The mehndi is a colorful night filled with song, dance, and of course, food. Named after the intricate henna designs applied to the brides hands and feet, this event is a lively celebration of the wedding to come. The mehndi features dramatic entrances by the wedding parties, singing of classic wedding songs, rich sweets to wish the new couple well in their marriage, and choreographed dance performances featuring some friendly competition between the groom and brides side. The mehndi is all about brilliant colors and hues of green, orange, and yellow are traditionally worn. Dress code is semi – formal, vibrant, and most importantly, whatever you can dance the night away in!
The Waleema is a formal wedding reception dinner to celebrate the union of the bride and the groom. The extravagantly dressed newly – weds take the stage as an official couple and are welcomed by family and friends. Speeches by family elders and close friends wish the couple well in their new life together followed by a lavish meal. Guests wear their most ornate attire to match the grandeur of the event.
The Scottish wedding dates back to the Victorian era when the bride traditionally wore white. The term encapsulates the Western wedding routine of a wedding ceremony followed by a reception. As a wedding is a formal celebration, the bride traditionally wears white, and the groom and guests are in formal attire. The ceremony space is decorated and an officiant conducts the ceremony. When guests arrive they are guided to their seat by ushers of the wedding party (usually the grooms friends or family members). The front seats are left for close family and the bridal party. The wedding anthem starts, and the beautiful bride walks down the aisle with her father to the groom. During the wedding ceremony the bride and groom make marriage vows before the officiant and exchange wedding rings. Following the ceremony the bride and groom sign the wedding register with the officiant. To celebrate the newly weds there is a short celebration in the ceremony space to allow guests to congratulate the married couple before the start of the reception. The reception is the dinner celebration for the newly married couple. Guests enter the reception room before the bride and groom and have assigned seating. The bride and groom enter last to a warm welcome and proceed to their table. During the reception there are a series of short speeches and toasts to the newly married couple. Dinner is served, and it is followed by dancing. In this case as the bride’s family is Scottish everyone is welcome to try some traditional Scottish dances.