Bridal
Shower

In former times, wedding festivities were drawn-out affairs lasting several days. They began on a Monday with the dispatch of the bridal trousseau to the bridegroom’s house. The procession carrying the trousseau was proceeded by large wooden or iron “trees” decorated with cloths, fruits, and flowers.

The bridal bath was held the following day (Tuesday) while Wednesday evening was when a henna~party was held in the harem section of the house in which the bride-to-be lived. At the same time, the menfolk would be enjoying themselves in the men’s quarters (selamlik) of same house or in that of the groom’s.