Dinner is a lavish spread. Usually, the women and the men dine separately. After dinner, the newly-weds sit together for the first time. Their heads are covered by a dupatta (traditional scarf) while they read prayers under the direction of the maulvi (priest). The Quran is placed between the couple... Read more

The groom receives blessings from the older women and offers them his salaam. The guests pray for the newly-weds.... Read more

The Nikaahnaama is a document in which the marriage contract is registered. It contains a set of terms and conditions that must be respected by both the parties. It also gives the bride the right to divorce her husband. For the contract to be legal, it must be signed by the bridegroom, the bride, th... Read more

The Nikaah or wedding ceremony can be conducted at the home of the bride or the groom, or at any other convenient venue. A Maulvi (priest) conducts the ceremony in the presence of close family members and relatives. The ‘Walis’ (the father of the bride and of the groom) play an important... Read more

The groom arrives at the wedding venue with his baraat (wedding procession). A band of musicians strikes up some traditional notes to announce their arrival. The groom shares a drink of sherbet with the bride’s brother. The bride’s sisters play pranks and slap the guests playfully with b... Read more