Ultimate Guide to Moroccan Weddings – 15+ Essentials You’ll Love

In Moroccan tradition, the wedding is a very significant occasion. It honors the traditional bond between husband and wife. In Amazigh culture and Islamic tradition, marriage is a highly revered and treasured institution. As a result, the Moroccan wedding is a very important event.

In Morocco, weddings are not just about the union of two individuals but also a celebration of culture, tradition, and history. From the vibrant music and nonstop dancing to the abundance of delicious food and lavish gifts, every aspect of a Moroccan wedding is a true spectacle.

Have you ever attended a wedding in Morocco? Moroccan wedding customs and traditions are many and demonstrate the distinctiveness of Moroccan culture. Everything in Morocco is structured in a special style incorporating many distinct cultural features, from the henna rituals to the wedding day.

Every country has a unique tradition for expressing delight and joy during weddings. A Moroccan wedding, however, conveys a unique tale of a vibrant culture and a long history. Traditional music, nonstop dancing, copious amounts of delectable food and lavish presents mark the beginning and conclusion of this epic tale.

This does not adequately convey the true nature of a Moroccan wedding. Let’s go through every aspect of Moroccan weddings, from preparation to the celebration. Are you ready?

Before the Wedding: The Drib Sdak Day

You should be aware that Moroccan wedding customs differ significantly from popular culture. Marriage vows should be exchanged before the wedding day in accordance with Moroccan traditions. The “Akd Zawaj,” the marriage contract that the bride and husband sign together, is done on Drib Sdak.

The man and woman must sign the marriage contract in the presence of their families and an “Adoul,” or religious leader with the legal authority to consummate marriages.

On the day of Drib Sdak, there is often a small party that is attended by the majority of the bride and groom’s immediate family and friends.

The pair is legally and spiritually married following Drib Sdak. Now, both families will begin making plans for their festive wedding ceremony. According to Moroccan wedding customs, the bride plans a large party at her parent’s home before the wedding.

The bride and her family expect presents from the groom and his family, including clothing, jewelry and sweets. The celebration lasts between eight and ten hours. The groom’s family departs at the end of the day to prepare for the welcome day, the wedding day.

Moroccan Wedding Location?

Moroccan weddings are typically hosted at exclusive locations in large cities. If they have adequate room, Moroccan families residing in traditional Moroccan neighborhoods occasionally put up a venue on their rooftops or backyards.

Other wedding locations and venues

You also shouldn’t miss these other popular wedding traditions & customs:

• Ultimate Guide to Brazilian Weddings
• Ultimate Guide to Italian Weddings
• Ultimate Guide to Australian Weddings
• Ultimate Guide to African Weddings

1. VILLA TAJ MARRAKECH

Beautiful pools, palm palms and renowned and adored Moroccan architecture are all present at this venue. Villa Taj excels in hosting destination weddings and meets all of these requirements. It must not be overlooked in your hunt for a luxurious Marrakesh wedding.

2. LA MAMOUNIA

This stunning location definitely appeared in your searches if you put “Marrakesh wedding” into Pinterest. It is extremely well-liked by couples searching for the ideal location for their destination wedding and by travel influencers.

3. AGAFAY DESERT LUXURY CAMP

This location is perfect for weddings and elopements in a classic desert environment, less than an hour from Marrakesh. Picture dancing beneath the stars, bonfires and opulent glamping tents. Agafay or any such desert camp is the perfect site to elope in Morocco if you want breathtaking images. Warm breezes, soft sunsets and the sands of the Agafay desert… It really screams love and passion!

4. RIAD FES

This lovely Riad is located in Fes and offers traditional yet opulent lodging, stunning outdoor gathering areas and first-rate service. The natural light from the sun makes riads excellent for your unique getting-ready photographs on the morning of the wedding. Riads often contain a lot of open-air spaces.

5. KASBAH BAB OURIKA

This venue in the Atlas Mountains is perfect for boho-chic weddings. The entire property is environmentally friendly and offers breathtaking views of the neighboring Ourika Valley. It’s perfect for couples who wish to be alone and immersed in nature.

6. LA SULTANA OUALIDIA

Want to get married by the sea? On the Atlantic Coast, this magnificent hotel is situated in a nature preserve and has a modern Moroccan design. Near the seaside, La Sultana has some of Morocco’s top-picture locations.

