Once a match is agreed upon and rings exchanged there will be an engagement ceremony in the bride's home. Gifts are exchanged and money handed over by the bride's father. The next day will be the sealing of the marriage contract. Again the family gathers at the bride's home and a reading of the first chapter of the Qur'an seals the arrangement.
Very often in more traditional communities there may be several days before the marriage is consummated. The nuptial evening is also widely celebrated. Both bride and groom are decked out in all their finery and the many guests consume plentiful food and drink. Celebrations continue until the moment when the groom retires to his bride's room.
