In the Muslim world, wedding traditions maintain some similarities based on faith. However, there are also colorful, cultural variations from place to place. Here you can find information and wedding photos from around the Muslim world.

All retain the Islamic obligatory acts, which make a wedding valid and include other practices, which are individual to their surrounding cultures.

Here are marriage customs from some parts of the Muslim world. Please note: not all Muslim Wedding customs are necessarily in line with Islamic values.

• Muslim Wedding in India and Pakistan

In the Indian subcontinent, a muslim wedding is reserved to three days of customs and traditions.

The Mehndi is the event where you put henna on the bride and groom's hands, it sometimes extends to two days - one day over at the groom's place to put henna on his hand and the second day over at the bride's house to put henna on hers.

The actual Nikah is called a Shaadi, which is traditionally done by the bride's side. This is the signing of official paperwork in the presence of an Imam.

To announce the marriage officially the Walima takes place as a feast given by the groom's family. Both husband and wife welcome the guests and mingle with them while people eat dinner.

• Wedding in Suadi Arabia

When the bride and groom (zawaj)start walking to the wedding cake, all the muslim wedding guests move out of the way and look in anticipation at the bride and groom. Then the groom holds the bride's hand, together they hold the knife. After they cut a small piece of the cake, the bride eats a bit of it. After that lets the groom bite another bit of the piece.

In Saudi Arabia after the muslim wedding ceremony, the khadhi says that the bride and the bridegroom are husband and wife. Then the bridegroom goes to a wedding party hall.

• Wedding in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Although the groom is also put through a series of preparations, the bride's are more elaborate and time consuming.

She is lavished with all sorts of traditional oils and perfumes from head to toe. Traditionally, she is not seen for forty days by anyone except for family members as she rests at home in preparation for her wedding day.

During the week which precedes the muslim wedding, traditional music, continuous singing and dancing take place, reflecting the joy shared by the bride and the groom's families. Laylat Al Henna (literally, the night of the henna), which takes place a few days before, is very special night for the bride, since it is a ladies' night only.

Muslim Wedding Tradition in Egypt

Egypt has been exposed to many civilizations, such as the Greek, Roman and Islamic ones. The muslim wedding customs of Egyptians make it easy for a couple to get to know one another, for the families meet often.

The night before muslim wedding day, the relatives, friends and neighbors get together to celebrate "the Henna Night".

The next day, the wedding contract is signed and registered. After sunset, the wedding party starts and the couple wears their best dresses and jewelry.

• Muslim Wedding Customs in Malaysia

The berinai (henna application) ceremony is held prior to the muslim wedding. The bride's palms and feet are 'decorated' with the dye from the henna leaves.

Akad Nikah, is normally presided over by a Kadhi, a religious official of the Syariat Court.

The recent trend is to hold the solemnization of muslim wedding in the mosque as was performed during the Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) time

• Muslim Wedding Ceremony in Indonesian

An Indonesian wedding program is a very important event. Everyone that is even slightly acquainted with the bride and groom may be invited, and this could mean thousands of guests. The majority of invited guests do not attend the actual ceremony, but it is considered rude to be invited to the muslim wedding reception, to share in the joy of the newlyweds, and to not attend.

There is often an elaborate processional into the reception site, which consists of a long chain of flowers. It is customary for the traditional Indonesian bride and groom to greet each guest in a long receiving line, before the reception festivities can begin.