Advice needed - I'm getting married

[honeybee]

Hi

I am getting married in Algeria in a few weeks time.

I've never been to the country before and no next to nothing about what to expect! I need help! Please?

I've looked at some of the threads on this site and they have helped a little but still pretty much at a loss

What can I expect a wedding to be like, what should I wear etc., ie. everything!

I know it seems a bit odd asking this when it is only a few weeks off but even though all I'm bothered about is that my husband to be and I will be married, it would be nice to celebrate in [modest] style.

Any information and pictures would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in hopeful anticipation

PS also any information on sites to see in and around Algiers, what to wear when out and about as well?

[Abdu23]

Hi and welcome honeybee,
There have been many threads on the subject and I don't know what u have checked.
It depends on the regions (u said Alger..but maybe he''s familly is not from Alger) and also on families (now days some are having disco kinda parties, but that would not be the case if ur hubby is religious or u want to have a modest marriage).
But normally it will be in hotel, most likely women will be inside and men outside and kids in between. There will be a lot of dancing and eating like any other party, although they might invite some Algerian specific musicians.. but most ppl just invite a DJ.
U will be just sitting facing those ppl smilling and changing your clothes each 20 mins-½ hour to go through all ur traditional wedding clothes and gold.. it's kinda boring.. the last change will be for "La robe blanche" and that's also when ur husband is gonna get u out of that madness. after taking a lots of pics and cutting the marriage cake ..
Well, I have never been married so it was always fun going to marriages, I am sure that U will see a lot of new interesting stuff.. and it should be a very positive experience.
U can wear ur normal clothes in Algiers, although I would advice u to be as modest as u can. I am sure that ur husband knows the places, as I am from Algiers I never go to them U can see Makam e Chahid (houbel) they have some mesuems about the algerian revolution, u can also see the amusement park of Ben aknoun although there is nothing special about it, it looks like any european park... it all depends on what u wanna do really.
Good luck and congrats for ur marriage

[Zaineb]

hi

Just thought i'd give some insight. ITs your wedding so you'll have a say of how u want things to go, but if his family are traditional they probably want a full blown algerian style wedding.

You'll have the henna done one night...women's only, this will involve putting henna on you, some singing and some dancing.

Next day will be the wedding..they'll probably want a cortege even though you gonna be at the grooms family anyway. Take you in a nicce decorated car with either the groom or his sister in it. Music blaring, cars racing but its a lot of fun. They'll take you to the hall, you'll probably have a bunch of dresses. You get changed, sit on stage, take pics, people will come and congratulate you. Music will be playing, people dancing and they'll probably get you to dance at one point. After all your dress changes you'll be in your white dress. Towards the end, they'll come put a bernous(cloak) on top, cover your hair if you wear a scarf. THe groom will come and take you out of the hall and there you go, you're married.

Just a word of warning dont be scared of the "zegreet" thats gonna be taking place...they're jst happy..its not red indians coming to kidnap u

[Phatz]

Hi Honeybee,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I returned recently from Algeria, and my wedding. It was a blast! I know that you will have a great time.

First, I would suggest having your Fiance describe what he expects to happen at the wedding. It is a rather big affair. I don't know where you are from - but it was much more lengthy and complex than any American wedding I had ever been too.
But both Abdu and Zaineb gave grest descriptions of what will happen.
Are you going to have time to shop for your dresses when you get there - or is the wedding going to take place right away? I know I did a lot of preparation for my dresses ahead of time. I had some traditional dresses made for me there, before I arrived, and then I choose my white gown in the US and brought it with me.

If you want to know more - write me at algiers4ever@yahoo.com

I will be happy to share more!!!

Phatz

[honeybee]

Thanks for your replies.

Basically, it's going to be a VERY simple affair. Lack of funds means that I won't be doing lots of dress changes - unless I'm going to be suprised by his family. I'm not even going to be doing the big white wedding dress which I didn't ever envisage myself doing in my own country anyway.

He says that he wants a quiet family do, a nice meal, which I am happy with Mind you, being an only child and therefore having a small family, celebrating with his family is not going to seem so quite to me!

I've got about 10 days before the actual marriage and I will have a look around Algiers to see if there is something that will do [worried about getting something to fit though - size 18UK] I'm probably going to end up wearing something very casual to be honest but I don't want to offend anyone by doing so.

Anyway thanks again.

PS what is a zegreet?

[mouloudia]

arent u goin have zerna kortage awwwah vive el 3ress te3 el bled chekhia rimmitti medahet netou habsin