه ديمه بياعه
امل عرفه وزوجها الفنان عبد المنعم عمايري
المذيع زاهي وهبي زوجته الصحافيه رباعه الزيات
الفنان عابد فهد زوجته المذيعه بقناة العربيه ميسون عزام
الفنان سليم صبري زوجته الفنانه ثناء دبسي
الفنانه سلمى المصري زوجها سابقا المذيع في mbc مصطفى الاغا
الفنان والمخرج حاتم علي زوجته الكاتبه دلع الرحبي

The Bride Show

2010-08-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Arabesque Last Season-this lets me know what to pack for Dubai

Khaleeji Muslim Bride

2010-08-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

On the street Gulf women are clad in black abayas (because there are men present). As soon as the men are gone... so are the abayas. The khaleeji bride usually wears a modern white wedding dress of her own design (especially tailored for her---or from a brand name designer such a Eli Saab or Zuhair Murad, Givenchy, Dior, what have you.

Khaleeji Weddings

2010-08-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

The region of Middle east is one of those places in the world which has had a direct and tremendous influence of both Asia and Europe. Due to this reason, the diverse culture of Middle east is a direct influence of some of the finest traditions and practices of Asia and Europe. For years the arid climate of Middle east has been under the crabs and the Bedouins. Local flavors got mingled with the borrowed practices to give a unique characteristics to the Middle East Traditions. Since Middle east has been the home of Islam the Middle East Traditions bear direct influence of all the popular Islamic practices.

Elaborate functions and extensive rituals which last for hours are an additional feature of all the Middle East Traditions. It is expected that both the bride and the groom wear vibrant dresses and elegant outfits on all the days prior to the marriage. Like most Asian marriages Middle East Traditions also expects the marriage to continue to for days. The marriage celebration at Middle East begins with the Engagement Ceremony. Besides exchanging rings both the bride and the groom exchange intimate gifts between themselves, besides family close friends from both the ends are cordially invited on this auspicious occasion. The Engagement Ceremony at Middle East usually last for the entire night. Great food, fun and frolic clubbed with song and dance are a part of the celebration in Middle East Traditions. These over night parties continue till night. Both the bride and the groom are expected to exchange their dresses in between, up to as many as five times.

The registration of the marriage calls for yet another celebration. As both the bride and the groom go to the court and get themselves registered as legally wedded couples. The Mehendi ceremony is also an integral part of Middle East Traditions. It is widely believed throughout Asia and the Middle east that mehendi is auspicious for marriage. It not only helps to ward off evil but also makes the bride look elegant. The mehendi ceremony or the “Hena Party” is the occasion where the bride sits beside the groom and many young girls cluster around them. With tattoo works on her hands and feet the bride looks and elegant as the groom awaits in anticipation. A white cloth is spread over the bride and the groom's head and girls grind sugar over the bride and the groom. With it are also thrown prayers at Allah, who alone can fill the life of the wedded couple with marital bliss. It is customary for the bride to wear green dresses on this occasion as green symbolizes the color of fertility and holiness.

The wedding day is one of fun frolic. Amidst guests and clergies vows are exchanged along with the wedding rings. As the newly weds begin their new life all the guests wish them good luck and prosperity. On this occasion each guest gets five almonds as gifts for the bride and the groom. These almonds stand for the five essential ingredients of married life. Wealth, fertility, bliss, ever lasting married life and fine health. With the exchanging f rings the marriage is declared legal and all the invitees along with the bride and the groom engage in a fun filled night of celebration with much pomp and show.

Yemeni Wedding Traditions

2010-08-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yemeni wedding celebrations include the entire community. Music plays an important role at the wedding reception. Professional musicians, as well as the guests, participate in the traditional custom of "gladdening the bride" with music.

On their wedding day, all of the women in the bride's family prepare the feast for the wedding reception. This includes the traditional sweetened fritters and donuts that symbolize a sweet life for the newlyweds.

فساتين الزفاف من تصميم المصمم عبد بالوش

2010-06-26T11:00:00.001-07:00

فساتين زفاف للمصمم زهير مراد

2010-06-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

فساتين زفاف

2010-06-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

صور زفاف الفنانه شهيناز

2010-06-22T07:08:00.001-07:00

مكياج للعروسة

2010-06-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

طقوس الزواج وتقاليده الاجتماعية

2010-06-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

ترجع طقوس الزواج وتقاليده الاجتماعية إلى فترات عميقة في التاريخ، بل إن وراء الكثير من مفردات هذه الطقوس قصصا وحكايات وفلسفات طريفة أيضا.

فطقس لبس الدبلة أو خاتم الزواج يرجع إلى الحضارة الفرعونية، ويعتقد الكثير من الباحثين أن المصريين القدماء كانوا أول من ابتكر تقليد ارتداء خاتم الزواج، حيث جرت العادة على تقديم العريس لعروسه دائرة مصنوعة من خيوط القنب أو قصب السكر، لكون الدائرة رمزا للخلود. وكان عمر هذا الخاتم غالبا ما يصل إلى العام.

وأيضا ينسب الكثيرون إلى قدماء المصريين تقليد ارتداء خاتم الزواج في بنصر اليد اليسرى بناء على اعتقادهم أنه متصل بـ«وريد الحب» الذي يصل بين هذه الإصبع والقلب مباشرة.

أما ارتداء خاتم (دبلة) الخطوبة فربما يعود إلى التاريخ الأنغلو - ساكسوني، عندما تحول إهداء الخاتم إلى رمز للوعد بالحب.

وأصبح الشكل الدائري للخاتم رمزا للحب الخالد. وكذلك تحول خاتم الزواج أو الخطوبة، من خيوط القنب والقصب إلى الحديد في بعض العصور كرمز لقوة الرابطة بين الزوجين، ثم استبدل البريطانيون الذهب بالحديد في القرن الخامس عشر سعيا لزيادة توقير الرمز.

وفي عصور لاحقة، خصوصا في المجتمعات الغربية، اختير الألماس لتزيين الخاتم لصلابته كرمز لقوة الحب ومتانته. فيما برز تاج العرس دلالة على الثراء الاجتماعي والتميز حتى على المستوى الشخصي.

التاج
عرفت الحضارات القديمة أنماطا متنوعة من التيجان. كان الفراعنة يرتدون تيجانا ثلاثية الشكل تعبر عن وحدة الثقافة، بينما اعتاد الملوك الآشوريون ارتداء عصابة للرأس تضم قرون ثيران وريش طيور.

وفي اليونان قديما كان التاج عبارة عن شريط أبيض. أما في العصور الوسطى فعرفت إيطاليا أقدم تاج مسيحي وكان مطعَّما بالذهب والجواهر، وزُيّن التاج رؤوس الملوك على مدار حقبة تجاوزت ألف عام.

وتميزت التيجان الملكية في الحقبة المسيحية في أوروبا باتخاذها شكل دائرة صغيرة، من دون تقوس. وكان يطلق عليها «تويج»، تصغيرا للفظ «تاج».

خلال القرن التاسع عشر، ومع صعود الأنظمة الديمقراطية وطبقات الأثرياء الجدد، تحول ارتداء التيجان والعصابات المرصعة إلى تقليد سياسي يرتبط بالأناقة.

وبالنسبة إلى الطبقات الاجتماعية الحديثة الثروة، تحول التاج إلى عنصر أساسي في صندوق جواهر المرأة، ترتديه في المناسبات الاجتماعية، وانعكس ذلك على حفلات الزفاف ليصبح أحد الطقوس المهمة في زينة العروسين.

لكن بعد الحرب العالمية الأولى، اختفت التيجان لتحل محلها عصابة الرأس، وكان للأفلام السينمائية الفضل في عودة التيجان إلى ساحة الموضة مجددا في ثلاثينات القرن الماضي، لتختفي من جديد في أثناء الحرب العالمية الثانية.

ولا يزال التاج المرصع باللآلئ وقطع من الكريستال وأحجار الألماس، الأنسب للعروس، وإن أدخل عليه مصممو الجواهر والصاغة ابتكارات جديدة وتصميمات ناعمة تجعله مناسبا للمرأة سواء كانت عروسا أو لا.

باقة الورد
باقة الورد التي تحملها العروس كانت في صورتها الأولى حزمة من الأعشاب ذات الأريج الفواح لإبعاد الأرواح الشريرة. وعرف الرومان واليونانيون أول ظهور لباقة أزهار العرس، كإكليل من الأعشاب الطازجة يزين رأسها.

وفي العصر الفيكتوري كانت باقة العروس تحمل رسائل ضمنية، لأن كل زهرة كان لها معنى خاص بها.

فيما بدأت عادة إلقاء العروس بباقتها في القرن الرابع عشر، عندما ساد اعتقاد أن الحصول على قطعة من ملابس العروس يجلب الحظ الطيب.

في تلك الفترة، كانت العروس تلقى معاملة سيئة حيث كان الضيوف يعمدون إلى تمزيق فستانها ليحصل كل واحد على جزء منه، وليس ببعيد أن تكون هذه العادة (إلقاء إكليل الورد) حيلة ذكية لحماية فستان العروس من التمزق.

كعكة العروس
يرجع الفضل إلى روما القديمة في ظهور كعكة الزفاف، وإن كانت في صورتها الأولى لا تعدو قطعة من الخبز، جرت العادة أن يتناول العريس قطعة منه ثم يقطع الباقي فوق رأس العروس. وهي عادة استمرت قرونا طويلة.

بحلول أواخر القرن التاسع عشر، اكتسبت كعكة الزفاف شعبية كبيرة في أوروبا. وتميزت في البداية بالضخامة وتعدد الطبقات، مما جعلها حكرا على أعراس الأسر المالكة في إنجلترا فحسب، ثم سرعان ما تسربت إلى مختلف الطبقات.

ومن التقاليد الطريفة المرتبطة بالكعكة التي لا يزال البعض في الغرب يحرص عليها حتى اليوم تجميد قطعة من كعكة الزفاف لمدة عام كامل كي يتناولها الزوجان في أول عيد لزواجهما.

ملح وأرز
وفي الوقت الذي جرت فيه العادة في الشرق على إلقاء حبات الملح في حفل الزفاف على العروسين لصد الحسد، ظهر بين الغربيين تقليد إلقاء حبات أرز في نهاية حفل الزفاف، وهي عادة تستمد جذورها من الآشوريين والعبرانيين والمصريين القدماء الذين شكّل الأرز بالنسبة إليهم رمزا للإثمار.

لكن بعض المجتمعات لم تكتفِ بإمطار العروسين بالملح أو الأرز فحسب، ففي إنجلترا، على سبيل المثال، ظهرت خلال «العصر التيودوري» (1485 - 1603) عادة إلقاء المدعوين للأحذية على العربة التي تقل العروسين باعتبار أن ذلك سيجلب لهما الحظ الحسن والخصوبة.

كيف تختاري مكان حفل الزفاف المناسب

2010-06-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

_اختيار الصالة التي سيقام بها الحفل من أهم المسائل التي تهم العروسين وأهلهما. بداية من

اسم الصالة و مستوى الخدمة و نهاية بموقع الصالة و سهولة الوصول إليها. في الأغلب يعتمد الكثير

على السعر و التكلفة في اختيار الصالة المناسبة مقارنة في العوامل الأخرى المهمة، لتسهيل

مهمة البحث عن المكان الأفضل لإقامة حفلة الزفاف ننصح بالآتي :

_تحديد ميزانية للحفل حيث سيتم على أساسها الاختيار بين الصالات المختلفة و يجب أيضا تحديد

عدد المدعوين نظرا لأن بعض الصالات قد لا تتسع للمدعوين.

_بعد تحديد الميزانية يمكن الاستعانة بدليل الهاتف والإنترنت و بمعلومات من الأصدقاء والأقارب و

عمل قائمة بالصالات و الفنادق بهدف الزيارة.

_بعد تحديد القائمة يتم الاتصال بكل صالة و تحديد الأسعار و الخدمات الإضافية المتوفرة و من

المعروف أن أغلب الصالات سيدعون بأن لديهم جميع الخدمات و هذا غير صحيح أحيانا لذا يجب

التأكد من نوع الخدمة المتوفرة مباشرة مثل توفير الطعام و خدمات الضيافة. تختلف الأسعار أيضا

حسب الأيام التي ستكون بها الحفلة فعادة تزيد الأسعار في أيام الأربعاء و الخميس.

_ بعد الصول على المعلومات الأولية و تحديد المميزات والأسعار يمكن تصفية النتيجة إلى 3-4 مواقع

يمكنك زيارتها لتحديد الصالة المفضلة و المناسبة لك ولميزانيتك.

_ من المهم أن تسألي عن طريقة التعامل مع الصالة و ما هي شروطهم لعدم حصول أي خلاف

مستقبلا وأيضا التأكد من وجود مساحة كافية للكوشة إذا كنتي ترغبين في عمل كوشة كبيرة

مثلا. مع الأخذ بعين الاعتبار التجهيزات الموجودة بالصالة من إضاءة ثابتة و متحركة بالإضافة إلى

الخلفيات في المنصة والتي قد تحتاجين إلى تغطيتها عند عمل الكوشة.

_ اسألي عن الطاولات وإمكانية تغيير ألوان المفارش وتأكدي من وجود كامل الخدمات بالصالة وذلك

لتوفير الوقت و المجهود لاحقا.

_ احصلي على معلومات أكثر عن الأمور الأمنية كالبوابات ومخارج الطوارئ وإمكانية وجود مفتشات

على البوابات في حالة عدم رغبتكي بإدخال الكاميرات مع الضيوف.

عقد قران ملحم زين من تماني ابنة الرئيس اليمني السابق

2010-06-06T09:51:00.001-07:00

شهدت العاصمة العمانية مسقط، وتحديداً قصر الرئيس اليمني السابق علي سالم البيض، عقد قران الفنان اللبناني ملحم حسين قاسم زين على الشابة تماني إبنة الرئيس السابق لجمهورية اليمن الديمقراطية الشعبية علي سالم البيض بحضور 1200 سيدة. الحفل امتد على مدى ثلاث ليال متواصلة كما علمت «سيدتي» هي كالتالي:.

الليلة الأولى (الربوط):

حيث ارتدت العروس الزي اليمني ووضعت على رأسها حِلىً من الذهب تدلّت على رقبتها. في ليلة «الربوط» يأتي والد العروس الرئيس علي سالم البيض ويخبر ابنته بأنها أصبحت في عهدة رجل آخر.

الليلة الثانية (الحنّة):

إجتمعت السيدات مع العروس تماني التي ارتدت زياً خليجياً وهو عبارة عن فستان باللونين الأحمر والأخضر الفاتح من تصميم اللبناني عقل فقيه. بعد ذلك، وصل العريس ملحم زين وجلس إلى جانبها، ثم ألبسها خاتم الخطوبة بحضور عائلتيهما.

الليلة الثالثة والأخيرة:

(حفل عقد القران)، وهو حفل خاص بالسيدات. دخلت تماني إلى القاعة على وقع زفّة العروس التي أدّتها فرقة حضرموت اليمنية، وترداد أغنية خاصة بعنوان «يا طير الفرح» قدّمها خصيصاً لهذه المناسبة الشاعر خالد المريخي بصوت الفنان راشد الماجد، ثم تبعها دخول العريس ملحم زين على أنغام زفّة قدّمتها فرقة فلكلور لبنانية.

