Guyanese (Muslim) Wedding, East Orange, NJ, 1989

Abbas, from Tanzania, is welcomed in the entrance hall by Halimah's sisters and given a kiss, his wedding suit, a bouquet of flowers, a boutonniere, candies, and then a cup of milk, flavored with sugar, pistachios, and almonds, half of which he drinks.

Katrina Thomas's notes: I photographed the henna evening for a Muslim bride from Guyana, who will marry a bridegroom from Tanzania. They fell in love and were not matched. On this evening, he visits her house and they share a cup, but do not see each other. The following day, they will be married separately in a mosque, after which they will come together at a party given by one of his relatives. She will wear a western wedding dress and carry a bouquet. At this party, they will exchange rings and share wedding cake.