This is where all the girls from the bride's family get together and performs a ritual event in which creme or paste type substance is applied to the bride's arms and legs. This substance is a type of skin treatment which also leaves a very pleasant smell. During this week the bride is to have no contact with any male so she has more beauty and charm on the day of the wedding. .
The actual wedding consists of four days in which different events take place. The first day is the Hena ceremony or Mehndhi which consists of mainly females. On this day, ladies from the groom's family go to the brides home and brings with them clothes, jewelry, shoes, a purse, and any other accessories for the bride on her wedding day along with 7 sets of clothes and accessories as a gift from the grooms family to the bride. Hena is applied to the hands and feet of the bride to bring beauty. Hena was used in the times of the prophet Muhammad when nail polish and other items of such were non-existent. Sweets are fed to the bride by 7 women from the groom's family who are non-widows. For the remainder of the ceremony, women sing songs and party.
The second day is similar to the first with the difference being that the bride's family goes to the groom's home. Still clothes are given to the groom for the wedding day, and rather than giving the groom 7 sets of clothes, gifts are given to the entire immediate family of the groom. On both the first and second day, money is given to bride and groom. The money is to be given to charity in the name of god to bring blessings and safety to the soon-to-be marriage.
The third day is the actual wedding day. The ceremony is held by the parents of the bride at a location of their choice. On this day the bride's family has allowed only a certain number of people from the groom's family to attend. Before the groom enters the building or area where the ceremony is being held, the sisters of the bride stop the groom and demand money.
