Maui Wedding Photographer

Wedding Traditions of Africa’s Northwest Region
Wedding traditions in Africa have some of the oldest customs in the world, as it is the oldestcontinent on earth. Many of the traditions are of religious, cultural or tribal spirited. In thenorthwest region of Africa, where you will find such countries as Algeria, Morocco, Niger andNigeria, you will see the true spirit of those customs in their ceremonies.
Algeria
- Since parents give the parental guidance, they must approve of the spouse before the couplemarries.
- Generally the male will express interest and love of a woman to his mother. She will thenverify suitability of the woman and her family with her own.
- Algerian weddings and receptions are filled with robust colors and with much emotion.
- After the engagement is announced, Shore begins. This the process of the family makingpurchases of items such as: clothes, wool, gold and other household goods.
- The couple will then spend as much time together as possible to really get to know each otherand plan out what their roles will be before the wedding takes place.
- In Algeria, it is believed that the more money that is paid toward the wedding, the prouder theyare. In addition, the bigger the meal is at the reception, the more the generous.
- After the reception, the bride is taken to the groom’ s place wearing an elaborate wedding gown.She is seated in a chair that has been decorated for her. She is all made up in jewelry, make-upand with henna designs on her feet, as well as her hands. The guests will dance as they say good-bye to her. When the couple leaves, they are now officially married.
M orocco
- The traditional wedding ceremony can last anywhere from four to seven days.
- A Moroccan wedding is usually done in three stages, the Hammam, the Henna and theCeremony.
- The brides’ jewelry must be made from gold. This includes her bracelets, rings, earrings andnecklaces.
- During a normal six months to two year engagement, the man will send his fiancé gifts.
- The Hammam is a pre-wedding ceremony where the brides’ friends and other women throw aparty and the bride is then bathed in a milk bath. This also includes black soap as to purify thebride.
- The Henna is the painting of the brides’ hands and feet for the wedding. A specialist known asthe Nekkacha, paints her appendages in geometrical and floral designs. This is meant to scare off
any evil spirits.
- The Ceremony contains customary dress in which the couple is dressed by the Neggafates. Thisis when the exchanging of the rings takes place.
- When the ceremony is done, guests partake in milk and dates. This symbols the sweetness andfruitfulness that life has to offer. The couple is then carried across the room by young men on aAmairya.
- A customary Moroccan wedding is generally impressive and very expensive.
Niger
- Often in Niger, the cousins will court each other for marriage.
- Male cousins often wear amulets that allegedly increase their attractiveness.
- In the event two male cousins have the same desires for the same female cousin, she will decideas to which cousin she will marry.
- For the cousin she does not select, he would be welcomed to their home. If she consents, oftenthe bride may share her bed with both cousins.
Nigeria
- Nigeria respects their wedding traditions from the past, but has also incorporated morecontemporary rituals into their ceremonies.
- Engagement ceremonies take place in different parts of Nigeria. During this fun time, thecouple-to-be’ s family and friends enjoy nuts and colas, while the officiating elder drinks palmwine; as does the couple.
- The officiating officer serves as the speaker for both families as they share messages betweeneach other.
- The family of the groom pays a price for the bride to her family. The price is generally made upof shoes, clothing and jewelry.
- Often the family elders will assist in giving the bride a bath prior to her wedding day.
- For the ceremony, the bride often wears Indian fabrics that have been imported in. They mayinclude such items as: necklaces, ankle bracelets and decorative headpieces.
- Much like most weddings, a gala event follows the ceremony. Live bands playing all night longwith much singing and dancing is the norm at most Nigerian weddings.
- After the party, the groom, along with his family, will go to the bride’ s house to claim her fromher dad.

This photo was taken on the beach at Mama’s Fish House. Autumn had her beautiful baby just three days after this photo was taken by Nicole at Behind The Lens Maui. To book your session please call Nicole at :808 205-2366

The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers, who took an incredible journey from Tahiti, navigating by the stars in sailing canoes. With these early settlers, the lei tradition in Hawaii was born.
Leis were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bone and teeth of various animals. In Hawaiian tradition, these garlands were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others.

Many wedding couples will do a lei exchange during their ceremony and sometimes when a loved one has passed on, they will pray and release a lei into the sea to honor a loved one who has passed on. Last nights wedding was one of those occasions. A great sunset shot with a flower lei in the forground.  A beauty Maui wedding photo.