Nikkah

The Nikkah is the Islamic marriage contract — the formal, legally and religiously binding ceremony of a Muslim wedding. It is conducted by an imam in the presence of witnesses, and involves the formal offer (ijab) and acceptance (qubool) of marriage, the agreement of the mahr (a gift from the groom to the bride), and the signing of the marriage contract.

The Nikkah can range from a deeply intimate gathering of 20 to 50 close family members to a large, elaborately decorated celebration attended by several hundred guests. In British Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and some Arab-heritage communities, the Nikkah is often a significant event in its own right — decorated halls, formal dress, and a full dinner reception. In other communities, it is a quieter religious ceremony held before the main walima reception.

Key vendors: a knowledgeable and eloquent imam, decorator (if held in a hall rather than a mosque), photographer, videographer, and caterer for the meal that follows.