Complete Guide to the Moroccan Wedding
From the Khotba to the Walima, discover all the traditions of the Moroccan wedding and how Almacarta supports you at every step.
The Khotba (The Engagement)
The Khotba is the official marriage proposal. The groom's family visits the bride's family to ask for her hand. It is a solemn moment when the two families meet, exchange gifts and set the terms of the marriage.
- The groom's family traditionally brings sugar, milk and dates
- The families negotiate the dowry (mahr/sadaq)
- The wedding date is often set during this meeting
- A meal is shared between the two families
Almacarta tip
With Almacarta, create a special invitation for your engagement ceremony. Share the joy with all your loved ones, even those who couldn't be present.
Create an engagement invitationThe Hammam (The Ritual Bath)
A few days before the wedding, the bride goes to the hammam accompanied by her friends and the women of her family. It is a ritual of purification and beauty that symbolizes the passage into married life.
- The hammam is traditionally reserved for the occasion
- The bride is accompanied by a negafa or her loved ones
- Black soap (sabon beldi) and ghassoul are used
- It is also a moment of conviviality among women
Almacarta tip
Include the hammam schedule in your digital invitation. Your guests will know exactly when and where to meet.
View wedding templatesThe Henna (The Henna Night)
The henna night is one of the most anticipated moments of the Moroccan wedding. The eve of the big day, a neqqasha applies henna to the bride's hands and feet with elaborate traditional patterns.
- The bride wears a traditional green outfit (symbol of fertility)
- A professional neqqasha creates the patterns
- The guests sing and dance all evening
- The groom also receives henna on his palm
- Henna symbolizes baraka (blessing)
Almacarta tip
Dedicate a page of your mini-site to the henna night schedule. Times, location, dress code: everything is clear for your guests.
Create my invitationThe Ceremony (The Big Day)
The wedding day is a spectacle of traditions and celebrations. The bride wears several outfits (lebssat) during the evening, carried on the amaria (palanquin) by bearers.
- The bride wears 3 to 7 different outfits (caftans, takchita)
- The amaria is a throne carried by bearers (neggafa)
- The groom wears a jabador or a traditional outfit
- The religious ceremony (laakouda) makes the marriage official
- A traditional band (dakka marrakchia, gnawa) entertains the evening
- Milk and dates are served to the newlyweds
Almacarta tip
Your digital invitation can include the full evening program, the exact locations with GPS, and even your couple's music.
Create my invitationThe Walima (The Feast)
The walima is the grand wedding banquet. It is a generous feast that brings family and friends together around traditional Moroccan dishes. It is often held the day after the ceremony.
- A hearty meal with traditional dishes (pastilla, mechoui, tagine)
- Mint tea is served in abundance
- The Moroccan tiered pastry (traditional sweets) is served
- The guests offer gifts to the newlyweds
- It is also the time for speeches and well-wishes
Almacarta tip
Manage RSVPs separately for the walima and the ceremony. Almacarta lets you know exactly how many guests to expect at each event.
Manage my RSVPsPlanning your wedding
A timeline so you don't forget anything
- Set the date
- Choose the reception venue
- Book the caterer
- Choose the negafa
- Create the digital invitation
- Choose the outfits
- Book the band
- Prepare the guest list
- Send the invitations
- Track the RSVPs
- Finalize the seating chart
- Organize the hammam and the henna
- Enjoy every moment
- Your guests have all the info on the mini-site
- The built-in GPS guides your guests
- Capture the memories
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