Re: Nikkah - proper procedure?
I did mine a bit differently. My husband, inlaws and my parents totally left it upto me to decide and since in my family, I had always seen the bride being in a seperate room than the groom, I told them that's what I wanted as well. However, our Imam kept on insisting that we do it together in front of everyone because he didn't want anyone to think I was opressed (????!!!!) but honestly, I was not very comfortable.. it was suppose to be a very personal and intimate moment for us and our family, I only wanted close family and friends around.. and then the reception with everyone else in the ballroom.
Anyhow, after alot of bickering back and forth with the Imam, we found a middle ground- they did my witnessing ceremony with my wali (dad) and two gawahs in the hotel suite, we all then went downstairs to a seperate room where my husband was along with our family members and a couple of close friends. His part of the Nikkah was done there and my dad was asked if I accepted the marriage. Once that was done, everyone started hugging each other and all that, and as for me, I broke down as soon as I was given the papers to sign- man, I was glad I was not on stage because I was bawling my eyes out and holding my husband's hand so tightly while signing the papers, haha, I didn't even let go when he had to sign! After that, we had a procession- the families walked and then I did with my brother and 2 cousins, and then my husband came in and we walked down the aisle together.