Re: rukhsati
Good point KashmirRainDrops! I don't understand why people are getting bent out of shape whether or not a Nikah is done in advance.
The vast majority of couples have the Nikah and Rukhsati on one day. But a lot of couples don't for a million reasons. Lately, it's gotten popular to do the Nikah well in advance so the couple can go out without sinning or feeling guilty. Particularly, if the couple is already in love, boundaries can be crossed very easily (hand holding, being alone, going out on dated unchaperone, etc are all sinful between unmarried people).
An advance Nikah is also good for an arranged couple because it allows them to communicate and get to know one another before the big day. Not all families are liberal enough to let their daughter talk one on one with her fiance. It makes the transition for the girl easier since her fiance is not a total stranger. I'm sure girls were terrified in the old days when they were married off to strangers they had only seen for the first time at the wedding.
Bottom line, both ways are equally fine.