Re: Nikkah is MARRIAGE
Sorry but it’s not farz, it’s a highly recommended sunnah as the nikkah should be announced as widely as possible. And it’s certainly not for the groom to celebrate ‘with his friends’. A cursory search will confirm this.
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) states: “The worst food is that of a wedding banquet (walima) to which only the rich are invited whilst the poor are not invited. And he who refuses an invitation (to a banquet) disobeys Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him & give him peace).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 4882)
Alhamdulillah, my father and brother are pretty well versed in fiqh and these are pretty straightforward matters.