Welcome to Brides From Africa
My choice was influenced by the culture and setting of my new release; Red Velvet Rose. The Valentine Romance was partly set in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Pre - Marriage Custom
In Morocco, the Pre-Marriage Custom starts with the paying of a dowry that is spent on household items and furniture for the bride. The bride also receives other gifts such as golden jewellery, clothing and perfume from her groom every feast day.
Sugar symbolises a happy life. Milk represents purity. Other gifts include; dates, water, orange flower and henna, jewellery, bolts of fabric, caftans, shoes, handbags or perfume.
These gifts are typically arranged in very large flat silver coloured container and covered with a conical lid which is similar to the form of a big Tagine. The courtship period can last from six months to two years.
The bride is surrounded by "Neggafates" who are wedding master planners, since no wedding ceremony can occur without their presence. Their main task is to help with traditional Moroccan dresses, make up, jewellery and hair styling.
After dressing her in an elaborately decorated wedding kaftan (usually white) they proceed to decorate her with heavy jewellery and darken her eyes with kohl which looks a bit like thick dark eyeliner.
Days before the matrimonial event, necessities such as a mattress and blankets are taken to the bridal chamber. Customs require that the bride is given a bath in hammam which is a sort of milk bath that is meant to purify the bride. This act of purification is accompanied by beautiful traditional songs performed by the bride's friends.
Wedding Day
The bride and the bridal party proceed to have a beberiska ceremony in which their hands and feet 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.
On the day of the wedding, the ceremony begins with song and dance. The guests gather in a large room. The couple follow and the bride, dressed in a white caftan with matching jewellery heads to a large chair, called "the Amariya" along with her groom.
Four strong men carry the Amariya around the wedding room, so every guest gets to see and wish the couple happiness and good luck.
After a few minutes of touring the large guest room, accompanied by music from a live traditional band, the couple climbs down from the Amariya to sit in two comfortable chairs strategically centred in the room, where wedding guests have their pictures taken with the couple.
Throughout the ceremony, the bride changes outfits, adorning a selection stunning caftans justifying the reputation of Moroccan marriages.
The bride can wear as many as seven different outfits, with the last wardrobe change, in general, a magnificent white wedding dress.
In Moroccan weddings, exotic dishes are served to wedding guests including pastille (a pie in puff pastry stuffed with a fricassee of pigeon or chicken, almonds, sugar and cinnamon), Mashwi (baby lamb), Tajine (stew meat with prunes and almonds), couscous, traditional pastries and Moroccan cookies all served with traditional mint tea.
The guests dance from time to time to the rhythm of music, chat and connect with other guests and relatives.
Mother-in-law Welcome
At the end of the wedding the couple are taken on a car parade ( a parade of guest and family cars) through the streets and neighborhoods, stopping at specific spots (local beaches or parks) to take pictures with friends before the couple head to the house of the groom. In some regions of Morocco, on arriving at her new home, the bride is welcomed by her mother-in-law who will offer her dates and milk as a sign of welcome and affection.
Read more heymorocco, pinterest.com & morocco.com
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If you have bridal photos to share from your place, send it to me via email and I'll share it here and give you credit. I love romance and swooning over bride photos is my hobby.
Love
Stella
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Flirty & Feisty Romance
Flirty & Feisty Romance
Our promise...is to deliver an intensely emotional experience you'll never forget.
