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Wedding Customs Around the World: Cynthia + Hatim’s Morroccan Wedding

by Chioma Obii-Obioha {@chiomaonyewuchi}

Ever dreamt of having a truly international wedding? You know, the kind where you infuse different cultures from around the world and celebrate on two different continents? Yeah, that kind of wedding! This sweet couple, Cynthia and Hatim, had the wedding that is the stuff of many people’s dreams – and my, was it beautiful!

Every delicately-crafted detail of this wedding was photographed by international wedding photographer, Christophe Photo. Amazing work!

Cynthia is originally from Martinique in the Caribbean and Hatim is a very proud Moroccan. They celebrated their love for and everlasting commitment to each other first in Paris, where they both call home, and then in Morocco.

Then on to Morocco…

The Moroccan ceremony was rife with amazing cultural elements and traditional symbols. In Moroccan culture, it is typical for the bride and her female friends and family to have a day of relaxation in the hammam which is the traditional bath house. They enjoy a day of steam baths and the freshest fruits and juices to ensure that the bride is relaxed and ready for her big day. The men may do this as well.

Cynthia was adorned with extremely intricate henna designs as is customary during Moroccan weddings. The bride is decorated with henna designs on her hands and feet for up to three hours to beautify her for her ceremony. What can I say? Mission accomplished: she looks stunning!

During the celebration, Cynthia did something that many brides would love to do: she changed five times!!! That is also traditional for Moroccan brides as they may change up to eight times for their ceremony. Her beauty preparations and dress changes are facilitated by the traditional costumiere, the Negaffah. The highlight of the night for most couples (and it was for Cynthia and Hatim) is the carrying in of the bride by the traditional gift bearers, the Aabid, on special traditional thrones called Amariah. Hatim met his beautiful bride riding a horse. How cool is that?!

The ceremony was enlivened with amazing traditional music, complete with belly dancers, folk music and of course, mouthwatering Moroccan food.

It’s so wonderful to see how the decision of two people to commit to each other can bring so much joy, laughter, celebration and fun. We love to see how weddings are celebrated around the world. This one was truly delightful :)