WEDDING IN THE

UEA
A Seven-Day Affair
The traditional wedding celebration in
the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a
seven-day affair that combines the Arab
community’s cultural traditions with the
modern-day Emirati wedding
ceremonies. But, some of the rituals
celebrated as part of Emirati weddings
have changed over the years, as per
expert wedding planners.
 The proposal
Emirati weddings begin with the marriage
proposal ceremony, locally known as Al
Khoutha KHOTBA.
The ritual dates back to the 7th century, where
the love-struck groom expresses his feelings
known to his mother, who then approaches the
bride’s mother to request her hand in marriage.
Once the request is accepted, the families will
then discuss other things like the dowry, which
is to be paid to the bride.
The Contract
During this ritual, a legal marriage contract is signed, which is known as Al
Akhd ALAKHED.
The ring exchange ceremony is also known as ‘Milcha’.
Besides, the groom gifts her jewels and perfumes before the wedding day,
and the ritual is known as Addahbia.
Bridal shower
Dazza In the meantime, at the groom’s residence, the
female members prepare the ‘Dazza’, known
as the bride’s ‘Hope Chest’. The beautiful box
would be occupied with valuables like jewelry,
perfumes, prayer mat, Quran, Mehr, and other
extravagant bridal goods.
 Wedding day

The most important ritual on the

wedding day is the ‘Nikah’, where
all the bride and groom’s family
members take part. This is a
significant religious ceremony in the
Emirati wedding guided by the
Maulvi or Qazi (religious figure).
The reception

Usually, men wear traditional attire called Kandoura.

Grand feast
Ouzi – a whole lamb, biryani, Salona, and other forms
the rest of the recipe you can’t ever miss.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
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