A traditional Moroccan wedding lasted up to seven days, with separate parties for the men and women. The first three days were spent preparing, partying and beautifying the bride. On the fourth, the couple was married. On the fifth and sixth days, the celebrations raged on. Finally, on the seventh day, the parties combined and the bride was placed on a cushion and held aloft in front of friends and family. The men would hoist the groom onto their shoulders, and the new couple would be carried off to a special room to consummate their marriage.