We were invited to a local wedding on Friday in Dibba, northeast of UAE(by two of the UAE pilots, Sadi and Judi, good friends of James-it was Judi sister's wedding). The wedding was not until 8pm, when we arrived, men were outside of the wedding hall and dancing with traditional stick and really loud music played by a professional band.
::I was allowed to take pictures of men gathering here but not at women's.
I was escorted by James's friend and went to the place where women guests were gathered. I met with Judi's wife and went into the wedding hall, as soon as I walked in, a lady put incense smoke and poured a perfume on me. I got introduced to Judi wife's family and sat with them. Ladies and kids were dancing on the stage with loud music, and traditional wedding foods were served!. Most of women were wearing traditional Abayas, some were wearing western style party dresses. I got to meet the bride as well...she was also wearing a western style white wedding gown. I sat there and talked with the ladies some but it was hard to carry a conversation because the music was way too loud. I felt like it is more like celebration than ceremony. We left around 10:30 so I didn't get to see the groom, Judi's wife said the groom will come get the bride around the mid night...Anyway, it was an interesting experience. Of course, I did take one picture from the second floor balcony after asking Judi's wife...this is what wedding hall looks like:)
UAE WEDDING - I found this article from internet..
As well as being glamorous occasions, wedding ceremonies in the Emirati tradition can be a lovely cultural experience for the outsider. In most eastern countries, wedding celebrations usually last for a week and the run up to the wedding week can be both exciting and tiring for the bride. Arab women regardless of getting married or not, always take pride in their appearance even if, for most part of the day they are covered with their abayas (cloak) and shelas (headscarf).
Laylat al Henna
During the wedding week, gatherings can take place at both the bride and groom’s relatives’ places. However it is uncommon for both families to socialize together before the big day. The prelude of the wedding celebration for the bride is the Ladies or Henna Party traditionally called Laylat al Henna. Here, all the bride’s female relatives and friends are invited to an evening of music, dancing and sumptuous food and of course henna. This usually takes place a day or two before the actual wedding day and is normally held at the bride’s parents home. Most emirati females and muslim females who attend are normally very excited as it is a chance for them to really dress up and show their friends their latest outfits. At the Ladies party, the bride enters after all the female guests have arrived. Her arrival is marked with loud instruments such as drums, shakers, tambourines beating in unison and girls making a strange cheering noise with their hand cupped over their mouths. The bride is brought in with a close family member i.e. her sister or female cousin and may be covered with a beautiful cloth. Once in the middle of the room, her cloth is removed and she starts dancing with the crowd. A band will start singing and playing music and the atmosphere is just energetic. After a few minutes she is taken to her corner and seated on beautiful cushions and throws. At this point, family members in turn go to the bride and bless her and may sometimes give gifts of jewelry and money.
The Wedding Day
The Nikah which is the official religious ceremony takes place first, attended only by family. Emirati wedding receptions are almost always segregated for men and women. They can be held at one of the custom built wedding halls or at an expensive hotel. The wedding halls are designed in such a way that two halls of the same size can accommodate an equal amount of men and women in each. Sometimes a big screen is used in the ladies hall to display the ceremony taking place in the men’s hall. Because the women may not wear abaya and shela, filming of the festivities in the ladies hall is not permitted. During a wedding function, wearing abaya and shela is for non family members. Some family members may omit wearing shela for this special occasion but wear it when male guests enter their part of the hall. Female guests greet each other by kissing one side of the cheek 4 times and make their way to a table. Starters consisting of traditional Arabic food are served such as olives, hummous, tabbouleh, salad and bread. The bride enters. The usual tradition is for the bride to enter on her own with a member of her family and her husband enters later on. This part of the ceremony will be video recorded therefore shelas are worn but not the bride if she wishes. The husband will drop his bride to the front stage, sits for photographs and then leaves to his hall. At this point, ladies from the bride’s family greet the bride and music begins. The ladies all start dancing in their lavish colourful attire. After some time, an announcement is made that the groom will be entering with his male family members. Female guests who wish to cover themselves do this now. A loud procession of males playing instruments such as customary drums enter, the groom is in the middle and beside him his immediate family members all carrying traditional sticks which they dance with. The sticks were also historically used as a means of defense.
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