First of all, Islamic marriage customs depend on the country, but all couples are guided by laws and practices stated in the Quran. A husband and wife are each other’s protector and comforter, and marriage is seen as a way to maintain the religion, especially when growing your family. So what exactly happens at a traditional Muslim wedding?
Pre-wedding
Meher
This is a payment made by the groom to his bride-to-be. It usually consists of two parts, prompt and deferred. Nowadays, most couples regard the ring as the prompt. The deferred amount is usually a smaller sum of money, an education, land or jewellery. The money belongs to the bride and she is free to do whatever she wants with it. Meher is a sign of security between the couple.
Wedding
Nikah
The wedding ceremony is known as Nikah. In order to officialise the marriage, the couple only have to sign a marriage contract. The wedding can be officiated by any Muslim who is well versed with Islamic tradition. An Islamic wedding does not require an official clergy. Two people have to be present to witness the joyous union.
To express their love and free choice, the couple repeat the word ‘qabul’ three times, which means ‘I accept’ in Arabic.
Once the contract is signed, a piece of sweet fruit is shared by the happy couple.
Fatihah and durud
The officiant usually reads the Fatihah which is the first chapter of the Quran. They speak about the meaning of marriage and the bond that the newlywed couple will share and their responsibilities to Allah and each other. It is not uncommon for a Muslim couple to not share vows. The newlyweds focus on what their officiant is saying.
Post-wedding
Walima
This is similar to a wedding reception. The purpose of a walima is to announce and rejoice the recent matrimony. Loved ones will gather and feast to celebrate the newlyweds.
It’s important to note that many wedding traditions vary as a result of the different regions. So some practices may not be the same all over.
Image: Unsplash
After tying the knot, the reception usually follows, filled with celebration, fun and lots of dancing. However, planning a proper party requires a lot of thought. With all…
All eyes don’t have to be on the bride only – the groom can turn a few heads too! But how do you bring that same ‘wow’ factor with something as simple as a suit and tie? Here’s how to ensure that you and your mates are looking dapper on the big day.
Classic
A classic black suit and tie paired with a crisp white shirt is a definite crowd-pleaser.
Grey
Grey is a great option as it’s available in many variations. Try and pick a shade of grey that will suit your venue and colour scheme. For example, if it’s a beach or rustic wedding you’d usually opt for a light shade of grey.
Blue
It’s a great colour that suits all skin tones. It’s simple enough to be timeless, but a bit more daring than the classic black and white.
View this post on Instagram
What a dashing group of gentlemen ? #groomsmen #herecomesthegroom #groomsmenstyle #dashing
Tailor it!
No matter which colour or option you choose, tailoring will be your best friend. A tailored suit is already a statement, no matter the colour scheme. It looks put together, well-fitted and smart.
View this post on Instagram
2 years today. Peter and his groomsmen dressed head to toe in #AdrianJules ? #HappyAnniversary❤️
Casual
Again, this depends on your venue and the vibe of your big day, but deciding on a causal outfit has never looked this good. An added bonus is the reusable factor – you can dress it up or down as much as you’d like, for any occasion.
Statement ties
Opt for a plain suit and a bold tie for that unexpected bit of detail.
A bit of matching
Who doesn’t love a good match? While uniformity is great among you and your groomsmen, you (and your partner) are the star of the show. You don’t have to all wear the same outfit in order to have a bit of matching.
Image: Unsplash
Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling wed on August 31, 2019. The wedding took place at the York Minster Cathedral in England. Whether it was the star-studded wedding guest…
Before you stress about your two left feet, it’s important to remember that wedding dance floor etiquette is not about knowing how to perfectly ace the waltz or foxtrot. Simply put, it’s about knowing when you can hit the floor to bust a move. Have a look at the order of dances at a wedding.
View this post on Instagram
Assuming it’s a traditional wedding with the ‘usual’ dance order here’s how it goes:
Obviously the newly wed couple will take to the floor first. They will share their first dance together as a married couple. It is usually quite a sweet and romantic moment. They choose a special song that means something to them along with a dance.
Next the bride will dance with her father. It can be quite emotional so get the tissues ready!
Then the mother of the bride will dance with the groom followed by the brides parents, who will take to the floor for a spin or two.
The groom will sway away with his own mother thereafter.
His parents can then share a moment and then finally the guests can join in and shake a leg.
It’s important to note that this order can be changed and does not have to be followed. Edit it how you want to suit you and your partners desires.
If you’re a guest just remember not to step on the dance floor when it’s the couple’s first dance. Keep an eye out in case you recognise the above mentioned order and when you get the go ahead show them what your two left feet are made of!
Picture: Pexels
Who said garlands were just for the table? Take your decor to new heights with greenery installations – one of our favourite trends at the moment. Normally decor…
The first dance is daunting, to say the least, especially if you and your partner aren’t big on the dance front. Instead of worrying about showing off your two left feet, we’ve rounded up some of Cape Town’s finest studios where you can fine-tune your best ballroom moves:
Based in Belville, Cape Town, this dance studio offers a wide variety of dance classes including lessons on how to perfect your first dance. No previous dance experience is required. If you and your partner can’t decide on a song, they can also help you pick the perfect tune. They also offer classes for the father-daughter dance, bridal party and parents.
2. The John Hamman School of Ballroom Dance
Based in Newlands, Cape Town, here you’ll feel confident as they teach you all the right moves. They offer quick classes which means you won’t have to spend too much time learning your first dance.
Based in Claremont, Cape Town. They offer a variety of packages to choose from, and can tailor each dance to suit every couple’s needs. Enerchi Dance also customises your dance according to the size of your dance floor.
Based in Zonnebloem, Cape Town. Forget the stress and panic involved with wedding planning and have a little fun while learning your first dance or father-daughter dance. Again, no experience required!
5. Jacques Carstens Dance Studio
Based in Belville, Cape Town. This dance studio will be there to help you every (dance) step of the way, with a hefty side of fun.
Image: Unsplash