An Emirate Wedding

You know someone who knows someone whose relative is getting married, so you are welcome.

You get very dressed up. You put on a long dress, do your hair and makeup and for good measure you throw on some bling.  There are no gifts to bring - it is not the tradition.

You arrive at the wedding hall or hotel at 8:30 o'clock at night, when the ladies-only party typically starts.  Somewhere there is a party for the guys as well, and while you can see them they can't see you.

You are greeted warmly at the door by 10 or so of the bride/groom's close female relatives. They are extremely dressed up, with more makeup than you've ever seen a woman wear in your life. You are surprised at the elaborate dresses they wear, which draw attention to their figures, to say the least: cleavage is really on display, and maybe a midsection on a gown or two will be see-through. Their gowns appear custom made because they fit like gloves.  In the background you will smell the incense that they burn and wonder if you'll make it through the night.

Everyone says "welcome," shakes your hands, maybe kisses your cheeks. You really do feel like an honored guest. You're glad you got dressed up; you'd feel like part of the beige-colored walls in the lobby right now if you hadn't.  Women are walking around with liter sized jugs of perfume and they use wands to put it on you when you are not looking.You walk into a lavishly-decorated ballroom: the bride's chosen colors are on display and everything from the flowers to the table clothes and the chairs has these colors. There is a stage at one end of the large room, with a chair or sofa, where you imagine the bride will sit when she arrives.

You find seats with your friends at a table. Arabic coffee and tea are offered, along with fruit juices, water and sodas.

Hummus, moutabal, fatoush, and some sweets are passed around and around the table. Deliciously-cooked lamb, camel and goat - on rice is served on a huge platter.   You can't ignore the bones, and sometimes you'll get a head as well.  There's also harees, a traditional lamb/wheat dish, and other foods at your table.  There is so much food it can not possibly all be consumed!

At 10 or 11 o'clock, the lights go out and a spotlight shines on the far end of the room.  Some of the women start a high pitched ha la la la la that continues for minutes and then the bride appears. She is dressed in an elaborate, white wedding gown that glitters from all angles. She walks very slowly down the center aisle, pausing to pose for the cameras. She looks nervous, but her appearance is absolutely perfect.  Most likely she is wearing new jewelry given to her as a gift from the groom and his family.   She walks up the steps of the stage and poses for more pictures. Finally she sits down on the chair.

The music is very different from western music. It is all in Arabic, and it has a fantastic rolling drum beat that makes you wish you could dance too.  Sometimes women with belly dancing belts shimmy around in the crowd.

Sometime later, an announcement is made in Arabic. Suddenly there is a wave of black moving over the room. Every lady in the room is covering her head with her shayla, some adding their burqa or niqab over their faces.

The groom and his party go up to the stage and stand by the bride and many more photos are taken, although you are not permitted to take any photos yourself.
 The bride's face is uncovered. She and the groom chat as they greet the ladies who wish them well. Cake and other sweets, as well as coffee, are served.
The newly-weds leave together. The wedding is over.