A Muslim Wedding ceremony is referred to as Nikaah. It is a beautiful agreement between the bride and the groom to spend the rest of their lives together happily. A typical Muslim marriage is characterized by much color and joviality. Men and women dressed in their traditional apparel gather together to celebrate the wedding with much zeal and enthusiasm. As a photographer, I love the colorful and contrasting decorations in the venue and special attires Bride and groom wear. Each time I get an opportunity to do video, I feel like I’m shooting a documentary movie rather shooting a wedding.

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The rasm-e-mehendi or simply mehendi ceremony inaugurates the Muslim wedding. This event takes place at the house of the bride in which the hands and feet of the bride and the other female members of the house are decorated with beautiful henna patterns. Haldi (Turmeric paste) is also applied on the face, hands and feet of the bride. It is believed that this will glow the skin of the bride. After this ceremony the bride should not step out of the house till the wedding day. This event starts the wedding festivities. The ladies of the house sing traditional wedding songs and there is much fun and excitement. In some families, male members are not allowed to participate. In those cases, they either hire female photographer or they don’t allow photographer at all.

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Similar to other South Asian marriages the wedding venue is the house of the bride where the groom arrives on the wedding day with his family and friends. They are welcomed amidst much teasing and banter by the relatives of the bride. The bride is usually decorated in the clothes and jewelry that had been sent to her by the groom’s family. The groom on the other hand wears a sherwani and a topi. Brides often opt-in for getting ready shots, This is where I get to show my artistic skill as a photographer. I can take my time, choose different angle close ups.

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The actual wedding ceremony is referred to as Nikaah. The bride and the groom are kept in separate rooms and there is a curtain that separates the two. The walis, the fathers of the bride and the groom play an important role in a Muslim wedding. The wedding is conducted by a maulvi (priest) who reads passages from the holy Quran to sanctify the marriage. The assent of both the groom and the bride is taken and is registered in the Nikaahnama which is the sacred marriage document. This is later signed by the groom and the bride.

Mooh Dikhai is the ceremony of first time “showing of the face” after the Nikah. The couple is made to see each other in the mirror and the bride unveils her face that she keeps hidden during the Nikah. The custom of Mooh Dikhai is also called “Aarsi Musshaf.” The bride and groom share a piece of sweet fruit, such as a date and family and friends congratulate the couple and offer gifts. Dinner is served to the guests. The sisters, friends, and female cousins of bride take this opportunity to steal the groom’s shoes and demand a sum of money for shoes.

This is very popular custom and groom usually carries a lot of cash, due to the popularity of this custom. He pays money to get back his shoes and girls divide the money among themselves.

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After this the groom is blessed by the elderly ladies present there and the guests pray for the happy married life of the newlyweds. This is followed by a lavish meal. The ladies and the gentlemen are served separately. The maulvi places the Quran between the couples and they can see each other only through mirrors. The bride next leaves for her new home where she looks forward to begin her new life.

Valimah is the grand reception that is hosted by the groom’s family. This serves to bring both the families together and is a joyous occasion.

Marriage is both a social necessity as well as a religious duty in Islam. A great emphasis is thus laid on the social as well as the religious dimensions of the ceremony. A typical Muslim marriage is a grand affair that extends to four or five days. The nikaah can be conducted at any convenient time and venue. The family and friends of the bride and groom come together to make the marriage a truly joyous occasion.