أحيا حفل عقد القران الفنانون حسين الجسمي وتامر حسني واليمنيان عوض بن ساحب وعبود الخواجة.

تكاليف الزفاف بالأرقام

بلغت تكاليف حفل عقد القران مليوني دولار أميركي.
الحفل من إخراج أكرم قاووق وتقديم ريما نجم.
نفّذ ماكياج العروس بسّام فتوح.
أما الشعر فبأنامل المزيّن طوني مندلق.
تاج العروس من تصميم خاص أشرف عليه روبير معوض شخصياً.
تولّى تحضير الحفل وتنظيمه المصمّم عقل فقيه.

** تحوّلت حديقة قصر الرئيس اليمني ليلة الإحتفال بعقد القران إلى قلعة رومانية. إذ جاء ديكور الحفل أشبه بأعمدة قلعة بعلبك الرومانية. وقد آثر الفنان ملحم زين اختيار هذا الطابع لعراقته ودلالته التاريخية المميّزة للبنان من جهة وأصوله البعلبكية من جهة أخرى.

** فاجأ ملحم عروسه بإهدائها أغنية خاصة في حفل عقد قرانهما بعنوان «عمري ابتدا»، وهي ذات دلالة مهمّة، وكأن ملحم يقول لتماني من خلال كلمات هذه الأغنية أن عمره قد بدأ لحظة لقائه بها فزواجه منها. وبالإضافة إلى الأغنية، أهدى ملحم عروسه طقماً من المجوهرات الماسية بقيمة مليون ونصف مليون دولار من ابتكار مصمّم المجوهرات روبير معوض. وقد عُلم أن ملحم، وبعد حفل زواجه المقرّر في يونيو المقبل، سيصطحب عروسه للإقامة معه في بيروت، وتحديداً في أحد أحيائها الراقية المعروفة في شارع سرسق، بعد أن كان مقرّراً أن يقيم في منطقة وسط بيروت التجاري (السوليدير).

**أثناء الحفل، جلس النجم حسين الجسمي إلى جانب الفنان ملحم زين وهنّأه قائلاً: «مبروك». فردّ عليه ملحم بالقول: إن شاء الله نفرح بك قريباً. وشارك ملحم زين الفنان حسين الجسمي أداء أغنيته «بحبك وحشتيني».

** أما الفنان تامر حسني فقال لملحم: أنا لم آت لإحياء حفل فني إنما لأحضر عقد قران صديق لي.

** تألقت العروس بفستان من تصميم اللبناني عقل فقيه، وقد اختار لتنفيذه قماش التافتا من اللون الذهبي، وأحجاراً كريمة من اللؤلؤ والماس. وبلغت كلفته 250 ألف دولار

Muslim weddings

2010-06-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

A Muslim marriage and subsequently a Muslim wedding is a weaving together of families, of two souls, and of two destinies. It’s considered as a big and very auspicious occasion in all cultures of the world. Different cultures have different wedding traditions and ceremonies, and every culture has its own treasure of wedding ceremonies, wedding customs and rituals.

Weddings in various Muslim countries follow their respective cultural traditions. Some are more Islamic while others have adopted norms that are in the values of various cultures. Various cultures have introduced more ceremonies in the Muslim marriage and matrimonial process.

Brides are decorated and beautified in various ways for weddings. For example, in the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) traditions, Mehndi or Henna as it is called, has a great significance. The brides are decorated both on the bride's hands and feet. In some Middle Eastern countries such as Morocco, the has a ceremonial bath a few days before the wedding and is decorated with henna and jewelry. Other countries vary in their celebrations of weddings.

Most weddings in Islamic and Arab cultures could become very expensive affairs. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of guests are not unheard of. Large spaces or hotels are rented to accommodate such a large gathering of guests. The bride is also decorated with very expensive jewelry. 22K gold is quite common that includes bracelets, ear rings, and jewelry for the head (worn over the wedding shawl).

Families that are more conservative Islamically usually avoid such lavish weddings as it is considered an unnecessary expense. More prefer instead to pay the amount to the bride and the groom to help them start their family.

Palestinian weddings

2010-06-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

For many of the Palestinian youth and elderly that participate in debka at weddings, this form of dance provides a strong sense of belonging and community for participants and observers, especially for refugee communities (Van Anek, 2006). Communities and familial networks are strengthened by attendance at weddings and participation in celebratory events, debka being one of the most active of these. Significant social ties are made in the invitation and attendance of weddings, creating reciprocal relations between families. Participation in weddings is vital to the familial reputation and social duties of individuals .

Arab Weddings

2010-06-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

Traditional Arab weddings are always events of a lifetime, with every friend and distant relative attending, lavish costumes often adorned with gold or silver jewelry, and precise religious rituals to be followed.

Still, people are people, and each culture tends to evolve its own ways of celebrating. So a Muslim wedding in Egypt might look one way, while a Muslim wedding in Africa or India might follow completely different customs. Sure, there will be certain core religions traditions that are constant, but beyond that each culture may have very different Muslm wedding traditions.

I began investigating this when I was getting ready to get married in 1998. I had grown up mostly in the United States and I didn't want the typical Western-style wedding: black suit and white gown, best man and bridesmaids, the wedding march, a child bearing rings, etc. All of that has nothing to do with our Islamic history and traidtions. I wanted something traditionally Islamic, whether from my own Egyptian culture or any other. So I began researching traditional Muslim wedding customs to see how we Muslims have been doing it around the world for 1,400 years.

The photo essays below are the result. Enjoy!

Mariage Algérien Les Tenues Traditionnelles

2010-06-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Nous vous proposons un grand choix de modèles provenant des différentes régions du pays tels que: le Karakou Algérois, la robe constantinoise, les kaftans, la robe de Marie traditionnelle etc.

لكل بلد طقوس خاصة للاحتفال بالزواج لا يخلو احياناً من الطرافة

2010-03-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

الزواج لا يخلو احياناً من الطرافة، فلكل بلد طقوس خاصة للاحتفال واحياناً يجد العريس نفسه يطلق عروسه يوم فرحه، فكيف يحدث ذلك؟

فى بعض الأحيان لا يخلو الزواج أو الطلاق من الطرافة، فلكل بلد طقوس خاصة للاحتفال بالأفراح، ومن الطبيعي مع اختلاف البشر أن يختلف شكل التعارف والاحتفال بين العروسين فبعض البلاد لها عادات غريبة جداً ليحظى آدم بحواء بعضها قد تكون مؤلمة أو طريفة أو ظالمة، أو قد تحدث المفاجئة ليطلق الرجل زوجته يوم الدخلة.

والغريب أن هناك بعض الطقوس تعتمد على قهر المرأة لتحظي بسي السيد، ومن أشهر هذه الطقوس شديدة الغرابة : ح

في الصومال : يأتي الزوج المحارب ثم يقوم بضرب عروسه أثناء الاحتفال، لكي يجعلها تـُـسلِم له منذ البدء، وتخضع له وتنفذ كل مطالبه،

ولكي تعترف بأنه السيد المطاع في البيت.

جزيرة جرينلاند : يأتي الاحتفال علي هيئة أسلوب إنسان الكهف الأول، إذ أن العريس يذهب إلى بيت عروسه ويجرها من شعر رأسها إلى أن يوصلها لمكان العرس.

بورما : تلقي العروسة أرضا وذلك أثناء الاحتفال، ثم يأتي رجل عجوز ويقوم بثقب أُذنيها، فتتألم وتتوجع وتطلق الصرخات المدوّية، ولكن ليس هناك من يسمع، لأن الفرقة الموسيقية تبدأ بالعزف بأصوات صاخبة مع بداء العروسة في الصراخ، وذلك لكي لا يسمع أحد صرخات العروس.

جزر كوك : تذهب العروسة إلى زوجها على بساط من الآدميين حيث يقوم شباب الجزيرة بالاستلقاء على الأرض ووجوههم إلى أسفل، لكي تدوس العروس عليهم أثناء سيرها على ظهورهم، حتى تصل إلى المكان الذي يجلس فيه زوجها.

جزيرة جاوه : تصبغ العروس أسنانها باللون الأسود، وتغسل أقدام زوجها أثناء حفل الزواج، وهذا يـُـعتبر دليل منها على استعدادها لخدمة زوجها طيلة حياتها !!

الهند : قبيلة "تودا" فى جنوب الهند لها طقوس غريبة في الزواج أثناء الاحتفال بالعرس ينبغي على العروس الزحف على يديها وركبتها حتى تصل إلى العريس ولا ينتهي هذا الزحف إلا عندما يبارك العريس عروسه بأن يضع قدمه على رأسها .

غينيا الجديدة : من عادات الزواج أن تسبح الفتاة في بركة ماء وهى عارية تماماً فإذا قدم إليها أحد الحاضرين قطع ثياب تكون قد أعجبته وارتضاها زوجة له وعندما تتناول القطعة تصبح على الفور زوجته .

قبيلة جوبيس الأفريقية : تُجبر العروس فى قبيلة جوبيس الأفريقية على ثقب لسانها ليلة الزفاف حتى لا تكون ثرثارة ويمل منها زوجها، بعد ثقب اللسان يتم وضع خاتم الخطبة فيه يتدلى منه خيطاً طويلاً يمسك الزوج بطرفه فإذا ما ثرثرت الزوجة وأزعجت زوجها يكفيه بشّدة واحدة من هذا الخيط أن يضع حداً لثرثرتها وكثرة كلامها .

تعذيب لنيل الحبيب

بعض المناطق تلجأ إلى العنف أو التعذيب لقياس تحمل الرجل ومدي حبه للعروس وإذا لم ينجح فى اختبار القوة ترفضه العروس وأهلها على الفور

قبيلة نيجريتوفي بالمحيط الهادئ : يذهب الخطيبان إلى عمدة القرية، فيمسك العمدة برأسي الزوجين ويضربهما ببعض، وبهذا يتم الزواج.

مقاطعة التبت : لها طقوس غريبة فى الزواج والخطبة فعن إختيار الزوج للزوجة، يقوم بعض أقارب العروس بوضعها أعلى شجرة ويقيمون جميعاً تحت الشجرة مسلحين بالعصى فإذا رغب أحد الأشخاص فى اختيار هذه الفتاه عليه أن يحاول الوصول إليها والأهل يحاولون ان يمنعونه بضربه بالعصى فإذا صعد الشجرة وأمسك يديها عليه أن يحملها ويفر بها وهم يضربونه حتى يغادر المكان ويكون بذلك قد ظفر بالفتاة وحاز على ثقة أهلها .

جنوب الهند : تختبر العروس عريسها في مدينة بوندا يورجاس بوضعه في امتحان قاس وصعب فهي تصحبه إلى الغابة وتشعل النار وتكوى ظهره العارى، فإذا تأوه أو تألم من الكي ترفضه ولا تقبله عريساً لها، وعدا ذلك تفضحه أمام بنات القبيلة، وإذا كان العكس تعتبره الحبيب المفضل والجدير بالحب والزواج .

أندونيسا : يحظر على العروس فى أندونيسيا أن تطأ بأرجلها الأرض يوم زفافها خاصة عندما تنتقل من بيت أهلها إلى بيت زوجها لذا يُجبر والدها على حملها من بيته إلى بيت عريسها على كتفيه مهما طال الطريق .

زنا باسم الزواج

كما توجد زيجات عجيبة تعتمد فى المقام الأول على الزنا بعيداً عن أي دين ولكن العرف فى بعض القبائل يجعل المسألة وكأنها عادية من أهم هذه المناطق

التبت بالصين : من أقبح العادات السائدة فى بلاد التبت بالصين أنه إذا كان عدد من الأخوة يعيشون فى منزل واحد، فإن أكبر الأخوة ينتقى إمرأة ويتزوجها وتكون مشاعاً بينه وبين أخوته ويشتركون جميعاً فى مضاجعتها .

بنجاب الهندية : يشترك عدد من الأشخاص بعقد قرانهم على زوجة واحدة ويتفقون فيما بينهم على توزيع الأيام وتخصيص الليالي في الاستمتاع بهذه الزوجة التي يروق لها هذا الزواج وقد يبلغ عدد الأزواج أحياناً ستة أزواج أو ربما أكثر، وعندما تحمل الزوجة فيكون الولد الأول من نصيب أكبر الأزواج سناً والثاني للذي يليه وهكذا .

* الهند : فى قبيلة "أربة" الهندية المرأة التى لم تلد فيأمرها زوجها بارتكاب الزنا الذي يتم بالتراضي بينهما، أما قبيلة "اليشرطية" فإنهم يبيحون الزنا للضيوف فقط .

فئران لإتمام المراسم

وتدخل الفئران فى بعض الطقوس الخاصة ببعض القبائل ووجودها يعتبر هاماً جداً لإكمال الزواج من هذه المناطق

الباسفيك : من عادات أهالى جزيرة هاوان أن يقدموا صداق المرأة الجميلة بعدد كبير من الفئران وتقل هذه الكمية حسب جمال العروسة .

جاوة : أغرب وأعجب مهر فى العالم هو الذى يطلب من الأشخاص الراغبين فى الزواج فى جزيرة جاوة الغربية وهو أن يقدم كل زوجين

25 ذنب فأر لاستصدار رخصة الزواج كما يطلب إلى الأشخاص الذين يطلبون تحقيق الشخصية أن يقدموا 5 أذناب، يذكر أن حاكم جاوة فرض هذه الرسوم الغريبة في سبيل القضاء على الفئران التي أصبحت خطراً يهدد محصول الأرز .

قبول أو رفض

الصين : فى بعض المناطق الصينية عقد الخطبة بدون أن يرى العروسان بعضهما، فإذا تم الاتفاق يقوم أهل العروسة بتزيينها ثم يضعونها فى محفة خاصة ويغلق عليها الباب ثم يحملونها إلى خارج البلدة ومعها بعض أهلها، الذين يقابلون الزوج هناك ويعطونه المفتاح فيقوم بفتح المحفة ويراها فإذا أعجبته أخذها إلى منزله أو يردها إلى قومها .

الملايو : من عادة الزواج هناك أن الرجل إذا أحب فتاة فإنه يأتى ويمكث وينام فى بيت الحبيبة بعد موافقتها ويبقى ويعيش معها مدة عامين دون أن يمسها فإذا راقت له خلال هذه الفترة التجريبية عندها توافق عليه وتتزوجه، أما إذا كان مخلاً بالأدب وصاحب أخلاق سيئة فإنها تطرده على الفور .

جزيرة تاهيتى : تضع المرأة فى جزيرة تاهيتى وردة خلف الأذن اليسرى إذا كانت تبحث عن حبيب، وتضع الزهرة خلف الأذن اليمنى إذا وجدته

مواقف غريبة

وكما تبدأ زيجات بطرق وأعراف غريبة تنتهي زيجات فى ليلة الدخلة بنهايات أغرب وبعيداً عن العادات الغريبة في الزواج فهناك مواقف أغرب تحدث ليلة الزفاف تنهي الحفل وتتسبب فى الطلاق ففي السعودية أصرت عروس في منطقة الإحساء على أن تحيي إحدى الفرق الغنائية الشعبية الشهيرة حفل زفافها . ولم يجد العريس بدا من تخييرها بين إحضار الفرقة الغنائية أو إلغاء حفل الزفاف، حيث اختارت العروس عدم إتمام الزفاف من دون تردد، وبالفعل تم الطلاق قبل الدخلة بعد فشل جميع المساعي لإقناع أي من الاثنين بالتنازل عن رأيه والعدول عنه.