7. AMANJENA

There is no need to introduce this. If luxury is what you’re after, this is it. The premium resorts owned by the Aman Hotel group, of which Amanjena is a member, speak for themselves. You get the impression that you have entered private heaven here. The level of service provided here and this magnificent venue’s intricate elements and design are unparalleled. It’s a serene haven for the powerful and well-known and it may also be the perfect place for your wedding!

The Wedding Day

The party is typically held in a leased space, under a huge tent pitched on a roof or outside on the street. The guests arrive at the location on the wedding day. The women wear vibrant takchitas and the guys dress in suits. A takchita is similar to the Moroccan women’s traditional kaftan, which is worn during pleasant occasions and celebrations like weddings.

While the guests wait for the romantic entry of the bride and groom, Moroccan tea and sweets are provided. Following the chanting of the Neggafates, the wedding party’s master planners, the eagerly anticipated couple approaches the venue.

The bride can wear up to seven different outfits during the course of the day. The attire often depicts several regions and cultures of Morocco, including Berber, Fassi and Sahrawi attire. The groom often dons a tuxedo before changing into the jabadour, a traditional Moroccan costume.

The Ammaria tour, a unique surprise for the newlyweds on their wedding night, is among the most well-known Moroccan wedding customs.

While traditional Moroccan music is being played in the background, the bride and husband are hoisted on two exquisitely decorated chairs called Amria or Mida and raised by four or six people.

The bride and groom change into their last outfits before the ceremony is over. The groom changes back into his tuxedo while the bride dons a traditional white bridal gown for the remainder of the evening’s dance and other photo ops with family and friends.

The happy couple parades out to the groom’s residence after the celebration. The bride and groom’s family will be there to greet them and wish them a happy and pleasant life.

Moroccan Wedding Customs and Traditions

The Moroccan wedding celebration was once held over seven days but is currently only held for three days. The bride moves out of her parent’s home at this final celebration to begin a new chapter with her spouse.

Although there isn’t a set manner of celebrating a Moroccan wedding, here are some of the most common customs and traditions.

1. Bridal Hammam Ritual

The bride performs a wedding ritual of beauty and purification on the first day of the celebration, spending the day in the Hammam with her pals. For those who are curious, a Hammam is a weekly bathing routine practiced by Moroccans in sizable steam rooms, often three, with various heat degree settings.

The bride and her friends treat themselves at the Hammam by getting various body cleanses, massages and masks utilizing various Moroccan beauty items. Of course, this ritual of relaxing includes laughing and chatting.

2. Henna Party

The henna party is the following day. Female friends and family gathered for the Henna ritual. All of the young women get henna tattoos on their hands and feet on this particular day. In Morocco, henna has long been seen as a representation of happiness, luck and fertility.

Chants and dances are always performed at henna parties. Usually, a Henna expert called a “Nekkasha” understands how to select high-quality henna and, more significantly, how to create lovely designs for the bride and her companions.

What Do You Wear to a Moroccan Wedding?

FOR WOMEN

Women in Morocco have a highly diverse selection of clothing options for weddings. A great occasion like this calls for a spectacular costume; hence Moroccan ladies typically like to wear their best Moroccan attire.

MOROCCAN KAFTAN:

Women in Morocco wear the embroidered Kaftan on joyful occasions like engagements, weddings, Eid Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha. The most priceless social Moroccan attire in history, it has been known and worn for hundreds of years. No wardrobe is complete without a Moroccan kaftan. Treat yourself and revel in how stunning you will appear when wearing one.

MOROCCAN TAKCHITA (WEDDING DRESS):

The takchita is a traditional Moroccan outfit that stands for pride and respect among Moroccan ladies. It is sometimes referred to as the Moroccan wedding gown. It is a two-piece, handcrafted traditional dress distinguished by its spacious shape, delicate draping and elaborate pattern.

This elegant artifact, displayed as art, represents Moroccan culture and social standing. The takchita is the preferred bridal attire for Moroccan ladies.

GANDOURA:

The Gandoura is an airy garment that is the easiest and most cost-effective traditional Moroccan clothing to wear and it simply exudes chicness and elegance. When you see a Moroccan woman wearing a Gandoura, these garments’ stunning color patterns immediately draw your attention. It is kept simple and attractive by the absence of buttons and clasps.

