Pakistani Wedding would have the range of festivities & customs linked to it. To many it remains a mystery. Wedding or so called Shadi has roots deep into people’s daily life. Most parents seem to be plotting their child’s wedding the moment it is conceived.
The planning starts with Mangni, or engagement. which has a story of its own. Family is of the utmost importance here – it is generally assumed that if the family is good then the son or daughter is good too.. Then comes, Mayoun, which kicks off the shadi process. The mayoun generally disolves into a dolki, which is a generic term for singing popular songs of all kinds. The girl, now officially the dulhan, or bride, wears a simple yellow outfit. Then comes those dance practices leading up to the Mehndi, which prove to be the funnest times of the whole process. After the entertainment there is a feast. As is the case with almost all major Pakistani gatherings, the success of the party is almost always linked to the quality of the food, so particular attention is paid to this part of the evening.
Next comes that Sehra Bandi, when the groom is center of attention, relatives are all dressed up in vibrant colors, bestowing shiny gifts, normally Gold & Silver along with the money. The process Barat lead to the Nikkah, which is a legal bond between two souls. The marriage is declared by Relegious Priest and everyone starts to hug and say Mubarak. The dulhan (Bride) is brought to the stage and stands with her man before being seated.
Next day the the family of Groom throws a huge party, inviting everyone they ever knew to the feast. This ends the process of Shadi but the not to the customs that would continue for the lifetime of this couple.
There are so many times when bride or groom just sit and people then began taking pictures of them in every possible configuration of family member you can imagine. I am sharing here one of those moments, when one of my cousin is going through Sehra Bandi, and his sister is presenting him with a ring.