طلاق في الكوشة

ولم يرض عريس في الرياض عن عروسه وهما في الكوشه ليلة الزفاف بعد أن عابت على رقص أمه، وطلبت منه أكثر من مره ان يطلب منها الجلوس . وأشارت جريدة " الرياض" إلى أن العريس استشاط غضباً بسبب أن العروس لم يعجبها أسلوب رقص حماتها فرحاً بزفاف ابنها طلبت منه أن يجلس والدته لأن رقصها فاشل ولا يتناسب مع الفرح ومقامات الحضور لكن العريس الذي تغاضى عن الطلب في المرة الأولى غضب عندما عاودت العروس المطالبه مجدداً فما كان منه إلا أن طلقها أمام الجميع وخرج من صالة الفرح،و دافع عن موقفه متسائلا اذا كان هذا موقفها من أمي ليلة الفرح فكيف سيكون موقفها إذا تقدمت الأيام وولى عهد المجاملات، ماذا ستفعل بها؟

صفعته فطلقها

وتسبب موقف تعرض له أحد العرسان فى مصر بالطلاق فى الكوشة، فسامح وأثناء حفل زفاف الذى كانت أحداثه تسير على ما يرام، ولكن تأتي الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن وذلك حين أحضر عامل الفندق كأسي عصير إلى الكوشة وطلب من العروسين أن يسقي كل من الآخر من كأسه، وأثناء ذلك سقطت الكأس من يده على فستان العروس وتركت بقعة حمراء كبيرة عليه، فنظرت العروس إليه بغضب شديد، ثم صفعته على وجهه وسط ذهول جميع الحضور، فطلقها فى الحال وشجعه على هذا القرار والده.

الفنانة مايا نصري تحتفل بزواجها من المخرج إيهاب لمعي

2010-02-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

إحتفلت الفنانة مايا نصري بزواجها من المخرج إيهاب لمعي قبل أيام وسط مجموعة مقربة جداً من الأهل والأصدقاء، حيث أقيم عقد القران في كنيسة السيدة الوردية في لبنان،
أعقبه حفل عشاء إتسم بالأناقة والبساطة، وإقتصر على المقربين من العروسين في فندق لو رويال ضبية.
وخلا الحفل من أي تغطية إعلامية، حيث حرص شقيق مايا مروان الأسمر على منع مجموعة من مصوري الباباراتزي الذين إختبئوا خارج إحدى البنايات التي يتم تعميرها بالقرب من الكنيسة، من التقاط الصور، عندما إنتبه الى وجودهم.
وكان العريس قد حضر من مصر بصحبة أهله للإحتفال بزواجه في بيروت، على أن يعقب ذلك حفل آخر في مصر لإقرباء وأصدقاء العروسين.
وكانت مايا قد تألقت بفستان عرسها الذي صممته ميراي داغر، وقام بتصفيف شعرها وليد لوكاس وإهتمت بمكياجها ماتيلد معماري. وتكفل شقيقها مروان الأسمر بالإهتمام بكافة ترتيبات العرس. أما الإشبينان فكانا شقيقة العروس رنا الأسمر، وشقيق العريس هشام لمعي. والجدير بالذكر أن إقامة مايا ستتوزع بين مصر ولبنان حيث تجهز شقة في لبنان وبيتاً في مصر.
مايا وإيهاب لا يزالان في بيروت حيث من المقرر أن تطل مايا في برنامج حديث البلد مع الإعلامية منى أبو حمزة، ليعودا بعدها الى مصر في منتصف الأسبوع المقبل

عرس مغربى

2010-02-16T06:17:00.000-08:00

معروف عن المغرب كونه بلدا شديد الجمال و الغنى و التنوع ، و لعل التنوع هو مايعطي المغرب تلك الهالة المتجددة من الجمال و السحر و التميز. إن التنوع في التقاليد المغربية هو بحق مثير للدهشة فكلما انتقلنا عبر مناطق المغرب نجد كيف أن عادات الشرق تختلف عن عادات الشمال و كيف أن عادات مراكش و مكناس و فاس و الرباط تختلف عن عادات طنجة و تطوان و أصيلة.

و هكذا دواليك..
لعل هذا التنوع هو ما يَبرز بشكل جلي حين نستحضر عادات و تقاليد حفلات الزواج بالمغرب.. و لسنا ننسى كيف أن علماء الاجتماع و كذا الأنثربولوجيين يعتبرون أن عادات و تقاليد الزواج عند الشعوب هي تلك المساحة الشاسعة التي تظهر فيها و بكل وضوح القيم الثقافية و الضوابط التي تحكم بشكل غير معلن العديد من المجتمعات.

مشاع بقوة من طرف أجدادنا و جداتنا أن الأعراس المغربية كانت تدوم سبعة أيام بلياليها لكأنها الليالي الملاح ، و يحكي أجدادنا في سخرية شبه مريرة أن جيلا بعد الآخر قلص أيام الفرح إلى ثلاثة أيام فيوم واحد ، فهو ذا عصر السرعة في كل شيء حتى الزفاف !!
لكل منطقة مغربية معتقدات خاصة حول طريقة الاحتفال بالزواج لكن مايوحّد المجتمع المغربي شيئان أولهما ذلك التقديس لحفل الزفاف و ثانيهما كون كل المناطق المغربية تشترك في طقوس متشابهة فيما يخص الاحتفال بالزواج.

باتت أيام العرس المغربي ثلاثا ، لكل يوم خصوصيته و طقوسه ..

فاليوم الأول هو مخصص لحمام العروس إذ تصطحبها صديقاتها وقريباتها و جاراتها إلى الحمام المغربي التقليدي ،هذا بعد أن تكون العروس قد حجزت الحمام التقليدي خصيصا لها هي و من معها. و يتم تنظيف الحمام و إطلاق مختلف أنواع البخور و العطور فيه. و لهذا اليوم خصوصيته الشديدة حيث تذهب كل نساء عائلة العروس للحمام طالقات زغاريدهن و مصطحبات معهن الطعاريج و البناديرللغناء و الاحتفال.. ليصبح الحمام مكانا مصغرا للاحتفال بالزفاف.

وأما اليوم الثاني فهو مخصص للحناء. فنقش الحناء هو من الطقوس الأصيلة للزفاف المغربي ، فمن المستحيل التخلي عن هذه العادة لأن المغاربة يتفاءلون بالحناء و يعتبرونها مصدر تفاؤل لحياة العروس .. و يقول المعتقد الشعبي أن التخلي عن هذه العادة لهو نذير شؤم لحياة العروس الزوجية! و تقوم الفتيات العازبات الحاضرات يوم نقش الحناء بالتناوب على" النقّاشة" التي تقوم بنقش أيديهن أو على الأقل بعض أصابعهن من باب" الفأل الحسن" بقدوم عريس إليهن. لا نغفل أنه في بعض المناطق المغربية و سيّما البوادي و المدن الأصيلة و الشمالية على الخصوص يُعتبر يوم الحناء مهما للعريس أيضا حيث يحرص أصدقاؤه و أفراد عائلته في هذا اليوم على أخذه في جولة تتعدى الحي الذي يقطنه إلى الأحياء المجاورة و في أثناء ذلك يتغنون بالأمداح النبوية و الأذكار.إلا أنه في مناطق مغربية أخرى تم التخلي عن عادة الحناء بالنسبة للرجال.

و ختاما هناك اليوم الثالث و الذي يعتبر أهم يوم في الزفاف المغربي ففيه تُزفُّ العروس لزوجها. في هذا اليوم يتم إحضار " النكافة" و هي سيدة تتكفل بزينة و لباس العروس ف النكافة المغربية عامل رئيسي لإنجاح حفل العرس بل وجودها أهم من وجود أي فرد من أفراد عائلة العريسين .. حتى أن النكافة تتقاضى ما يقارب ألف دولار!!!
تحرص النكافة على أن تلبس العروس في الزفاف أكثر من لباس تقليدي يكون مختلفا و يمثل بعض مناطق المغرب كاللباس الفاسي و الشمالي و الأمازيغي و مختلف أنواع القفطان المغربي إضافة إلى ملابس و أزياء أخرى مثل الزيّ الهندي و الخليجي و التونسي مثلا لكن الطلة الأخيرة للعروس في الزفاف تكون بالثوب الأبيض الذي ترتديه الأوروبيات في زفافهن. كما تتكلف النكافة إثر كل تغيير العروس للباسها باختيار الإكسسوارات الملائمة له ، لكأن العرس المغربي عرض أزياء متكامل مما يرهق فعلا العروس! و يرافق عادة عرض الأزياء هذا تشكيلة موسيقية متنوعة جدا تعزفها الأجواق التي تختار موسيقى تتناسب و لباس العروس ، كما تعزف خليطا من الأغاني الشرقية و المغربية إضافة للفولكلور .. أيضا لا ننسى وجود " الدقايقية" و الذين يقومون بتنشيط العرس بطريقة غير عادية عبر أغانيهم المرحة و التي تبعث نفسا حاميا في العرس. بعد هذا يتم حمل العروس في" العمارية المغربية" و اللف بها في كل مكان العرس.
جدير بالذكر أيضا أن طريقة زف العروس لزوجها تختلف من منطقة لأخرى إلا أن العروس غالبا ما تُزف لزوجها على الطريقة الغربية حيث تُأخذ في سيارة فخمة تطلق أبواقها على طول الطريق التي تعبرها إلى حين وصولها إلى الفندق الذي سيبيت فيه العروسان ، أما العروس في البادية المغربية فلا زالت للآن تُزف في هودج يُحمل على الأكتاف.

الأيام الثلاثة هذه هي بالضرورة مهمة و أساسية لنجاح أي حفل زفاف مغربي فهي ضرورية أيا كان الثمن ..

تعالوا نشوف أغرب طرق الزواج في العالم

2010-02-12T05:07:00.000-08:00

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الزواج المشترك فى التبت :

من أقبح العادات السائدة فى بلاد التبت بالصين أنه إذا كان عدد من الأخوة يعيشون فى منزل واحد ، فإن أكبر الأخوة ينتقى إمرأة ويتزوجها وتكون مشاعة بينه وبين أخوته ويشتركون جميعاً فى مضاجعتها .

2 - فى بنجاب الهندية :

يشترك عدد من الأشخاص بعقد قرانهم على زوجة واحدة ويتفقون فيما بينهم على توزيع الايام وتخصيص الليالى فى الإستمتاع بهذه الزوجة التى يروق لها هذا الزواج وقد يبلغ عدد الأزواج أحياناً ستة أزواج أو ربما أكثر .. وإذا حملت الزوجة فيكون الولد الأول من نصيب أكبر الأزواج سناً والثانى للذى يليه وهكذا .

: 3 - الزواج عند الصينيين
من غرائب عادات الزواج عند الصينيين فى بعض المناطق أن يتم عقد الخطبة بدون أن يرى العروسان بعضهما .. فإذا تم الإتفاق يقوم أهل العروسة بتزيينها ثم يضعونها فى محفة خاصة ويغلق عليها الباب ثم يحملونها إلى خارج البلدة ومعها بعض أهلها ، الذين يقابلون الزوج هناك ويعطونه المفتاح فيقوم بفتح المحفة ويراها فإذا أعجبته أخذها إلى منزله وإلا ردها إلى قومها .

4 - الخطوبة فى التبت :

مقاطعة التبت لها طقوس غريبة فى الزواج والخطبة فعن إختيار الزوج للزوجة .. يقوم بعض أقارب العروس بوضعها أعلى شجرة ويقيمون جميعاً تحت الشجرة مسلحين بالعصى فإذا رغب أحد الأشخاص فى إختيار هذه الفتاه عليه أن يحاول الوصول إليها والأهل يحاولون ان يمنعونه بضربه بالعصى فإذا صعد الشجرة وأمسك يديها عليه أن يحملها ويفر بها وهم يضربونه حتى يغادر المكان ويكون بذلك قد ظفر بالفتاة وحاز على ثقة أهلها

Turkish Wedding

2010-02-11T17:16:00.000-08:00

The Turkish marriage celebration continues after the wedding ceremony for several days. The newlywed bride may return home the morning after her wedding vows to see her family and friends, who then might perform a henna ritual on her.

A Muslim wedding program in Turkey lasts from four to seven days, starting with separate celebrations of the bride and groom's families. From this dy on, the couple getting married cannot see each other until their wedding ceremony.

A Turkish bride might wear a beautiful embroidered silk wedding dress with a red velvet cape

The Persian Wedding

2010-02-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

For Iranians marriage is considered to be an event, which must be celebrated not quietly but with glory and distinction. It is the most conspicuous of all the rituals and must be celebrated in the presence of an assembly, which can bear witness to the event.

In the ancient times, the musicians playing at marriage gatherings used drums to announce the marriage to the people of the town or village. The group that gathered for the marriage was called the assembly "Anjoman" for the queenly bride.

Traditionally, both the bride and the bridegroom would dress in white with wreaths of flower on their necks, something similar to the Hawaiian Lei. These wreaths of flower are still worn in modern wedding ceremonies in Pakistan (which used to be part of the great Persian Empire), but it is eliminated from the Iranian wedding ceremony. The color white is a symbol of purity, innocence and faithfulness. Today most modern Iranian couples follow the western dress code and style.

There are two stages to a Persian marriage. Most often both take place on the same day, but occasionally there could be some time between the two. The first is called "Aghd", the legal process of getting married, when both the bride and bridegroom and their guardians sign a marriage contract. The second stage is "Jashn-e Aroosi", the actual feasts and the celebrations, which traditionally lasted from 3 to 7 days.

The ceremony takes place in a specially decorated room with flowers and a beautiful and elaborately decorated spread on the floor called "Sofreh-ye Aghd". Traditionally Sofreh-ye Aghd is set on the floor facing east, the direction of sunrise (light). Consequently when bride and bridegroom are seated at the head of Sofreh-ye Aghd they will be facing "The Light".

By custom Aghd would normally take place at bride's parents/guardians home. The arrival of the guests, who are to be witnesses to the marriage of the couple, initiates the wedding ceremony. Traditionally the couples' guardians and other elder close family members are present in the room to greet the guests and guide them to their seats. After all the guests are seated the bridegroom is the first to take his seat in the room at the head of Sofreh-ye Aghd. The bride comes afterwards and joins the bridegroom at the head of Sofreh-ye Aghd. The bridegroom always sits on the right hand side of the bride. In Zoroastrian culture the right side designates a place of respect.

The spread that is used on the floor as the backdrop for Sofreh-ye Aghd was traditionally passed from mother to daughter (or occasionally son). The spread is made of a luxurious fabric such as "Termeh" (Cashmere: A rich gold embroidered fabric originally made in Cashmere from the soft wool found beneath the hair of the goats of Cashmere, Tibet, and the Himalayas), "Atlas" (Gold embroidered satin) or "Abrisham" (Silk).

