When: Moroccans commonly celebrate weddings on Sundays in the fall at the end of the harvest, when there’s plenty of food to feast on.
Attire: Lots of color, including yellow (it scares away the evil eye) and green (it’ll bring good luck). Plus, you’ll get some intricate temporary henna tattoos on your hands and feet.
Activities: Better keep your schedule wide open -- Moroccan weddings can last up to seven days. The first three days are spent preparing and partying. On the fourth, a sheik unites the couple. On the fifth and sixth, more parties. On the seventh, the bride is held aloft in front of friends and family and then placed in the arms of her groom, signaling the end of the ceremony. The couple departs in a shower of figs and raisins but even then, it isn’t over: Once she arrives at her new home, the bride might circle the house three times to establish ownership before she can go to sleep. The
Food: Fish and chicken, ancient symbols of fertility, are often served. Guests may also dig into tajine (a chicken stew mixed with almonds, apricots, onions, and other spices that’s served with pita bread) and plenty of those candy-covered almonds, which are considered aphrodisiacs.
The Music: Belly dancers often usher the bride and groom into the reception in a parade formation called the zeffa. There, guests may also boogie down to the Middle Eastern sounds of drums, tambourines, and a string instrument called a zither.