Pakistani matrimonial ceremonies are vibrant, lavish, and comprehensive, incorporating a wide array of traditions and rituals. They serve as a celebration of joy, amusement, and the supreme celebration of love.
Islamic ceremonies are an integral part of a Pakistani wedding. These include Nikkah, Baraat, Valima and more.
Baraat
Baraat is one of the most important wedding ceremonies in islamic pakistan. It is a procession in which the groom's family and friends arrive at the bride's house. The ceremony is mainly a fun event that provides an opportunity for the baraatis to enjoy and get to know each other better.
Traditionally, the baraat used to last for two to three days, but these days it takes only about five hours. It also involves a lot of dancing and music.
The baraat is accompanied by a dhol wale (a two-headed drum), a brass band, or a doll player. The guests dance to the beat of these instruments and enjoy their time.
After the baraat, the bride and her family are invited to a dinner. The food served is desi and usually includes chicken, mutton, or barbecue. It also contains a variety of desserts including gajar halwa and other seasonal items.
A few Rasams are also held during this meal. These include Doodh Pilai and Juta Chupai, which involve the bride's sisters and cousins.
This is a very emotional moment for both the bride and her parents. They are filled with happiness and excitement, but they are also saddened by the fact that their girl is now someone's wife.
Traditionally, the bride was taken to her new home by the baraat in a doli (palanquin), but these days, they've been replaced by vintage cars or limousines. Afterwards, she meets with her parents, and they hug and kiss her before her departure to her husband's house.
The baraat and the valima are both very important events of the wedding. They are both a chance for the guests to meet and socialize with one another, and are also an opportunity for the groom to introduce his family members to the bride's.
Nikkah
A Nikah is a wedding ceremony in islamic pakistan, where two people make a commitment to be married. This religious event is one of the most important in a Muslim's life and holds a special place in a couple's hearts.
The Nikah is a contract between the bride and groom that outlines their marriage and their rights and responsibilities as husband and wife. It must be performed by a religious scholar or officiant and is legal according to both civil and religious law.
For a Nikah to be valid, there must be a minimum number of witnesses, a male from each side, and the bride and groom must both agree to the marriage. The witnesses must also be able to swear that both parties were willing to enter into the marriage orally and that they did not rely on force or influence from others in deciding their willingness.
Once the requirements are met, the couple can perform their Nikah in a mosque. This can be done by a religious scholar, a wali (officiant) from the mosque, or an elderly man from the bride and groom's families.
After the Nikah is completed, a meher (bride price) is declared to the bride and she is given a sum of money that will guarantee her independence and security in the future. This is often a gift that reflects the social status of the bride's family, but it can also be a property or even jewelry.
The Nikah is a religiously important event that is celebrated by Muslims across the world. It is a momentous occasion, and many families deem it to be the most important day of their lives. It is a wonderful opportunity to show off their cultural traditions and customs, but it is also an important time for the couple to bond with each other as well.
Henna Party
Henna Party is a popular ceremony in islamic weddings where the bride gets intricate henna patterns drawn on her hands and feet to symbolize luck, joy and love. It is often held a few days before the wedding ceremony.
The event usually takes place at the home of a couple and is attended by close female friends and relatives. It is a fun evening with music and dancing involved to get everyone in the mood for the wedding.
During the night the bride will have her henna applied to her palms, forearms, and feet. The darker the henna stain, the more successful the marriage is likely to be.
It is also common to have the groom's name hidden among the henna designs. He may even be given an extra special henna tattoo on his hand.
In Pakistan a typical bride will wear a brightly colored embroidered shalwar kameez, sari or lehenga dress. Her groom will also typically wear a casual black or white shalwar qameez, sherwani or western suit.
Henna parties are an important pre-wedding celebration in islamic pakistan. They are usually held a few days before the actual wedding and are attended by close family and friends of the bride.
Traditionally, the mehndi (henna) ceremony is celebrated by the bride's family but in recent years the groom has become involved with it too. The mehndi day is a lively and fun event where the groom's loved ones apply oil to his head and there are a number of small rituals taking place.
Other pre-wedding ceremonies include the Dholki and Walima. In the Dholki, the bridal party, close friends and family members will sing and dance to traditional Pakistani wedding melodies while beating on a dholak drum. In the Walima, the couple will host a formal reception where many of their friends and family will attend.
Rasm-e-Heena
Rasm-e-Heena is a traditional wedding ceremony in islamic pakistan. This ceremony is usually held at the bride’s home, and is a chance for her family to celebrate her. It is a very popular event among Pakistani women and involves lots of singing and dancing.
It is also a time when the female members of the groom’s family apply henna on their hands, and feed the bride with sweets. It is believed that the more henna that is applied, the better luck the bride will have in her marriage.
After the wedding, it is customary for the couple to host a formal reception for their friends and family. This can be held at a restaurant or a hotel.
The couple are presented with gifts by their friends and relatives, and are also formally welcomed as members of the community. This is a great way to get the newlyweds settled into their new life and allow them to spend time with their loved ones.
Traditionally, this was not a male-oriented celebration but with the rise of Pakistani culture it is becoming more and more common for men to participate in these events. However, it is still important to note that this is a very important event for the bride and her family.
It is an emotional moment for the families of the bride and groom to send their daughter off into the world. The bride will often throw rice over her head to symbolize her leaving their family’s comfort and nurturing for a new one. The bride and groom will then leave with their respective families on their journey to their new homes. This is a very moving moment for the two families and the community at large.
Aarsi Mashuf
Pakistani weddings are filled with so many fun rituals and traditions that they really bring out the joy in everyone. It is also a time for family members and friends to bond together.
A few days before the actual wedding, there is a very special ceremony called Manjha. In this ceremony, both the bride and groom get smeared with a yellow powder made from turmeric and sandalwood mixed with rosewater. This is a very important and significant part of the Muslim wedding.
Usually, the bride and groom will visit the house of their prospective families for this ceremony. This is done to ensure that the two people are matched with each other perfectly and are ready for marriage.
Another pre-wedding ritual is Zamati, where the elders of the potential groom’s family ask the families for their blessings and willingness to marry the couple. This is a traditional practice in Balochi culture, and it is still widely followed in rural areas of Punjab.
At the end of this ceremony, the couple holds a mirror in between them and looks at each other for the first time as husband and wife. This is called Aarsi Mashuf, and it brings so much love between the groom and the bride.
The nikah is an extremely important part of a wedding in Pakistan, as it signifies the couple’s commitment to one another. Typically, the nikah takes place in a mosque but can also be held at the venue of the wedding itself.
This ceremony marks the official start of the marriage as it marks the signing of a religious contract between the couple. After this, a Khutba is recited and the couple is pronounced husband and wife by two elders from each of their respective families.