On Sofreh-ye Aghd, the following items are placed:

Mirror (of fate) "Aayeneh-ye Bakht" and two Candelabras (representing the bride and groom and brightness in their future) one on either side of the mirror. The mirror and two candelabras are symbols of light and fire, two very important elements in the Zoroastrian culture. When the bride enters the room she has her veil covering her face. Once the bride sits beside the bridegroom she removes her veil and the first thing that the bridegroom sees in the mirror should be the reflection of his wife-to-be.
A tray of seven multi-colored herbs and spices "Sini-ye Aatel-O-Baatel" to guard the couple and their lives together against the evil eye, witchcraft and to drive away evil spirits. This tray consists of seven elements in seven colors:
1. Poppy Seeds "Khash-Khaash" (to break spells and witchcraft)
2. Wild Rice "Berenj"
3. Angelica "Sabzi Khoshk"
4. Salt "Namak" (to blind the evil eye)
5. Nigella Seeds "Raziyaneh"
6. Black Tea "Chaay"
7. Frankincense "Kondor" (to burn the evil spirits)
A specially baked and decorated flatbread "Noon-e Sangak" with blessing "Mobaarak-Baad" written in calligraphy on it. The writing is usually with either saffron "Zaffaron", cinnamon, Nigella seeds, or glitters. This symbolizes prosperity for the feasts and for the couple's life thereafter. A separate platter of this flat bread, feta cheese and fresh herbs are also present to be shared with the guests after the ceremony, to bring the new couple happiness and prosperity.
A basket of decorated eggs and a basket of decorated almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts in the shell to symbolize fertility.
A basket of pomegranates and/or apples for a joyous future. Pomegranates are considered heavenly fruits and apples symbolize the divine creation of mankind.
A cup of rose water extracted from special Persian roses "Gol-e Mohammadi" to perfume the air.
A bowl made out of crystallized sugar "Kaas-e Nabaat/Shaakh-e Nabaat" to sweeten life for the newly wed.
A brazier "Manghal" holding burning coals sprinkled with wild rue "Espand" a popular incense. Wild rue is used in many Zoroastrian ceremonies, rituals and purification rites. It is believed to keep the evil eye away and bring on plenty of health.
A bowl of gold coins representing wealth and prosperity.
A scarf or shawl made out of silk or any other fine fabric to be held over the bride and bridegroom's head throughout the ceremony by various happily married female relatives (mostly bride's close family members).
Two sugar cones "Kalleh Ghand" made out of hardened sugar to be used during the ceremony. These sugar cones are grinded together above the bride and bridegroom's head (over the scarf held above their heads) throughout the ceremony to shower them in sugar (symbolizing sweetness and happiness).
A cup of honey to sweeten life. Immediately after the couple is married they each should dip one pinky finger in the cup of honey and feed it to the other one.
A needle and seven strands of colored thread to figuratively sew up the mother-in-law's lips from speaking unpleasant words to the bride! The shawl that is held above the couple's head throughout the ceremony is sewed in one corner by the needle and threads.
A copy of Koran "Ghoraan-e Majid" (the Moslem's holy book) opened in the middle and placed on the spread. This symbolizes God's blessing for the couple. Traditionally "Avesta" the ancient Zoroastrian holy book was present during the ceremony and readings were made from it. Eventually Koran replaced Avesta after Iran became a Moslem nation.
A prayer carpet/kit "Jaa-Namaaz" spread open in the center of Sofreh-ye Aghd to remind the couple of importance of prayer both at blissful times and times of hardship. This prayer kit includes a small rug "Sajjaadeh" to be spread on the floor at the time of prayer, a small cube of molded clay with prayers written on it "Mohr" and a strand of prayer beads "Tasbih".
An assortment of sweets and pastries to be shared with the guests after the ceremony. The assortment usually includes: Sugar coated almond strips "Noghl", Baklava (a sweet flaky Persian pastry "Baaghlavaa"), Mulberry-almond paste made in the shape of mulberries "Tout", Rice-flour cookies "Noon-Berenji", Chickpea-flour cookies "Noon-Nokhodchi", Almond-flour cookies "Noon-Baadoomi", and Honey roasted almonds "Sohaan A'sali".

When the bride and bridegroom are both seated the marriage ceremony begins. Usually the Moslem "Mullah" or other males with recognized authority such as a notary public will be the master of ceremony and perform the legal part of the ceremony. The bride and the bridegroom have each a marriage witness. Usually older and married males are chosen amongst close relations to stand as witnesses. The ceremony consists of preliminary blessings, questions to the witnesses, guardians and the marrying couple. Finally the ceremony is solemnized by giving some prayers for the newly wed couple and signing of a legal marriage contract.

After the preliminary blessings and a few words about the importance of the institution of marriage, the master of ceremony confirms with both the parents or guardians that they indeed wish to proceed with the ceremony and there are no objections. Then the master of ceremony asks the mutual consent of the couple. First the bridegroom is asked if he wishes to enter into the marriage contract, then the bride is asked the same question. Once the bride is asked if she agrees to the marriage, she pauses. The question is repeated three times and it is only at the third time that she will say yes. To make the bridegroom wait for the bride's answer is to signify that it is the husband who seeks the wife and is eager to have her and not the other way around!

During the reading of the marriage contract, all the unmarried ladies are asked to leave the room. There exists the belief that a girl should only hear the marriage ceremony's readings for her own marriage or her chances for marriage might be ill-fated! Nowadays the single ladies do not seem to be too worried about finding a husband and getting married, because most of them stay in the room to witness the ceremony.

During the service married female relatives of the couple (mainly the bride) hold over the couple's head the fine scarf. Two different actions take place at the same time. Two pieces of crystallized sugar shaped like cones are rubbed together, a symbolic act to sweeten the couple's life. In the second act two parts of the same fabric are sewn together with needle and thread to symbolize sewing mother-in-law's lips together. The ceremony is reminiscent of the ancient traditions.

Once the bride has said yes to the proposal, the master of the ceremony pronounces the couple husband and wife and asks for God's blessing to be with the couple in their lives together. The bride and bridegroom place the wedding bands on each other's hands and feed each other honey. Afterwards the couple, their guardians, witnesses and master of ceremony sign the documents.

Traditionally after the ceremony while the bride and groom are still seated the bride is showered with gifts, usually expensive jewelry, and all she receives is hers. The bridegroom does not receive many gifts. He only receives one gift from the bride's parents/guardians. When all the gifts are presented to the bride the wedding ceremony is officially concluded. Generally after the ceremony the bride and bridegroom and the guests move to the location of the wedding celebration party "Aroosi" and celebrate the occasion by playing laud cheerful music, dancing and consuming some lavishly prepared food.

The celebration includes a lavish meal, sometimes with a whole roast lamb as the centerpiece. Jeweled rice "Morrasah Polo" or sweet rice "Shirin Polo" is always served along with many other dishes and an elaborate wedding cake. The celebration, with so much feasting, singing, and dancing, is a day for all to remember. After the guests have gone home, it is customary to give the remaining pastries to those who were unable to come and to those who helped make the day a success. The sugar cones are kept by the bride for good luck.

Before they enter their home, the bride kicks over a bowl of water placed in the doorway. The water spilled on the threshold represents enlightenment, happiness, and purification for their new house. A friendly competition starts with the bride and groom as the bride tries to enter her house while stepping on her husband's feet. This act makes the bride the boss in the household.

In recent years, the Persian communities abroad have changed and adopted the life-styles of their host countries. The Persian marriage ceremony, however, is so old and can be such a beautiful ceremony that it would be a shame not to enact it.

Pakistani Wedding

2010-02-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

A Pakistani wedding, like others is a ceremony to celebrate the wedlock of a bride and a groom. It brings closer the families of a bride and a groom. A wedding ceremony has great importance in different cultures of the world. Different cultures have different ways of wedding celebrations and have different wedding traditions.

Pakistan, an Islamic country located in South Asia and the Greater Middle East, has a great culture with rich customs. A Pakistani wedding is a great feast of fun, merriments, and celebrations. It is celebrated with great fervor. A Pakistani wedding is followed by several pre-wedding customs and rituals.

Mangni is the engagement ceremony that marks the formal engagement of couple. The small ceremony takes place in the presence of a few important members of would-be bride & groom’s family. Prayer and blessings for the couple are recited and the wedding date is decided in Mangni.

Mayun is custom of the bride entering into the state of seclusion eight to fifteen days before the wedding. She’s made free of all the chores and errands around the house. The bride and groom are not allowed to see each other after the Mayun; bride is not allowed to leave her house. The beautification rituals begin during this time.

Uptan is a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood powder, herbs and aromatic oils, which groom's mother brings for bride. She blesses bride and applies “uptan’ to the bride's hands and face. Groom's sister also does the same, and a thick string called a “gana” is tied to the bride’s arm. “Uptan” is applied to the bride's skin each day leading up to the wedding. Similar ceremony is held for the groom, where bride's mother, sisters, cousins and friends bring “uptan” for groom and rub it on his skin.

Dolki is a popular ceremony of singing traditional wedding & popular songs accompanied by two or three percussion instruments Dolki being the main. The girl is officially treated as bride (dulhan). She wears traditional Pakistani yellow outfit. Her brothers, sisters, and cousins bring her (bride) in the dholki party.

Rasm E Mehndi (Henna Party) takes place a day before the wedding. It’s a ceremony mainly of women. They apply Mehndi (Henna) to the bride's hands and feet, sing, dance, and bless the bride. Sadka (warding off evil) is performed on the bride i.e. donating money circling three times on the bride’s head. Traditionally mehndi was brought by groom's parents. Mehndi (Henna) is applied in beautiful floral designs and sometimes groom's name is written in designs. After the ceremony dinner is organized for the guests. Traditionally, the bride is not allowed to take part in the celebrations and keeps her face hidden in veil. Rasm E Mehndi is organized for grooms also in some parts of Pakistan.

Baraat is procession of family, relatives, and friends of groom that accompany the groom to bride’s home for official wedding ceremony. Groom makes his way to the bride's home on a richly decked horse or in a car and “baraat” follows in different vehicles. Groom is given warm welcome by the bride’s family with flower garlands and rose petals. Family and relatives of the groom and the bride exchange glasses of juice or sherbet along with money. Guests are welcomed by the bride’s sisters by playfully hitting them with a stick wrapped and decorated with flowers.

Nikah is purely Islamic official wedding ceremony that usually takes place at the bride’s home. Nikah is attended by close family members, relatives, and friends of groom and bride. Usually, the men and women are made to sit separately, in different rooms, or have a purdah, or curtain, separating them.

Nikah-naama (document of marriage contract) is registered in Nikah. The Nikahnaama contains several terms and conditions that are to be respected by both parties (bride & groom). It includes bride’s right to divorce her husband. Nikahnaama specifies “Meher,” the monetary amount the groom will give the bride. Meher includes two amounts; one that is due before the marriage is consummated and the other that is a deferred amount given to the bride at a time to be determined. The Meher guarantees the bride's freedom within the marriage, and acts as the bride's safety net.

The fathers of groom and bride (Walis) act as witnesses to the wedding. If father is not available, the senior male, brother or uncle performs the ceremony. Islamic Imam (called maulana or maulvi in Urdu) reads selected verses from the Quran and waits for the Ijab-e-Qubul (proposal and acceptance) of wedding. Usually, the groom's side makes proposal and the bride's side conveys her assent. Maulvi and witnesses (gavah) take the Nikahnaama to the bride and read it aloud to her. She accepts the Nikahnaama saying 'qabool kiya,' meaning 'I accept and signs it. The Nikahnaama is then taken to the groom and read aloud to him. He accepts saying 'qabool kiya and signs the document. The Maulvi and witnesses (gavah) also do sign the Nikahnaama contract and the wedding becomes legal. The Maulvi recites the Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, and various durud, or blessings to mark the closing of Nikah ceremony.

After the wedding is legally announced, dishes of dates and misri (unrefined sugar) are served to the groom's family. Groom is then escorted to his bride where he’s allowed to site beside his wife. This is the time when sisters-in-law of groom play pranks and tease the groom.

Mooh Dikhai is the ceremony of first time “showing of the face” after the Nikah. The couple is made to see each other in the mirror and the bride unveils her face that she keeps hidden during the Nikah. The custom of Mooh Dikhai is also called “Aarsi Musshaf.” The bride and groom share a piece of sweet fruit, such as a date and family and friends congratulate the couple and offer gifts. Dinner is served to the guests. The sisters, friends, and female cousins of bride take this opportunity to steal the groom's shoes and demand a sum of money for shoes. This is very popular custom and groom usually carries a lot of cash, due to the popularity of this custom. He pays money to get back his shoes and girls divide the money among themselves.

Ruksati is the ceremony to bid farewell to the bride before her departure to the groom's house. She says goodbye to her parents, close friends and family. The Quran is held over her head as a blessing. It’s a pretty touching moment. Although this practice is un-Islamic but a lot of Pakistani families have come to adopt it.

Several traditional games are played at groom’s house. A tray full of a mixture of water and milk is placed before the couple and a ring is thrown into the mixture and husband and wife are asked to find the ring. The one who finds the ring is considered winner and dominant partner in the relationship. The couple is asked to untie the “ganas” (thick strings) that were tied on their writs before wedding. The one who unties it first is considered the dominant partner in the relationship. Bride eats kheer (sweet, pudding-type desert) out of the groom’s hand. This customs are designed to make the couple more intimate before the physical relationship. Groom washes the feet of the bride in a basin of water that is sprinkled into the four corners of the house. It’s believed that this brings wealth, prosperity and luck into the home.

Chauthi is the custom of bringing the bride back to her parents' home the next day, or on the fourth day after the wedding (depending on family tradition). Usually bride's brothers perform the Chauthi and goes to fetch their sister home.

Walima is ceremony to announce the wedding to community and friends. It’s a grand reception hosted by the groom's parents. Relatives, friends and community people are invited to the reception and wedding is celebrated with great fun and festivities.

by Muhammad Umair

The Traditional Iraqi Wedding

2010-02-11T17:08:00.001-08:00

The sab’a as we call it comes after the marriage in seven days (now some of them makes it after ten or 14 days according to their honey moon but it is supposed to be made in the seventh day after marriage). In Mosul they make the party in the fourth day after marriage. This is usually held in the groom parent's house and the guest are from women only; the invited women should bring gifts for the new couple. Only the bride attend this party while her husband usually awaits in another room of his family house waiting for everyone to leave the house. The bride usually wears a party dress and some time more than one, or she may enter the room with her white dress and then change it after a while. The guests starts to dance and celebrate the new marriage.

Most of our marriages are arranged in the traditional way (i.e., not after a love story). When a man sees a woman and he likes her form the first sight he tells his mother about her and his family starts to ask about her family and start to work like a detective and if they match with the groom family socially and economically and in other things they agree about her. His mother goes to the bride house and asks for her hand on his behalf from her mother and gives her all the information about her son and the family, so the bride family will start to do the same thing that the groom's has done but this time, in opposite direction. And if they agree they call the groom's house and ask the groom to come with his mother. Some families let the bride sit with the future groom alone and let them get introduced to each other and talk alone about themselves, if they both agree about each other they will go to the next step and if one of them did not like the other very much they will separate. Also many still prefer the marriage between relatives, like cousins especially in small towns and villages.

The traditions I'm talking about are in the cities not villages. The first thing to do after the initial agreement is called ‘Mashaiya’ in which the groom's family bring the older person in their family with a number of relatives and friends all just men and go to the Bride father who also brings all his relatives and friends all men and sit together to get introduced to each other and in this party the older person in the groom's side make a speech asking for the bride’s hand from her father, the father makes another speech saying yes, then juice and deserts are serviced at once and after they finish, everybody leaves home. This party is very short and almost lasts for an hour only.

