A Muslim wedding brings together the Nikah, the marriage contract, and the Walima, the celebration feast, along with joyful evenings of music and henna in the run-up. Customs vary widely across cultures and families, so treat this as a starting point.
This guide walks through the events couples in the UK often include, a sensible order, and how to budget across them. Plan every part in We Do, free.
Depending on family and cultural background, couples often plan for:
The Nikah is the core religious ceremony. An imam or officiant leads it, the couple give their consent (ijab-o-qubool) before witnesses, the mahr (a gift to the bride) is agreed, and the nikah-nama is signed. It can take place at a mosque or a venue.
Keep the ceremony's requirements front of mind when choosing a venue and caterer: halal catering is usual, and some families prefer arrangements that suit their guests. We Do lets you capture dietary needs so the numbers reach your caterer accurately.
Order varies by family, but a common shape is:
Book your venue and caterer early, especially for larger guest counts, then photography and decor. A rough timeline: venue 10 to 12 months out, catering and photography soon after, outfits and invitations around 6 months, and final numbers in the last month. Planning the Nikah and Walima as separate budgets keeps things clear.
What is the Nikah?
The Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract. The couple give consent before witnesses, the mahr is agreed, and the nikah-nama is signed, led by an imam or officiant at a mosque or venue.
What is the mahr?
The mahr is a gift given by the groom to the bride as part of the marriage contract. Its form and value are agreed between the families.
What is the difference between the Nikah and the Walima?
The Nikah is the marriage contract and ceremony; the Walima is the celebration feast that follows, traditionally hosted by the groom's family.
How much does a Muslim wedding cost in the UK?
It depends most on guest numbers and how many events you host. Budgeting per event, rather than one lump sum, is the clearest way to stay in control.
From We Do, a wedding planner for every kind of wedding. The couple who sent you this is planning theirs at saidwedo.com, and this guide lives at saidwedo.com/guides/how-to-plan-a-muslim-wedding-uk if you would rather read it on a screen.