A Moroccan Wedding

A few weeks after our arrival, Laurie was invited to the wedding of her language tutor and asked me to come along.

Dressed in our Kaftans (mine borrowed from Laurie), we arrived at 10:15 PM ...and were early.

There we sat for almost two hours as people gradually came in - no music, food or anything. Moroccans are quite happy sitting and visiting for hours on end. In the States, there would have been a mutiny!

Elegant maroon and white cloth made up the interior of the tent. Everything was ready - except the bride, that is. I was reminded of the parable of the virgins who were ready for the bride and those who were not (Mtt. 25:1-13). So many parables and stories in the Book make more sense out here.

At midnight we heard drums and singing. The bride had arrived! Apparently the groom came in riding on a Fantasia horse, but since we were inside, we did not see him. My chance to see Prince Charming and I missed it! Then the band started to play - deafeningly loud and filled with anticipation.

In came the bride sitting on an elaborate platform carried by four men (see picture above). She was wearing a white and gold Kaftan and had her hands painted with henna and her face painted as pale as it could be. Around and around the men danced to the drums as she waved and danced with her hands. This went on for quite a while until they brought her - probably quite dizzy - to the groom who had somehow snuck in the side door and was waiting for her on a decorated couch.

At 1:00 AM, we were fed. Served with great flair and fanfare, we ate chicken and olive tajin (see "hospitality" blog). Stuffed and not realizing there was another course, we were then given a mutton and fig tajin. This was followed by a type of butter and honey dessert. After waddling back to our tables, Laurie and I decided it was time to go home.

In the car, we were about to leave when the father of the bride came and told us it was simply ridiculous to leave so early (1:30 AM!). What did we think we were doing? He opened our car doors and told us to get out. We did and obediently sat down and watched the lovely bride enter in the first of her five changes of clothing - each representing a different region of Morocco.

At 2:00 AM, Laurie noticed the father of the bride was preoccupied, so we made our second attempt at escape. This time we were successful and off we went to bed while the wedding lasted another 3 1/2 hours.

This was only one night of the wedding - there were four other nights. Some were at the groom's home and some at the bride's.

I was so grateful for this experience as a wedding is a real window into a culture! And to all you American guys - I don't want to hear any more complaining about the cost and length of weddings!