Traditions

Wow it's really interesting how different traditions and culture can actually be! There are a lot of tradiations I've learned about so far (through experience, and reading bridal books/magazines). Here are some that I can share with you, that may affect our wedding.

Egyptian traditions include:
Groom is in charge of getting the place to live (matrimonial home)
Bride is in charge of furnishing it
Groom's parents pay for the wedding
(Yup, a lot of the money comes from the Groom's family.)

Wedding ceremony and reception-
Your "attendants" are family. Traditionally, the mothers do a lot of the planning, in conjunciton with the couple of course. But there are no attendants. No Matron of Honour, or Bride's maids... people already know that the family helped you out.

The ceremony is an intimate affair, or only your closest friends (just a couple), and your family. The reception is widely celebrated though.

Candle Girls - yup that's right, there are candle girls. I was lucky enough to be a candle girl at one of my aunt's weddings. I think it's instead of the flower girl, since the ceremony is an intimate affair usually done 1 day to 2 weeks before the wedding reception. For my aunt's wedding, each girl (like 20 of us) got candles to hold. I'll explain soon how it's done and what I remember now (15 years later), or how I'd like to do it.

Zaffa (prounounced Zeff-a) - is the entrance to the wedding reception. This usually includes: belly dancers, daffouf (spinning dancers/artists), drummers, candles, and loud Music. Although seeing it would be best, I'll try my best to describe it simply. hmmm - it's kinda like a parade party. Yup, summed up it's a "Parade Party". It's like taking the crazy indian twins (P&P) we know, multiplying them by ten, and releasing them to party and dance there way to the reception hall, with drums, etc. Puj, if you are reading this, it would be like you participating in the "I like to Move it, move it" scene from Madagascar while dancing your way 500m to the reception area. =)The Zaffa continues until the Bride and Groom reach their "throne". At that point the Zaffa performers continue the show for the couple for a while.

Chair lifting - is common at Arab weddings. Usually the equivalent of the groomsmen, would get together and lift the chairs of the Bride and Groom up above their heads. Yes, while the couple is still sitting on the chairs. They then parade the couple around the dance floor, and make them chair dance together. It's a lot of fun to watch! =)

Dancing, dancing, and more dancing. Dancing is always the theme of the evening whenever Egyptians get together. There's no sitting around waiting for the first dance, the second dance, the bridal party dance, the father-daughter dance, the mother-son dance, the sibbling dance, the ... dance .... The bride and groom would be lucky to make it through their dance before the guests come up and dance. =) Through the whole time they are still bobbing (even clapping and singing) to the music while you dance. It's fun! =) It would seem that this dancing theme would require a lot of alcohol (for some reason it's as if Egyptians are the drunkest party goers because of their constant smiling and dancing), but that's the thing - it's just natural. No Alcohol required (or in many cases, even permitted).


Canadian traditions include:
Bride's parents host/pay for the wedding
Groom's parents host/pay for the rehearsal dinner
(Here, a lot of the money comes from the Bride's family.)

Wedding ceremony and reception-
Attendants- are usually close friends, possibly family - if you are close (but not required).

Ceremony- Usually everyone invited to the reception is also invited to the ceremony. This is pretty cool because then you get to celebrate that special moment with everyone who is dear to you. I'm pretty close to all my friends, and vice-versa (usually even more so than I know), so that's awesome!

Flower girl - usually between 3 and 7 years of age. Very cute, and sprinkles flowers in the aisle (or on the carpet) for the Bride who's future husband is already standing with his best man and the officiant, waiting for the Bride (hahaha something most men eventually get used to). =)

Ring Bearer - usually a young boy (good luck for the couple to have children too) who bring up the rings (or model rings) in a pillow for the the bride and groom to exchange. (Correct me if I am wrong, but that's the most common answer I am getting from the magazines.)

Entrance to reception- The MC usually announces the couple's entrance as "Mr. and Mrs. ...), and also introduces the wedding party (usually first).

Dance. There are many slow dances. Bride and Groom, father-daughter, mother-son, sibblings, future in-laws, bridal party, you name it (even a dollar dance?), it exists. lol But pretty much those are the standards.

Toasts. There are usually toasts, champagne/wine, etc.


Yeah, there are a lot of customs, traditions, and differences. The cool thing is that Jeff and I will be able to pick the best of both worlds, to make it our own. =)