WeddingMuslim wedding (Nikah): rituals in order
The heart of a Muslim wedding is the nikah, a marriage contract made with the free consent of the bride and the groom before witnesses. The nikah itself is brief. Customs before and after it vary widely across India.
| Ritual | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Mangni | Before the wedding | The engagement. Families exchange gifts and often rings. |
| Manjha (haldi) | A few days before | Turmeric paste is applied to the bride, who traditionally wears yellow. |
| Mehndi | A day or two before | Henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet, with songs. |
| Baraat | Wedding day | The groom arrives with his family and friends and is welcomed by the bride's family. |
| Nikah | Wedding day | The qazi conducts the nikah. The bride and the groom are each asked for their consent, and each answers "qubool hai". This offer and acceptance (ijab and qubool) takes place before witnesses. |
| Mehr | At the nikah | The mehr is the gift promised by the groom to the bride. It is hers by right, and the amount is written in the nikahnama. |
| Nikahnama | At the nikah | The marriage contract is signed by the couple, the witnesses and the qazi. |
| Khutbah and dua | After the nikah | A short sermon is read and prayers are offered for the couple. |
| Rukhsati | After the wedding | The bride takes leave of her family. |
| Walima | After the wedding | A feast hosted by the groom's family to announce and celebrate the marriage. |
Customs differ from family to family and from place to place. This is a general guide for guests and for couples learning about each other's traditions, not a rule book. Reviewed on 11 November 2026.
If you are a guest
- Dress modestly. Many women guests cover their heads during the nikah.
- Men and women may be seated separately. Follow the lead of the hosts.
- The food is a highlight. Wait to be invited to the table.
- The greeting for the couple is "Mubarak ho".
Questions people ask
What is mehr?
A gift, usually money, that the groom gives or promises to the bride at the time of the nikah. It belongs to her alone.
What is the walima?
The wedding feast given by the groom or his family after the nikah.
Other traditions
Hindu wedding (North India)Sikh wedding (Anand Karaj)Christian weddingSouth Indian Hindu weddingBengali weddingMarathi weddingGujarati wedding
More wedding help
- Planning checklistEvery task from a year before to the week after, with dates.
- Budget plannerPlan and track spending head by head. Your figures stay on your phone.
- Guest listCount families and people for each side and track who is coming.
- Questions for vendorsWhat to ask the venue, caterer, photographer and others before paying.
- Wedding day timelineSample hour-by-hour plans for evening and morning weddings.
- Wedding day bagThe emergency kit and papers to carry on the day.
- Rituals explainedThe ceremonies of eight Indian wedding traditions, in order.
- Marriage registrationHow registration and court marriage work in India.
- Wedding wordingSave-the-date, announcement and thank-you messages to copy.