Marhaba (Welcome) to Morocco! Moroccans take a lot of pride in their North-African heritage and Arab culture, and it shows in their extraordinary weddings. Filled with many events and several different outfits, these weddings can be a 3-to-7-day affair! There’s no set order of the proceedings or garment changes, so it’s always a surprise and never a bore. Read on to see what makes Moroccan matrimony so magical!
The Islamic Marriage - Drib Sdak
Before the party can get underway, the Islamic marriage must come first. This is the most important part of the marriage process in all Muslim weddings. The intimate ceremony takes place in a mosque with at least two male and two female witnesses, usually family members, present. Once the adoul, the notary, officiates the service and the couple signs the contracts, they are officially married in the eyes of God and the law. Now, the celebration can begin!
Hammam Day
Ladies, you’re going to absolutely love this tradition! Two days before the wedding, the bride-to-be invites her female family members and friends to the hammam, or steam bath, for a day full of pampering. This is definitely not your run-of-the-mill spa! The bride goes through a purification procedure, getting her hair washed with a special clay called ghassoul, followed by a body scrub, massage, wax treatment, and perfuming. Self-care at its finest! Some brides rent out the entire hammam for more privacy. Can we get a hammam day every day?
Henna Party
Naked hands are no fun! A Moroccan wedding look isn’t complete without henna. These intricate temporary tattoos are artfully created on the hands and feet the day before the wedding during another fun ladies’ gathering. It symbolizes beauty, fertility, optimism, and good luck in the marriage, on top of looking stunning! After the designs are complete, the party continues with dancing, dining, and celebrating the bride.
Bridal Attire
Wearing multiple dresses for a western wedding is a fairly new trend, but Moroccan women have been doing it for years. These brides can have up to seven wedding looks. Yes, you saw that right. Seven!! And we’re in awe of how magnificent they are. Not only are they breathtaking, but some of them represent different regions of Morocco. A wonderful tribute to the homeland! Look below for a description and example of each of the bride’s options:
Green & Gold Caftan - one-piece | worn for henna party
White Takchita - two-piece: underskirt and dress | symbol of purity | worn for amaria tour
Fassia - white, red, green, or gold | ornate, heavy head ornaments | worn for mida tour | Fez region
R’batia - blue or red | special rabati embroidery | Rabat region
Sahraouia - wrap dress | Sahara region
Soussia - multicolored, decorated with Amazigh patterns | headdress | Souss region (recognizing Amazigh indigenous group)
Mejdoub - gold, embroidered caftan | Casablanca-Settat region
Chamalia (Chedda) - multicolored floral embroidery | bejeweled neck piece & conical headdress | Northern region (Tangier & Tétouan)
Negafa Fittings
With seven outfits and no bridesmaids, you might be wondering how the bride manages all of her outfits and accessories. That’s where the negafa comes in! She and her assistants, negafates, act as personal stylists and wedding planners all in one. Many fittings are required prior to the wedding to ensure the bride looks perfect in every ensemble. This bridal team helps with dress and jewelry changes throughout the wedding as well. A negafa’s work is never done!
Guest Attire
If you’re thinking of dressing down for a Moroccan wedding, we urge you to reconsider. After one look at these gorgeous caftans and takchitas, would you even want to wear anything else? You’ll find an endless selection of unique colors and designs to pick from, but if you take as much time choosing one as we did choosing these photos, we wish you the best of luck. Renting is always an option too!
The Venue
The most popular city in Morocco for weddings is, without a doubt, Marrakech! There are many different types of venues at your disposal. It all depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s opulence, try a luxury hotel. For a more traditional experience, consider a riad, an intimate courtyard with palm trees and beautiful tilework, or a kasbah overlooking the mountains. No matter what you choose, you’ll definitely want to book far in advance, especially if you’re planning a summer wedding. Don’t know where to start? Take a look at the Royal Mansour. Wherever you are, you’re bound to see some Moroccan lanterns!
The Bride’s Entrance - Amaria Tour
Since there’s no ceremony, the bride has all morning to relax, all afternoon to get ready, and all night to party. The proceedings probably won’t start until 9:00 PM anyway! Now, for one of the most highly anticipated parts of the wedding...the amaria tour! The bedazzled, roofed platform seats the bride and is carried by a group of 4-6 men, led by the groom, parading her into a sea of joy and cheers. The negafa and negafates join as well. After all, it’s their beautiful handiwork on display! When the spectacle is over, the couple sits together on an ornate, raised sofa, which can be switched out to match the bride’s many outfits. Here, guests come to give their well-wishes and take pictures throughout the night.
The Festivities
Before dinner time, the bride slips away for her first outfit change. Next, the couple makes their rounds to thank all of their loved ones for celebrating with them and invites everyone to gather around to watch their first dance and join in for the second!
The mida tour is similar to the amaria tour but with two separate uncovered platforms, as the groom joins in this time! But something else needs to happen first. You guessed it, outfit #3, the fabulous fassia. The groom also puts on a traditional outfit, a jabador or djellaba. The cake-cutting follows the tour with the bride in either a white takchita or Western wedding dress, followed by more fun and dancing to round out the party.
The Food
As guests await the bride’s arrival, dates, an Arab and Middle Eastern staple, are served with orange-infused almond milk. This traditional treat is followed by appetizers and an assortment of juices and mocktails, as alcohol is forbidden in Islam. The main course is served after the bride’s arrival and usually consists of either chicken, lamb, or beef with a tasty sauce. Tajine is always a favorite!
For dessert, you’ll find fresh fruits to go along with the wedding cake. But really, you can have dessert at any time, as Moroccan pastries, like kaab el ghazal and jawhara, are served with tea and coffee all night. Didn’t think you’d ever be eating breakfast at a wedding, did you? Well, when that wedding goes until 5:00 or 6:00 AM, wedding breakfast becomes a thing! So, be sure to save room for some delicious Moroccan beghrir…pancakes!
Music & Dancing
You can always expect to see a live band or orchestra at a Moroccan wedding, maybe even two! You’ll hear a variety of Moroccan pop, traditional songs, and music from the bride and groom’s respective origins. Rest up the night before because we have a feeling you’ll be on your feet all night long!
The “After-party”
The last dance has just ended, and guests are starting to head out, so it’s time for the couple to leave in style. Not necessarily in another outfit but in a fancy ride! The bride and groom parade around town, stopping to take pictures with family and friends who come along for the journey. Now, off to the honeymoon? Nope, not yet! After the parade, the newlyweds stop at the groom’s parents’ house, where his mother warmly welcomes them with dates and milk and food made with love as their first home-cooked meal together. Now, onto the honeymoon. Mabrouk (Congrats)!
For more amazing Moroccan wedding inspo, check out our Pinterest!
Cover Photo credit: @papercrown_photography on Instagram