Muslim Indian Wedding

I had the pleasure of meeting a Muslim Indian friend and this is what she told me about the beauty of being and the beautiful yet simple Muslim wedding traditions. Please note that every Muslim Family have its own traditions as well, so nothing is engraved in stone. You will find some difference in the entertainment aspect.

Some Muslim families will have dancing: The women will gather in a separate room and dance with the bride. The festivities for some families could take an entire week pre and post wedding day.

Muslims are very conservative and simple in their weddings. They believe in living life in moderation.

Courtship

A courtship period for the Muslims is like the engagement period in the Christian customs. Once a young man and a young woman meet and they feel they like each other, they will tell their parents. No dating is accepted or allowed in the Indian Muslim culture. Some who are more liberal will allow the children to go on a date with a driver that knows the family well and he will not let the couple out of his sight.

They do have though what is called "Courtship". It is a good period of about 9 months up to a year where the couple will get to know one another. They can not go out alone they are always escorted and in the company of family and friends.

Engagement

After the courtship the engagement happens, the parents then decide on the date for the wedding. The ceremony could take place either at a private estate or in a hotel banquet hall.

The wedding day is nothing but a big dinner party inviting friends and loved ones. An average wedding could be about 500 guests, depending on where the couple is from and if they are both living in the same state and how large the family is.

Ceremony

The ceremony takes place in the banquet hall in front of the family and guests. An Imam will perform the ceremony. The bride and groom will be sitting on a stage. The ceremony takes about 5 minutes. Then the dinner festivities begin.

Who Pays For What

The bride's parents pay for the wedding. If the groom is from another state, his parents pay for the second reception held either the next day or the following Saturday.

2nd Dinner Reception

If the groom is from another state, the groom's parents will then host a 2nd reception honoring and inviting everyone they know to their son's wedding.

Henna

Most women especially on the bride's side will do Henna designs on their hands, feet and or arms.