Introduction
It is only the form of a Muslim marriage, and not the concept in itself, that is contractual and non-ceremonial. A Muslim wedding is basically a five day affair. Although a variety of ceremonies exist between different communities, the basic five-day structure is the same. There is no concept of auspicious timings in Islam. Any time is appropriate. Hence, a Nikaah can take place at any time that is suitable and convenient to both parties. The marriage ceremony can take place either at the bride's or bridegroom's residence or at a place that is convenient for both parties.

Wedding Attire
For the Bride
The bride usually wears a sharara, which is a long flowing skirt and blouse, and a dupatta to cover the head. She can also wear a salwar kurta or sari.

For the Groom
The groom wears a sherwani or the traditional salwar and kurta.

Mehar
Mehar (or Mahr), an important feature of Nikaah, is the compulsory amount of money (can be property/ jewellery, etc.) given to the bride's family by the groom's family. The amount of mehar is negotiated by the elders of the two families. Mehar can be paid at the time of marriage or can be deferred. In the case of the latter, the bridegroom has to pay it on demand, at any later date.

Pre-Wedding Rituals
Legan Chir
When the date of marriage is finalised, a cash present is sent to the girl's father by the boy's father.

Day 1 and Day 2 Functions
On days one and two, first the girl's people and then the boy's, go to the other party's house, carrying mehendi paste in a plate. The children carry candles which are lit before entering the respective houses. Dinner is served and songs teasing both the boy and girl are sung.

Manjha Ceremony
On the third day, seated on a small square table, the girl is anointed with haldi provided by the boy's family in the manjha ceremony. She will now be accompanied everywhere and at all times by a married friend, who will spread the turmeric over her whole body before she bathes. She wears yellow clothes and no jewellery. Usually, the revelry extends into the night with singing and celebration.

Mehendi
The Mehendi ceremony generally takes place one or two days before the actual wedding. This is also primarily a function for the ladies and is held at the bride's house. The girl's hands and feet are adorned with ornamental mehendi (henna) patterns. Mehendi or henna is considered to be Sunnah or traditional. Sunnah is a record of the sayings and doings that had the tacit approval of the Prophet Muhammad and are seen as the ongoing method by which these rules of conduct can be preserved. The girl is surrounded by her friends and female relatives who also get their hands adorned with henna.

Other Pre-Marriage Rituals
On the day of the wedding the bridegroom, dressed like a sultan in a turban with a sehra (floral veil) tied on his forehead, leads the procession to the bride's house. The girl may be showered with a dribbling of milk by seven married women before she bathes and goes on to dress and proceed to the nikaah.

The Wedding Ceremony
Day four is the actual nikaah ceremony. In Islam, marriage is a lifelong solemn pact (Mithaq-e-Ghalid) entered into by a man and woman. Thus it is considered to be both an act of Ibadat (devotion to God) and Mu'amalat (dealings among people). In Arabic marriage is called Nikaah which springs from the word akd meaning 'to unite'. The nikaah ceremony is presided over by the qazi, or law officer. He appoints two men as witnesses (Gawah) on the groom's behalf, to receive orders for the nikah from the bride's family. In addition to the presence of two witnesses, the presence of the two 'Walis' (the bride's and the bridegroom's father) is also necessary - the girl's father to care for and protect her rights, and the boy's father to endorse his rights. The guests and family members present at the marriage can be seated either by separating the sexes, (as in mass orthodox communities) called Zenana (for woman) and Mardaana (for men) or seating them together. The Nikaah begins with recitation of marriage related verses from the holy Quran, by the Qazi. Nikaah is effectuated by Ijab-e-Qubul (declaration and acceptance). The validity of the Nikaah depends on proposal on one side, usually the boy's (Ijab) and acceptance on the other side, the girl's (Qubul). Two essential conditions for the marriage are the free will of both parties and that neither of the parties must be legally incapacitated from entering into the marriage. The expression of offer (Ijab) and acceptance (Qubul) in the presence of witnesses (Gawah). completes the marriage contract or Sijjil. The qazi personally asks the bride if she has agreed to marry the groom and whether she accepts the quantum of mehar. Once the bride gives her consent the qazi reads the marriage contract to the groom. After the groom gives his consent, the marriage contract or Nikaah-Nama must be signed by the bride, the bridegroom, their Walis, the Gawah and the Qazi.

The Nikaah-Nama also contains certain terms and conditions, which are in accordance with the religion and agreeable to both parties. A noteworthy condition is that in case of a disagreement between the two partners, the girl has a right to divorce her husband.

After the Nikaah-Nama is signed, the Qazi delivers a sermon called Khutba, consisting of verses from the Quran which were recited by the prophet and which lay particular emphasis on obligations toward women. The Qazi explains the meaning of these verses to the audience with an explanation of the mutual rights and duties of the spouses.

Post Wedding Rituals
On the fifth day, the newly wed couple dines at the house of the parents of the bride. Once the wedding formalities are over, the groom's family hosts a feast - Valimah, for relatives and friends. The purpose of Valimah is to publicise the marriage and give the bride an opportunity to meet relatives and friends.