by Shaheen Darr

Created on: July 11, 2009   Last Updated: December 01, 2009

Marriage ceremonies differ in different Islamic countries due to cultural backgrounds and the financial capability of both sets of parents and while some celebrations can be lavish and last for several days, others can be quite simple.

In most Islamic cultures, a man interested in getting married to a particular girl sends a marriage proposal to her parents or guardian through his family representatives. They take into consideration the suitability of this proposal, and if satisfied, agree to the marriage. In modern days, girls are actively involved in this process and will refuse to marry a man they feel is not right for them and in many cases decide on their own marriage partner prior to involving their respective parents.

While the girl begins to get her wedding trousseau arranged, including gifts that will be given to the bridegroom and his close family, the boy has to ensure that he has adequate facilities for his bride when she gets married to him. While some prefer an extended family set up where the bride will stay with the groom's parents, many other modern couples prefer an independent arrangement.

Wedding invitations are sent to family and friends prior to the wedding and details of all the ceremonies involved will be included in the invite so that they can arrange dates to fully participate. A few days before the actual wedding a henna ceremony takes place, which is akin to the hen party non-Muslim brides partake in. The bride to be invites her friends and family and has her hands and feet decorated with henna paste. Other women can participate by having their hands decorated too and while the ceremony is going on, there is much singing and dancing to reflect the celebration that is to come.

The groom to be has a similar ceremony in which a small amount of henna is applied to his hand and members of his household sing and dance to show their happiness. This ceremony can differ in different countries with elements added on which relate to their particular cultural background. It is customary to have gifts of clothing and sweets exchanged between the couple's families.

On the day of the wedding, the groom arrives to the wedding reception, which is hosted, by the bride and her parents. The wedding can be held in a venue or at home depending on the number of invited guests and the financial status of the families, The wedding procession is called a baraat in Indian and Pakistani cultures and the bride's family and close friends welcome it by putting

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