So, you’re getting married?!! Allahumma baarik! Congratulations!
Planning a wedding is a huge milestone, and with so many details to consider, it can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? How do you make sure you don’t forget anything?
Having planned my own wedding and helped many of my friends with theirs, I’m here to share my best tips, tricks, and advice to help you plan the perfect wedding for YOU.
But before we get into the details, let’s start with the most important thing…
Don’t Lose Focus on What Matters Most
Before diving into all the fun aspects of wedding planning, I want to remind you of what truly matters: Allah and our deen, Islam.
Allah should be at the centre of everything we do. After all, He is the One who has blessed you with this union you are about to embark on. Marriage is a sacred commitment, and we need Allah’s guidance now more than ever. A successful, beautiful marriage starts with His blessings.
So, as you plan your wedding, prioritise what pleases Allah and avoid anything that contradicts Islamic values. Many people feel pressured to compromise on religious principles for the sake of fun or to meet cultural expectations—but remember, barakah comes from doing things the right way.
It’s YOUR Day
I cannot emphasise this enough: It’s your wedding day.
That means your wedding should reflect what matters most to you—not what other people expect or what someone else did.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Maybe you feel like you need to spend thousands on an extravagant venue because that’s what someone else did. But ask yourself:
- What is truly important to you?
- What aspects of the wedding do you actually care about?
- Where do you want to invest your time, money, and effort?
For example, if you’re someone who isn’t too fussed about photography—perhaps you rarely take photos when you go out—you might decide that hiring a professional photographer isn’t a priority. Instead, you could ask a trusted friend or family member to capture moments for you.
On the other hand, if beautiful photos and videos are something you’ll cherish forever, then investing in a professional photographer and videographer may be worth it.
The point is: Decide what matters to YOU and let that guide your planning.
Creating Your Guest List
Your guest list will likely change and expand over time (trust me on this one!). Start by writing down everyone you’d like to invite. You can categorise them into sections:
- Family
- Friends
- Colleagues
- Family friends
Who to Consult About the Guest List:
- Your family – They’ll remind you about relatives and family friends that must be invited.
- Your future spouse and his family – You might have this discussion yourself or let your family or representative handle it.
This is also the time to talk about the size and style of the wedding. Do you want a small, intimate gathering? Or a larger celebration?
For example, I initially wanted a small wedding with just 100 guests, and I preferred it to be mostly youth. However, I knew that if I invited a few aunties, I’d have to invite all the aunties—turning my 100-person wedding into a 300-person event!
You Can’t Please Everyone
No matter what you do, someone will be upset about not being invited. It’s impossible to accommodate every single person you know, especially if you want to keep costs down. As much as we’d love to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings, it’s simply not possible to invite everyone.
A Pro Tip for Guest List Estimations
Your guest list should be an estimate, not a final number. There will always be last-minute additions or guests who can’t make it.
A good rule of thumb: Add a buffer.
For example, if your guest list is 150 people, plan for 165 when booking the venue and catering. This gives you some flexibility for unexpected additions.
Types of Wedding Arrangements
Muslim weddings can be arranged in many different ways. Here are a few common setups:
- Men at the masjid for the nikah and meal, women at a hall in the evening
- Nikah and walimah at the same hall: Men have the nikah and lunch in the afternoon, and the hall is later prepared for the women’s gathering in the evening.
- Men and women in separate halls within the same building.
Discuss with your spouse and families what works best for you!
Finding the Right Venue
Once you have an estimated guest count, it’s time to start looking for a venue. A quick Google search will give you a list of potential options to contact.
If you prefer to email venues, here’s a template you can use:
Subject: Venue Enquiry for Wedding/Event
Hello,
I am looking to book a hall for a wedding with [number of guests] guests on [date]. I am flexible with dates, so I’d like to know your availability on Saturdays and Sundays in [month/year].
Could you send me information about pricing and availability? Also, when would it be possible to arrange a viewing?
Best,
[Your Name]
Questions to Ask the Venue:
- Does the venue provide food? Some require you to use their in-house catering.
- What is the latest time we can stay? Some venues have a curfew (e.g. midnight).
- Do you provide décor? Some venues already look beautiful, while others (like community halls) may need extra decorations.
- Is the venue private for women-only events? Ask about men’s access and whether there’s CCTV.
- Is there a room for the bride to get ready?
- Is there parking for guests?
Money-Saving Tips:
- Venues are often cheaper in winter and on weekdays.
- Community halls are budget-friendly, but you may need to spend more on décor.
- Avoid using the word “wedding” when booking anything—prices tend to be inflated. Instead, say “party”.
Photography & Videography
Decide early on if you want a professional photographer and videographer. If it’s not a priority for you, consider assigning this task to multiple trusted friends or family members.
Pro tip: Have someone confident enough to direct you on the day. Professional photographers often ask brides to pause, pose, and walk slowly to capture good shots. If you’re nervous and rush through everything, you might end up with fewer good photos.
For Hijabi or Niqabi Brides:
If you plan to let your hair down at the wedding, think about enforcing a no-phones policy to maintain your privacy.
We offer phone pouches that allow guests to use their phones while preventing access to the cameras. Click here to learn more!
Final Thoughts
Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Focus on what truly matters to you and keep Allah at the centre of your plans.
Whether you go for an intimate or grand celebration, remember: This is the beginning of a beautiful journey, and the wedding is just one day—your marriage is for a lifetime.
May Allah bless your union with love, happiness, and barakah! Ameen.
Final Thoughts
Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Focus on what truly matters to you and keep Allah at the centre of your plans.
Whether you go for an intimate or grand celebration, remember: This is the beginning of a beautiful journey, and the wedding is just one day—your marriage is for a lifetime.
May Allah bless your union with love, happiness, and barakah! Ameen.
Want to Make Wedding Planning Even Easier?
We’re working on a comprehensive Muslim Wedding Planner—a beautifully designed digital and printable planner packed with expert advice, checklists, to-do lists, vision boards, budget trackers, and more to help you plan your wedding and all the surrounding events effortlessly.
If you’d love to get early access and be the first to know when it’s available, join our waiting list today!