Uyghur Wedding

Uyghur Wedding celebrations are at the brides home. They are done by the community imam. The brides family thoroughly cleans the house beforehand and they prepare a meal which includes marmalade, bread, fruits, sugar, and pasties. Only close family and friends are invited.
Before the celebration, the bride asks her family for the blessing and she says her farewells. During the encounter with the imam, the bride and groom are both asked if they accept the other to be their spouse. They are asked three times. The bride must answer quietly, while the groom must answer loudly. To symbolize their love, loyalty, and new life, they then share a piece of bread. The first one to take the bread is considered to be more loyal. The groom then goes home with his family to prepare for the rest of the celebration. Next comes the time when the groom arrives at the brides house accompanied by his friends which are playing the tambourine, suona, and the rawap while chanting! The brides family blocks the entrance into the home while the groom and his friends try to push their way through the door. Before allowing them entering, the groom must give gifts. The entertainment follows. When the bride leaves the home, she is expected to cry. The wedding then moves its progress to the grooms house where he lifts the brides vail. Songs are sung to wish the couple happiness and praise the bride for her beauty. This is when the feasting begins. After the feast there is plenty of dancing to celebrate.