How to Plan a Muslim Wedding

Muslims are followers of Islam, one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Islam considers itself to be a universal religion, with more than 1.5 billion members from all races and virtually every country on earth. Traditions like marriage vary, depending upon the sect and the culture, but Muslims are consistent in viewing marriage as a pact between the couple and Allah. There are no official clergy required to officiate at the ceremony; the only obligation is the signing of a marriage contract. Yet planning a Muslim wedding -- or any wedding, for that matter --- is never a simple affair. 

Instructions

1.  Decide how many of the traditional rituals your ceremony will include. Will there be pre-wedding ceremonies like a fatha to honor the fathers of the bride and the groom? Or other pre-wedding rites like ceremonial baths, henna parties and turmeric rituals? Will men and women be separated during the ceremony and reception? Will the feast be a halal (honoring traditional dietary requirements)

2.  Pick a date. Many Muslims marry during the month of Shawwal and on a Sunday, since it is the beginning of the week.

3.  Select an officiant and a location. Islam doesn't sanction clergy, so anyone with a solid understanding of the faith can serve in this capacity. This also means the ceremony need not be held in a mosque. However, since many mosques have marriage officers, it is sometimes simpler to hold the ceremony there. Mosques also have customs for veils and the removal of shoes, and some require a male representative to act on behalf of the bride during the ceremony.

4.  Choose your service providers like the photographer, henna artist, caterer and musician (if needed, but all this wasted except caterer which will help the bride/groom family a lot)

5.  Write the meher --- the marriage contract that is an essential part of any Muslim wedding and is required by Islamic law. It is a formal statement that identifies the gifts the groom will give to the bride, and it comes in two parts. The first gift is given before the marriage is consummated and the second is given after. In addition, you will likely need a marriage license. (In Malaysia called 'Mas Kahwin' which its must be prepared by groom as mahar, depends on state but the lower value of Mas Kahwin is the better. Sometimes Al-Quran as mahar in muslim wedding reception "nikah")

6.  Plan the nikah ceremony where the meher will be signed. The groom or his designated representative will propose to the bride in front of two or more witnesses and will describe the particulars of the meher. Once the bride accepts, the couple and two male witnesses sign the contract. At this point, the couple may also share some sweet fruit.

7.  Decide if the officiant will add a reading from the Quran and if the bride and groom will recite vows. (if needed, but Malaysian now with SAKINAH words by Majlis Agama Islam)

[source: http://www.ehow.com ~ by Suzanna Didier, eHow Contributor and add by me] *this info dedicated to my younger brother who will get married end of this year, in shaa Allah. Happy for u bro!!