The Lebanese wedding

The traditions vary slightly from one town to another, but they are basically the same whether they are Christian or Muslim. Lebanon’s youth go out socially to nightclubs and to the movies. So appointments are made there. Fashion is very big, so even Muslim women have extremely high style in their clothes and all women’s makeup is flawless. They all have a tendency to resemble stars in motion.

Of course, all weddings must have a beginning. And this starts with a commitment. A huge engagement party is always planned for the couple. This is released by the bride’s family. The party is very similar to a royal wedding. The only real difference is the fact that the bride can wear whatever dress she chooses. The food is plentiful as are the drinks and the dancing. It is traditional to serve a rose water drink called sharbat. A band with singers and musicians is hired. Possibly even a belly dancer will perform. Both parties exchange a ring that they wear on the right hand instead of on the left. These are changed to the left hand at the wedding ceremony. This is a great party. Sometimes a henna party is held, which is the Lebanese version of a bachelorette party. All the ladies come to the bride’s house and a henna artist comes to paint designs on the bride and her guests. There is a lot of food, drink and dancing. This is typical of all Lebanese occasions. They are masters at playing host.

The Lebanese wedding can last up to three consecutive days. Today people are more westernized, especially in Beirut, the capital. The most impressive part of any wedding is the zeffet. This means procession. The wedding begins with two separate parties. A party held at the groom’s house. A party held at the bride’s house. Their respective families and friends help them prepare for the big event. The last party takes place at the bride’s house where the groom comes to pick up his bride. There is a lot of food. They all dance. This is where the zeffet begins to take place. In zeffet’s group there can be up to 6 drummers and other musicians. As the bride and groom leave the house, they are zaghareeted. This is a vibrant sound that is made on jubilant occasions. Flower petals and rice are thrown on them as a sign of happiness.

A hotel or ballroom wedding would be even grander and follow after the house party. In these events, a professional zeffet group is hired that includes singers, dancers and musicians. Every big or small wedding should have a buffet. This zeffet procession enters the room and brings the bride and groom. It doesn’t matter where in Lebanon you go to a wedding and it doesn’t matter the sect. The central things are there. It is phenomenal. A fabulous event to wish the bride and groom the blessings of the future.