What to include in a Nikah & Walima invitation
- 01Bismillah at the top: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم or the ﷽ symbol
- 02The bride's and groom's names with their parents, e.g. 'daughter of' and 'son of'
- 03Nikah date, time and venue: a masjid, a banquet hall or the family home
- 04Mehndi, baraat and walima details if they're part of the celebrations, each with its own venue
- 05Who hosts each function: the walima is usually hosted by the groom's family
- 06A gentle dress note if helpful, e.g. 'modest attire appreciated' or head coverings at a masjid
- 07An RSVP date and a contact number for questions
Nikah & Walima invitation wording you can copy
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيمWith the blessings of Allah, Mr. & Mrs. Tariq Khan request the honour of your presence at the Nikah of their daughter Ayesha with Imran, son of Mr. & Mrs. Javed Malik. Please keep the couple in your duas.With gratitude to Allah, Mr. & Mrs. Javed Malik invite you to the Walima of their son Imran with Ayesha. Dinner will be served.اللہ تعالیٰ کے فضل و کرم سے ہماری بیٹی عائشہ کا نکاح عمران ولد جاوید ملک کے ساتھ طے پایا ہے۔ آپ سے گزارش ہے کہ اس پُرمسرت موقع پر شرکت فرما کر ہماری خوشیوں میں شامل ہوں اور نوبیاہتا جوڑے کو اپنی دعاؤں میں یاد رکھیں۔The functions, in order
- 01
Mangni
The engagement, where the families formally agree to the match and often exchange rings and gifts.
- 02
Mayun / Manjha
Some days before the wedding, the bride is anointed with ubtan (a turmeric paste) by close family, often marking the start of the wedding festivities.
- 03
Mehndi
A colourful night of henna, songs, dholki and dancing, often hosted by each family.
- 04
Nikah
The marriage contract. Before an imam and witnesses, the bride and groom give their consent (ijab and qubool) and the mahr is agreed.
- 05
Rukhsati
The bride's farewell as she leaves her parents' home with her husband. Many families hold it on the baraat day, right after the Nikah.
- 06
Walima
The wedding feast hosted by the groom's family after the marriage, to share the joy with family and community.
Tips from families who've done it
- Many families hold the Nikah on the baraat day; others hold it earlier at a masjid or at home with a smaller group. Make each one its own function so guests know exactly where to be.
- The walima often has the biggest guest list, so ask for RSVPs per function to give the hall accurate numbers.
- If the Nikah is at a masjid, a short note about modest dress and head coverings helps guests who haven't been before.
- Write the main wording in Urdu for elders and English for friends; both can sit on the same invitation.
Designs made for this occasion
Nikah & Walima invitation FAQ
What is the difference between a Nikah and a Walima?
The Nikah is the marriage ceremony itself, where the contract is agreed with consent from both sides and witnesses present. The walima is the celebratory feast hosted by the groom's family after the marriage.
What is written at the top of a Nikah invitation?
Most Muslim invitations begin with Bismillah, written as بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم or as the calligraphic ﷽, meaning 'In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful'.
What is rukhsati?
Rukhsati is the bride's departure from her parents' home to begin married life with her husband. It is often an emotional moment and usually follows the Nikah or happens on the baraat day.
Can I send one invitation for the mehndi, Nikah and walima?
Yes. Each function gets its own card with date, time, venue and map, and guests can RSVP to each one separately, even if different families are hosting.