Maui Wedding Photographer

Wedding Traditions of Africa’s Northeast Region
Wedding traditions in Africa bear some of the oldest rituals in the world; after all it is the oldestcontinent on the planet. Many of these traditions can be attributed to religion, culture or tribal. Inthe northeast region of Africa, you’ll find such countries as Chad, Egypt, Libya and Sudan, andwithin those countries you will find a spirit of their rituals.
Chad
There are different groups in the country of Chad; the two most known are the Arab Chad andthe Taubou or Daza Chad.
- The Arab Chad lives in a family that is closely knitted together.
- The primary social unit of the Arab Chad is known as Kashimbet.
- The Taubou Chad, are known for being nomadic.
- The wife is the decision maker in the family.
- The Taubou Chad believes in polygamy.
Egypt
- Often girls in Egypt marry at a young age.
- It is believed that the ring finger has the vein of love as it runs straight to the heart and that iswhy the ring goes on that finger.
- The groom’s family often proposes to the bride as many Egyptian weddings are still arraigned.After the agreement is made the Koran’s first chapter is read aloud.
- The Zaffa, which is an Egyptian wedding march, is played prior to the wedding vows. Itincludes music, drums, horns, belly dancers and flaming sword performers.
- An Egyptian wedding must include at least two Muslim witnesses.
Libya
- With Islam being the state religion of Libya, the wedding ceremony is usually Islamic and isquite often officiated by an imam.
- The marriage contract is signed in the bride’s home, but the festivities that follow usually takesplace on a different day.
- Wedding tradition of the past has a Libyan bride’s body completely covered with her faceveiled. However, the guidelines have changed some in recent years allowing a bride to wear awedding gown from the Western culture.
- An Islamic wedding generally has the new bride and groom eating their dinner secluded from
the wedding guests.
- On her way to her new home, often candy and rice are used to shower the bride as she walks.
Sudan
- Prior to the wedding, in exchange for the daughter’s hand in marriage, the groom’s family willgive the bride’s family sheep or cattle. This will help in replacing the labor lost by losing thedaughter’s help in the field. In some cases, it may cost the man as much as 40 cattle.
- For the wedding, the groom takes center stage. He is adorned with a large decoration knownas Umbul-Umbul as he arrives. Then the mother of the bride will welcome him to her family byputting a garland of flowers on him.
- The couple will then bend over forward and kiss their parent’s knees, which is custom calledsungkem. Sungkem is their way to ask for forgiveness, blessings and the promise to serve theirparents even after they are wedded.
- One wedding scenario takes place in front of a gargoyle water fountain. The water flowingsuggests the parent’s love for their children. Then a man and a woman sing kidung, a song onbehalf of their parents. It advises the new couple to live in harmony.
- Another scenario is that the groom and his bride will take their spots sitting side by side in frontof their future homes entrance under an umbrella. They will sit there with their heads covered bya veil. The umbrella serves two purposes. One is for protection as it shields the couple from anysun or rain. The other is symbolic for respect and esteem.
- After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom are showered by dancers with flowersinsuring them a fragrant future.
- Rice that is thrown at the couple symbolizes prosperity, while the yellow represents everlastinglove.
- Representing a direction that the couple should take bringing them a happily married life, sevencandles are lit.
- In the southern region of Sudan live the Neur people. Their belief is that the marriage is notcomplete until the wife has given birth to two children. In the event she only bears one, he canseek divorce as well as the return of the cattle.
- In the event the husband dies, his family must present the widow with his brother as hernew husband. If they bear children together, the children will be considered as the deceasedhusband’s kids.

What are the four words that she will remember? Will you marry me?”

Those four little words may well be the most important question you’ll ever ask. The rest of your life will depend on the answer to that question. I

This question and the way it is asked is a BIG DEAL TO HER and the way it’s asked even bigger. You don’t want to just pull out the ring box while you’re watching TV and say, “Oh, yeah, I thought you might like to, uh, y’know…would you?” Make it a moment you’ll both remember forever!

SHE will remember it; every tiny detail of it-the weather, what she was wearing, what you were wearing, the time, the place, everything. She’ll remember whom she told first and what they said, how her parents reacted, and how your parents reacted-everything! So take the time and make the effort to plan it so the details come out right.  The diamond is just one part of the Perfect Proposal. It takes thought, planning, loving attention to detail. The more romantic the better. If your not the romantic type you can do some research on-line and learn ways to pop the question. Along with asking  the question is the prepreation for your big day. It’s best to plan out every detail so  everything runs smoothly.

One of the most overlooked things is arranging for the photographer and planning out your engagement shoot. This should be done weeks out prior to your wedding date so  you have time to take advantage of your photos. Your engagement photos can be used for a variety of things to dress up your wedding. One of the things you can do is use your photos for the invitations.  For more ideas on how to use your engagement photos call Nicole at Behind The Lens Maui.

(808) 205-2366

Aloha,

I just arrived home from an awesome shoot at Paipu beach in Wailea, Hawaii. There are usually several weddings going on at this beach which is next to Poolenalena Beach another popular wedding spot but, there was only one wedding party this afternoon along with our engagement shoot.

The couple  I worked with today were both fabulous to work with, very easy going and both beautiful, making my job very easy. It’s so wonderful to see two people in love with one another. You could actually feel their love for one another as I worked with them.   Amazing …..

If your thinking of engagement  photo session, I would love the be able to work with you. There are numerous secluded locations on Maui for your romantic photo session.

Photos will be posted soon!

Nicole Sanchez- Behind The Lens Maui

(808) 205-2366