| Pakistani wedding is full of fun and colors. It is mainly a combination of different occasions that are: Dholki, Mayun, Shaadi/Nikah ceremony and valima. It is started with the "Dholki", which is a get together of Brides and groom's friends and family just to begin the marriage ceremony with fun. The main purpose of "Dholki" is to have fun and enjoyment.
The next and important occasion after Dholki is "Mayun" or "Ubtan day" usually people organized Mayun and Ubtan on a same day, the main specialty of Myun is to having "Ubtan" on Brides face and hands. Usually people consider "Ubtan" as a beauty enhancing ointment in Southeast especially in Indo-Pak region.
The next occasion, which comes after Mayun, is "Mehendi", in which people having mehendi on the hands of Bride and Groom. Bride and Groom have to stay away from each other before the wedding day only their family and friends organized and invite each other separately. When Groom's family are invited to Bride, Bride does not participate in this program and Groom's family and friends have mehndi on Bride's hands, bride is taken to the ceremony under a embroidered and colorful "Chunri" or "Dupatta" which is held by her sisters, cousins and friends from its four sides. Bride wears yellow dress. The next and most important occasion is the "wedding day" or "Shadi", in which Bride is taken away from her family by the Groom for-ever. It is a most beautiful ceremony of whole wedding. Bride weass long Gharara or Sharara while Groom wears Sherwani or Shalwar Qamiz or sometimes he wears Three-piece suite. This ceremony starts with the arrival of Groom with his family and relatives; this is called "Barat". After their arrival "Qazi Sahib" who is the religious guider performs "Nikah". In "Nikah" both the Bride and Groom have to have at least three witnesses to declare their marriage according to the rules and regulations of Islam. Sometimes Nikah is performed before the wedding day at Bride's home or at Mosque. After "Nikah" dinner is served from the Bride's family. After getting done all activities now the time comes for the departure of Bride along with Groom. This is the most painful time for Bride's family as she leaves them forever. Bride is taken to the exit under the shadow of Holy book "Quran" which is held by Bride's brother or father. Then the final occasion "valima" which is a feasting from groom's family. |
