What the Khaleeji Muslim Bride Wears

On the street Gulf women are clad in black abayas (because there are men present). As soon as the men are gone... so are the abayas. The khaleeji bride usually wears a modern white wedding dress of her own design (especially tailored for her---or from a brand name designer such a Eli Saab or Zuhair Murad, Givenchy, Dior, what have you.
Of course complete with fabulous Arabic make-up... [pictures taken from http://www.al-lilac.com/ (for more Arabic stlye make-over be sure to check out this page: http://khaleejia.blogspot.com/2008/07/uae-khakleeji-hair-style-for-special.html ]....and equally fabulous khaleeji hair. [photos of Gulf hairstyles taken from http://khaleejia.blogspot.com/2008/07/uae-khakleeji-hair-style-for-special.html]

These models at the Dubai brideshow are probably the closest any man will get to seeing a picture of an Khaleeji bride. Gulf weddings are completely segregated and the only male to see the bride is the groom and maybe the father and father in law. All this show...the lace, silk, make-up etc. is all done for other women who will be attending the female wedding party. It is also very important to look your best even if you are just a guest. Weddings are where the mothers, aunts are daughters are scouting for future brides for their sons, nephews and brothers. Most marriages are arranged (not that a girl can't say no and meet and talk to her fiance before the wedding Jane Austen-style with chaperones) and weddings seem to be a good place in the Gulf to seek connections (not that I of all people am soliciting this). I am very much an Elizabeth Bennet on the subject, not a Gamrah. Thus, due to the dressing up, cell phone are strictly prohibited, and often confiscated. [Read this account of one non-muslim woman's account of a Shi'a wedding in Oman: http://omansusan.blogspot.com/2007/07/vol-33-shis-wedding.html ].