Reader Questions: What Happens When You Get Married at the Mosque?

This morning, I received this question:

I’ve been with my partner now for 15 years, his family are quite strict, my partner obviously not so strict.

We are finally getting married this year and are doing a Mosque wedding and a civil ceremony in a hotel. How does it work at the mosque? – I haven’t asked his family and my partner isn’t all that knowledgeable on it either!

 

15 years ago, Khaled and I married in a small town Vegas Style establishment.  I say establishment, because it was a pretty room with white folding chairs and wedding-ish decor.  It was not the lavish destination wedding  we daydreamed about and it was not the wedding overseas that seemed out of reach.  It was not a church and not a mosque.  It was a place where people got married, and they had a photographer.  Some of my family was there, Khaled invited a friend to be there because his family could not.  The lady who officiated our ceremony was also the owner of the establishment.  Afterwards, we all went out to dinner.  It was perfect for us. This business did what we needed it to do, because in our hearts and minds we were already married.  This was just a formality.

Over the last two years, I’ve been invited to a bridal shower and a wedding reception.  But I’ve never witnessed a ceremony in the mosque.  So, I’m turning to you for help.  What happens when you marry at the mosque?