FOR MEN

Men may opt to dress elegantly (in a wedding suit) or in traditional Moroccan attire, where they often have two options:

MOROCCAN TWO-PIECES DJELLABA:

Djellaba is a two-piece traditional and timeless long-sleeve tunic for men that offers a natural appearance and is perfect for any festive event, especially weddings. When it comes to Moroccan clothing, it’s a favorite among males and it truly does give off a really lovely and sophisticated aesthetic.

MOROCCAN GANDOURA:

Men’s Gandoura is a simple handcrafted style of light, attractive traditional clothing. The male Gandoura comes in two varieties:

• Long Gandoura: This is a djellaba-like garment with fewer embellishments.
• Two piece: The top and bottom of a gandoura are often constructed of the same material. It is the ideal fusion of casual elegance.

Moroccan Wedding Music

The heartbeat of any Moroccan wedding is music. It sustains it and keeps it running. Families can choose from a wide range of alternatives when selecting the music for their wedding. A less expensive DJ or a band to provide live music throughout the wedding are options.

The band and DJ must perform the Chaabi, a classic Moroccan tune (Moroccan Pop Music). The Chaabi is great for dancing and keeping visitors entertained. They must also play some Andalousi music, perfect for the bride’s entrance in her bridal attire.

What Food Can You Expect at a Moroccan Wedding?

Throughout the day, celebratory treats, stuffed dates and tea are served to the visitors. The bride and groom usually enter first and then dinner is served. On wedding days, it’s typical to provide a three-course supper.

Grilled chicken with olives and preserved lemon is served as the first meal. Then, a dish of soft lamb flesh topped with almonds and sweetened with prunes is served.

A large tray of seasonal fruits or seffa would serve as the dessert. Sometimes they serve both.

Pastilla, a filled filo pastry, is also available for a grander and more contemporary wedding. Stuffings with chicken and shellfish are quite popular.

Is It Necessary to Take a Gift to a Moroccan Wedding?

When visiting relatives or close friends during a Moroccan wedding, a gift is essentially necessary. Bringing the present on the wedding party day is unnecessary, though. You should offer it before or after the celebration, outside the setting.

Depending on what you believe the newlyweds would like, your present might be jewelry, clothing, housewares, perfume or even gold if you want to go all out.

It is not always necessary to bring a gift when invited to a Moroccan wedding of people who are not very close to the family. However, it would be lovely to bring something little, like flowers or chocolates.

The Historic Wedding Tradition of Blood Cloth

You’ve probably heard about this old Moroccan wedding custom. Having sex before marriage is forbidden (Haram) in Morocco, a Muslim nation. Because of this, Moroccans used to display a white cloth stained with the bride’s virginity bloodstains the morning after the wedding night to confirm and prove the bride’s virginity.

So, if you see individuals dancing with a white cloth covered with blood streaks, don’t be shocked. Even though many rural residents still follow this ancient wedding custom, it is no longer as widespread as it once was. 

When Can I Get Married in Morocco?

Morocco has a mild, subtropical climate; however, the weather varies depending on where you are because of the country’s varied topography and altitude.

Morocco experiences hot, dry summers and moderate, wet winters in its urban areas and near its coastline. The rainy season runs from November through March. The weather might be even more severe in the desert and mountains. Winter evenings might be frigid and call for a coat, while hot summer days can reach temperatures beyond 40°C.

Most couples choose to get married in Morocco between May and June or September and October to take advantage of the lovely weather. Your guests won’t be uncomfortable sitting outside as you conduct your celebration beneath the stars.

Plan a sneaky getaway during the evening’s golden hour. Just before sunset, there will be lovely, warm lighting. With that magnificent shining light flowing down, even Morocco’s most picturesque photo spots appear even better!

Depending on your location and the season, the golden hour usually occurs between 6-7 pm, particularly if you’re being married in the desert or mountains. It’s ideal for couples’ photographs. During this moment, landscapes truly “pop” and come to life.

Conclusion

The couple’s and the family’s Moroccan wedding is a significant occasion. It takes a lot of time to plan and be ready for and is known as “The best night in life” or “ليلة العمر” But even though this day celebrates the joining of two hearts, customs take center stage on this joyous occasion.

Moroccan design is ideal if you want a boho-chic wedding since it is well known for its bohemian décor, strong accent colors, intriguing patterns and dramatic designs. Before and after your wedding, you may tour a lot of this nation.