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Nikkah Mubarak! Are you finally getting hitched to that one perfect person? Well, it is absolutely no-brainer that the day has to be perfect. But does the perfect day need to have a heavy budget as well? We think the answer is no! A simple Nikkah can be extravagant.
Everyone has their preference and budget for the day they get married. This writer very keenly believes that a small budget for the wedding party should be set, while a bigger budget should be held for the rest of the life.
My sister’s Nikkah was one of the best in my opinion! Not because I was closely attached to it, but because it was intimate and did not cost a lot in our pocket.
Here are some tips that helped us and might help you too if you want a nice and simple event for your Nikkah.
- Crunch your guest list
Before you decide on the other technicalities, one of the most important things is to think of the guest list. I understand that Pakistani families are grand! When it comes to our parents, they generally do want to invite everyone they know or have shaken their hands with.
If you can find a compromise, then you need to take the first step to invite the people that you know closely and love. The aunt of an aunt’s mother-in-law is not very important if you think about it.
Take it this way, if you have NOT talked to them in the last six months, they are not really a great number in your guest list.
Make it nice, small, and intimate to ensure the rest can go smoothly.
- Choose the Venue
One of the biggest costs in the Nikkah comes from the venue. Booking a place for a couple of hours can go up to hundreds and thousands of rupees. But why do you want to do that?
Now that you have crunched your guest list, it is a great idea to save some money on the venue as well. Depending on what your final number of guests looks like, opt for a cozy garden if you have one, or maybe even have it in-house.
The best option is the Mosque or the masjid. The serenity of a mosque is a great way to manifest serenity in your future life. From experience, I can tell you that it did bring out better pictures too.
- Food
Yes! Food is important. But 3 appetizers, 5 entrees, and 2 desserts are not important. The idea of food at a wedding is a way to show the guests that you appreciate them attending the wedding.
For my sister’s Nikkah, we had it in a masjid in the afternoon before sundown. This allowed us to have some snacks with tea and coffee – like a hi-tea but much simpler.
A couple of snacks cost less, fill the tummy, and make the guests happy and well-fed!
Furthermore, let’s not forget the amount of wastage that comes from grand buffets. No matter how much you donate, the leftovers are un-donatable and need to be trashed! The simpler the food, the less chance of wastage.
- Decor
If you choose to have your nikkah in the masjid, then you may have limited options for decor. However, if you get permission, then keep it sacred and simple.
A couple of fresh flower garlands add vibrant colors along with simplicity. Moreover, they do not cost as much as other decoratives. Remember to not overdo them. Less is more! Respect that space and enjoy.
If you want some additional values, then add some fairy lights. These are great to reuse as well. They do not cost an arm and leg and are easy to use. Furthermore, you can use and reuse them over and over again.
Also, consider using a Nikkah Pen to add to that decor factor and bring a little more flare to your pictures. We forgot the idea of a Nikkah pen, so my mom made one all night long before the Nikkah.
- Outfits
I honestly do not understand the need and importance of wearing the most expensive and gaudy outfits on the day of their wedding in Pakistan.
My American friend once asked me if it was a tradition of torturing the bride.
Instead of spending hundreds and thousands on a dress that will be uncomfortable and you will wear only for a few hours, try going for a simpler route.
Opt for semi-formal Pakistani dresses and add some jewelry to them to make them nice and easy on you. Or you can go out to the local market and get something embroidered to your taste. That will still be much more reasonable than buying a “bridal dress”.
For makeup, again going to a salon is going to cost a kidney. Personally, I feel that natural makeup looks even better than bright makeup. For a nice makeup, you can find a cousin or a friend who does it smooth and simple. If you absolutely have to go to someone, some home-based makeup artists are cheap and they listen much better than salons.
Same for hair. You know, it is not necessary to put newspaper under your hair! (only desi brides will relate).
- Photographs
No matter how many cousins you have that take pictures of the event, you need a photographer.
A dedicated photograph will give you a lifetime of memories. Even though the writer of this article does not really enjoy pictures, she believes in them!
Once again, going to insanely expensive photographers will not do anything different. Instead of looking for a renowned name, you need to look for someone who has a vision.
You can get a photographer for a fraction of the price who is amazing. Here is a pro tip, hire a woman!
If the bride is hiring a photographer, then I definitely recommend a woman. Women are amazing, but for ladies, we need ladies!
Let me tell you why!
From personal experience, I can tell that the woman photographer we hired knew ladies’ pet peeves. She knew to tell me how to angle so I dont show my double chin, my dress does not look puffy, or the hair stand looks perfect.
While there are plenty of male photographers who are amazing and beyond, men don’t always understand the finicky points of women. As a result of hiring a woman photographer, my sister’s wedding pictures were beyond perfect.
For the venue, guys, let’s face it! Frere Hall’s garden with running pictures is tacky. The right photographer does not need much to create magical pictures. A free venue such as a friend’s garden, can bring about such beauty. Moreover, remember that the more neutral your background is, the more the couple will be highlighted in the pictures.
Conclusion
Making your Nikkah special does not mean you have to spend a billion rupees. Remember, celebrating yourself does not have to do anything with money. Keeping it simple, personal, and even traditional can create a meaningful ceremony that celebrates love.
Do you have Simple Nikkah Stories? Tell us in the comments.
