Syrian Wedding Part I {Lehigh Valley Wedding}

It was a bit cloudy, actually raining when I arrived at Omar, the grooms house for this fun Syrian Wedding I shot with Maggie from MJE Photography. I was immediately impressed by the friendliness of the family, hugs and kisses all around between men, women, men to men, women to women and so forth, I felt such a warmth in the air and although I could not understand their arabic language and chants I so felt the love, respect and important of family. I must say I had never been to such a wedding where the wedding ceremony and the institution of marriage was so highly regarded, I felt it in the air as they hugged, as they cried, as they chanted. I also had never seen a wedding where the maid of honor and best men are so honored as an essential part of the special day. Everyone told me the best man was soon to arrive and when he did, tall Syrian lad whispered to me, Nancy sent Omar a gift of which I will give to Omar. I waited for the special moment and as Omar opened his card and gift, his grandma chanted in what seem to be a chant older than I can count, a timeless chant, a beautiful chant and I got chills and my eyes filled with tears as I glanced over a memorial photo frame of Omar’s younger sister who had passed away so I knew that that chant where the grandma and mom chanted and the family around repeated with sayings was even more special. I was honored to be in that special room and honored to capture this beautiful Syrian Wedding. As I arrived at the brides house cause you see the groom’s family would then drive to the brides house to escort her to the church, I literally ran out of the car when I saw the cheerful drummer and horn player and all the dancing outside, Nancy’s house was jam packed, no I mean sardine packed with guests, family there to welcome her to her day as a bride, so so beautiful. There were many traditions though out the day so it will be a two or maybe three part post. Here is the Getting Ready which is long and you will see why.