We live in a world full of different cultures and religions, all of which coexist. We all have a different way of celebrating a special day. One of the most important celebrations is the day when two people join their lives in front of their loved ones. We are aware that every culture has its own way of celebrating this special day. Similarly, in Pakistan the wedding ceremony is considered a very important ritual; therefore, it is uniquely celebrated. Pakistani wedding rituals follow Muslim models; although, in the recent past, Pakistani weddings have adapted many of the Indian pre-wedding customs and rituals. Most of the pre-wedding customs in Pakistani weddings have no basis in Islam, but the wedding is celebrated with great fervor. In this essay I will explain Pakistani weddings and the four main ceremonies of a Pakistani wedding, which are Mayun, Mehandi, Baraat and Valima. Wedding is the most important event in Pakistan and is celebrated with great pomp and show. Mayun is the very first Pakistani wedding ceremony. Mayun is celebrated at the bride's house. Usually the bride's friends and close relatives gather at her house. They dance and sing, often accompanied by drum music. The beautification rituals begin during this period and the bride is freed from all household chores during this period. The bride usually wears a simple yellow Shalwar Qamiz and the women put henna on each other's hands. The bride and groom are not allowed to see each other after Mayun. The next day is the Mehandi ceremony, which takes place a day before the wedding reception (baraat). It is a ceremony reserved mainly for women. They apply mehandi (henna) to the bride's hands and feet. They sing, dance and bless... in the middle of the sheet of paper... while having dinner. Valima is also an Islamic requirement and is designed to announce the wedding to the community and celebrate the arrival of the beautiful bride in her new home. It is believed that marriage in Pakistan is essentially a marriage between two families and for this reason family life is paramount and the family unit is more important than the individual. In short, Pakistani wedding is a grand celebration of fun, joy and celebrations. The four wedding ceremonies Mayun, Mehandi, Baraat and Valima are celebrated with great fervor. Pakistani marriages are not just the union of two individuals but are considered to be the union of two families. For Pakistani families living all over the world today, it represents a great event where everyone can return, reconnect with their roots and enjoy their rich and colorful culture.
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