How do Moroccan weddings and celebrations work, if invited?

Being invited to a Moroccan wedding is an enormous honour and one of the most joyous things that can happen to you as a traveller here, so if it's offered, say yes — and brace yourself, because these are epic events quite unlike a Western wedding. The first thing to know is the scale and the timing: Moroccan weddings are huge, often hundreds of guests, and they run extraordinarily late. Things may not even get going until ten or eleven at night, and the celebration can roll on until sunrise. Pace yourself, nap beforehand, and don't expect an early night — leaving too soon can seem cold, so settle in for the long, beautiful haul.

The traditions are spectacular. There's often a henna night beforehand, when the bride's hands and feet are painted with intricate designs for beauty and blessing, and female guests may have henna applied too. At the wedding itself the bride is the radiant centrepiece, changing into several stunning outfits through the night — different regions, different colours, often beginning with a green or white kaftan and moving through richly embroidered takchitas. A showstopping moment is the amariya, an ornate throne or palanquin on which the bride and groom are lifted high and carried in by bearers, paraded through the crowd to drumming and ululation. There's live music, sometimes a full traditional band, dancing, and food in waves late into the night.

A few etiquette notes to help you feel at ease. Dress up — Moroccans dress beautifully for weddings, so wear your smartest, and for women that means elegant but modest, covering shoulders and knees; some hosts can even lend you a kaftan, which is a delight. Gifts are appreciated: money in an envelope is completely normal and welcome, or a nice present. On gender mixing, it varies enormously — some weddings are freely mixed, others keep men and women in separate areas or rooms, especially in more traditional or rural families, so take your cue from the room and don't be thrown if you're guided to one side. Eat what you're offered with enthusiasm; refusing food can disappoint a host who's prepared a feast.

My biggest piece of advice is to surrender to it. Don't watch from the edge checking your phone — get pulled into the dancing, clap along, accept the endless rounds of tea and food, let the family fuss over you as the honoured foreign guest, which they absolutely will. These celebrations are about overflowing generosity and shared joy, and the warmth extended to a visitor is genuinely moving. You'll be exhausted the next day and you won't care, because you'll have witnessed Moroccan culture at its most alive and been welcomed into it like family. It's a privilege few travellers get; treasure it.