Pakistani Weddings

The Three Days of a Traditional Wedding:

Mehndi
This is the event where the bride and groom dyes their hands with Henna (mehndi). This is a night when groom's family brings bride's wedding dress to her house and bride family takes groom's dress to his house. This event is very colorful and full of traditional songs and dances. It is spread over 2 days - one day over at the groom's place to put Henna on groom's hand and the second day over at the bride's house to put Henna on her hand. Sometimes, both parties agree to have a single function on just one day and split the cost.

Shadi
This is the actual wedding ceremony and is given by the bride's family. Barat (groom's friends and family) comes to the bride's house. Red color outfits on this day symbolizes the day of Shadi. Nikah (the signing of the official paperwork in the presence of a Molvi Islamic priest) is performed in the presence of the guests. Dinner is served by bride's family.

Walima
The groom's side invites all the guests to meet on this, the third day. Both husband and wife welcome the guests and mingle around with them while people eat dinner. Rokhsati (bride leaves her parent's home to start a new life), the last event of the day.