Regardless if your Islamic wedding is taking place in a mosque or within the comfort of your own home, there are numerous considerations to keep in mind during the planning process. Fortunately, this Muslim wedding checklist is designed to keep you organized and on course.
The first step is to pick a date and time for the ceremony. Muslims generally prefer the month of Shawwal, but you can choose a date that works for your family. Avoid weddings during the sacred months of Ramadan and Muharram.
1. Preparation for the ceremony
The wedding is one of the most important occasions in a Muslim’s life and as such, it requires careful planning. Islamic wedding checklists are available to help make the preparations easier and less stressful.
There are several pre-wedding ceremonies that need to be attended by the bride and groom before their big day. The first ceremony that takes place is called Ishtikara and it involves the bride visiting her parents’ home with her new husband.
It is a traditional Muslim wedding ceremony and it signifies the acceptance of the bride by her family. The groom’s mother visits the bride’s house on this occasion carrying gifts, sweets and a gold or silver coin wrapped inside a silk scarf.
Next, a religious priest or maulvi conducts the Nikah. He offers the bride a pre-decided amount of money to seek her consent for marriage. He asks the bride to say ‘qubool hai’ thrice in an affirmative tone.
If you’re getting married in a mosque, make sure that your officiant has all of the necessary documents and is familiar with Muslim traditions and laws. Also, find out if you need to remove your shoes or wear a veil at the Nikah.
After the Nikah, the couple is brought to a reception location where they are treated with gifts and a feast. This celebration is a great way for the newlyweds to celebrate their new life together and meet all of their friends and family.
Before the wedding, it is a good idea to talk with all of your family and friends about your wedding plans so they can share their ideas. This will help you make sure that you’re making the right decisions for your unique needs.
You might want to have your friends and family write down their ideas for the ceremony and reception, which you can then discuss with your officiant or qazi. This will also help you to get a feel for how well your guests understand the importance of Muslim wedding traditions and practices.
Finally, if you’re planning to host your wedding at your own home, it is a good idea to have it ready for your wedding guests as soon as possible. This will ensure that they can prepare for your special day without any delays.
2. Preparation for the reception
Planning a wedding can be an exhausting process. Whether you are a bride or groom-to-be, or a guest of a friend’s wedding, you want a celebration that is as beautiful and meaningful as possible. However, if you’re planning an Islamic wedding, you have some unique to-dos and preparations to consider.
Muslim weddings can be quite diverse, but there are some basics that are common to all. These include the date of the wedding, the venue and food selection, the ceremony and the reception.
Many Muslims choose to marry in the Islamic month of Shawwal, though you can organise a wedding any time of year. It’s also important to select a time that fits into your schedule.
You should also make sure that your invitations are sent out at least 6 weeks in advance, if not earlier. This can help guests who may be travelling to your wedding to know that they will be welcomed at the event.
It’s also a good idea to confirm that you have enough tables, chairs, and decorations. If you’re not sure, ask for estimates from the vendors in your area.
Your wedding reception should last no more than five hours, which will give guests plenty of time to relax and unwind after the ceremony. Be generous with drinks, snacks, and desserts, and try to keep the cocktail hour a little shorter than usual (so that guests don’t get bored).
The catering at your wedding is an important part of the overall reception, so it’s a good idea to choose a company that knows how to serve halal food. They should also be prepared to provide plates for elderly guests or those with food allergies.
You’ll need to prepare a program for the reception, and you should notify would-be speakers, performers, and anyone else who will be involved in the program. Have them practice for their parts and ensure that they are comfortable before the ceremony.
You should also make sure that your wedding photographer captures the important moments of the day, and that the program goes smoothly. A professional can save you a lot of stress by documenting the entire event for you.
3. Post-ceremony activities
Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming task. Whether you’re an Indian or Pakistani bride or groom, or you’re marrying into another culture, there are a lot of different details to keep track of.
One of the first things to consider is the ceremony itself. Depending on your preference, you can get married in a mosque or a private venue of your choosing. If you decide to have a ceremony in a mosque, it’s important to make sure the officiant is well-versed in Islamic tradition and laws. It’s also important to make sure you have two male witnesses and a marriage contract for the imam to sign.
Regardless of the choice, you’ll likely want to plan something for the post-ceremony crowd to do in order to celebrate the occasion and have fun. Some ideas include a post-ceremony drink, a group sport, or a group activity like a wine-drinking painting party.
For a more low-key option, why not opt for a cotton candy send-off? This delectable treat will add a bit of color and texture to your grand exit, not to mention tons of youthful fun.
For a more high-octane send-off, a feather whirl might be in order. These can be a bit of a pain to set up, but the experience is definitely worth it! You’ll need a few people to help with the process, but this is a great way for your guests to show off their creativity and have a lot of fun. You can even have them toss them into the air as you pass by, making it a bit of a Gatsby-esque sight. The trick is to find a location that doesn’t mind the mess, and to get the right type of cotton candy.
4. Post-reception activities
If you’re planning a Muslim wedding, it’s likely that you want to incorporate some of the traditions associated with the religion. However, you don’t have to stop there if you want to make your wedding unique.
One of the most important things to remember is that you need to prepare for your post-reception activities as well. You’ll want to plan a few activities that will help your guests to relax and have fun.
For example, if you’re planning on having a lot of kids at your reception, then you may want to consider bringing a bounce house or hiring a magician. These will be a lot of fun for the kids and can keep them occupied for a long time.
A scavenger hunt is another great idea to keep your guests entertained at the reception. You can ask them to find the bride and groom or other key people in the room based on their answers to a list of questions.
You can also have a sandpit set up for your guests to use if you’re having a lot of children at your reception. This will keep them busy and give them something to do while the adults are dancing.
You can also have a glitter bar during the reception to make your wedding even more special. It’s a great way for your guests to add some sparkle to their hair, beards, and faces! If you’re hosting an outdoor reception, then you can include a fireworks display to send your guests off in style. It’s a beautiful way to finish off your day and will be sure to leave everyone in awe. Don’t forget to set up a photo booth for the guests to take some amazing wedding photos!
