Wedding Traditions of the Middle East; Oman to Saudi Arabia

Jan 21
2011
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Wedding Traditions of the Middle East; Oman to Saudi Arabia

Wedding traditions of the Middle East can come in all kinds of forms. Some of the customs may
be the same from country to country, but other traditions will vary. For such countries as Oman,
Palestine, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, these ritual traditions are taken very seriously.
OMAN
Wedding traditions of Oman include:
- Unlike other Middle Eastern countries, both men and women are allowed to select their mate.
- After the price is agreed upon, the groom-to-be and the father of the bride will attend an
Omanian judge’s office to sign a contract. For this procedure, the bride will not be present.
- For most of the wedding proceedings, the groom and bride will be separated.
- As for celebrations, it is common for the groom’s family to stay together and celebrate for as
long as three days. Meanwhile the bride’s side will only celebrate for just one or two of the days.
During the celebrations, the bride stays with other children in another room.
- After the groom’s family has returned from the bride’s home with the new bride, the party
starts up again. While the bridal party is entertained and fed, her new groom is being shaved and
redressed into his best clothes. His outfit would also include a green sash to match his wife’s
green headdress. The color green being worn by both is thought to bring good fortune.
- Upon the completion of the ceremony, the couple will go off to a nuptial hut that is usually
built by the groom’s friends. It is here where the new couple will spend their honeymoon
lasting up to one week. During this time, they will use their feet to crack an egg, which is
encouragement for fertility.
PALESTINE
Wedding traditions of Palestine include:
- A Ziyaneh is held for the bachelor the night before his wedding. It’s basically a bachelor party
where the groom’s sexual abilities are confirmed. This ritual includes his parents bragging about
his beard, which is a symbol of manhood. Although the groom may be as young as 14 years old,
he will still need to have a good shave to be successful at the taking of his bride’s virginity.
- Expectations are high that the new bride is a virgin and proof is often needed to avoid having
the groom laughed at and mocked. Therefore, after they consummate the marriage, the groom
will exit the room with the virgin’s blood on the cloth. The cloth is then handed to the groom’s
mother where she will dance with it in front of some women. After, she will hand it to the father
of the groom who then brags about his son’s manhood.
- One of the bigger traditions in Palestine is when the bride places a piece of dough on her front
door of her new home. This symbolizes blessings and wealth to her home as well as good fortune
in money and children to the groom by his bride.
QATAR
Wedding traditions of Qatar include:
- Nearly all marriages are arranged and are usually within the tribe.
- Girls are considered old enough to marry upon their educational completion by about age 14 or
15.
- The bride can choose to go with either a more modern wear or a traditional wear. The
traditional wear includes a green disdaasha (Arabic gown) that is covered with embroidery of
gold color. Wearing the dishaasha shows a sign of respect for the older Gulf traditions.
- For a Qatari marriage, the groom needs to give the bride a marital payment known as “mahr.”
- The bride will generally make all the decisions for her wedding and is assisted by other females
in her family, the groom’s family and friends. The groom will be in charge of financing the
entire wedding and honeymoon, as well as any other requests she may have or want.
- Most Qatari weddings take place after either the “Maghrib” (after sunset prayer) or after
the “Ishaa” (the evening prayer). Many weddings usually take place in the evening since a night
setting tends to be a more romantic atmosphere.
SAUDI ABRABIA
Wedding traditions in Saudi Arabia include:
- When a man and a woman decide to marry, they generally will go out and buy new clothes,
then return to throw out their old clothes. This symbolizes a new life together.
- Both the groom and bride will wear white for their wedding ceremony. The groom will also
wear a long cover that is known as a Bisht.

