Normally in northern Morocco, the woman and the man celebrate their Moroccan wedding separately, each having a different set of rituals. Here we will talk about the part of the groom’s celebration, as it is usually celebrated in northern Morocco, for example in Tangier.
A Moroccan wedding in this area, whether it is the man’s or the woman’s, usually starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday.
Thursday
The man must take the Hedia to the bride’s house and leave these gifts at the door without entering it. The Hedia is usually composed of silk fabrics, slippers, sugar, tea, dates, handbags, candles, and other gifts, among which it is sometimes common to bring gold pieces or an animal for sacrifice. On this same day, the man usually invites his closest friends to the Hamman or traditional Moroccan bath. Some people hire traditional music groups to accompany them on their way from the bath to the house. After the bath, the groom invites his friends to lunch at home.
Friday
It is the day of the Dibiha or sacrifice. Before the prayer, they will prepare for the prayer. After the prayer, the traditional music group waits at the door of the mosque to accompany again the journeys. On this day the groom invites his neighbors and acquaintances to have lunch with him. This is the day when the groom dresses in labrador (traditional costume) or European costume for the photo session, which takes place in the evening with the bride.
Saturday
This is the day of the groom’s wedding celebration which is celebrated with all the relatives, friends, acquaintances, and neighbors (men only). Depending on the economy of the groom, it will be held in an event venue, on the terrace of a house, or in a tent. After midnight, the groom changes his clothes to put on the Moroccan jellaba and prepares for one of the most important parts of the Moroccan wedding of this type: the henna celebration. For this comes a man who gives a speech and after that, the groom must put his hand in a bowl with henna, as well as the bride, with the idea of being purified. It is the most emotional moment of the man’s wedding.
Once the henna ceremony is over, the man changes back into a European-style suit and goes to the bride’s house to pick her up to take her to her new home. This part of the wedding is called Buya. In the more rural areas and villages, the bride usually goes in a kind of wooden box that is placed on top of a horse or mule and makes the journey to her new home. A journey in which she is usually accompanied by the whole village that follows with curiosity this part of the wedding. In addition to friendly and curious neighbors, this procession is accompanied by traditional music groups.
In larger cities, the buyer may be replaced by the Jarya where the bride makes this journey in a procession of cars, as is done in Western weddings.
When the bride arrives at her new home, the mother-in-law greets her with a tray full of dates stuffed with nuts and two small cups of milk which the groom and bride must drink by intertwining their arms so that each drinks from the other’s cup.
On Sunday
On Sunday, as in the woman’s wedding, the Sabah is performed. This part of the Moroccan wedding is joint. It is the quietest day where the bride receives her family and friends and is photographed with them.
The atmosphere of a Moroccan wedding
A good self-respecting Moroccan wedding should pay special attention to the following details: the music and the bride and groom’s dresses.
The music at a Moroccan wedding
For the celebration of a Moroccan wedding, music is essential. These are some of the types of music that are usually found in these celebrations, which the bride and groom hire depending on their economy and how traditional the family is.
The groups can be Xaavi, Dakka Marrachia, Tarab Andalussi, Gnawa, E3sawa, the band, and sometimes Hamachi. Some opt for more modern and current music and on the other hand, the more traditional families opt for Enechid.
Wedding dresses in a Moroccan wedding
This is one of the most important details of a Moroccan wedding. In the celebration of women, it is not surprising that the bride gets to wear seven or eight outfits. Here are some of the most important ones:
Source: For the elaboration of this article on a Moroccan wedding, part of the information has been extracted from Leila Abu-Shams: Oral Traditions: Wedding ceremonies in Morocco.