Then comes the engagement party, in which the bride and the groom exchanged rings, he buys the bride a ring and she buys his ring, the party engagement party is made by the bride’s family, and usually is attended by close relatives only from both sides, some times if the house is too small only women attend the party beside the groom of course.

There is a limit in the relation between the man and woman in their engagement period (I don't want to go so far with this)

So there is another step and this is (tying the nut) this is the exact translation to the Iraqis language where the couple become legally married in court but they still don’t get to live together. In this contract the man usually writes her some kind of money or gold which she will take if he divorce her or he dies. This is usually done in court and some families bring the judge to the house of the bride where more traditional ceremonies can take place. For Sunnis the bride wear a white dress or Jallabyia, a tradition Arabic cloth, and in front of her they put seven cups, containing different kinds of white things like sugar, yoghurt, cream, (I don't remember the others!) and honey. Also they put the holy Quran and a mirror. (Don't ask me why because I don't know) but I think it’s traditions only and the people like to make it. Usually the judge asks the bride personally if she agrees to marry this man by saying a long traditional speech and he repeats it for three times (I don't know why) and then the bride says Yes. And then return to the groom but he asks him only once! When the judge asked me if I agreed to marry my husband no body told me I should wait before answering yes, so after he asked me the first time I said yes, then he started to repeat it again and again after he finished I did not answer him because I thought he will talk again.

For shias : those details I'm going to give you is from what I saw when I was invited to some parties: the bride wears a white nightgown and they also put in front of her the seven whites besides a big plate with different kind of spices decorated in a very nice way, and they bring a shia's cleric instead of the judge and while he asks her, two women stand holding a piece of white cloth above her head and a third woman start to sprinkle white sugar above her head to that piece of cloth, her feet are put in water with some dried flowers in it. In the party I attended, the cleric asked the bride 40 times before she said yes, but as they told me some repeated about 15 times.

Then after tying the nut, comes the ‘Nishan’ which is another party held by the bride family either in their house or a hotel if the house is very small. In this party the groom's family gives the bride jewelry from gold or diamond depending on their wealth and the groom starts to put it on her, while every one dance and sing.

Before the wedding day in one night there is also a small party held in the house of the bride and the groom as well separately, he invites his friends (like the bachelor party but with no stripper! Some of the men might bring traditional dancers.) and she invites her friends. After all both parties have ‘Hinna’ to be put on the guests hands.

After that comes the wedding party. Some they don't have a party just Zaffa as we call it, in which the groom's family goes to the bride family bringing with them a music band and start to dance for a bit and then the new couple go to their home or hotel. Some have a big party.
There are many other traditions before the wedding and after it I shall put in other post because this became a very long boring post. Of course these traditions may differ a little bit according to the social and economical levels and according to beliefs as well but this is the basic thing. Some of the families started to shrink those parties into two or three depending on the security and economical conditions as well.

Posted by Muhammad Umair

Middle Eastern Wedding Traditions and Cultures

2010-02-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

The Middle East contains some of the oldest civilizations on Earth, and so it is little wonder that many of their wedding traditions have been passed down for several centuries. While we must bear in mind that there are as many different traditions and customs as there are different peoples in the Middle East, it is also apparent that the region has a flavor that permeates all of the cultures of the region.

The engagement party is the first in a string of five wedding festive weddings celebrations.

In many parts of the Middle East it is common for five different parties to be thrown for the wedding ceremony. It starts with the engagement party. The bride and groom invite family and friends and a festive party is thrown, with special foods and much dancing and singing and happy music. Engagement parties can go on late into the night. During the party the bride often changes her dress up to five times.

The signing of the marriage contract is cause for even greater celebration.

The second party takes place on the day the bride and groom go to the courthouse and sign their marriage contract. Again family and friends are invited and there is much celebration, much music and dancing and song. Once again, it is customary for the bride to change her dress as often as five times during the party.

The Hena party is to ward off any evil spirits and to ensure the happiness of the new couple.

The third party takes place one day before the wedding and is second only in size to the party on the wedding day itself. This third party is named the Hena party. The word Hena might sound familiar; It’s a dye that is used to make special tattoos to the hands and feet of the bride, especially, to ward off evil spirits. This is also the party at which the “grinding” takes place. In many parts of the Middle East the bride and groom are seated while several unmarried girls hold a white cloth on their heads. The “grinding girl” then grinds together two lumps of sugar above the couples’ heads while asking God (Allah) to repel all evil spirits from the young couple’s life. It is traditional for the bride to wear a green dress at the Hena party and the party traditionally continues until dawn on the day of the wedding.

The wedding reception and the five almond pieces.

Following the wedding itself, at which the bride and groom exchange wedding rings – it is thought, by the way, that the wedding ring originated in the Middle East – there is the biggest party of them all. This wedding party is very similar to the receptions following U.S. and European weddings, with speeches, and much dancing and singing and traditional Middle Eastern music. Very often each guest is given five almond pieces, each almond piece symbolizing one of the five sacred wedding wishes: health, happiness, wealth, fertility and longevity.

The wedding shower.

The final party takes place 7 days after the marriage. In Arabic it is called Sabaa, which means Seven. In many ways the Sabaa party is equivalent to a wedding shower in the U.S. or Europe. The Sabaa is held at the home of the bride’s mother and only women attend. The bring the bride presents and the bride’s mother traditionally gives her daughter gold or diamonds.

While these customs – or slight variations of them – are common in many places in the Middle East, they are in no way universal. The Middle East is composed of many different cultures and each culture has its own rich and varied traditions. But one thing is universal in all Middle Eastern weddings, and that is the sense of joy and celebration that is universally expressed at the beginning of a young couple’s new life together.

worldweddingtraditions

Bride marries suitor's father in Saudia Arabia

2010-02-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

DUBAI (Alarabiya.net)

In a strange twist of fate, a would-be bride in Saudi Arabia has ended up marrying the father of the groom, instead of her original suitor, press reports said Tuesday.

The switch happened after a young man in Mecca went with his father to propose marriage to a neighbor's daughter, the English-language daily Arab News quoted an Arabic news report as saying.

In the course of introductions, the young man saw the girl without her hijab for the very first time – a practice condoned by shariah or Islamic law.

After he saw his potential bride, the young man had a change of heart and decided not to proceed with the nuptials, Saudi daily Okaz reported.

In order to avoid embarrassment, the boy's father instead offered to marry the young woman. To his surprise, the father of the bride readily accepted his proposal.

Arabic Wedding Traditions Culture

2010-02-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

The sab?a as we call it comes after the marriage in seven days (now some of them makes it after ten or 14 days according to their honeymoon but it is supposed to be made in the seventh day after marriage). In Iraq - Mosul they make the party in the fourth day after marriage . This is usually held in the groom parent's house and the guest are from women only; the invited women should bring gifts for the new couple. Only the bride attend this party while her husband usually awaits in another room of his family house waiting for everyone to leave the house. The bride usually wears a party dress and some time more than one, or she may enter the room with her white dress and then change it after a while. The guests starts to dance and celebrate the new marriage .

Most of our marriages are arranged in the traditional way (i.e., not after a love story). When a man sees a woman and he likes her form the first sight he tells his mother about her and his family starts to ask about her family and start to work like a detective and if they match with the groom family socially and economically and in other things they agree about her. His mother goes to the bride house and asks for her hand on his behalf from her mother and gives her all the information about her son and the family, so the bride family will start to do the same thing that the groom's has done but this time, in opposite direction. And if they agree they call the groom's house and ask the groom to come with his mother. Some families let the bride sit with the future groom alone and let them get introduced to each other and talk alone about themselves, if they both agree about each other they will go to the next step and if one of them did not like the other very much they will separate. Also many still prefer the marriage between relatives, like cousins especially in small towns and villages.

The traditions I'm talking about are in the cities not the

villages. The first thing to do after the initial agreement is called ?Mashaiya? in which the groom's family bring the older person in their family with a number of relatives and friends all just men and go to the Bride father who also brings all his relatives and friends all men and sit together to get introduced to each other and in this party the older person in the groom's side make a speech asking for the bride?s hand from her father, the father makes another speech saying yes, then juice and deserts are serviced at once and after they finish, everybody leaves home. This party is very short and almost lasts for an hour only.

Then comes the engagement party , in which the bride and the groom exchanged rings, he buys the bride a ring and she buys his ring, the party engagement party is made by the bride?s family, and usually is attended by close relatives only from both sides, some times if the house is too small only women attend the party beside the groom of course.

There is a limit in the relation between the man and woman in their engagement period (I don't want to go so far with this)

So there is another step and this is (tying the nut) this is the exact translation to the Iraqis language where the couple become legally married in court but they still don?t get to live together. In this contract the man usually writes her some kind of money or gold which she will take if he divorce her or he dies. This is usually done in court and some families bring the judge to the house of the bride where more traditional ceremonies can take place. For Sunnis the bride wear a white dress or Jallabyia, a tradition Arabic cloth, and in front of her they put seven cups, containing different kinds of white things like sugar, yoghurt, cream, (I don't remember the others!) and honey. Also they put the holy Quran and a mirror. (Don't ask me why because I don't know) but I think it?s traditions only and the people like to make it. Usually the judge asks the bride personally if she agrees to marry this man by saying a long traditional speech and he repeats it for three times (I don't know why) and then the bride says Yes. And then return to the groom but he asks him only once! When the judge asked me if I agreed to marry my husband no body told me I should wait before answering yes, so after he asked me the first time I said yes, then he started to repeat it again and again after he finished I did not answer him because I thought he will talk again.:)

Then after tying the nut, comes the ?Nishan? which is another party held by the bride family either in their house or a hotel if the house is very small. In this party the groom's family gives the bride jewelry from gold or diamond depending on their wealth and the groom starts to put it on her, while every one dance and sing.

Before the wedding day in one night there is also a small party held in the house of the bride and the groom as well separately, he invites his friends (like the bachelor party but with no stripper! Some of the men might bring traditional dancers.) and she invites her friends. After all both parties have ?Hinna? to be put on the guests hands.

After that comes the wedding party . Some they don't have a party just Zaffa as we call it, in which the groom's family goes to the bride family bringing with them a music band and start to dance for a bit and then the new couple go to their home or hotel. Some have a big party.

There are many other traditions before the wedding and after it I shall put in other post because this became a very long boring post.

Of course these traditions may differ a little bit according to the social and economical levels and according to beliefs as well but this is the basic thing. Some of the families started to shrink those parties into two or three depending on the security and economical conditions as well. wait for my next post.

من عجائب الزواج الجماعى

2010-02-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

فى حادثة طريفة جدا من نوعها
قامت إحدى الشركات بوضع هدايا للعرايس داخل كعكة العرس وأخبرتهم أن أحدى هذه الجوائز هي عبارة عن شيك بمبلغ خمسين ألف دولار امريكى وبعد ان قام المذيع الداخلى بأعلان الخبر الا وفوجئ الحضور جميعا هجوم العرائس على كعكة العرس بسرعة عجيبة وغطسوا داخل الكعكه وقاموا بمعارك ضاريه بينهم وبين بعض ماتناسين الحشود وازواجهم وعرسهم وهذا كله حتى تحصل احدهم على الجائزة الثمينة
تفضلوا وشاهدوا اغرب صور للزواج الجماعى

زفاف بنت نبيل علام

2010-01-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

شهدت قاعة عايدة، واحدة من أجمل السهرات التى تميزت بالفخامة والرقى خلال زفاف "مى" (خريجة الـAUC) كريمة المهندس نبيل علام إلى المستشار عادل الرجداوى، بحضور الدكتور عبد العزيز حجازى رئيس الوزراء الاسبق والدكتور مصطفى السعيد وزير الاقتصاد السابق، إلى جانب لفيف من رجال القضاء وأبرز الشخصيات الاجتماعية وغيرهم من أصدقاء العروسين الذين شاركوهما مراسم الزفاف بداية من تقطيع تورتة الحفل، ومروراً بوصلات الرقص المتتالية على أغانى الفنان مصطفى قمر، واختتم الحفل حسام حبيب ليطير بعدها العروسان لقضاء شهر عسل سعيد بتايلاند.

أسرة العروسين

Most Popular Wedding Dates for 2009

2010-01-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

Wedding is one of the most important events in your life! And here it is coming soon! You start all the preparations to make your holiday the best. But first of all it is very important to choose the right date!

Well, if you are looking for the most popular wedding dates for 2009 that fall on a Saturday, ensuring that a majority of your guests won't have to work the day before or the day after your wedding, then read on.

Most Popular Wedding Dates for 2009- February 14, 2009
Valentine's Day is already the one day of the year that is most associated with love. Choosing Valentine's Day for your wedding in 2009 is an especially easy decision since it falls on a Saturday, making this date sure to be one of the most popular wedding dates for 2009. Be prepared, however, to pay more if you plan on getting married on Valentine's Day, since many florists will already be quite busy trying to keep up with their flower orders. Venues are probably more likely to charge higher prices for weddings on this date because it's a holiday and they know they can.

Most Popular Wedding Dates for 2009- October 17, 2009
Why October 17, 2009? It's Sweetest Day, another holiday for love. While this may be a Hallmark holiday, the association with love is still there, and there is no better association for your wedding date to have. You may need to be prepared to spend a little more for this date, just as you would for Valentine's Day, however, since Valentine's Day is a more popular holiday, it may be a good alternative to having your wedding on Valentine's Day. The association with love and the chance that this date will be less costly than Valentine's Day is sure to make Sweetest Day one of the most popular wedding dates for 2009.

Most Popular Wedding Dates for 2009- October 31, 2009
If you want to stand out from the crowd, and are looking to do so by having a wedding with a more gothic theme, then you may consider having it on Halloween. If your friends and family are composed of mostly rockers and those with a healthy appreciation of all things dark and spooky, then a Halloween wedding is sure to be a crowd pleaser and one of the most popular wedding dates for 2009 among those who love all things spooky and unique. A great thing about having your wedding on Halloween is that you probably won't have a whole lot of competition for wedding space, since many may choose to avoid the date and it's scary associations.

Most Popular Wedding Dates for 2009- Any date that incorporates lucky Chinese numbers
Are you superstitious? Are you looking for a little extra luck to grace your marriage? Then perhaps you would like to choose a wedding date that incorporates Chinese lucky numbers.

Three numbers believed to be lucky in Chinese culture and their lucky associations are:
6- smooth
8- great fortune
9- everlasting friendship and marriage

Getting married on the 6th, 8th, or 9th of a month may help to bring a little extra luck to your marriage. These dates in 2009 that fall on a Saturday are as follows:
May 9th, June 6th, August 8th. These dates are sure to be some of the most popular wedding dates for 2009 for those who are looking for some luck in having a smooth marriage, finding great fortune in their marriage, or who are looking for an everlasting marriage.

