S and K’s Multi-Day Palestinian Wedding Celebration
When the bride first told me about her soon-to-be husband, I could tell she was genuinely enjoying the conversation; you could hear it in her voice. She lit up as she spoke about his calming demeanor and warm personality. She mentioned his good looks as one of the first things she noticed about him. But then, she talked about how secure and comfortable she felt with him. Her enthusiasm for this man truly lit up the room, exactly the type of love story we love to tell.
The more we got to know the two of them the more we fell in love with them. They are genuinely the kind of people that you want to invite over for game night. Fun, warm, and kind, all rolled up into a couple. Family mattered a great deal to them. Not only their extended families, but their son as well, who played an important role on the wedding day. The two of them were planning a small intimate 400-something-person wedding. Yes, that’s a bit of sarcasm for you, but if you have ever tried to plan an Arab wedding and keep hold of the guest list, it’s a bit of a challenge.
One thing I quickly learned about the bride is that she is the type of person that is always thinking about others. She has an others-minded demeanor about her, but on top of that, she’s a great listener. It was so fun to watch her talking with people and see her leaning in to listen to what people around her were saying. Perhaps a bit of a lost art these days? I think so.
The two of them and their families were planning a multi-day multicultural wedding, something our team is very familiar with. The first day would be the Palestinian wedding day, followed by the western wedding the following day.
What is a Palestinian wedding like?
Palestinian weddings are similar to other Arab weddings in that they’re traditionally lavish and extravagant affairs, especially when it comes to the fashion of the couple. Just look at her dress. The wedding meal is a veritable feast, with food being a huge priority. Palestinian weddings are very similar to Western weddings in that they’re extremely happy occasions for families and friends to come together and celebrate the beginning of a new life. The main difference? A whole lot of fantastic dancing. 😉
The Zaffa
Typically, a Zaffa will be included in at least one portion of the day. For S and K, the day started out with moving the couple from their home to the venue. Lots of drumming, dancing, and generally an amazing time with family members gathering on either side of the newlyweds in a gesture of long-lasting marriage. It is one of the most fun parts of a Palestinian wedding that captures both tradition and modernity and is just a whole lot of fun.
How do Palestinian weddings differ from other Arab weddings?
Like Arab weddings, Palestinian weddings are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, but they differ from other Arab weddings in a few subtle ways. For one, the customs of the wedding celebration are steeped in centuries-old religious customs. There is often a focus on prayer and chants at Palestinian weddings to suitably celebrate the unions of couples. Overall, while Palestinian weddings may share some similarities with those of other Arab countries, there are distinct customs that make these special occasions unique.
What are some of the traditions involved in a Palestinian wedding?
Weddings are amongst the most widely celebrated traditions in Palestinian culture and often involve grand, joyful ceremonies that encompass a variety of custom elements. If you walk into a Palestinian wedding what will you see? Dancing, dancing, and more amazing dancing! When I tell you it’s fantastic, believe me, it’s fantastic! We’re fortunate to photograph a large number of multicultural weddings and seeing the different cultural traditions is definitely a favorite, but the dancing wins over everything else for me. Does it qualify wedding photography and videography as a full-contact sport? Potentually… But seeing two cultures come together are just so interesting and tend to hold so much deep honor for each others families. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of. All these and more make for an unforgettable celebration that is full to the brim with excitement, love, and laughter!
What role do the groom and his family play in a Palestinian wedding?
In Palestinian weddings, the groom and his family are integral to the ceremony and festivities. The groom is present throughout most of the wedding, often seated to the right of the bride. His role is to symbolize protection for his spouse. Our couple chose to do a first look at the Cleveland Public Library, keeping the traditions of heritage but also allowing a modern tradition to allow them a few moments of private time alone together on a day that would otherwise be extremely packed. Different parts of Palestine may have different customs relating to wedding festivities; regardless, both families share an equal commitment in hosting a beautiful wedding day approved by culture and elders alike.
They made it their own
S and K did an amazing job keeping their wedding about themselves and their family while still honoring traditions. For instance, the bride had a beautiful first-look moment with her son that was absolutely priceless. As busy as the day was, they had little pockets of time for the two of them to sneak in here and there. I love that for every couple, no matter what type of wedding you’re planning!
To the couple, I’m grateful you allowed our team to be a part of such a beautiful day, but more than that I’m grateful we know the two of you!
