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In Pakistani culture, the wedding is not the last of the wedding festivities. That would be the valima (pronounced vah-lee-ma), a lavish reception thrown by the groom’s parents. Traditionally, the valima was thrown to prove to the community that the marriage was consummated (yikes!). In modern times, the valima is simply a huge, resplendent reception to introduce the newlyweds to the community for the first time. The valima is typically a very festive affair, with a delicious spread of food and joyous music and dancing.
Our valima will be held in Michigan, where Mr. Jasmine’s family is from, at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. It’s so exciting to have a whole other reception to attend, especially since I don’t have to plan any of it 
Mr. Jasmine’s family wants to plan a really wonderful valima for us, so I’m really touched and honored to partake in this tradition. And, as is customary, Mr. Jasmine’s family will be gifting me with a special lehnga and jewelry to wear for the occasion.
Do you have any post-wedding events to attend?
photo courtesy of Hyatt
never have to make an excuse for another party!!! 
How long after the wedding will you have your valima?
Oooh, how fun! 
We’ll be heading off to Spain in early May to celebrate in grand style with FI’s Spanish and French relatives and friends, about two weeks after the wedding that is here in the US. I’m excited for the same reasons you are, Miss Jasmine–absolutely no planning involved, but all of the fun!
Miss Lovebird: I’ll be wearing a lehnga which is a short blouse and a full skirt. It comes with a dupatta which is like a long sheer scarf. The outfit for the valima is often just as formal as the one worn for the wedding.
Miss Penguin: I should have mentioned that in my post! The valima will be exactly one week after our wedding.
[...] our honeymoon…but unfortunately we won’t be able to go right after the wedding. We have our valima in Michigan one week after our wedding and several can’t-miss weddings of our friends in the [...]
I think our morning-after brunch was big enough to get its own mention. One thing I’m glad about the brunch was the huge variety of eggless items they made sure to have available, since the one egg-allergy wedding guest kind of got trumped by my love of caesar salads. So no salad for Aunt Judy on Saturday, but tons of gooey pastry for her on Sunday. That’s fair, right?
I’m Jewish, and our tradition is to have seven nights of dinner parties for the week after the wedding. These are called Sheva Brachot (7 Blessings), because they are further opportunities to bless the newly married couple, by reciting the 7 traditional wedding blessings at the end of each meal. They’re also a way to hang out in a lower key setting, celebrate with friends who weren’t invited to the wedding, and ease the transition into newly married life.
I thought you were Indian? Indian weddings don’t have a valima, I mean it’s not called Valima.
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Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney Engagement Date: March 24, 2007 Wedding Date: June 7, 2008 Blogging Since: September 20, 2007 Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
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