Note: Jacqui is writing this one!
So glad to
have had the opportunity to attend an Omani wedding. One of my students was the flower girl in her
Aunty’s wedding and she invited me.
Since it is a woman only event, Richard couldn’t join me, so I asked my
friend Marisa, another yr 4 teacher to come along! We had fun shopping for a dress for her. I wore
the dress I wore at Julie’s wedding (I was really hoping to have the chance to
attend an Omani wedding, so I figured I’d be prepared). I went all out…hair, make-up…even fake
eyelashes! When in Rome ….
Richard
and I had staked out the location beforehand in the afternoon. We’ve learned… Marisa and another friend joined us for a
pre-drink (ha ha) at our apartment before leaving for the hall, where we
arrived at around 7:30 pm. The reception
at 7, but we knew that in Oman … everything always starts later. We met some of my student’s family and we sat
and chatted. There were many trays of
sweets that were offered, as well as Arabic tea and coffee. We ended up sitting with the Mom of another
of my students, as well as one of the secretaries from school. There was music and dancing. At around 9:30 pm, the bride accompanied by
her sister and 6 flower girls, carefully walked down the huge flight of
stairs. Her dress was amazing!!! Lots of cheering. She made it to her chair on the stage and was
photographed and filmed.
After that, all the guests served themselves
to a yummy buffet dinner…some Omani dishes and rice, hummus, Arabic bread,
salad …. lots of sweets! Throughout the
meal, the music and dancing continued.
There was a short video of the bride and groom and a few songs and
speeches by the family. At around 10:45 pm,
all of the women put their abayas and hijabs on, because the groom was arriving
soon. All the beautiful dresses and up-dos had to be covered. The groom arrived with his father and his
brothers, dressed in the traditional Dishdasha and Kuma. Then the photos with the bride and groom and
family continued and that was it! By
11pm, half of the guests had left and the rest were on their way out. It was an enjoyable event and I learned
lots. The Omani people are so welcoming,
Marisa and I were greeted by so many relatives…