Wedding Traditions of the Middle East; Oman to Saudi Arabia
Wedding traditions of the Middle East can come in all kinds of forms. Some of the customs maybe the same from country to country, but other traditions will vary. For such countries as Oman,Palestine, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, these ritual traditions are taken very seriously.
OMAN
Wedding traditions of Oman include:
- Unlike other Middle Eastern countries, both men and women are allowed to select their mate.
- After the price is agreed upon, the groom-to-be and the father of the bride will attend anOmanian judge’s office to sign a contract. For this procedure, the bride will not be present.
- For most of the wedding proceedings, the groom and bride will be separated.
- As for celebrations, it is common for the groom’s family to stay together and celebrate for aslong as three days. Meanwhile the bride’s side will only celebrate for just one or two of the days.During the celebrations, the bride stays with other children in another room.
- After the groom’s family has returned from the bride’s home with the new bride, the partystarts up again. While the bridal party is entertained and fed, her new groom is being shaved andredressed into his best clothes. His outfit would also include a green sash to match his wife’sgreen headdress. The color green being worn by both is thought to bring good fortune.
- Upon the completion of the ceremony, the couple will go off to a nuptial hut that is usuallybuilt by the groom’s friends. It is here where the new couple will spend their honeymoonlasting up to one week. During this time, they will use their feet to crack an egg, which isencouragement for fertility.
PALESTINE
Wedding traditions of Palestine include:
- A Ziyaneh is held for the bachelor the night before his wedding. It’s basically a bachelor partywhere the groom’s sexual abilities are confirmed. This ritual includes his parents bragging abouthis beard, which is a symbol of manhood. Although the groom may be as young as 14 years old,he will still need to have a good shave to be successful at the taking of his bride’s virginity.
- Expectations are high that the new bride is a virgin and proof is often needed to avoid havingthe groom laughed at and mocked. Therefore, after they consummate the marriage, the groomwill exit the room with the virgin’s blood on the cloth. The cloth is then handed to the groom’smother where she will dance with it in front of some women. After, she will hand it to the fatherof the groom who then brags about his son’s manhood.
- One of the bigger traditions in Palestine is when the bride places a piece of dough on her front
door of her new home. This symbolizes blessings and wealth to her home as well as good fortunein money and children to the groom by his bride.
QATAR
Wedding traditions of Qatar include:
- Nearly all marriages are arranged and are usually within the tribe.
- Girls are considered old enough to marry upon their educational completion by about age 14 or15.
- The bride can choose to go with either a more modern wear or a traditional wear. Thetraditional wear includes a green disdaasha (Arabic gown) that is covered with embroidery ofgold color. Wearing the dishaasha shows a sign of respect for the older Gulf traditions.
- For a Qatari marriage, the groom needs to give the bride a marital payment known as “mahr.”
- The bride will generally make all the decisions for her wedding and is assisted by other femalesin her family, the groom’s family and friends. The groom will be in charge of financing theentire wedding and honeymoon, as well as any other requests she may have or want.
- Most Qatari weddings take place after either the “Maghrib” (after sunset prayer) or afterthe “Ishaa” (the evening prayer). Many weddings usually take place in the evening since a nightsetting tends to be a more romantic atmosphere.
SAUDI ABRABIA
Wedding traditions in Saudi Arabia include:
- When a man and a woman decide to marry, they generally will go out and buy new clothes,then return to throw out their old clothes. This symbolizes a new life together.
- Both the groom and bride will wear white for their wedding ceremony. The groom will alsowear a long cover that is known as a Bisht.

Written by nicole in: Maui Photography | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Hawaiian Weddings; Things To Know

May 25
2010
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Hawaiian Weddings; Things To Know

Is there anything more romantic than a wedding in Hawaii? Hard to come up with one isn’t it? Therefore, since you are about to experience one of the greatest days of your life, allow me to give you some important insight and what you can expect from Hawaii as you plan to kick off your new life.

Best Times To Go

Is there really a bad time to go? Not really, but like anywhere else, there are times that are better than others. Obvious times of the year are during the summer when you have slightly warmer temperatures. However, in Hawaii temperatures usually average in the 70’s and 80’s throughout the year.

A more important weather notation is Hawaii’s rainfall. Hawaii is one of the largest rain forests in the world and it rains often. However, due to the flow of Hawaii’s trade winds, the rain generally hits most often on the northeastern parts of each island and in the mountains. Therefore, if you plan your Hawaiian wedding on a southwestern part of an island, you have a much more likely chance of nice and clear weather.

Wedding Styles

If you are not familiar with Hawaii, I suggest a Hawaiian coordinator. They can bring to you a selection of Hawaiian traditions, customs, cultures and sense of Hawaiian tranquility and relaxation.

