Attending a wedding ceremony from a culture foreign to your own is always an exciting experience. You witness traditions that are completely new to you, and it's also a learning experience.

I recently attended my first female only Emirati wedding (tradtionally weddings are segregated ceremonies). And I definitely learned a thing or two about what to do ... and what NOT to do! 

So, here’s a guide to what you should know if you ever get invited to a female only Emirati wedding:

1. Yes, you can wear whatever you want

And no, you don’t have to wear an abaya if you are an expat (although you can if you want to). Your sense of fashion is absolutely welcome, whatever it is.

2. The music can be an eclectic mix

At one point you might be listening to a tune by Hussein Al Jassmi. At another moment you'll be snapping your fingers to a Persian or Lebanese song.

3. The band is there, but you can’t see it!

You might feel like the music you hear is played by a DJ. But, the music may actually be performed live by a band ... that's sitting in an adjacent room.

4. But you can still request the song you like

You can Whatsaap the band to request them to play your favorite song! How cool is that?!

5. Don’t break the circle!

If the ladies are doing the traditional dance where they keep going around in a circle, don’t act like a total expat and break the circle by doing your own freestyle dance! Just keep circling.

6. Don’t invite the bride to dance

Don’t be the enthusiastic guest who wants to invite the bride to dance. In most Emirati weddings, the bride doesn’t dance. This  depends on how conservative and traditional the family is.

7. Some Emirati weddings don’t have music

And if there's no music, there's no dancing. This happens when the family is very conservative.

8. Don’t get carried away with your camera

A selfie with the bride? Noway! 

It is unacceptable to take photos of the bride or the other guest at the wedding. So, your Snapchat story should be mostly about the flower arrangements and the fancy shoes at the wedding.

9. Learn your kisses

Unlike the people of Levant countries who kiss on both cheeks, Emiratis usually kiss 4 or 5 kisses on the same cheek. Practice this act well before attending the wedding to save yourself a cringe-worthy moment.

10. Some men might join the wedding

Again, this depends on how traditional the family is. But in some Emirati weddings, it is OK for the close men of both families to enter the venue, along with the groom, to take pictures with the bride.

11. You don’t have to cover up when the groom and male guests walk in

Emirati ladies usually cover up once the men enter. But if you're an expat who doesn’t normally cover up, then you don’t have to. Nobody will judge you if you don’t.