All dating news

Nancy Ajram's Wedding

2010-01-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

Ajram married her Dentist Fadi Al Hashem in September 2008 the ceremony took place in Cyprus

خطوبة معتز الدمرداش و مها القبانى

2010-01-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

صور افراح و زفاف النجوم

فرح سلمى مذيعة برنامج شبابيك

2010-01-11T14:42:00.000-08:00

صور افراح و زفاف النجوم, صور النجوم,

صور مناسبات

صور فرح سلمى مذيعة برنامج شبابيك
صور النجوم

خطوبة منى ذكى و احمد حلمى

2010-01-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

خطوبة منى ذكى و احمد حلمى

فرح منى ذكى و احمد حلمى

2010-01-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

فرح منى ذكى و احمد حلمى

زفاف الفنان محمد نجاتى وعروسه ندى

2010-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

شهد فندق موفمبيك مدينة الإنتاج الإعلامى، واحدة من أجمل السهرات التى ضمت عددا كبيرا من نجوم الفن والإعلام وأبرز الشخصيات الاجتماعية، وذلك للاحتفال بزفاف الفنان محمد نجاتى وعروسه "ندى" الطالبة بكلية الإعلام، كريمة رجل الأعمال خالد حسن.

بدأ الحفل برقصة "slow" للعروسين على أغنية "بحس معاك" للفنان حماده هلال الذى تواجد بصحبة زوجته، تلا تلك الفقرة تامر حسنى، أما أكثر فقرات الحفل إثارة، فكانت مع ظهور اللبنانى رامى عياش الذى أشاع أجواء البهجة والرومانسية على مدى أكثر من ساعة قدم خلالها أغانيه الشهيرة مثل "مبروك" و"يامسهر عينى" و"خلينى معاك".. وغيرها.

بعدها قام العروسان بتقطيع تورتة الحفل التى شهدت قبلة طويلة من نجاتى لندى امتدت لبضعة دقائق وسط صيحات وصرخات الفتيات، ثم حضر كاريكا باستعراضاته المميزة حيث راقصى النوبة والسيرك، كما حرص نجم الأغنية الشعبية أحمد عدوية على إهداء العروسين أغنية "بنت السلطان".

وكان ضمن الحضور أحمد ماهر وخالد زكى ود.أشرف زكى وروجينا وإيمى وكابتن محمد عبد المنصف وحرمه لقاء الخميسى، والمخرج أشرف فايق ود.خالد بهجت وحرمه وخالد يوسف وعمرو محمود ياسين وحرمه المذيعة آيات، ومحمد رياض وحرمه رانيا ياسين، ودنيا ونرمين ماهر ومنال عبد اللطيف وكابتن عمرو زكى والمستشار مرتضى منصور، وقرب انتهاء الحفل حضرت نيللى مقدسى ودره.. وغيرهم ممن ظلوا يتوافدون حتى الخامسة من صباح اليوم التالى.

اتجه بعدها العروسان إلى باريس لقضاء ثلاثة أيام ثم البرازيل لاستكمال شهر العسل.
العروس ارتدت فستانا رائعا من تصميم هانى البحيرى وقام سامح السباعى بالتقاط صورة الزفاف وقام بالتنظيم الـ dj ياسر الحريرى.

أسرة العروسين ومنال سلامة

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العروسان وممدوح موسى ووالدة نجاتى

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العروسان يتوسطان سوسن الشاعر وعمرو زكى

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تورتة الحفل

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رقصة العروسان ودنيا مع رامى عياش

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قبلة

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كاريكا وماجدة نور الدين يتوسطان عمرو زكى ووالده وسوسن الشاعر

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محمد عبد المنصف ولقاء الخميسى

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مي سليم والعروسين

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نجاتى وندى وتامر حسنى

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نجاتي وندى ومحمد عدوى

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نجاتى وندى ومى سليم وشقيقة العريس

عقدت الفنانة ايمان العاصي قرانها في سرية تامة

2010-01-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

ذكرت مصادر صحافية أن

الممثلة المصرية إيمان العاصي اختارت يوم 1-1 -2010 لتبدأ عام وحياة جديدة وعقدت قرانها في سرية تامة على رجل الأعمال نبيل سمير في مشيخة الازهر.

وأضافت المصادر أن عقد القران تم في جو عائلي بسيط وبعيدا عن وسائل الإعلام وأهل الفن واقتصر الحضور على أهل العروسين واصدقائهما المقربين.
وأوضحت المصادر أن قصة حب كانت قد نشأت بين إيمان ونبيل منذ عام ورفضت الإعلان عنها حتى تمت خطوبتهما. يذكر أن آخر عمل شاركت فيه إيمان كان مسلسل "الأدهم" مع أحمد عز وتم عرضه في شهر رمضان الماضي.

زفاف ابنة الفنان أحمد عدوية

2010-01-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

اليكم هذه المجموعة من الصور لحفل زفاف ابنة الفنان أحمد عدوية

فساتين زفاف و جـــــــمال

2009-12-28T18:37:00.000-08:00

فساتين زفاف الأنـــــاقه

2009-12-28T18:35:00.001-08:00

فساتين زفاف الأنـــــاقه والجـــــــمال

2009-12-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

مطلقه ترتدي ثوب الزفاف احتفالا بطلاقها

2009-12-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

الاحتفال بالطلاق امر غير شائع عند النساء , والطلاق يجلب الحزن في احيان كثيرة , لكن هذه العروس التي تدعى

"جو والاس" قررت ان تحتفل بطلاقها بعد زواج استمر 3 سنوات فقط ,

فقامت بارتداء بدلة العرس وطافت في الشوارع مع عدة صديقات مقربات منها

وهن يرتدين ثياب الزفاف ايضا

العروس التي لم تتوفق في زواجها رغم انها انفقت عليه اكثر من 50 الف دولار قالت بأن الطلاق ليس كارثة

وهي ستبحث عن العريس المناسب هذه المرة حتى لا تضطر الى احتفال اخر بالطلاق .

منقوول..,

نور اللبنانية صور زفافها

2009-12-25T08:31:00.000-08:00

بعد مرور أكثر من شهر ونصف على زفاف الفنانة اللبنانية نور قررت أن تعرض صور زفافها على الفيس بوك.

وكانت نور قد احتفلت بزفافها في لبنان على رجل الأعمال السوري يوسف أنطاكي يوم 23 من ديسمبر الماضي وهو يوم عيد ميلادها ،ورفضت نور دعوة الصحفيين والمصورين حيث اقتصر الحفل علي العائلة فقط.

تجدر الإشارة إلي أن نور تم خُطبتها في شهر أغسطس الماضي ، و قد كانت في منزل عائلة الفنانة اللبنانية نور في لبنان

Mode Et mariage

2009-12-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

Mode ET mariage, une mode tres chick ; des belles Robes sont portees par des belles femmes,
de tres jolie design.
La femme en generale prefere la Haute Couture.

Egyptian Wedding

2009-12-04T14:55:00.000-08:00

You may ask why am I writing an article about Egyptian weddings. You may think that an Egyptian wedding is like any other wedding, but I can assure you that an Egyptian wedding is a very special historical ceremony. It is the most important ceremony for Egyptian females. I am sure that there are certain rituals for marriage in many parts of the world but the Egyptian wedding ceremony has been carried on from generation to generation since the times of the Pharaohs. While there are many western aspects, the enthusiasm and grand festive atmosphere of an Egyptian wedding is simply amazing.

The ancient Egyptians were the first civilization to regard marriage as a legal relationship. Marriage in ancient Egypt was a religious imposition. The ancient Egyptian laws organized the marriage relationship and indicated all rights and duties for the couples. Many of the old marriage contracts have been found, and they were registered and signed by three officers. The ancient Egyptian laws gave the right of divorce to women as well as men, and the wife had great respect and a high degree of prestige.

Before marriage in ancient Egypt, there were many chances for men and women to meet in places such as the temples or at the common feasts. There was a custom in the Egyptian family which allowed the adult daughter to welcome guests who came to visit her parents. Even today there remains in some parts of rural Egypt a custom that the eldest daughter is to marry before the youngest. The ancient Egyptians had an engagement period in order for the couple to become familiar with each other. The groom-to-be and his parents would go to the bride’s house

and meet the head of the family.

They would negotiate an agreement where the groom would pay a dowry and buy the bride a gift of precious stones or gold. On the day of the wedding there would be a great banquet where all the guests would eat, sing and dance. Then the bride and groom would be led to their home and on the way, green wheat would be tossed in the air as a symbol of fertility.

While time has altered modern Egyptian weddings, many of the traditions remain. Christian and Islamic custom now dictates that the official wedding must take place in a church or mosque. However, the reception after the official wedding remains much the same as in ancient Egypt. Reception parties differ from place to place in Egypt but they all hold common features including singing, dancing, a banquet and a lot of guests. Most often the wealth of the family of the bride and groom dictates the number of guests invited to the reception.

Certain aspects of Egyptian weddings in urban cities are not unlike weddings anywhere in the the world. The bride wears an ordinary bridal dress and the groom wears a black suit or a tuxedo. The ceremony starts with a car parade. The wedding car (as prestigious as possible) will be decorated with flowers and ribbons. Cars of both families move together in a noisy parade of continuous sounding of car horns to a wedding hall most often in a hotel. The honking is to announce that there is a wedding taking place. When the bride and groom reach the hotel they are received by a “Zaffa”. The Zaffa is another human parade of belly dancers and drummers surrounding the bride and groom, singing happy songs. The bride and groom will occasionally join in the dancing but the main aim is to walk as slowly as possible to the wedding hall. Some Zaffa’s will last an hour!

When the bride and groom finally reach the their destination in the hall they sit in the “Kosha”. The Kosha usually consists of two comfortable seats in front of the guests where the bride and groom reign as though king and queen. As soon as the bride and groom are seated in the Kosha a rose sherbet drink is passed to the guests and all drink to their health. Then the bride and groom will switch rings from right index fingers to left index finger. This is probably an old Christian tradition but it is done whether the couple is Moslem or Christian. With this ritual, the festivities begin. The bride and groom have the first dance after which the other wedding guests join in. Usually a belly dancer or a singer entertains the guests but in more luxurious weddings there is more than one entertainer. Guests will dance and sing with the newly wed couple, and the groom will occasionally be tossed in the air by friends. The more the tossing of the groom the more his popular! After the formal entertainment, a disc jockey is used to extend the festivities.

Then comes the cutting of the cake. As elsewhere in the world, the bride and groom cut the cake, which is several layers high. The bride then tosses her flower bouquet behind her back to other hopeful females. Who ever catches the bouquet is lucky because she will be next to marry. Next, the couple opens the buffet for the guests, which is usually a wide variety of salads, meats, stews, and sweets. Actually the list might go on forever in some weddings. Food is considered one of the factors that reflect the wealth of the families of the bride and groom. After every guest has “stuffed” his or her stomach, the wedding party is over. In some weddings there may be some more entertainment. Then the bride and groom usually get a complimentary night or two at the hotel.

Modern urban weddings are obviously affected by western traditions. For example, the cutting of the cake and tossing of the bouquet. This is not the case with rural areas of Egypt. In rural areas, after the Zaffa, the wedding ceremony will usually take place in a big clearing of land where a huge Arabic tent called the “Sewan” is set up. Entertainment includes a belly dancer or singer and sometimes both. Drinks are passed to guests and food comes in huge plates to be served to guests. The customary food is “Fattah” which is pieces of lamb meat embedded in rice and bread dipped in stew. The bride and groom will leave the wedding early but the guests continue the festivities.

Whether rural or urban, weddings reflect the image of the families that have come together. Both families show off their wealth to their wedding guests. From this, it would be concluded that Egyptian weddings are not just an announcement of marriage but also an announcement of the economic positions of the families..

If you visit Egypt keep an eye out for weddings. In many seasons, there will be weddings almost every night in hotels such as the Nile Hilton. Do not hesitate to ask permission to join the wedding. I guarantee you that you will be welcomed. Sing, dance and enjoy the culture of Egypt.

maged elbialy

Mariage Tunisien

2009-12-04T14:51:00.001-08:00

La cérémonie de Mariage se déroule dans la joie et le bonheur avec la présence de la famille et les amis. La Kisoua qu'on voit dans la photo est très réputée en Tunisie et chaque fille rêve d'en porter durant son mariage il s'agit de deux pièces Fouta et Blouza fouta est la jupe qui se porte et le bustier on l'appel blouza c'est un ancien nom qui est encore utilise.La kiswa qu'on voit dans la photo est composée de deux pièces (bustier et pantalon bouffant).

La robe de mariée blanche symbolise la pureté et la virginité. Le voile qui l'accompagne a généralement la même signification quoique le port d'un voile pour le mariage soit de tradition plus ancienne. Selon la tradition, une veuve qui se remariait devait respecter un temps de veuvage suffisant avant de convoler en secondes noces et il était généralement admis que sa robe ne devait pas être blanche.

Les hommes sont généralement en costume pour leur mariage mais il arrive parfois qu'ils s'habillent de Jebba une sorte de jellaba pour homme, traditionnelle qui est faite a base de soie

Le bouquet de fleurs de la mariée est un cadeau généralement offert à la future épouse par son fiancé. Les fleurs symbolisent d'abord la fécondité.

Le contrat du mariage le mariage musulman : Le mari doit obligatoirement être musulman mais la femme peut être issue d'une autre religion. A la mosquée ou chez les parents de la marié, l'imam consacre l'union devant famille et amis. Les fondements: Libre consentement des deux parties sans différence entre l’homme et la femme.
Les formalités Un certificat de mariage civil. La cérémonie : Elle a lieu chez les parents de la mariée en présence de l’imam qui consacre l’union. Le père, ou à défaut son frère, remet la fiancé.

L'outilla Fête qui se déroule deux nuits avant la fête du mariage finale, elle est aussi considérée comme la dernière nuit pour l'application du Henné, ainsi la couleur deviendra plus foncée et meilleure (presque noir).

La tradition tunisienne c'est de faire le henné durant trois nuits consécutives.

Le costumes bleu que vous voyez est dédié à l'Outia fête assistée par toutes les jeunes fille et dédiée a la mariée et préparée par la famille de la mariée a leur frais.

La cérémonie de l'Outilla (outia) est dédiée aux fille généralement et les hommes ne sont pas nombreux à être présents durant cette fête. Une troupe musicale féminine pour la fête est la tradition mais de nos jours cela varie du budget, le mari assiste juste une heure ou moins à la fin de la fête.

Parfois le futur epoux offre les bijoux à son épouse et parfois il fait cela durant la grande soirée de mariage, les traditions changent d'une région à une autre.

Les jeunes filles qui assistent à l'Outilla sont habillées de vêtements traditionnelles et sophistiquées et se font belles car on général elles essaient de se faire plaire par les mamans qui ont un fils à marier et pour le plaisir d'être admirées.

On les voit avec leurs vêtements traditionnels bien coiffées, parées et maquillées.

Le henné est une plante qui peut atteindre jusqu'à un mètre de hauteur. Ce sont ses feuilles qui produisent de la teinture de couleur jaune ou rouge. Ce henné est le plus souvent utilisé pour les peintures corporelles

Il existe plusieurs sortes de henné selon les plants et les lieux de culture : Iran, Perse, Inde occidentale, Chine, Afrique du nord et de l'ouest.

En Tunisie il est connu que les tunisiennes utilise le henné de Gabes connue pour sa bonne couleur et sa longue tenue.

On remarque que la mode actuelle en Tunisie est le tatouage, le tatouage est fait à base d'un produit qu'on appel Harkous qui a une odeur très agréable.

