The celebrations of a Moroccan wedding

What khotba, dfou3, negafa and amariya mean, and the order the celebrations usually follow. Traditions change from region to region and family to family: take this as a guide.

Updated 28 October 2026

A Moroccan wedding could once last up to seven days. Today many families keep a few celebrations, spread over a few days or weeks.

The khotba (the proposal)

The groom's family visits the bride's family to ask for her hand. This is often when the two families agree on the main points: the date, the celebrations, and the sdaq (the dower the groom gives the bride).

The marriage act (l'3qd)

The marriage is concluded before two adouls, who draw up the act. In Morocco it follows the Family Code (Moudawana). The documents required depend on your situation: the adouls, or the consulate for Moroccans abroad, give the exact list.

The file and steps of the marriage act

The dfou3

The dfou3 are the gifts the groom's family brings to the bride's family, presented on decorated trays: often sugar cones, milk and dates, henna, fabrics, jewellery or perfume. What they hold, and when they are brought, varies by family.

The hammam and the henna night

Before the wedding night, the bride often goes to the hammam with the women of her family and her friends. The henna night gathers mostly women: a nekacha draws henna on the bride's hands and feet, among songs and zaghareet.

The wedding night

The wedding night is the heart of it. The negafa and her team dress the bride, often lend the outfits and jewellery, and stay with her all night: the bride changes outfit several times, each from a region or tradition. The couple enter carried in the amariya, a decorated throne lifted by bearers, and go round the room. The band, dinner and cake set the rhythm of the night.

The day after and beyond

Many families meet again the next day for a simpler meal. The honeymoon follows, sometimes weeks later.