Answer
(Fatwa: 434/434/M=1433)
If you want to know the sunnah method of nikah and walimah then you should know that the holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
أعظم النكاح بركةً أيسره مؤنةً .
The most blessed nikah is the one which carries less expense.
One should prefer religiousness in choosing a proposal and when a suitable match is found there should be made no delay in nikah. It is mustahab to do nikah in mosque and the nikah meeting should be free from un-Islamic rituals. If nikah and rukhsati is done in the month of Shawwal then it is better. The time of walimah is up to two days after nikah. It is necessary that the ceremony of walimah is free from unlawful actions. There should be no pomp and show, pride etc rather the walimah should be done with whatever little is available. It is said in hadith that bad is the meal of walimah in which only the rich are invited and poor ones are ignored. Hence one should not forget the poor. If the parents are against sunnah nikah then you should convince them with politeness and beautiful wisdom. Also start reading the book “Bahishti Zewar” and “Islami Shadi” at your home.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband