Pakistani wedding events are about celebrating love, colors, and traditions. These events are not just about the groom and bride; they also bring families and close friends together to cherish the festivity’s love and joy. From dholki celebrations to grand walima, Pakistani wedding customs and traditions have their charm and excitement.
Pakistani marriage traditions are incomplete without following old traditions and culture. The festivity starts with an engagement ceremony that marks the official beginning of the marriage. Events like dholki and ubtan are perfect for a small get-together where everyone enjoys and dances to the dhol beats.
Then comes the girls’ favorite wedding function, Mehndi. Everyone loves this function, as it’s full of bright dresses, dances, and adorable henna designs. The marriage ceremony is incomplete without Nikkah, as it’s the main event, followed by barat and walima.
Indeed, dresses, jewellery, shoes, and, mainly, wedding food all play pivotal roles in making a wedding function memorable for years. Similarly, wedding celebrations are incomplete without decor. Everything matters, from floral arrangements to fairy lights, stage setup, and sophisticated table design.
Pakistani wedding events have incomparable vibes. Each function is celebrated differently with a unique theme and decor.
Let’s explore Pakistani wedding traditions together.
Pakistani Wedding Events
Dholki
Dholki is the most popular and beloved wedding event in desi families. A few days before the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom’s close friends and family gather for this occasion. Immediate family members of the bride and groom who live abroad or in different cities come with their bags and stay until the wedding ends.
Nowadays, people follow different dholki themes, including truck art, rangoli, Moroccan dholki, and garden-theme dholki, to make this event unforgettable. Generally, they decorate the floor with cushions and rugs. Adding rangoli colors and fairy lights makes the arrangement more magnificent for dance floors. Besides, friends and family sing popular wedding songs, dance to the dhol beat, and enjoy delicious food.
Mayun
Traditional Pakistani weddings are incomplete without Mayun. In some cultures, this function is taken very seriously. Usually, the mayun function starts 2-3 days before the official wedding festivity.
The bride and groom’s family invite guests, and everyone (including friends and family members) performs some traditions. They put oil on the bride and groom’s hair and apply ubtan/henna on their hands. Outdoor events, multicolor setups, and Hollywood-themed mayun are trending in Pakistan. This fun, vibrant, and cheerful event is about enjoying music, dancing, following traditional Pakistani marriage customs, and creating a distinctive experience.
Mehndi
Everyone loves Mehndi functions in Pakistan and around the globe because they reflect cultural values and beliefs. This most-awaited event is about lively music, dance performance, and an entertaining atmosphere where everyone comes together, laughs, and creates lasting memories. It’s a primary wedding function where beautiful henna designs are applied to the bride’s hands. Her close friends and family members (aunts, sisters, mother, and cousin) also apply henna, prepare group dances, and sing songs. Trends are changing, but the yellow dress is still considered a traditional mehndi attire that makes a bride look more beautiful.
Nikkah
The nikkah ceremony is of the most significant importance in a Pakistani wedding. In this function, the bride and groom sign the official marriage contract (nikkah nama). At least two witnesses from either side must be present during a nikkah ceremony. Generally, it occurs in a mosque where families invite close friends and relatives. Outdoor nikkah setups are getting tremendous popularity in Pakistan, and couples choose their desired outdoor/indoor themes, including floral & garden, classical & traditional, color-based theme, and seasonal theme to make their first official and special event worth remembering.
Barat
Once the Nikkah is done, Pakistan’s next main wedding event is ‘Barat’. It’s a day when the groom comes with his friends and family to take the bride away. Generally, a bride wears a traditional red lehenga, but maroon, gold, lush pink, Ivory, and teal are also getting popular these days. Doodhpilaie, rasta rukai, sehra bandi, joota chupae are some funny traditions that add fun to the barat function.
For decor, fusion styles, lush floral arrangements, customized decor, and statement stage decor are some of the finest trends to follow in 2025.
Rukhsati
The rukhsati event occurs at the end of the barat ritual. It’s a sad function for the bride and her family as she leaves everything behind and goes with the groom. The bride is given to the groom with the Holy Quran over her head. It shows that the bride’s family is sending her with the groom under the blessing and protection of Allah.
In contrast, the groom’s friends and family feel super excited and happy during the rukhsati. They take the new member to their home and welcome her wholeheartedly. Guthna pakarana, pouring oil, and throwing rice are traditional practices and unique ways of welcoming a bride.
Walima
Walima (reception, wedding feasts) is an essential part of the muslim wedding ceremony and is known as a day when the bride is formally welcomed into her husband’s home. Usually, the Walima ceremony takes place one or two days after the barat function or when the marriage has been solemnized. This function involves a great wedding feast given by the groom’s family in honor of their daughter-in-law. The walima atmosphere is peaceful, where everyone takes pictures and enjoys scrumptious food, music, and dance performances.
Couples match their dress colors and design the decor according to their attire type or color. Vintage, outdoor setup, pink tornado theme, minimalistic theme, and soft floral arrangements are considered some popular wedding themes for 2025
Everyone blessed newlywed couples with prayers and gift items. Cutting cake has also become an imperative part of the walima ceremony as the function is incomplete without the cutting ceremony.
Bottom Line
A Pakistani Function is more than the union of the bride and groom; it’s a celebration of customs, culture, love, traditions, and the bond both families share. From vigorous dholki functions to elegant walima celebrations, every function has a unique charisma. Following Pakistani wedding customs and traditions doubles the joy of the event.
However, hiring experts for wedding decor is equally essential. Decor is the main thing that catches everyone’s attention and leaves an everlasting impact on them. Therefore, while planning your wedding events, it is suggested that you prefer classy decor and always choose professionals.