1. The Moroccan marriage usually begins without any “ceremony” attached. The bride and groom sign the marriage contract in the presence of witnesses from the bride and groom’s side. This paperwork continues in the mosque, where they sign more papers in the presence of the Imam (Cleric).
Formally and legally, the bride and groom are married, but by tradition the process is not over till the last of the ceremonies is done.
2. H’dia – Giving of Gifts
After the formal marriage commitment, the man usually gives gifts (the H’dia) to his bride. These are the popular gifts given:
Sugar: signifies a happy life
Milk : signifies purity
Dates
Water
Orange flower
Henna
Engagement ring
Jewelry
Fabric
Caftans
Shoes
Handbags
Perfume
These gifts are usually presented in a large flat silver colored container and covered with a conical lid.
3. A Moroccan wedding is a collection of ceremonies that showcase the clothing, art, music and cuisine of Morocco. These ceremonies can last from 3 to 7days. Parr of these ceremonies include a party being thrown in the bride’s home, the groom’s home and then a couple’s party.
4. The Hammam Celebration
Two days before the wedding, the bride undergoes some form of purification by going to a sauna with her female friends and relatives. This is called the “Hammam” day. The has her hair washed with a type of clay called ghassoul while her body is scrubbed, massaged, perfumed, and waxed.
The Hammam is an important part of the Moroccan Culture where men, women and even children visit their local Hammam (Spa) for skin cleansing rituals which can go on for about 2-3 hours.
5. After the purification, the next ceremony the bride participates in is the “Hennaya”. This is when a professional Moroccan Henna Artist, draws symbolic motifs on the hands and feet of the bride, her friends and relatives, with Henna. Henna is a plant which produces natural dyes that are used for body painting.
Henna is considered as a sign of fertility, beauty and optimism for Moroccans.
During this ceremony there are lots of singing and dancing for the bride.
6. The next day is the Wedding Party or the wedding day (Berza). The bride’s entrance is very ceremonial and is of major significance in the ceremony. She usually comes in an “Amaria”, a roofed platform carried by about 4 or 6 men, while the groom leads the walk.
7. Moroccan Bride changes into numerous outfits/caftans/Takchitas (some say 1 dress per hour), the last usually being a white wedding dress. On the whole she would have worn about seven different outfits.
8. When she comes out of the Amaria, she sits with the groom for some time, in an elevated couch, while pictures are being taken before going to change her outfit.
9. When she returns, dinner is served to all. The couple eat with both parents and close members of the family.
After dinner, the couple go around dancing and greeting their guests, before the bride goes for another change of clothing.
10. Tour in the “Mida”.
The bride returns in her new outfit called ” Labssa Fassia” for a tour in the “Mida” with her husband. The groom by this time has also changed into a “Jabador and Djabella” outfit.
There are usually two Midas (unroofed platform), one for the bride and one for the groom.
11. The bride and groom then go for a final outfit change and return to cut their wedding cake. The groom wears a suit while the bride wears a white wedding dress or a white “takshita”. The bride and groom share a last dance, eat the cake and leave after that for the wedding night.
