A Nikkah is the Islamic marriage ceremony, where the couple officially enters into the sacred bond of marriage. It is a simple event that involves the signing of the marriage contract, officiated by an Imam, in the presence of witnesses including members of the bride and groom’s families. The ceremony often concludes with prayers for the couple's happiness, prosperity, and a blessed union.
The Rukhsati is a Pakistani tradition that symbolizes the bride’s transition from her family home to her new married life. Typically taking place at the end of the night of the wedding ceremony, this event involves the bride bidding farewell to her parents and family members. Accompanied by prayers, blessings, and often a mix of tears and joy (sometimes a lot of tears), the bride is escorted by her family to the groom’s home or car, marking the beginning of her new journey.
We encourage guests to dress modestly and elegantly. For men, suits or traditional attire are appropriate. For women, semi-formal dresses (cocktail attire) or traditional outfits such as lenghas, sarees, ghararas, or anarkalis are perfect. Please feel free to embrace Palestinian and Pakistani cultural or Islamic styles.
No color scheme to follow, but please refrain from wearing white (white dress shirts are okay).
It is customary for women to cover their hair during Qur’an recitations as a sign of respect. For women, we recommend you bring a small scarf if you choose to cover your hair when the Imam is performing Qur’an recitation.
If you'd like to wear Pakistani traditional clothes to our Nikkah, you can visit Artesia, Southern California's "Little India," which is about 20 minutes from the ceremony. A few recommended stores: - Frontier Heritage: 18581 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701 - Junaid Jamshed: 18720 Pioneer Blvd Artesia, CA 90701 If you're in the DMV area, you can check out: - Khaadi (Tyson's Corner): 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons, VA 22102 If you'd like to look online, check out: - https://us.junaidjamshed.com/ - https://www.lashkaraa.com/ - https://laam.pk/
Yes, here are a few: - Prayer Areas: If you’d like to perform your prayers, designated areas will be available. - Silence During Recitation: During the recitation of Qur'an verses, please remain silent to show respect. - Timing of Events: Muslim weddings may include various ceremonies and cultural traditions, with the Nikkah being central. Please be prepared for flexibility in the schedule and enjoy the hospitality provided by the hosts. - Cultural Variations: The customs at a Nikkah may vary depending on the cultural background of the families (e.g., South Asian, Arab, African, etc.). For example, this wedding may include traditional Palestinian Zaffeh, which means “procession” in Arabic, and is a lively wedding tradition that involves music, dance, and a grand entrance for the newlyweds. Embrace the diversity and enjoy the traditions - and be prepared to dance!
This event is our religious ceremony, so it will be a smaller, more intimate gathering. We plan to have a larger wedding celebration in 2026 with more loved ones in attendance. Please plan accordingly.
If you would like to gift us something to celebrate this occasion, you're welcome to contribute to our newlywed fund (see the registry page for more info) online or via cash. Anything you'd like to give can be gifted to us now and/or when we celebrate in 2026.
Yes, all food served during the event will be halal.
Yes, vegetarian options will be available. Please let us know in advance if you have other dietary restrictions.
Yes, children are welcome to join the celebration. However, please ensure they are supervised at all times.
The ceremony and the rest of the evening's events will be hosted at the Abbas family's home.
The ceremony, dinner, and the rest of the evening's events will be hosted at the Abbas family's home outdoors. In mid-April, Southern California typically enjoys mild and pleasant spring weather, please dress accordingly. Here's what you can expect: - Daytime Temperatures: Around 65–75°F, - Nighttime Temperatures: Cooler, averaging 50–55°F.
Yes, there will be free street parking.
Please visit the Travel tab of our website for recommendations on hotels. At this time, we do not have hotel blocks.
Please visit the Travel tab of our website for recommendations on flights and rental cars.
Please RSVP by March 1st, 2025, through the RSVP page on our wedding website.
You can reach out to Muzna Abbas at (714) 225-2757, Naseem Mehyar at (360) 359-8152, or MuzNasMehyar@gmail.com for any further inquiries.