A description of a marriage ceremony in Pakistan.

         A Pakistani wedding.

Marriage customs are not the same in all parts of Pakistan. Even in one big city, Marriage ceremonies are celebrated indifferent ways.

The marriage in usually arranged between the elder of the bride-groom and the bride elder directly or through an informer. First of all, some relatives of the bride-groom visit the house of the bride to have a look at her and appraise her social status. Then, Some family members of the bride visit the house of the bride-groom. The proposal for the marriage is offered to the guardian of the bride. If it is accepted,  The father of the bride-groom goes to the house of the bride and settles the details of the marriage with her father and a date is fixed for engagement.

On the appointed days, A selected few from the bride-groom’ side visit the bride’s house. They carry with them baskets of sweets, A ring and garment for the bride. The guest are offered tea, Cold-drinks or dinner. In the same way some family members of the bride also visit the bride-groom’s house.

·         Nikkah ceremony.

It takes some time to fixed the date for weeding. A few days before the ‘’Nikah ceremony’ ’Is   arranged. The bride-groom is taken to the bride’s house in the company of his parents, relative and friends. They are received by the family members of the bride. The Nikah registerar makes a number of entries in the register and thus prepares the legal documents of weeding. The ‘’Qari’’ Or ‘’Qazi’’ asks the bride-groom thrice wether he agrees to marry such and such girl. Likewise the consent of the bride is obtained through two witnesses.

The Qari recites a few verses from the ‘’Holy Quran’’ pray for their success in marital life and declares them to be husband and wife. Them sweets or biscuits distributed among all.

·         Wedding day or ceremony.

On the wedding days, The bride-groom is mounted on bedecked horse and all the guest from a ground procession and proceed to the house of the bride beating drums, Playing music and letting off fire-works and on return the bride sits in a palanquin. Or bride groom and the guest sits in car and buses if the house of the bride is at a distance. Every effort is made to decorates their houses .The procession is given a warm welcome. The elder on the both sides embrace and exchange presents. The guests are seated and served with cold drinks. The dinners is served first to the gents and then to the ladies.

 Special ceremony.

After the dinners, The bride-groom is led into the ladies section. He is given some milk to drink and gives some money in return. She is also presented with or money by relatives and friends of the bride. The dowery is displayed-The bride returns from the beauty parlor with her friends. She puts on the weeding garments and ornaments.

·         Departure of bride.

At last the time for weeding up the ceremony comes. The dowery is loaded and the bride is seated in a palanquin or a car. Promises of strengthening good relations are made and the marriage procession returns home-ward. On arriving at the house of the bride-groom depart to their homes and ceremony comes to an end.