The Sunnah method of conducting a Nikkah, is to first obtain the consent of the bride, if she is an adult (has attained puberty), and then arrange her Nikkah with a man who is her kuff (equal / match) according to Shariah. This should be done in the presence of either two Muslim men or one Muslim man and two Muslim women as witnesses.
During the Nikkah ceremony, the Ijab and Qubul (proposal and acceptance) should take place in the presence of at least two male witnesses or one male and two female witnesses. If the financial situation allows, dried dates may also be distributed during the Nikkah ceremony.
It is also Sunnah to make the Nikkah public before it takes place and to organize the Walima (wedding feast) after the wedding night, within one's means, while abstaining from extravagance and other wasteful practices. Similarly, praying for blessings and offering congratulations is also established from the Sunnah.
Additionally, it is Mustahabb to conduct the Nikkah in a Mosque on a Friday and to deliver the khutbah (sermon) before the Ijab and Qubul.
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دلائل:
صحيح البخاري: (رقم الحدیث: 4794)
"عن أنس رضي الله عنه، قال: أولم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حين بنى بزينب بنت جحش، فأشبع الناس خبزا ولحما..."
مرقاة المفاتيح: (رقم الحدیث: 3152، 2072/5، ط: دار الفکر، الھند)
وعن عائشة قالت: قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم : «أعلنوا هذا النكاح واجعلوه في المساجد واضربوا عليه بالدفوف» . رواه الترمذي قال: هذا حديث غريب"
قال ابن الهمام ويستحب مباشرة عقد النكاح في المسجد لكونه عبادة وكونه في يوم الجمعة"
الدر المختار: (8/3، ط: دار الفکر)
"ويندب إعلانه وتقديم خطبة وكونه في مسجد يوم جمعة بعاقد رشيد وشهود عدول"
Allah the Almighty knows best.
Darul ifta Al-Ikhlas, Karachi.