In deciding a style for your Hawaiian wedding, there are many options you can choose from. You can go with traditional indoor weddings at one of many locations or maybe you prefer an outdoors wedding in a garden area or on the beach.

You can also make your wedding as simple as you want or more complex; you are in Hawaii after all. Maybe you want to include waterfalls, horses, the ocean, volcanoes or even take a helicopter to some remote location. The options are endless with a Hawaiian wedding.

Your Honeymoon

Hawaii is one of the top destinations for any honeymooners, whether you are married on the islands or not. Plan ahead and list everything you want to do and see while you are here. Some of the items may be on different islands, so do your homework and be prepared.

First there is lodging. Hawaii has some of the most beautiful resorts around or you can go more local and rent a condo or villa. Although most areas are short drives, consider your activities and restaurants when deciding where to stay. No matter where you stay or what you do, you are here for two reasons: Hawaiian Paradise and Each Other.

Which Island Should You Go To

After listing all your events, be sure to check them against what each island has to offer. Many of the islands offer many of the same things, but some do not. If you don’t mind traveling from island to island, then you’re set. However, if you are budgeted for less travel, then research the islands and see what they have to offer before making your choice.

After all, if you are set on lying out on Waikiki Beach and visiting Pearl Harbor, but plan on staying in Maui, you will realize these are different islands. So do you stay in Maui? Change to Oahu? Or simply do both? Once again, plan ahead and don’t wait until you get here, you may be disappointed.

To help with this, here is a quick rundown on the Hawaiian Islands as you prepare for your Hawaiian wedding or honeymoon.

On Molokai, you will find this island to be one of the more natural states as it is the least affected by big business. If you are more into cultural experiences, this may be the island for you.

Maui is often considered to be the most romantic of the islands. There are many things to do, even if it’s simply doing nothing. Anything from ocean walks and boating experiences, to up country farming. From waterfalls and tropical paradises, to a night on the town. Maui offers a variety of different things to do and see.

The biggest island is called, Hawaii. Much like Molokai, the “big island” offers more of a cultural setting. The weather here is like no other. The world has 13 climatic zones and this one island can experience 11 of them alone. From sun, to rain, to even snow topped mountains. Hawaii also offers some of the best lava flows around.

Kauai is your garden island. This is the island of beautiful tropical appearances that has been the stereotype in the movies or television. If you are an outdoors kind of person or prefer a slower pace, Kauai is for you.

The island of Oahu generally has the most action. This island is home to Honolulu, the state capital, as well as Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and much more. If your preference is for a faster pace and action, Oahu should be your choice.

As you can see, there is so much to offer for a Hawaiian wedding. Plan ahead and make the most of it. You will never forget Hawaii.

Written by nicole in: Hawaii Photographer, hawaii professional photographers, maui hawaii photographers, Maui Photographer, Maui Photography, MAUI PICTURES, Maui Vacation photographer, Maui Vacation photography, Maui Wedding Photography, maui wedding photography service | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Getting married on Maui

May 08
2010
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The brides toes are ready to walk down the isle.  Getting married in Maui this summer? Here’s your ideal foot wear for a Maui beach wedding.

Written by nicole in: maui bride and groom, Maui Photographer, Maui Photography, MAUI PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY, MAUI WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, MAUI WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS, Maui Wedding Photography, maui wedding photography service, MAUI WEDDING PICTURES, photographer, maui, photographers in maui, photographers on maui, Wedding photography, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY MAUI, WEDDINGS MAUI | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Destination Maui Weddings

Apr 30
2010
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Are you ready to get married? Thinking of a destination wedding in Maui, Hawaii?   If your thinking of getting married in Maui you might want to capture those beautiful memories on film.

Hiring the right professional photographer is key to capturing the type of photos your wanting for keep sakes. Please contact Nicole at Behind The Lens Maui where what you want matters.

www.behindthelensmaui.com

808 205-2366

Written by nicole in: Hawaii Photographer, hawaii professional photographers, hawaii wedding photograher, Maui digital photography, maui event photographer, maui hawaii photographers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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