<P> Next comes the cutting of the cake . As is done elsewhere in the world, the bride and groom cut the cake, which is several layers high . The bride then tosses her bouquet behind her back to other hopeful women . By tradition, whomever catches the bouquet is seen as lucky, because she is foretold to be the next to marry . Next, the couple opens the buffet for the guests, which is usually a wide variety of salads, meats, stews, sweets, fruits, and other Arab cuisine dishes . Food is considered one of the factors that reflect the wealth of the families of the bride and groom . After the guests have eaten, many of the guests, particularly those who are not close family or friends of the couple will leave after congratulating the couple . In some weddings, there may be more entertainment including a DJ, dancing and sometimes a singer or a band which continue until very late in the night . The bride and groom then usually receive a complimentary stay of a night or two at the hotel where the wedding was held . </P> <P> In a strict Muslim families, men may not dance with women or even watch women in unmodest dresses . So only the female guests and children enter the hall together with the wedding couple . Also photographers and other personnel must be women, the DJ, if male, has to operate behind a closed door . Men wait outside in a separate room or garden . In Palestine only a piece of cake and non-alcoholic beverages are offered to both groups, but no meal . At the end of the party women cover their shoulders and male family members may enter the hall . Family by family visit the couple to offer congratulations and money presents . At the end they may dance together . </P> <P> Modern urban weddings are influenced by Western traditions--for example, the cutting of the cake and tossing of the bouquet . This is not the case with rural areas or for example most parts of Saudi Arabia where they still do the original traditional Arab Islamic wedding style . In rural areas of countries like Egypt, after the zaffa, the wedding ceremony will usually take place in a big clearing, where a huge Arabic tent called a sewan (صوان) has been set up . The entertainment includes a belly dancer or singer, sometimes both . Drinks are passed to guests, and food is served on huge plates . The customary food is fattah, pieces of lamb meat embedded in rice and bread dipped in stew . The bride and groom will leave the wedding early, but the guests continue the festivities . </P>

Who pays for the wedding in lebanese culture