Wedding season in Pakistan

It seems that many Pakistans return to the pleasant winter weather of this country during November and December to get married. Families reunite maybe for only one time out of the year from their overseas homes and attend night after night of celebrations - because each of these numerous weddings last four days (see below).

I am attending my first Pakistani wedding tonight. It is the second day of this particular wedding that seems to be the night entricate decorations for the bride (called mehndi) and much fun and dance for close friends and family members.

The mehndi [spelled many different ways] is a tradition of decorating the bride's skin with a reddish-brown dye that lasts for weeks to a couple months. I believe it visually signifies a new wife to the community.

The effect is accomplished by applying a paste of the plant leaves of henna (Lawsonia inermis). I saw these leaves being dried outside in preparation for this past for the first time in Yemen. Read on for the science of this process. A molecule with the common name lawsome (2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone) resides in the cell walls of these plant leaves. So, the raw leaves will not stain skin until the cell walls are broken down. The processes of physically crushing (i.e. milling) the leaves as well as the chemical dissolving of cellulose that comprises the cell walls with a mild acid (e.g. lemon juice) serves to release this molecule from its cage. The subsequent mixture is then mixed with oil for several hours and then applied to the skin with many different methods of design, exposure time, and additional treatments.

I am quite anxious to see the traditional application of henna for the first time as well as the well-known dancing of South Asian marriages (which I've always thought to be exaggerated in movies).


Wedding Traditions in Pakistan

Four Day Wedding Ritual of Pakistan

Traditional Pakistani marriage celebrations lasts for four days.

First Day of the Celebration

On the first day, the bride and groom's families each dress in yellow, and celebrate the upcoming nuptials separately. The betrothed couple will not see each other from this day until the ceremony.

Second Day of the Celebration

The second day is reserved for a big celebration called Mendi that includes dancing and singing ancient songs. On this day, the groom's family delivers the wedding dress to the bride's family, and then her family takes the groom's wedding attire to his family.

The bride's family string hundreds of colored lights over and around their home, creating an ostentatious announcement of their daughter's forthcoming marriage. Here, the bride-to-be receives a traditional henna staining of her hands and feet. This traditional Muslim art form invokes intricately designs to create beautiful symbolic patterns. The bride-to-be is waited on by her family while the henna stain dries overnight.

Third Day is the Marriage Ceremony

The wedding rites and ceremony in Pakistan take places on the third day. The Pakistani bride and groom who continue their traditions wear garments of red. The bride's gown is very elaborate, as are her veil and jewelry. Men wear a distinctive traditional turban. After wedding vows are exchanged, the Holy Koran is held over the new bride's head as she joins her husband's family. The official paperwork is signed in the presence of an Islamic priest and the guests.

Fourth and Final Day of Wedding Program in Pakistan

On the fourth day, the couple hosts their first dinner as husband and wife. The groom's family invites all of the guests to their home for a feast.

Sources:
Wikipedia: Mehndi
Wikipedia: Henna
The Henna Page
Wedding Traditions in Pakistan

Updated:
My photos of the event