Nikah and walima: what happens at each
The nikah is the marriage itself. An imam leads it, the bride and groom each give their consent, often saying 'qubool hai' (I accept) three times, and the marriage contract, the nikahnama, is signed in front of witnesses. Prayers follow, and many Pakistani families hand out dried dates (chhuharay) to the guests. It can be held at a mosque, in a hall or at home, and it is usually short.
The walima is the reception the groom's family gives after the wedding, often a day or two after the baraat and the bride's send-off (rukhsati). It is the couple's first event as husband and wife, with a big meal, photos and plenty of relatives. In the US, many families fit the whole wedding into one weekend.
What to wear to a nikah
Dress as you would for a mosque, even if the nikah is in a hall: sleeves to the elbow or longer, a kameez that covers the hips, trousers that aren't sheer, and a neckline that stays modest when you sit or lean.
- Cover your hair for the ceremony. A dupatta over the head is what most women wear, from the vows through the signing and the prayers. At a mosque, keep it on the whole time.
- Pick a dupatta that stays put. Silky chiffon slides off easily; cotton, lawn and georgette grip better. A bobby pin at the crown or a small pin under the chin keeps it in place.
- Be ready to sit. At a home nikah, guests often sit on sofas or on the floor, so a full shalwar or palazzos are easier than a fitted churidar.
- Wear shoes you can slip off. Mosques and many homes are shoes-off, and some families seat men and women in separate areas.
What to wear to a walima
The walima is a celebration, and for many guests it is the dressiest event of the wedding. An embroidered suit in chiffon, georgette or silk, a palazzo suit with an organza dupatta, or a flared party wear dress all fit. Covering your head is optional here, though modest cuts still please the older relatives.
Think about the bride. She usually wears red at the baraat, but many Pakistani brides choose ivory, silver, gold, blush or pastels for the walima. So the rule at a walima is less 'skip red' than 'don't look bridal': avoid a heavily embellished outfit in the bride's color, if you know it. If you're on the groom's side, ask whether close family are coordinating colors.
Daytime or evening?
The time and the place change the outfit as much as the event does. Sequins, zari and stone work that look loud at a midday nikah look right under banquet-hall lights, and a winter walima calls for silk and a shawl rather than thin chiffon.
| Event | Dress level | Colors | Fabrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikah at a mosque or home, daytime | Modest, light embroidery | Mint, peach, powder blue, lilac | Lawn, cotton, georgette |
| Nikah in a hall, evening | Modest and dressy | Dusty pink, champagne, soft jewel tones | Chiffon, silk, katan silk |
| Walima lunch | Dressy but light | Pastels, florals, soft gold | Embroidered lawn or cotton with an organza dupatta |
| Walima dinner | Your most formal outfit | Emerald, royal blue, teal, maroon | Chiffon, organza, silk, sequin work |
If you're not Pakistani or Muslim
You're welcome at both, and a salwar kameez or kurta set is a thoughtful choice. At the nikah, bring a scarf or dupatta for your hair and follow the women around you on seating and shoes. You don't need to say anything during the ceremony; guests watch quietly and congratulate the couple afterwards, often with 'Mubarak ho'.
At the walima, any dressy outfit with covered shoulders works, including a long Western dress, as long as it isn't short, sheer or in the bride's color.
Finding a nikah or walima outfit here
For a daytime nikah, an embroidered lawn or cotton suit with a chiffon or Monar dupatta is modest and comfortable. For a walima, look at the chiffon party wear dresses (one has a fully lined shirt), the katan silk palazzo suit with an embroidered organza dupatta, and the georgette 2-piece suits, which include a 2XL.
Every piece lists its size and its own chest, hips and length in inches, so you can check that a kameez is as long as you want it. Message Shagufta on WhatsApp in good time before the wedding: she confirms the shipping cost before anything is sent and can send a video or extra photos first.
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Updated October 2026
