Muslim wedding!

[wiggal]

Hi again all!

Didn't know where to post this - Sorry!

My partner and I have been invited to a muslim wedding next week, quite a posh one too - only problem is I have no idea what I should wear or anything?

Just wondering if any one can shed some light as I really need to get shopping!

Many thanks

[Nosha123]

I have never been to muslim wedding but my advice would be not to wear anything that shows off too much flesh. Go for below the knee and cover up shoulders...

Enjoy the day! Bet it will be fabulous!

[paraffin]

Have you thought of asking the bride / groom to be?

[wiggal]

paraffin, I would do apart from the fact the groom is a friend of my partners who I have never met or spoken to! I asked him to ask, and he grumbled at me as he does not want to sound silly. But I may have to ask him again to ask!

[jake-the-peg]

Have you found these:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/ ritesrituals/weddings_1.shtml

http://www.hilalplaza.com/Muslim-Wedding/

and esp.

http://weddings.about.com/cs/weddingguests/f/r eligious.htm

For non-Muslim guests, the Islamic dress code does not apply in the same way that it applies to Muslim adherents. However, as a matter of courtesy and deference to the social/cultural norms of the hosts, the guests might be well advised to avoid exposing their arms and legs in a fashion that is normal in our modern-day western society. ...

[wiggal]

Thank you jake, they look very helpful and will have a read through.

Should of mentioned in the question but was typing too quickly, that it is the reception we are attending in the evening. But I am guessing the same rules will pretty much apply?

[R1Geezer]

As jake says, cover up, a burka is probably a good idea and don't expect any sherbet!

[sophie_1003]

It depends how liberal they are, my boyfriends aunt has stopped wearing her headscarf so often (she lives in Iran so it is more frowned on and I think she's been in trouble for it) but it does go to show that it's not all about covering up from head to toe with only the eyes showing! However, there are some really pretty headscarves about which could be incorporated into an outfit easily if you felt like it.

[Nannyjillx2]

Having been married to a muslim it really does depend on how religious they are as has been already posted and also which country they come from. Islam is interpreted in different ways in different countries.

I would just make sure you aren't showing too much flesh but don't think they would expect you to cover your head. If they were that fanatic you wouldn't have been invited to the wedding.

Enjoy.

[tamborine]

Most belly-dancers are muslims and show lots of flesh but not outdoors.

Muslim women dress as we do under those burkhas; often more 'suggestively' than we would consider decent.

[Nannyjillx2]

Tamborine you're right about the belly dancers and many of them have bad reputations.

Women do sometimes dress seductively under their burkas,hijabs and abayas but they don't allow male non family members to see them.

You may find that the women and men are segregated but I imagine not.

[sophie_1003]

I think you'll find that bellydancing is actually banned in some Muslim countries so they may not be the best comparison for what would be suitable wedding attire!

[tamborine]

Dance is an art whether belly or ballet dancing.

It does not demeaning.

[sophie_1003]

tambourine, I take bellydance classes myself and think it, along with more exotic forms of dance such as burlesque and striptease are art forms, am just stating a fact about Muslim culture.

[wiggal]

HI All,

Thank you very much for your helpful answers.

I went into town on Friday after work, and bought a full length dress which is black and gold and gorgeous!

My partner has since given in and phoned his friend, who has said it is not strict at all, and could pretty much wear what I would for a normal wedding reception!