The thought of Muslim weddings brings to mind colorful and cheery rituals,the aroma of Biryani slow-cooking on dum wafting around you and of course, Nawabi grandeur!But the deeply spiritual occasion of a wedding is so much more than just a celebration in Islam! 🌙✨

1-MANGNI💍- Muslim weddings are formalized with a Magni or engagement function.It marks a festive gathering of both families where the bride and groom exchange rings,and the families gift each other with dry fruits,jewellery and clothes.

2-HALDI💛- this is an intimate home function where the bride is smeared with turmeric paste by all the female members of the family, for a bridal glow.The ritual is accompanied by music, dance and a whole lot of enjoyment. Traditionally,the bride is not to leave the house till the wedding day after this ceremony.The same function is held at the groom’s home separately.
3-SANCHAQ 🎁-Held a day or two before the wedding,marks a visit to the bride’s home by the groom’s family laden with gifts for the bride.This includes her bridal outfit,jewellery,perfumes and other gifts.
4-MEHNDI🍀- the Mehndi function is an intimate function from the bride’s side, wherein the bride’s hands and feet are decorated with beautiful henna designs,The groom’s initials are often woven into her patterns as a token of love.

5-NIKKAH🤲❤️🕌-The groom arrives with a lively baraat,and is welcomed by the bride’s family with sherbet while rose water is sprinkled on his family.
The Nikaah then commences,officiated by the maulvi, for which men and women are seated with the groom and bride respectively separated by a curtain.The maulvi recites some verses from the Quran.The groom’s family offers the bride ‘Mehr’,an agreed upon token money to seek her consent for the marriage.
The Maulvi then asks the bride if she accepts,by saying “Qubool Hai” three times in a row, and once she answers, he then asks the groom the same.The couple is then required to sign the ‘Nikahnama’, the official marriage contract that outlines all marital duties in the presence of two witnesses from each family.They then seek blessings from the elders of the families.🤲❤️

To be continued...