Megan Kurpakus isn't one to shy away from adventure. So when she was invited to her friend Nuvia Nishad's wedding to Nasif Hassan that was to take place over the week of Christmas in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she readily accepted.

The wedding ceremony consists of numerous "events" and begins with the Dala exchange.

The Dala exchange is held prior to the Muslim religious ceremony of marriage. Megan said the families visit the couple and bring gift trays with everything they will need for the wedding - clothing, accessories, makeup and other items.

The Holud shower is held on the morning of the wedding day. Holud is a turmeric paste spread on the bride's body by her female relatives.

"It symbolizes the cleansing of the bride as she washes away her old life and gets ready to begin her new one," Megan said. "This was an emotional time for the adults. I walked out and saw a group of Nuvia's relatives huddled together and crying. This was the true beginning of the ceremonies."

Later that evening, the Nikah takes place, which is the actual religious wedding ceremony. The marriage contract is signed separately by Nuvia and Nasif in front of two official witnesses. Once the contract is completed, Nuvia walks to the stage where Nasif is waiting and they exchange rings.

The Gaye Holud ceremony is performed five days later and once again, the turmeric paste is applied to Nuvia and Nasif's faces and bodies. Each family choose a specific color to wear. Nuvia's family - and Megan - wear green, while Nasif's family decides to wear orange. Afterward, the families' relatives perform different dance moves in a friendly competition.

The Gate Dhora begins the wedding reception. Nuvia enters an elaborately decorated tent with her family and is escorted to the stage. Nasif arrives in a horse-drawn silve carriage. As he tries to enter the tent, Nuvia's family stops him until he pays an agreed upon sum of money.

"The Rusmat is a traditional Indian/Bengali ceremony in which the bride and groom are draped with a dupatta over their heads. They then look at each other for the first time as husband and wife," said Megan. "The end of the ceremony is the Biddai, the walking out of the bride with her family whos ee her off as she begins her new life with her husband. Nuvia's brother, cousins, and I deliver breakfast to the married couple and his family the next morning. It's tradition for the bride's family to send her and the groom's family breakfast the morning after the wedding."

Several days later, the Firani takes place. Nuvia's brother takes her back to her parents' home where she and Nasif attend a lavish dinner hosted by her parents to welcome Nasif to the family.

Each of the wedding events is beautiful and meaningful, added Megan.

"Never be afraid to take that risk of exploring an unfamiliar world," she said. "It will truly change your life. Buy the ticket and pack your bags!"