You are every reason,
every hope and every dream
I’ve ever had.

Nicholas Sparks

A wedding in Tunisia is a civil act that has the distinction of taking place in three days. and it still knew how to preserve the ancestral customs related to the marriage.

Each region in Tunisia is distinguished by its own customs and wedding rituals, but -in general- the Tunisian wedding, as well as the Moroccan marriage, begins according to the traditions of the engagement. The bridegroom accompanied by his parents go to the home of his bride to formally request his hand. Once the union is accepted by both families, some verses of the Koran are recited and cries of joy “Zaghrouda” announce their future union.

After this step, a civil ceremony must precede a religious wedding. In Tunisia, the marriage certificate is concluded in the presence of the notary or in front of the registrar in the presence of two witnesses. The religious wedding ceremony takes place either in the mosque or at the parents of the bride, in the presence of the Imman who consecrates the union.

Then there is the day of the Tunisian wedding is called “Saboun”, it is the starting point of the marriage. The future bride helped by the women of the family (sisters, aunts, cousins …) will prepare his trousseau composed of linen, household appliances, furniture, kitchen utensils, decorations.

After the “Saboun”, the following day of the Tunisian wedding ceremony is entirely dedicated to Laaroussa (the fiancée): It is the day of the Hammam. Forming a musical procession, all women take care of “Laaroussa” for example by performing a scrub to the glove of “Kessa” or a mask with clay. Everything is done so that the bride comes out of the hammam with a skin of softness and radiant beauty and thus be attracted all the attention on the day of her marriage. This ritual helps the young woman to relax before the wedding ceremony and is a real ritual of beauty.

Also, Laarousa applies to the body a mixture of white stone (Barouk) and rose water to have a satin skin the day of her marriage.

During the wedding party, the bride can wear up to 4 different traditional outfits and gives an extra layer of henna.

For his part, the Tunisian groom also benefits from a wedding party between men.

In conclusion, occasions such as this does not always happen: live a traditional Tunisian wedding, share with people so fantastic three days of celebration, joy, feeling.
a European look of an extraordinary world such as that of North Africa.

The colors, the smells, the dances and the great kindness and hospitality of this people of these places, there will always remain in our hearts.

Thanks to Selima and Hassen, grazie Tunisia

Traditional Wedding in Tunisia - The Photo gallery

A short note about the wedding photographer:
Cristiano Ostinelli, Sony Global Imaging Ambassador [more info], grew up in the field of photo reportage since 1995, making a name for himself in several international competitions.
He is active in wedding photography: he photographed prestigious weddings all over the world – Italy, Greece, Spain, Austria, France, England, United States, Russia, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and United Arab Emirates, always with his spontaneous and extremely refined style. He’s a member of WPJA Wedding Photojournalist Association, ISPWP, Fearless Photographers and WPS.
Cristiano Ostinelli was nominated PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 by Wedding Photojournalist Association, and in 2018 the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers considers him the top wedding photographer in the world [more info].