Lebanese Weddings In Melbourne

Lebanese Wedding Traditions

When it comes to weddings, the Lebanese are known for their flamboyant, brazen and vivid wedding traditions, customs and ceremonies.

They like it loud and celebrate a wedding with ultimate pomp and show. They party like there in no tomorrow. The very cheerful people that they are, their bliss and mirth is evident in their extravagant celebrations. Dance, music, food and merry-making are an integral part of any Lebanese wedding function and they believe in the concept of ‘More the merrier’.

Fun at heart, a Lebanese wedding is an absolute delight to be a part of. Here are some of the interesting facets of a Lebanese wedding.

1. Early birds

The wedding traditions and celebrations to a Lebanese wedding commence much before the actual wedding function. Festive engagements, pre-wedding parties, gift exchanges and a lot more happen prior to the wedding and they end with the reception, post the wedding.

2. Not for the ‘week-hearted’

In some parts of Lebanon, the wedding affair constitutes 7 days. On one special day, the groom’s family and relatives escort the bride to the streets to proclaim the news of their wedding to everyone in the countryside. At the end of the trail, the bride and the groom meets and stick some dough which is considered synonymous to consolidating their matrimony.

3. Fire on

Fireworks are an integral part of a Lebanese wedding. Arranged and executed by expert professionals, the skies light up in a multitude of hues and shades, adding glamour to the ceremonies. Innovative design patterns and shades are introduced timely to add charm to the occasion.

4. Zaffe

Zaffe is a tradition followed by the Lebanese wherein the bride and groom enter the ceremonial grounds and dance their way to the central point. A band of percussionist accompany them, playing the rhythm and notes in high pitches.

5. Cries of Joy

Zalaouta is a tradition at every Lebanese wedding. It is a high-pitched cry let out by the older Arabic and African ladies in the audience as an expression of their joy and best wishes to the couple.

6. Car Craze

During olden times, as the bride and groom walked on the streets, loud drums were played accompanied with the clanking of pots. This was to ward off the evil spirits and cast away the evil eye. In the modern days, this has been replaced by cars which honk loudly on the streets as the couple walks on.

7. Confetti and confectionary

As the bride and groom walks on the streets, the onlookers bless them by sprinkling confetti, rose petals and candied almonds.

8. Gourmet Dining

Food is an integral part of any celebration and with the Lebanese, they are exorbitant when it comes to feeding their guests. There is always a traditional three-course meal which is sumptuous.

9. Knifing it big

Cake cutting is a common tradition in most wedding ceremonies across the globe. In the olden days, it was customary to break the cake over the bride’s head as a symbol of her fertility. This has been replaced by the normal cake cutting ceremony these days. Nevertheless, the Lebanese have gone an extra mile in displaying their enthusiasm by replacing the conventional knife with a sword.

10. Dance till you drop

Dancing is at the heart of a Lebanese wedding. Right from when the bride and groom are entering, till the very end of the celebration, everyone is shaking a leg. Music and percussion plays all the time. Some weddings call for special belly dancers who dance to the hypnotic tunes which are sometimes Arabic, to enthrall the guests. The belly dancing is also symbolic of the bride transforming into a sensuous woman.

11. Long Night

While at most weddings, the bride and groom are sent away before it turns too late in the night, the Lebanese tradition calls for the couple to be present till the very end of all the celebration. They are expected to stay on and take part in all the dancing, partying and merry-making. It is considered disrespectful to the guests if the couple leave the party early and they have to stick on till the last guest also leaves.

12. Take your bride

As per the custom, the groom carries the bride back to their home or chamber after the day long haul of fun and celebration. It is considered as a sign of affection and also a precautionary measure to prevent the bride from tripping over long gown and heels.

13. Beg, borrow or kidnap

In some villages of Lebanon, the groom is customarily kidnapped on the previous day of the wedding. His whereabouts are kept hidden from the bride’s family who set out on a mission to find the groom!