The Muslim wedding, or Nikah, is a ceremony celebrated over the course of a few days and could last up to a week. Prior to the wedding, the bride-to-be and groom along with the religious head take part in Istikhara.  This ritual asks the Almighty for guidance and direction to make sure the soon to be bride and groom are headed down the right path.  It will also serve the as the confirmation the religious head needs in order to proceed with the act of marriage (or not).

Planning Elegance along with AAcreation Photography: Wajiha & Ali wedding

Once the ceremony is granted the grooms’ mother visits the brides’ house barring gifts of sweets along with an Imam-Zamin (Gold or Silver coin wrapped in a silk cloth for good luck). Once this aspect of the ceremony has taken place, the grooms’ entire family meets the brides’ family to exchange gifts of fruits & sweets (this is called the Magni).

The bride-to-be has yet a few more ceremonies she needs to partake in before the actual wedding.  A day or two before the big day, the Manjha ceremony will begin. Dressed in yellow the bride will be anointed with a paste made from turmeric.  Unmarried women can only apply this paste to her.  It is thought that this paste will create a natural glow of the skin to make her more presentable on her wedding day. Mehndi is the last aspect to this pre-marriage ritual. Unmarried women apply the henna to the bride, or a professional henna designer will be asked to do so. Within the intricate details of the design the grooms’ name is hidden for him to find. Once this is applied to the woman she cannot leave her home until the wedding day.

Photo courtesy of Anisha Arora

On the day of the wedding the groom comes in a Baraat, this is like his personal parade. Upon approaching the brides’ home or banquette venue the baraati (grooms family and friends) start to play traditional music and dance.

As the initial stages of the baraat come to an end, the Nikaah begins.  This aspect of the ceremony is where the two individuals unite as one.  The father of the bride and groom are addressed as Walis. The Maulvi performs the ceremony as he reads passages from the Quran. The groom asks when the Maulvi is finished reading from the Quran the formal proposal. He sends over to the bride and her family his proposal and awaits her decision, this is known as Ijab-e-Qubul. There is much importance made on the mutual consent of both bride and groom.

Wajiha & Ali: courtesy of Planning Elegance & AAcreation

During the course of this day, the elders from both sides come together and speak about the Mehar that will be given to the bride.  This nuptial gift will be presented from the grooms’ family and must be paid to the bride.

As the Nikaah comes to an end the Nikaahnama must be signed by the Walis, the Maulvi, and the bride and husband to be a legal contract of their wedding.

The last three ceremonies to take place happen over the course of 4 days past the Nikaah.  The first is when the mother in-law welcomes the new bride when she enters her new home. She places her hands up high holding the Quran to bless her as she walks through the front door.  The second is the Chauthl, on the fourth day the bride visits her parental home. And lastly the reception made to welcome the new bride into the grooms’ family. This festivity helps both sides become more interwoven with each other and its purpose is to help facilitate intimate relationships between both families, better known as the Vallmah ceremony.

Wajiha & Ali