If you’re planning a wedding and want to incorporate traditional Lebanese culture into your celebration, there are plenty of Lebanese wedding traditions that will make your day truly special.
From engagement rituals to honeymoon customs, it’s important to understand the unique cultural nuances of this region when putting together your plans.
In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at different Lebanese wedding traditions so you can be sure all the details for your big day come together perfectly.
Lebanese Wedding Traditions
Engagement Traditions
1. Proposal
In Lebanon, the proposal is usually private between the couple and their families.
The groom will ask for the bride’s hand in marriage with a formal request to her family.
This is an important step that symbolizes his commitment to her and his willingness to take on the responsibility of being a husband.
2. Dowry
After this, it is customary for the groom’s family to pay a dowry as a sign of respect and appreciation for the bride’s family.
This payment can be made in cash or in kind, depending on what both parties agree upon.
It is seen as an act of generosity from one side towards another and helps ensure that both sides are treated fairly during negotiations leading up to marriage.
Finally, once all these steps have been completed, an engagement party is held where friends and relatives come together to celebrate the couple’s commitment to each other and announce their upcoming nuptials.
At this event, there may be music playing while guests enjoy traditional Lebanese dishes such as kibbeh (minced meat croquettes) or tabbouleh (a salad made with parsley).
Gifts are also exchanged between both families at this time as part of the tradition
Engagement traditions are a beautiful way to honor the couple’s commitment and mark the start of their journey together.
As they move forward into marriage, it is important to understand the traditional customs that will be observed during the wedding ceremony as well.
Wedding Ceremony Traditions
3. Pre-Wedding Rituals
In Lebanon, pre-wedding rituals are an important part of the wedding ceremony. One such ritual is henna night, where the bride’s hands are decorated with intricate henna designs.
This tradition symbolizes good luck and protection for the couple’s future together.
Another common pre-wedding ritual is a traditional bridal shower, which includes music and dancing and gifts for the bride from her family and friends.
4. The Ceremony Itself
A Lebanese wedding ceremony is a joyous and traditional event with several distinct steps:
The Bride’s Entrance: The bride is accompanied by her parents to the front of the ceremony, where she will meet the groom. This event is often punctuated with music and singing.
-The Agreement: The couple agrees on a dowry in front of two witnesses, expressing their commitment to each other before God. During this step, the bride’s parents may also make a toast in honor of their daughter’s marriage.
-The Engagement: The couple exchange rings, usually given by the groom’s family as a gift to the bride.
-The Exchange of Vows: The bride and groom recite traditional vows of commitment to each other in front of all guests.
-The Blessing: The officiant blesses the union with special prayers from the Koran or Bible.
-Celebration: After the ceremony, there is often a large celebration complete with food, music, dancing, and gifts for guests.
From the traditional pre-wedding rituals to the post-ceremony celebrations, Lebanese wedding ceremonies are full of meaningful customs and traditions that make for an unforgettable experience.
Now let’s move on to explore the reception traditions that accompany these events.
Reception Traditions
5. Food and Drinks
Lebanese receptions typically feature a variety of traditional dishes, such as kibbeh, tabbouleh, and hummus. These are often served with breads like pita or flatbread.
Sweets like baklava are also popular at weddings. Drinks can range from soft drinks to beer and wine, depending on the couple’s preferences.
6. Music and Dancing
Music is an important part of any Lebanese wedding reception.
Traditional songs will be played throughout the evening to get everyone up on their feet and dancing.
Couples may even choose to have a live band playing music for guests to enjoy while celebrating the newlyweds’ union.
The Lebanese Zaffe is a lavish prelude to a major celebration.
In front of drummers and professional Zaffe dancers, the bride and groom make a dramatic entry as they dance their way into the main dance floor.
They then dance on the floor while their guests applaud and enjoy themselves all around them.
Reception traditions are an integral part of Lebanese weddings, and it is sure to be a memorable night for all.
7. Honeymoon Traditions
Honeymoon Traditions are an important part of any wedding celebration in Lebanon. From destination ideas to activities and special touches, there is plenty for couples to consider when planning their post-wedding getaway.
Destination Ideas
Couples often choose destinations that offer a variety of experiences, such as sightseeing, beach trips, or cultural excursions.
Popular honeymoon spots include the Mediterranean coastlines of Beirut and Tripoli, the stunning mountain ranges of Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, and historical cities like Byblos or Baalbek.
Activities to Enjoy Together
There are endless possibilities for couples looking for fun things to do on their honeymoon.
Whether it’s exploring local markets together, going on a romantic boat ride along the coastline, taking cooking classes at a local restaurant, or simply relaxing with spa treatments – there’s something for everyone.
Conclusion
Lebanese wedding traditions are an important part of the culture and can make a wedding truly unique.
From engagement to honeymoon, there is something special about each tradition that will bring joy and excitement to your big day.
Whether you choose to incorporate all of them or just some, these Lebanese wedding traditions will help create memories that will last a lifetime.
