The Nikkah

The Nikkah (Wedding) is a religious function that denotes the enactment of a mutual contract between a man and a woman agreeing to become husband and wife and one family. 

Being a contract implies that there are responsibilities as well as rights that accrue to the parties involved in the contract.  As a religious function, it should be conducted in accordance with the Qur'an and authentic sunnah of the prophet (PBUH), not whimsically.

Narrated Abu Hurayrah, the prophet (PBUH) said

There are three matters in which seriousness is serious and joking is serious: marriage, divorce and taking back (one's wife after a divorce that is not final).

 Sunan Ibn Majah, The Chapters on Divorce, Book 10, Hadith 2094 

Certain elements are required to make a marriage contract valid and the absence of some elements make the contract null and void. These elements are:

1. Bride'seligibility                                          2.Groom's eligibility

3. Bride's Consent                                             4. Groom's consent

5. Wali's permission                                        6. Presence of two witnesses

7. Offer                                                                    8. Acceptance

9. Dowry                                                                 10. Other permissible conditions

The marriage should be publicized and announced, by way of walimah without any form of extravagance or excessiveness within the first three days.

N.B: Money wasted on extravagant walimah can be put into savings, investment or other beneficial uses for the couple and their offspring.

Narrated Anas: Abdur-Rahman bin 'Awf came with a trace of saffron on him, and the Messenger of Allah said: 

What's this for?" He said: "I have married a woman." He said: "What dowry did you give?" He said: "The weight of a Nawah (five Dirhams) of gold." He said: "Give a Walimah (wedding feast) even if it is with one sheep. 

Sunan an-Nasa'i, The Book of Marriage, Book 26, Hadith 178.