My friend's big not-so-fat Arabic wedding...

[island_sands]

I am recovering today from what has been a two day wedding... starting with a henna night on Thursday where we all had to wear Indian dress as that was the theme.. and ending at two o clock this morning with the wedding night...

300 women present wearing everything from abayas to next to nothing, a massive camera on an arm which filmed all the guests showing us all live on a big screen..., ladies walking around showering us with incense, arabic perfumes, serving Gawva, juices, sweets, treats, and a sumptous Arabic buffet that i am paying for dearly today... rofl Not to mention the absolutely gorgeous girls in attendance, dancing the ever so sensual arabic dances....

There was a live band... and being a curious I wondered how males could be singing live at an all women wedding.... and saw a black curtain in the corner and took a peek.. rofl

I thought I'd share a few photos with you, as for myself it was an extraordinary experience, I have never been to an arabic wedding before and thoroughly enjoyed myself

Spaniard, you might get some ideas

 

[island_sands]

The bride sat on the stage all night, and was joined by the groom so that the family could give their wishes and have photographs taken. The bride and groom make an entrance with musicians playing arabic music and banging drums, it's really loud and emotional, some women put on their abayas as then there are men present.

The bride and groom then walk up to the stage... sit down surrounded by friends and family - and a guy came up and showered them with incense for good luck - he was wearing a false beard so we were all laughing..

 

[island_sands]

They were surrounded by people, it was so emotional and amazing, everybody shrilling tongues and clapping, dancing, the band playing and it was just LOUD and so much fun..

 

[island_sands]

And a few more... the dresses, jewellery and make up were unlike anything i have ever seen, only in arabic movies on tv and it was amazing to see it live! The person who makes false eyelashes in Dubai must have made a fortune last night rofl

If I ever get a chance to go to wedding of this kind again i will definitely go for the whole kaboodle and have the makeup done as well

 

[island_sands]

And a couple with yours truly...

In these photos the ladies bring refreshments for the bride (she hasnt eaten for hours!) and it was about midnight at that point, and in the other photo the lady is giving out arabic fragrances for the ladies, you dip the long needle thing in to the pot and touch yourself with it.

(Edit: that last sentence doesnt quite sound right) rofl

 

[Oldsarge]

And the men weren't allowed in . . . (Shut up, Sarge, just shut up! No politically or culturally impolite comments allowed, shut up, shut up shut up!)

"A few more pictures of "next to nothing" and the dancers would, of course be appreciated," he drooled or leered or something.

The most surprising picture is that of the bride and groom. He's in traditional Bedouin dress but she's in Western style. Go figure.

Such fun!

 

[island_sands]

Yeah my girlfriend doesnt ever wear an abaya, even though she is Emirati... she works for a major bank and is very forward thinking.... she didn't want to wear the traditional Emirati dress (see attached photo of the henna night previous, her sisters are wearing traditional Emirati dress.. which would you prefer if you had the choice?

Her hubby wore traditional dress as his party was outside in the hotel gardens, same time as ours, doing all the traditional stuff that the men do at their weddings.

He doesnt wear a thoub normally either, except for business meetings "where it counts".

They are a very modern couple and their marriage was not arranged.

It was a blast Sarge..

 

[Oldsarge]

Traditional dress is actually quite attractive but given her approach to life, Western would be the obvious preference. All of our clothing is really costume, if you take time to think about it. Pretty much when I'm out of the house I wear sportcoat and shirt when it's cool and Hawaiin when it's warm. I don't even own a suit, anymore. But when I'm . . . perhaps "in my native habitat" is the best phrase? . . . in the garden, shop, studio, kitchen or at the range, it's blue workshirt and jeans. We express who we think we are or who we want others to think we are in clothing. Pity high school students all seem to think they're stupid!

 

[Marwan]

it always amazes me how similar yet different we are in the arab world....in egypt most weddings men would wear a suit/tux.. the ladies would wear a gown and it would be a big party, men and women would be there dancing, there are drinks, etc.... yet there are some places in egypt where the traditional weddings still exist, where men and women wont be in the same place... i guess its a typical outcome of being more exposed to the west... that you get this array of habits...

 

[Mr. X]

I'm still trying to figure out which one is Liz Hurley

 

[island_sands]

I'm still trying to figure out which one is Liz Hurley

rofl hehehe she couldnt make it so Azza got in first! rofl

 

[maytag]

Those are really gorgeous photos - looks like such a happy event! It reminds me of my friend's part-Indian wedding last summer.

And, of course, you look stunning!

Beautiful blue dress!

 

[Kars]

Very Nice dress Sara, it fit's your hair and eyes and love for the ocean very well :inlove

Nice insight into the current local culture, and the changes going on.
I wonder if the people of that wedding would mind being on such big world wide forum like DB is?

Love, Peace and Water!

Kars

 

[island_sands]

Very Nice dress Sara, it fit's your hair and eyes and love for the ocean very well :inlove

Nice insight into the current local culture, and the changes going on.
I wonder if the people of that wedding would mind being on such big world wide forum like DB is?

Love, Peace and Water!

Kars

I doubt it Kars... Azza keeps promising me to come diving still rofl and the other girls, most dont even swim.

 

[Shadowkiller]

an all women wedding....

hmmmm.... all women wedding.... :chatup

 

[island_sands]

hmmmm.... all women wedding.... :chatup

YEAH What happened to ours Shadowkiller??

 

[Spaniard]

Thanks for the heads-up! Now I too want an all woman wedding with belly dancing and basically lots of women with not much on...........If I arrange my bits correctly and cross my legs tightly enough I can look like a woman too!!!!!!

 

[Oldsarge]

But would you be as pretty a woman as the ones at the wedding? I sure wouldn't! :rofl

 

[wet]

Thanks so much, Island Sands, what a wonderful occasion!
"All women wedding" ? What a concept!

Syukran & Shukria

DD

 

[Shadowkiller]

YEAH What happened to ours Shadowkiller??

Dunno...

How this Friday? :friday