The couple leaves the wedding ceremony on the second day and travels to the location of their parents’ choice for the “Meles” while dressed in traditional attire known as “Kaba” (post-wedding party). Only immediate family members are invited to this evening’s festivities, which include bread cutting and naming the bride. As the bride’s mother gives her daughter a moniker that everyone in attendance will use in memory of the wedding, the family gathers to break bread. The entire Ethiopian cultural wedding ceremony is incomplete without a Meles, hence every couple needs one. One of the richest cultures on the African continent is that of Ethiopia, and it has mostly remained unaltered over time. As a result, the traditional Ethiopian wedding ceremony is breathtaking! A brief summary of what to expect during an Ethiopian wedding is coming shortly!
Two days prior to the main wedding, a ceremony called telosh is held. The bride and groom, as well as their families, often participate in this ceremony, which takes place at the bride’s parents’ (or her own) home. There is a wave of applause from the guests as the groom and his family offer presents to the bride, which typically include a bridal gown and jewels. Everyone else who is present then presents the bride with their gifts. The morning of the wedding, the groom gets ready at home with the help of his groomsmen. At the bride’s family house, where the bride is getting ready, the bridesmaids have gathered. The family members also prepare the home for the significant guests. Everyone, including the bride, is prepared when the groom and his party arrive at the bride’s home.
