Pakistani Trip pre-wedding Haldi Ceremony

Hello everyone, if you read my previous blog, then you know that I went to Pakistan to attend two weddings. I went there for 2 weeks. Before wedding they have traditional to have Haldi Ceremony.  Where sisters, aunts and female cousins apply a paste made from haldi (turmeric) on the groom/bride's face, hands and feets. Because I went to attend two weddings (my husband's sister's and brother's) so we had to apply on their both faces. It is beautifying ceremony to prepare the bride/groom for the upcoming nuptials. Usually that evening women and the bride of course got decorated with mehndi (henna). The designs are far more elaborate and intricate for the bride and cover her hands and feet. This can take hours. The henna stains the skin a lovely reddish brown and lasts up to a week. The tricky part is that when you have mehndi applied to your skin, you can't touch it or wash it off until it dries completely. The longer you will leave, the darker colour will be. Because we did Haldi Ceremony almost one week before wedding, we didn't apply henna, because it was too early.

Bridal mehndi (picture from here)

Traditionally, many days or even week before actual wedding day, women will gather in the house of the bride at night to sing and dance while accompanied by instrument Dholak. (you will see my video below).

Dholak, picture found HERE

Traditional bride wears yellow outfit. After the ceremony the bride does not leave the house until the wedding day.

With bride :) sorry, I had to cut her face..

If you want to see more, please check out my video:

Thanks for reading,

Ruta xx