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Pakistani Wedding Customs and Traditions

Mienu
Mienu is the very first ceremony of Pakistani Wedding after the engagement. From this day on Bride is proscribed from groom's eyes till the day of marriage. Both sides celebrate this occasion at their own expense separately. Yellow color symbolizes the day of upton, the other name of mienu. To mold into the colors of upton, family and invited guests wear yellow garments. Starting of this day is with the recitation of Quran (Koran). After the religious formalities, family and friends bring the bride/groom for the ceremony. The friends and family sits in circle with their percussion equipments (Dholak and Duff) and sings through out the evening.

Mehndi
A night before wedding, when bride dyes her hands with Henna(mehndi). This is a night when groom's family brings bride's wedding dress to her house and bride family takes grooms' dress to his house. This event is very colorful and full of traditional songs and dances. Depending on family, this event could last more then one day. The first day at bride's place to put Henna on bride's hands and second day at grooms' to put Henna on his hands.

Shadi
This is actual wedding day. At this day, ceremony is arrange by bride's family. Barat (groom's friends and family) comes to the bride's house. Red color outfit on this day symbolizes the day of Shadi. Nikah is then performed by Imam (priest) in the presence of the guests (baraties and families). After the formalities of Nikah, bride and groom are declared to be a husband and wife. Dinner is served by bride's family. Rokhsati (bride leaves her parent's home to start a new life), the last event of the day.

Valima
The last and forth day of wedding. The groom's side invites all the guests to celebrate this event. The newly wedded couple welcomes the guest, family, and mingles around with them while they eat dinner.