Généralement le tatouage se fait durant la nuit de repos de la mariée (lilat erraha) sous forme de petits point, mais actuellement c'est devenu très différent avec des motifs très variés.

La veille du jour de mariage, la mariée se repose au maximum et on lui fait l'épilation intégrale de sa peau, a base de miel et d'eau (soukkor).

Pour donner un éclat unique à la mariée la hannena qui est la femme qui s'occupe d'épiler la mariée utilise une poudre qu'on appel Barouk, c'est une sorte de pierre travaillée qu'on mélange à l'eau de rose, elle devient une pâte qui est utilisée pour laver la corps intégralement juste après l'épilation et avant que la mariée ne se lave.

Hammam : Le bain de la mariée est très connue, les jeunes filles se rassemblent toutes et accompagnent la mariée pour faire son bain au Hammam et elle aura l'exclusivité du Hammam pour elle et ses accompagnatrices. Grâce à cette mixture la peau aura un éclat et une douceur sans égale.

Alliances
Les alliances peuvent être identiques ou différentes, larges ou fines, rondes ou lisses, en or, en platine. Les alliances seront choisies par les deux futurs époux. Il vous faut prévoir l’achat au moins un mois à l’avance et ne pas se limiter à un seul bijoutier. La future mariée pourra désirer une alliance plus élaborée, sertie de diamants par exemple.
Le futur marié choisira une alliance plus simple : un anneau. Vous pouvez faire graver à l’intérieur la date de votre mariage, vos prénoms, vos initiales. Ce sera le futur époux qui ira chercher ces alliances chez le bijoutier qui les aura gardées dans son coffre fort jusqu’à la veille du mariage.
Des bijoutiers proposent de nouvelles alliances pour sortir de l’ordinaire avec des couleurs, des formes carrées, à vous de les essayer, il y en a pour tous les goûts. Pendant la cérémonie religieuse la mariée ne portera pas sa bague de fiancailles.

...

A Saudi wedding

2009-12-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

Laura of Arabia attended a wedding in Saudi Arabia. Needless to say, things were a little bit different...

Quick courtship
Saudis traditionally marry young, and mothers are often preoccupied with finding a suitable husband or wife for their many sons and daughters. A man would tell his mother, sister or one of his relatives what kind of woman he would like to marry. For example, he would say he wanted a lady with big eyes, long dark hair, not fat, not thin, but normal body, and someone who follows the rules of the religion. Finding just the right woman may take about a month or more, with some hits and misses in between. Once a perfect potential partner is found, they'll call the woman's parents and tell them they want to engage their son to their daughter. If the woman's parents don't refuse, they'll set a date for the man to come to their house with his parents.

It does exist that the couple never lay eyes on each other until after the wedding ceremony, but it's more common nowadays that they do, or at least see her hands, hair and face. Sometimes, while the two families are exchanging niceties in the lounge, the girl's father would sit with the man and his father and talk about the man's job, about his income and about the dowry for the woman, etc.

In some instances, the couple will go to a separate room where they can talk in private. The man would ask to see the girl's hands, face, figure, and the colour of her skin, to see if she fits his requirements. If he likes the girl, he'll send her a gift, which would mean he'd like to marry her. She has every right to refuse him, though pressure from the family may make this hard.

Sometimes they'd move in together at the girl's parents until they're married. This can be a month or so, sometimes much longer, as the groom saves money for what could be an excessively expensive wedding, sometimes running into half a million Riyals. This would include the bride's dowry, which can also be paid, in part, in gold and jewellery and is hers to keep.

Henna nights

For about three days before the wedding date, culminating in henna night before the big day, the bride will begin preparing for her wedding. Traditionally, the bride is anointed with all sorts of traditional oils and perfumes from head to toe. Her body is rubbed with cleansing and conditioning oils and creams; the hands and feet are decorated with henna and the hair is washed with extracts of amber and jasmine. She is fed only the best foods, including Saudi biscuits known as Ma'amoul (which used to be known as Al Arous which means bride). Fine pieces of jewellery, perfumes, silk materials and other necessary items are presented to her by the groom, from which she creates her elaborate trousseau called Addahbia.

On the evening before her wedding, the bride is joined by her sisters, cousins and female friends for henna night; a night of more music, dance, food and celebration. In the past, and still sometimes today, the bride would wear a number of dresses, including a traditional type of dress known as zaboun and a yashmak, embroidered with silver thread, over her face. It's a commitment to tradition that says that a bride should not be seen by anyone. The henna night represents the last night before her shift into a life full of responsibilities of a husband and future children.

The wedding
Happy was the day when two friends and I received an invitation to a wedding here in Saudi. The bride was a beautiful, vibrant young girl from Eritrea; the groom a serious-looking Saudi from a conservative family.

Saudi wedding receptions are conducted the traditional Muslim way, which means the men and women celebrate separately. The groom's party will never see the bride, though the groom will make an appearance at the bride's party.

We arrived way too early at the hotel, the Casablanca here in Jeddah. And it was just after 10 in the evening! We sat around for hours, gaping at the lavish wedding decorations and sipping Arabic coffee until it came out of our ears. Slowly the guests started flowing in, each greeting us, the only Westerners there, by hand before flitting off to seek out their friends. Across from us some elderly ladies sat, who were kissed on the cheeks and sometimes on the hand. They turned out to be the mothers and aunts of the newlyweds.

As the women entered the reception room, they handed their abayas in for safekeeping. I've seen Saudi women without abayas once at a women-only fair, but was still surprised to see what was hidden under the black cloaks. The Saudi girls, especially, were dressed to the hilt. Long, figure-hugging dresses covered in beads, sequins, gold lame and lace; black hair piled high with seductive curls; huge, shiny pieces of jewellery on every finger, arm, neck and ear; stilettos with rhinestones, and more makeup than you'll see at a MAC extravaganza.

Apparently the DJ had been instructed to alternate Arabic songs with Eritrean music, and despite resistance from the Saudis, the fun-loving and determined Eritrean clan insisted this was their friend's wedding too. When the Arabic music played, the Saudi women would get up and dance on the ramp, hips swinging and hands twirling, only to take their seats when it was the Eritreans' turn.

The Eritrean girls were dressed equally beautifully, though less over the top, with a hint of traditional African designs in their clothes. They'd dance with these curious little plucking movements of the shoulder. Quite catching. Of course, the three Western ladies joined in on the dancing, both during the Arabic songs and the Eritrean. The music was so loud, conversation was out of the question.

All the while, South East Asian waitresses in black suits with long skirts, black court shoes, hair tied back, and no make-up, would parade around offering guests crystal goblets of mineral water, coke and fruit cocktails on silver trays which we enjoyed with the dates, pastries and chocolates beautifully presented on our table.

Finally, around two in the morning, we noticed the girls, mostly the Saudi women, scuttle to the reception desk to fetch their abayas and headscarves, wrapping them around them to hide all the voluptuous beauty we'd been privy to all night. Some even put their face veils and gloves on. It was a sign that the bride and groom were coming.

Next to the Al-Kowshah(the wedding throne) a huge screen flittered to life as a live videotaping of their arrival outside the hotel came streaming onto it. For another painstaking half hour we watched as they made their way to the wedding hall in tiny little steps. Finally, they were there. The groom, serious and bespectacled and dressed in traditional Arab male dress; the bride beautiful, radiant in pure white, and awfully nervous.

First they took their place on some steps at the back of the hall where the groom, slightly irritated with/embarrassed by his new wife's "joie de vivre", pricked a huge balloon which released thousands of rose petals as well as the wedding ring, which was tied to a white streamer. He slipped it on her finger, but there was not kissing of the bride.

The two then moved towards the wedding cake. The groom held his bride's hand carefully and together they gripped a huge knife with which they cut a small piece of the cake. First the groom fed the bride a piece of it, then she in turn fed him a morsel, and everyone started to cheer. The cutting of the cake symbolises that the couple have started taking care of each other.

Formalities over
This formality done with, they approached the ramp which divided the two families, and slowly made their way to the wedding throne. There they sat, looking awfully uncomfortable yet quite proud, while the groom's young sister did a seductive Arabic belly-kind of dance to traditional Arab music. The pair sipped what looked like strawberry juice from a huge, round, long-stemmed glass, while the guests clapped and ululated. At some weddings, guests would be entertained with a videotaped 'documentary' of the bridal couple's life, from when they were children, up to the day of their wedding.

The bridal couple then indulged in a lengthy photo opportunity with friends and family, and we managed to sneak one or two too, taking care not to photograph the Saudi women. By this time, were it not for the thundering music and copious cups of coffee, we would have dozed off at the table. When the groom finally departed, the women discarded their abayas and veils, and the dancing started up again. At about half past three in the morning we sat down to a buffet supper (or was it breakfast!), which included delicious mix of both Eritrean and Arabic dishes. Once we'd eaten, there really wasn't much life left in the Western girls and, after congratulating the bride, dancing to one more ditty, and thanking everyone for the lovely night, we drew straws to see whose husband was going to get out of his warm bed to take us back to the compound.

At the more lavish weddings, female wedding singers are often paid thousands to perform for the guests. But despite public demand for a professional wedding singer, some religious scholars are less than charmed by the idea; one Jeddah Imam saying in an article for the Saudi Gazette that music is not allowed in Islam and the women should be killed. True, one Saudi wedding singer fled to Lebanon after her brother threatened to have her killed for making her living as a wedding singer. For more information on Islam and music, read this article at Sunnipath. Another taboo is taking photographs, which is why I don't have one of the Saudi guests to show with this story.

While the women have their party, the groom and his friends would be having a party of their own at a different location, where they'd gather after prayer at the mosque. There'll be lots of eating, possibly a spot of dancing; traditional dancing that is, with swords and arms interlocked; lots of chattering, drinking coffee and fruit juices and enjoying a banquet that could be a whole roasted sheep with rice, flatbread, a variety of vegetables. When the rich and royal get married, things go quite spectacular, with imported sound and light shows, flame throwers, groups of dancing men, parading horses, and food that could feed a crowd of thousands. Have a peak here.

In the early hours of the morning the bride and groom will meet up again, and be driven off to their new home. Sometimes the groom's friends will drive behind them, hooting and shouting to announce the happy union to all who are already up that time of the day.

The actual ceremony
Just a note, the actual "wedding ceremony" is a private civil and religious contract that takes place in an office and not in a mosque, and is concluded days before the wedding party. Which means the couple could have quite legally consummated the marriage before the wedding day. The agreement would have been negotiated ahead of time by the groom and the bride's guardian or closest male relative, though not without her consent. The couple comes before a religious sheikh (an Islamic magistrate) with three male witnesses (or two female and one male) to grant the marriage. The magistrate will ask what the groom is giving the bride as dowry, which will be her "insurance" for the future. Hence the popular Arabic saying "The father of many daughters is a wealthy man."

These are the basics of a wedding in Saudi. And what a privilege it was to see it all first hand.

Tonight, South Africans in Saudi will be celebrating Freedom Day at various events organised by our consular staff here in the Kingdom. From me, on behalf of all the South Africans here, love, appreciate and make the most of your hard-earned freedom!

Laura of Arabia

Wedding Customs in Morocco

2009-12-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

Every culture treasures the wedding ceremony in some way. Traditions and ceremonies differ in each land and Morocco is no exception. Read on to learn more about a few Moroccan wedding traditions.

The traditional Moroccan wedding has quite an elaborate and meaningful process. The wedding process can take up to seven days and there are many pre-wedding ceremonies that take place before the actual wedding.

Morocco is a place with a very rich cultural heritage and active traditions and many of these can be seen at Moroccan wedding ceremonies. Usually the entire affair is quite expensive. It starts with the paying of a dowry that is spent on household items and furniture for the bride. If the grooms parents are very wealthy, they will pay for these items themselves. The bride also receives golden jewelry and is sent presents of cloth, clothing and perfume from her groom every feast day. The courtship period can last from six months to two years.

Once a date has been set for the wedding, the real preparations begin. Five days before the matrimonial event, necessities such as a mattress and blanket are taken to the bridal chamber. There the bride is given a bath in hammam which is a sort of milk bath that is meant to purify the bride. Her negaffa (female attendants) will usually supervise the event. The negaffa - who are usually older married woman, female friends and relatives - then set about trying to beautify her. After dressing her in an elaborately decorated wedding kaftan (usually white) they proceed to decorate her with heavy jewelry and darken her eyes with kohl which looks a bit like thick dark eyeliner.

The group then proceeds to have a beberiska ceremony in which the hands and feet of the bride and her party are painted with henna. The bride's designs are always the most intricate and the various floral and geometric designs are meant to ward off evil spirits, bring good luck and increase fertility. The grooms name is often hidden in the henna designs. The negaffa will usually take this opportunity to discuss the 'secrets' of marriage with the young virgin. In some ceremonies the bride will then be placed behind a curtain to symbolize her change of lifestyle. In more remote areas, this ceremony would only take place the day before the wedding. Often, a bride is not expected to do any house work until her henna has faded.

Once all this preparation is complete, food is prepared in excess to cater for unexpected guests and the festivities begin. In times past, the men and woman would celebrate these festivities at separate locations. At some point in the evening, the groom would leave to make his way towards the bridal party accompanied by a group of friends who sing, beat drums and dance. The bride would be lifted up on a circular cushion or table and the groom on the shoulders of his friends. The two would then be carried to the bridal chamber where they would be expected to consummate their marriage. The bridal party would then examine their sheets for signs of blood to confirm the bride's virginity. The two would journey to their new home and the bride would circle her home three times before becoming the keeper of her new hearth.

Today things have changed somewhat. Although the hamman bath is still used quite often in more rural areas, it is sometimes completely overlooked in the cities and towns. And though young brides are still quite happy to don their ceremonial kaftans, these are now more often shop bought because modern machinery has caused hand-made kaftans to be considered an expensive rarity. Many women who consider themselves to be more 'modern' have also rejected the intricate henna designs that usually adorn the bride.

The food is now more often provided by caterers instead of family members. Most young people have begun to choose their own marriage partners and ask for their parent's blessing on the arrangement. In the past, a marriage partner was always chosen for them. The celebrations still take place at different locations for the men and woman. Often, someone is employed to paint the hands of guests with henna. Music at these occasions can be traditional Berber, Andalusian or Arabian, or they can be popular modern tunes played on traditional instruments. The young groom is accompanied by singing, dancing friends although usually, there are a few car hooters to add to the din. Nowadays, instead of immediately consummating their marriage at this point, the two parties more often join together and the bride changes into an outfit reflecting her region. After more celebrations, the bride then changes again and the newly wed couple leaves the party for some private time. They usually go to a hotel instead of the traditional marriage chamber and no one expects them to display their sheets as proof of the bride's virginity.

The festivities do not end here. Throughout the week, the newly weds will visit friends and relatives as well as show off their new home and gifts. To this day, marriage is generally thought of as being the most important decision that both the man and woman can make. Because of this, the whole affair is expensive and elaborate.

