In the late afternoon or early evening, simultaneous parties are held at the home of the bride and the groom. The two families and their guests celebrate well into the night with a feast, music and dancing. Sometime after midnight, the groom leaves his home and proceeds to the home of the bride. He is accompanied by his guests, as they sing, beat drums and dance (or honk their car horns) on their way to the bride's house. Upon his arrival, the bride is seated on a circular cushion and hoisted onto the shoulders of the crowd. At the same time, the groom is also lifted into the air, and they are paraded among their guests in royal style.

Later, the bride changes into a traditional outfit that reflects her family's region of Morocco, and the party continues. Around dawn, the bride changes her outfit again, and the couple leave the party. Up until about 30 years ago, they would retire to a special room to consummate the marriage, and afterward, the guests would examine the bedclothes for blood as evidence that the bride was a virgin. Today, however, the newlyweds are afforded more privacy and get to "disappear" for a while — generally going to a hotel — and are no longer expected to display their sheets for the guests.

"The couple leaving the party indicates the detachment of the nuclear family from the homes of the parents," Marrakchi explains.

No matter how many people the family invites to the wedding, they always expect more, as it is not unusual for guest to bring guests, who are also welcome at the festivities. Parties and feasting continue throughout the week, as the couple visit friends and relatives, display their gifts, and get settled in their new home.