My experience at an Arabic wedding

A good friend of mine named Alekhya have known each other since our freshman year of high school track. Our junior year Alekhya’s brother Hammad was set to be married and they were having aa big celebration for Hammad and his bride. Something I had known about Alekhya was that she and her family were Arabic. Throughout the whole entire time I had known Alekhya she had always worn a hijab even during track and her family had many celebrations with food and family. Finally, after the long wait it was time for Hammad and Malaak’s wedding. Being Alekhya’s friend and often spending time with the family I was invited to the wedding.When I walked into the ceremony there were many different very extravagant and had red and gold accents. I noticed a lot of their family was there as this was a big celebration for their family and in Arabic culture they valued family and loyalty to their family very strongly. This was a suit and tie kind of event, many of the men wore suits and ties while most the women wore dresses to their ankles, and many had hijabs on. I also noticed many colorful dresses, I noticed 1 of Alekhya’s cousin’s did not have a hijab on and her dress was quite colorful and different but very pretty. The ceremony was very short and sweet, Malaak wore a white long gown with incrusted stones on the dress with a vail that covered her head. The person who wed them spoke in Arabic language so I didn’t know what he was saying but I followed along. The reception was a very big experience for me, the family had many foods I never saw but I knew they were traditional meals in their culture for celebrations. They did traditional dances throughout the wedding to show the joy of adding a new family member to the group. Although their was no alcohol present at the reception. I didn’t think this was strange because all my years of knowing the family I had never seen them drink or even have a bottle of alcohol in their home. The reception lasted for hours, just dancing, talking, and having a good time, I am glad I got to experience what it was like to celebrate in Arabic culture. They used the dances and food as a symbol of their celebration of having a new family member added to the family as they have big family values.