Muslim Wedding Cards

Marriage, regardless of the faith, is a joyous occasion - one which enfolds everyone in a circle of love. Therefore, as the harbinger of this occasion, it is only natural that wedding cards are designed in the most beautiful manner. After all, wedding invites are welcomed by invitees and most people do pay attention to the aesthetic, religious and cultural aspects of the cards, besides the message of course.

Muslim wedding cards are sent out to inform invitees of the 'Nikaah', the wedding ceremony. Invitations are sent out to announce the ceremony to the rest of the world. Although in prosaic terms it may be argued that the wedding invite is simply a means of announcing the names of the bride and groom (along with their lineage), the venue and time of the Nikaah, in real terms, the wedding invite does much more than that.

Muslim wedding cards are quite traditional. One can find typical colors and designs on these wedding cards. In keeping with the religious significance, green is a recurring color. Other popular colors used in Muslim marriage cards include cream, gold and red. Red is an auspicious color as it represents fertility as befitting a marriage. Red on the cards is a reflection of the red of the 'Mehndi' design on the palms of the bride.

The Muslim heritage brings with it the beauty and poetry of the Mughals and the Afghans. This poetry is reflected in the 'Nikaahnama' too. Muslim marriage cards typically carry designs that remind one of the old Mughal art. Grand designs of leaves, intricate patterns, domes, peacock feathers and so on are quite common. These traditional designs are further embellished with decorative objects like stones and bindis. Through the use of metallic paper, handmade paper, satin, silk and velvet, marriage cards are made to look all the more attractive and eye-catching.

Although it is not mandatory, most Muslim marriage cards do carry some verses of the Holy Quran. This is meant to bestow blessings on the bride and groom for the journey ahead of them. In this context, it must be remembered that ancient cultures and religions place much importance on the ceremony of marriage. In such cultures, marriage is a bond for life. Therefore, it is only natural to call for the blessings of a higher authority when embarking on such a partnership.

In addition to verses, some marriage cards may also carry symbols of significance, like the image of the moon. Calligraphy also plays a central role in traditional Muslim marriage cards. This is again a throwback to the ancient Muslim traditions.