The Imilchil Moussem/Wedding Fair

Once a year the people of the various mountain tribes in the Atlas Mountains converge at a special meeting place for the Imilchil Moussem. This special meeting, which takes place in September, is primarily a massive souk where 30 000 or more Berbers gather to sell and trade their possessions. However, the gathering is not merely an exercise in financial expertise - it is also the place of the largest wedding fair in the country. The tradition was started when officials during the colonial area insisted that Berbers assemble once a year to register births, deaths and marriages. After Morocco claimed independence the tourist office encouraged the continuation of the festival. Contrary to popular belief, very few of the marriages here are prearranged. The woman arrive in ceremonial garb and they spend time flirting and getting to know the available men during the festivities and dances. Many of them already know each other. Then, near the end of the celebration, the marriage ceremonies begin and several new marriages are made simultaneously. This ceremony has, in more recent times, received a lot of tourist attention that has detracted from the ceremonies authenticity. However, the joyous occasion continues down to this day and the exact date of the festival can be obtained from the tourist board should you wish to be a part of it.

morocco

Wedding Tradition in Turkey

2009-12-04T14:36:00.001-08:00

Marriage is an association that existed since the earliest times and has great importance on human life and society.

Marriage is an association that existed since the earliest times and has ” called “oturakalma”, where a girl goes to the home of the man that she loves and settles there, many times at the objection of her own family.

Another type of marriage which was often practiced in the past is “be?ik kertme”. While children were yet in their cradle, they were promised or “engaged” to each other by their families. In the past, the rejection of marriage by the girl or boy once they reach marrying age, would be regarded as dishonor to the family and even could cause bloody family feuds. This type of arranged marriage is almost extinct today.

Another kind of marriage arrangement or custom in Turkey In this marriage, a man settles in the home where his wife lives. Usually in case of inability to pay a dowry for the bride or the absence of a son on the part of the bride’s family leads to this kind of arrangement.

In another type of marriage called “Berder” ( exchange, changing) two families may marry their daughter and son to another family’s son and daughter. Such kind of marriages releases the two families of an old custom to pay a dowry to the bride’s family, since they “even” out.

A note on Baslik – dowry – is in place. This is an old custom that has nearly ceased to exist in the vast majority of Turkish society and is confined only to very underdeveloped regions.

According to Turkish traditions marriage between “milk” siblings is not possible. Children who are breastfed by a woman (a custom that was not uncommon in Turkey, when a mother could not breastfeed due to illness or other reasons, especially in rural areas, but has nearly ceased today) other than their mother become her “milk” children and they are not supposed to marry their “milk” siblings.

In some regions marriage with more than one wife at the same time (polygamy), while outlawed and punishable by law, is still practiced and it was more prevalent in the past when a wife could not bear children or she became ill or invalid.

Age of Marriage

There is wide variation in marriage age today, with lower limits set by law. Today, men usually are expected to marry after they complete their mandatory military service, in some more traditional areas right before. General marriage ages are around 22 for men and around 20 for women, with 5-6 years variation upward. Today, more youngsters go to college, which pushes up their marriage age mostly until after graduation. Older siblings are usually expected to get married before younger siblings, particularly if they are of the same gender. Pressures to marry at a younger Although age of marriage varies according to regions today in areas where traditions are observed.

In the general procedures of marriage, the groom to be and this family usually take the lead in initiating the steps leading up to marriage, while the courted girl’s family remains passive. The first step toward marriage is expected of the man and his family.

Act of go-between , To Ask a Girl’s Hand in Marriage:

In the traditional setting, the courtship process leading up to a marriage begins with seeing and looking for a girl. Families who want to marry their sons begin looking out for girls, starting with their relatives, neighbours and close friends. They get willing assistance in this “search” from their relatives, neighbours and friends.

In larger cities of Turkey, where cultural changes have been more rapid, it is now most common that people meet up personally and develop a relationship directly. However, “Goruculuk” has been still the main type of interaction enabling marriages is more traditional communities and rural areas. “Goruculuk” is the act of go-between of several women of a family or friends of a man who wants to get married, who pay special visit to the home of the girl who they see as a potential fit to the man, to examine the girl closely and reveal their intentions. This procedure is called “seeing a girl, to send women to see a girl, woman sent out to inquire about a prospective bride” (“kiz bakma”, “Gorucu çikma”, “dunur gezme” in Turkish). After their affirmative judgment about the girl, time is granted to the prospective bride’s family both to get more information about the prospective groom and his family and to make a decision. As the result of affirmative agreement by both families to pursue this first acquaintance further, the task of the go-between (gorucus) comes to end. Inasmuch as the fact that the work of seeing prospective bride is done by women, they do remain engaged in the process of asking for the girl's hand.

In the process of asking for the girl’s hand in marriage, care is taken to include among those who will visit the prospective bride’s family such respectful persons who could not be refused by the bride’s family, together with close relatives of the prospective bridegroom’s family. It is not uncommon that several such visits are paid to a family or girl who’s reluctant to agree to this marriage for one reason or the other.

Agreement to Marry:

Agreement to marry (soz kesimi) follows the process of asking the prospective bride’s hand in marriage. Both families who reached an agreement by way of “Dunurculuk” (women sent out to inquire about a prospective bride) agree on marriage before crowded guests, which is called “Soz Kesme” (agreement to marry). Engagement is completed by attaching a ring and an embroidered kerchief bought by the prospective bridegroom’s family. In some regions “Soz kesimi” is also called small engagement ceremony. Sweet dessert brought by prospective bridegroom’s family is distributed to guests immediately after agreement by both parties to marry their children. Even today in some regions the prospective bridegroom is not present at the time of this ceremony. According to the attitude of the prospective bride’s father the bridegroom who is present in the bride’s home and the prospective bride both kiss the hands of the elder guests. Thus, the ceremony held for agreement to marry is completed.

Engagement

The step after the ceremony for agreement to marry is engagement. The engagement ceremony is held in the bride’s home and the costs of the ceremony in some regions are borne by the bridegroom’s family, but many times by the bride’s family.

Wedding

Let’s note at the onset that the following information on wedding ceremonies pertains to older, rural and conservative traditions in Turkey. Weddings today in the cities and more modern circles are much more like western style weddings, with a wedding banquet or reception uniting family and friends of the couple. Also, all marriages require a civil ceremony conducted and recorded by a municipal officer to become legally effective. In many cases, the religious ceremony precedes the civil ceremony by a few days.

In the traditional setting, wedding ceremonies generally start on Tuesday and end on Thursday, or start on Friday and end on Sunday. Wedding expenses are met by the bridegroom’s family. Regional variances aside, traditional weddings are marked by the following passages: Planting of a wedding flag, an entertaining gathering for the women of the couple’s families on the night before the wedding day, characterized by the coloring of parts of the hands and feet with Henna (Kina Gecesi), fetching the bride, and the bride’s veil.

Before the wedding, as is done in the course of the engagement ceremony, formal invitations are distributed and family, friends and neighbors are invited to the wedding. While the bride’s family tries to complete preparations for the trousseau, the bridegroom’s family tries to complete gifts for the bride to be presented to her before, during and after the wedding.

A wedding flag is planted by men coming from the noon prayer and friends of bridegroom at the bridegroom’s home. In some regions, apples, onions, mirrors, etc. are placed on top of the flag. Thus the wedding is officially underway.

Kina Gecesi

A traditional version and perhaps precursor of the bachelorette party, the night before the wedding is set aside for the bride to spent her last night at her family’s home in the company of women of all ages who are close to the couple’s family. This ceremony get its name “Kina Gecesi” – Henna Night – from the fact that the usually the hands of the bride is adorned with Henna. The bridegroom’s female relatives too attend this event and are hosted in the bride’s home.

Feching the Bride (Gelin Alma)

The next day is the day of “Gelin Alma” (to fetch the bride), “kiz alma” (to fetch girl), “gelin goturme” (to carry the bride), etc. Everybody is invited to this ceremonial procession from the home of the bride to the home of the groom. Guests go to fetch the bride on foot if not far, or by cars if too far to go. In some regions the bridegroom has not been allowed to accompany the bridal procession. The procession is followed by drums and pipes. In some regions the bride is prepared by elderly women (yenge) who help and attend to the bride. But generally today the preparations for the bride are done at a beauty salon. Then she joins the procession on her way to the groom’s home.

Nuptial Chamber (Gerdek)

An elder woman in the nuptial chamber asks the couple to hold each other’s hand. The groom performs his ritual prayer, and then opens the bride’s face after giving her a present to see her unveiled face. They eat the meal offered by the bride’s family.

In traditional communities virginity is extremely important and proof of it is sought by the groom’s family. This proof is usually the bed linen where the marriage was consummated. An absence of blood on the linen can be cause for great shame for both families and may be reason for the bride to be sent back to her parent’s home. Let’s note, however, that this too is a very outdated procedure and not widely practiced today.

turkishculture

Wedding Tradition in Turkey

2009-12-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

WEDDINGS IN THE U.A.E.

2009-12-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

As a tradition in the UAE, the setting of the wedding date marks the beginning of the bride’s preparation for her wedding. Although the groom is also put through a series of preparations, the bride’s preparations are naturally more elaborate and time consuming.

In preparation for her wedding, she is anointed with all sorts of traditional oils and perfumes from head to toe. Her body is rubbed with cleansing and conditioning oils and creams, the hands and feet are decorated with henna and the hair is washed with extracts of amber and jasmine. She is fed only the best of foods and her girlfriends prepare the best dishes which they share with her. Traditionally, she is not seen for forty days except for family members as she rests at home in preparation for her wedding day. Fine pieces of jewelry, perfumes, silk materials, and other necessary items are presented to her by the groom, from which she creates her elaborate trousseau called Addahbia.

The festivities usually take about one week before the wedding night. During that week, traditional music, continuous singing, and dancing take place reflecting the joy shared by the bride’s and the groom’s family. Nowadays, although most weddings are celebrated in less than one week, they are just as elaborate and cerem

onial, if not more.

A few days before the wedding night is the henna night or Laylat Al Henna which is a very special night for the bride since it is a ladies’ night only. On this night, the bride’s hands and feet are decorated with henna, which is a dark brown paste made from the henna plant. When left on the skin for some time, the henna leaves a dark red stain.

The henna night is a time for all the bride’s sisters, female family members, and girlfriends to get together and sing and dance. All female family members and guests also decorate their hands with henna. The henna is not used for decorative purposes only but it serves also as a hair and skin conditioner as well as a medicament for some wounds, when mixed with special ingredients.

Another traditional element of the UAE customs is the Arabian Kohl or eyeliner. The bride, as well as many other UAE women, like to line their eyes on almost all occasions. Famous for their beautiful, large, and black eyes, the UAE women have used the Arabian kohl for many years.

Taken from a black stone known as Al Athmed which is brought from Saudi Arabia, the kohl is prepared through different methods and stages. First, the stone is heated until it disintegrates and then it is processed in water and Arabian coffee or sometimes henna leaves (depending on the method used) and it is left for forty days to process. Finally, it is ground into a fine powder and it is ready to be used as an eyeliner for the eyes. Used by women of all ages, the Arabian eyeliner is also known to be useful for the eyes.

After her eyes are lined, her hair is perfumed and her hands and feet are decorated with henna, the bride is ready for her wedding night. The back-to-back feasts and celebrations involve both men and women who usually celebrate separately. Although different areas of the country may have slightly differences in their celebrations and customs, the general traditions are the same throughout the country most of which are still adhered to.

In 1992, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a Marriage Fund has been set up in order to limit over-spending on weddings and celebrations. The fund was aimed at encouraging the UAE men to marry UAE women, assisting in covering the expenses of both the wedding and the setting-up of a family, increasing the birth rate, and discouraging men from marrying foreigners.

The Fund provides between Dh 60,000 to Dh 70,000 depending on certain criteria to young UAE nationals. In tandem with this, the government has launched a campaign aimed at persuading UAE fathers to accept lower dowries. It has also built special wedding halls where receptions can take place without incurring the expenses associated with expensive hotel receptions.

Under the directives and instructions from President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to curb soaring wedding expenses which burden the youth, the UAE’s Cabinet, on the 29th of September, 1997 approved a letter from the Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister outlining a draft law defining dowries, the money paid by a groom to his bride, under Islamic Law, at Dh 20,000, divorce compensation at Dh 30,000, and wedding parties should not exceed one day.

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When Two Become One - The Gift of Sacred Marriage

2009-12-03T21:07:00.000-08:00

The gift of sacred marriage is one of God's greatest blessings. In today's world, the understanding of sacred marriage has been limited by concepts and customs that were created in an earlier age. Today, at the cusp of humanity's transformation into a plant of light, the nature of all relationships, including those of sacred marriage, are being raised to a new level of consciousness and awareness.

In God's reality, all is One and all individual souls are part of the One that is God. From the perspective of our individual, human consciousness, we often feel alone and long for connection, companionship, and fulfilling relationships. The aloneness that we feel is a part of the consciousness of individuation that humanity has evolved since taking physical form, and at the current time in our evolution, there is now a much greater possibility to move beyond this to tap into the depth of god's love through our relationships and connections with others.

What makes more possible now in human relationships is related to the expansion of spiritual light on the Earth, which has accelerated humanity's transformational process. This influx of light has begun to awaken the hearts, minds and bodies of many people who are beginning to have a direct experience of god's love and light. This kind of direct experience can transform a life, and can heal that which may have felt impossible to heal.

In previous eras, the nature of sacred marriage was connected with duty, or related to practical necessities. Nowadays, as human relationships transform and become more conscious, the nature of sacred marriage enters a whole new domain of possibility that is related to two souls who become One in God, without releasing their individuality or unique identities.

This new form of relationship is the culmination of humanity's transition process, first from beings of light in the spiritual realms, who then took physical form while retaining their connection to the One... and then as increasingly physical beings, who became immersed in matter and became less aware of the spirit. Now, the circle is completing so that souls who attained the maximum individuation and separated consciousness are beginning to awaken to the remembrance of spirit.

when a soul begins to reconnect with their divine origins, a whole new world opens up before them. Many "needs" that were felt from the ego level of personality begin to disappear once the soul realizes its divine connection with the source of all love. As the soul begins to relax into its spiritual identity, doorways begin to open both emotionally and on the spiritual levels. A divine flow begins that weaves the threads of God's love and light into all aspects of daily life. Relationships take on a new brilliance and fullness, and there is less ego attachment which promotes the open exchange of greater levels of spiritual light.

As more souls begin to reconnect with their divine origins, the possibilities for relationships multiply exponentially. Love becomes the guiding force which breaks through all barriers of fear from the ego level of the self, and takes on a life of its own. It can be said that in a divine partnership, two become One within God. In such a divine partnership, two souls come together in surrender to God's will, which directs the relationship.

A sacred marriage comes about when two souls are guided through their love for each other, to join their hearts, minds, bodies and daily lives together into a new entity that is greater than either individual alone. A sacred marriage bond creates a synergy and a blessing that radiates outward to the world, and that can be seen and felt tangibly as the presence of light and love.

Sacred marriage exists in all cultures and religions, for it is not the beliefs or customs related to as marriage which create its sanctity, but rather the sacred intentionality of the participants. In today's world which sees both the dissolution of many marriages, and also much pain and confusion about the nature of intimate relationships, there is little guidance or information available to help those who wish to enter into such a partnership.

Sacred marriage requires an ongoing commitment from each participant, to love fully each day, and to release ego attachments and negativity that would cloud communication and create disharmony within the relationship. This kind of commitment is in essence a spiritual one, which brings the soul into alignment with God's love and divine purpose for that soul. Sacred marriage is a blessing and a gift, which models the way home, to a place and time when all of humanity lives in sacred relationships with each other and with all of life.

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