# Nikah Ceremony: The Muslim Wedding Ceremony Step by Step | Aswati

Updated 21 Oct 2026

Nikah · walima · Muslim wedding

# The nikah ceremony, step by step.

What happens at a Muslim wedding ceremony, who needs to be there, what is said, and how to plan the nikah and the walima, including the audio for your wedding film.

A **nikah** is the Islamic marriage contract. It needs the consent of the bride and groom, the bride's guardian (wali) in most schools of thought, an agreed **mahr** (marriage gift to the bride), an offer and acceptance (**ijab and qabul**), and two witnesses. It is usually opened with a short sermon and closed with a dua for the couple, and celebrated afterwards with a **walima** meal.

## The order of a nikah ceremony

1. **Welcome and recitation.** Guests gather, often at the masjid or a hall, and the ceremony opens with Quran.
2. **The sermon (khutbah).** The officiant gives the khutbat al-hajah, the short sermon the Prophet ﷺ taught, usually with verses on marriage and taqwa.
3. **Consent and the mahr.** The bride's consent is confirmed and the mahr is stated.
4. **Ijab and qabul.** The wali (or his representative) offers the marriage and the groom accepts it, in front of two witnesses.
5. **Signing.** The nikah certificate is signed by the couple, the wali and the witnesses.
6. **The dua.** The Prophet ﷺ congratulated newlyweds with: *"Barakallahu laka, wa baraka 'alaykuma, wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr"*, may Allah bless you, shower blessings on you both, and unite you in goodness (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

## Planning checklist

- **Officiant:** book an imam early, and ask what paperwork they need.
- **Wali and two witnesses:** confirm they can attend on the day.
- **Mahr:** agree it in advance so it is simply stated on the day.
- **Civil registration:** in many countries a nikah alone is not a legal marriage, so register a civil marriage as well.
- **Walima:** the groom's wedding meal, a Sunnah, held on the day or soon after.
- **Audio:** decide what plays at the entrance, the walima and under the wedding film.

## Nasheeds for the nikah and the wedding film

Many couples keep the day free of instruments and use voice-only nasheeds instead. Two from Al-Mutawari, written about marriage:

### Wedding Nasheed · Al-Mutawari

### I Gave Her a Rose · Al-Mutawari

A poem about a bride, "she came as a bride, under the shade of His command". Read the full words on our [marriage poem page](https://aswati.co/ar/marriage-poem).

More ideas in [the best wedding nasheeds](https://aswati.co/best-wedding-nasheeds), and if you want a nasheed with the couple's names, Al-Mutawari can [write and sing one for you](https://aswati.co/custom-nasheed).

From Aswati

### Music-free audio for your wedding film

Aswati Studio is a library of 120+ voice-only tracks, licensed for wedding videos including client work. Start with eight free tracks.

[Get 8 free tracks](https://aswati.co/vocals) [What is Aswati Studio?](https://aswati.co/aswati-studio)

## Frequently asked questions

### What happens at a nikah ceremony?

The bride's guardian (wali) and the groom agree the marriage, the bride's consent is confirmed, the mahr is agreed, and the offer and acceptance are spoken in front of two witnesses. A short sermon and a dua for the couple usually frame it.

### How long is a nikah ceremony?

The contract itself takes only a few minutes. With the sermon, duas and photos, most nikahs last 20 to 45 minutes.

### What is the difference between a nikah and a walima?

The nikah is the marriage contract. The walima is the wedding meal the groom hosts afterwards to announce and celebrate it, which is a Sunnah.

### Is a nikah legally binding in the UK or US?

Often not on its own. In England and Wales, for example, a religious nikah is not a legal marriage unless a civil marriage is also registered. Check the law where you live and register a civil marriage too.

### Can you have music at a nikah?

Many families keep the nikah itself quiet and dignified, and use voice-only nasheeds or the daff for the celebration, which most scholars allow at weddings.

Voice only · start free

## Audio for the big day

[Get the free pack](https://aswati.co/vocals)

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