Morocco is filled with a rich culture dating back many years. Their wedding traditions incorporate their culture’s morals and values and are quite elaborate occasions.

A traditional Moroccan wedding can last up to seven days, as it includes several ceremonies that occur prior to the actual wedding. Music, dancing, outfit changes, customs, and traditions all play a huge role in Moroccan weddings.

Here are some of the ongoings of a Moroccan marriage:

Drib Sdak 

In Morocco, the actual marriage happens before the celebration, in a ceremony called the Drib Sdak. At this small ceremony, the couple sign the marriage contract with their family members present as witnesses. They are also accompanied by an Adoul (a notary).

Hammam 

A few days before the celebration, the bride undergoes a process of purification. The bride gathers all the women in her life, who accompany her to the hammam (public bath or additional sauna). She will get her hair washed with ghassoul (a type of clay) and be pampered with a massage, waxing, and more. This lasts a full day.

Moroccans also take part in a version of the Henna party, most popularly celebrated by Hindu people. The Henna party happens the day after the Hammam.

The beginning of the real celebration

The third day is when all the efforts of the pre-wedding occasions come together.

Guests and the wedding party gather at the wedding venue. Thereafter the groom arrives with his family. The last to arrive is the bride, who is escorted in an amaria (a roofed platform carried by a few men).

During the festivities 

Once the bride exits the amaria, she will sit on an elevated couch with her new partner and guests will be allowed to come take pictures with the pair.

Just before the meal is served, the bride often changes into a second outfit. After dinner and some dancing, the bride will change her clothing again. This time, into an outfit called the “Labssa Fassia”. The groom also changes into more traditional clothing (from his wedding suit).

One last change of clothes happens before the cutting of the cake and the last dance.

Parade 

After the festivities, the newlyweds leave the venue in a car parade. They will stop at various locations along with their route home, to capture some photographs.

Once they arrive at the groom’s home, his mother will welcome the couple with milk and dates.

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