Pakistani Wedding Essay

Pakistani weddings are loud, fun, and extravagant while American weddings are often very formal and proper. Some differences of these two cultures are displayed particularly in weddings: mainly in the pre-wedding activities, wedding party attire, and the actual ceremony and reception. Weddings are a major, wonderful life event; but people all around the world celebrate differently.

Pakistani weddings generally include many pre-wedding activities. Usually, there will be a Dholki before one to two weeks before the official celebrations begin. The Dholki ceremony is the first formal recognition of the bride in her upcoming role. Her family members escort her into the venue where they celebrate with singing, dancing, and food. The Dholki ceremony

The bride wears a traditional yellow outfit to the Dholki and to the various festivities throughout the course of the pre-wedding activities. The most common form of Mehndi attire for the married women is brightly colored, lavish shalwar kameez or saris. Unwedded girls, with the exception of the bride, typically wear long, flowing skirts and blouses known as lehengas. Dress is often very extravagant for the actual wedding ceremony with the bride dressed lavishly, traditionally wearing red and gold. This is the most elaborate outfit for all of the wedding activities and the bride is dressed to feel like a queen. The groom wears a sherwani and a turban while some grooms choose to wear a veil called a

The officiant could be a priest, bishop, pastor, rabbi, or simply a legal official. The bride’s and groom’s families are walked down the aisle by ushers, then the bridal party and finally the bride is walked down the aisle usually by her father. Vows are exchanged as well as rings, the bride and groom kiss, and then the reception begins. The reception typically has food, music, and dancing. The bride and groom share cake and visit with the guests, sometimes opening gifts. The wedding would then typically be