Ismaili muslim wedding, bride imam

Ishmaelite weddings usually have a guide and specific ceremonies over 4 days.

An Ismaili wedding is celebrated over four days. These days consist of Mehndi, Pithi/Sangeet, Nikkah, Koba Kobi, Reception and Satada. For an Ismaili couple each of these celebrations is important, as culture, in the matter of weddings, is very important and each custom must be respected.

Ismaili wedding guide

Day 1: Mehndi

Mehndi day is usually arranged for the ladies of both families to get together and enjoy the first day of the wedding weekend at a venue other than a hotel. It is an informal event where people dress comfortably in Indian or Pakistani clothes.

The main attraction of this day is the application of henna on the hands or feet. This is a temporary tattoo that women in every family put on to celebrate the happy occasion. Supposedly, the darker the henna stain, the more love there is on the part of the betrothed. After this is applied, the dinner begins and everyone enjoys the music and food.

Day 2: Pithi

This day is important for friends and family, as they gather at a certain place to celebrate the wedding. People come in traditional Indian or Pakistani dress. The mothers of both families begin by placing rice on the ground in a religious pattern, the next step is to stand by the bride-to-be as she awaits her entrance to complete the Pura ceremony.

The bride enters accompanied by the men of her family, who carry her in a dholi, then the groom enters along with his groomsmen to begin the pithi ceremony, in which the couple sits on chairs for the family members to give their respective blessings to the bride and groom-to-be.

Day 3: Nikkah

The day begins with the vows of the bride and groom according to the Ismaili constitution. This is a religious setting with the men wearing formal attire and the women wearing Indian or Pakistani clothing. The couple will sign documents declaring their completed legal marriage and that they are completing their Ismaili wedding ceremony.

Day 3: Koba Kobi

In this part of the ceremony, the rings are in a bowl of rice and the bride and groom must run to find them. It is something that is done quickly to encourage their happiness and for the laughter to last forever. This rite is performed anywhere, either at the bride’s house or at the reception site.

Day 3: Reception

Here the wedding is celebrated, where family and friends dance and enjoy the food. The shoe game is something common in these ceremonies, this activity consists of the bride and groom exchanging a shoe and starting questions about their relationship, as it is an activity that usually amuses the guests and the new spouses.

Day 4: Satada

This is a luncheon provided by the bride and groom to their closest friends and family. It is an informal event where everyone reflects on the wedding and gives the couple their best wishes. It is likely that photographs have already been taken here with the newlywed couple. In addition, it is a reception that is divided equally between the two families, although in the past it was only for the bride and groom.