If your wedding falls during Ramadan and you have Muslim guests, you might wonder how to make the experience a respectful one for them during this time. With a little thought, you can ensure everyone feels included while you enjoy your day. These simple tips help you plan a wedding during Ramadan that works for all your guests.
Time it right
Avoid food-focused moments like canapés, cocktail hour or dinner before sunset if you can. Ramadan shifts each year, so sunset (iftar) times change daily and by city. Check a local timetable online. Even noting sunset on your programme helps guests plan.
Offer simple iftar
A small iftar table at sunset is thoughtful. Dates, water, juice or light snacks — enough to break the fast comfortably.
Talk to your caterer
Let your caterer know in advance about fasting guests and halal meal requests. Keep meals warm or plated later if needed. Small adjustments go a long way.
Cocktail hour before sunset?
If you have a cocktail hour before sunset, provide comfortable seating and social spaces so fasting guests can enjoy themselves without focusing only on food.
Provide quiet spaces
Some guests may want to pray after sunset. A small, private room is helpful. Not mandatory, just considerate.
Share information in advance
Mention that your wedding falls during Ramadan on your website or invitations. Let guests know you’ve considered fasting and halal options. It helps them plan and shows respect.
Don’t assume everyone is fasting
Children and those with health reasons may not fast. Flexibility is key, so focus on consideration, not assumptions.
Small gestures count
A quick check-in with Muslim guests before the day — asking if there’s anything that would make it easier — is often appreciated more than any big arrangement.
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Losing a family member is heartbreaking – and when it comes to getting married, their absence is often amplified. Acknowledging these special loved ones can become overwhelming, especially when trying to maintain a celebratory atmosphere throughout your day.
Fortunately, weddings are sentimental occasions, leaving room for a myriad of ways to acknowledge those dearly departed. The trick is to strike a balance – honouring loved ones without turning your big day into a memorial service. Whether the gesture be small and personalised or open and public, there is always a tasteful way to do it.
Here are five simple and subtle ways to remember someone passed at your wedding:
Attach a small photo to your bouquet: This is particularly meaningful for a bride who has lost her father – a highly personal yet subtle gesture that is the perfect little reminder that your dad is walking you down the aisle in spirit.
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Incorporate old fabric into your suit or wedding gown: Keep the spirit of your lost loved ones close by – literally. Use mom’s wedding dress to create your own gown, or transform one of dad’s old ties into a trendy pocket square.
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Reserve a seat at the ceremony: Of course nothing compares to having your loved ones physically by your side but reserving them a seat while you say your “I dos” can be a special reminder of their irreplaceable presence. Mark their seat with a favorite flower or sentimental possession.
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Set up a photo display: This is a great option for couples who want to keep their tribute lighthearted. It avoids creating a heavy atmosphere for guests as family members can step aside to acknowledge deceased family members in private.
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Dedicate a song: Whether it is your first dance or just a casual slot on the playlist, dedicate a song to someone no longer around. Levels of discretion can be altered to your personal taste here; make a grand gesture with an announcement or toast or simply appreciate the special moment to yourself.
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Looking for the perfect cocktail-hour starter while you and your new spouse step away for your photoshoot? These pork-and-mushroom vol-au-vents are an elegant wedding canapé option that keeps guests satisfied and the celebration flowing.
Ingredients
Pork filling
- 200 g boneless, skinless pork shoulder
- 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 100 g brown mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp brandy
- 1/2 cup cream
- 30 g grated Parmesan
Vol-au-vent cases
- 2 x 400 g rolls of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp milk
Bacon crumble
- 100 g streaky bacon
You’ll need
- 1 x 4 cm diameter cookie cutter
- 1 x 1.5 cm diameter cookie cutter
- 1 tbsp chopped chives to serve
Method
Pork filling
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
- Place the pork shoulder into a deep oven tray. Mix the garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork and pour the chicken stock into the tray. Cover the tray with foil and place into the oven.
- Roast the pork for 3 hours, or until pull-apart tender.
- When the pork is roasted, remove it from the oven, pour the juices into a jug, and reserve. Use two forks to shred the pork.
- Heat a medium-sized saucepan and add the olive oil. Add the chopped mushrooms and fry until browned and caramelised.
- Deglaze the pan with the brandy and cook for 1 minute. Add the roasting juices to the mushrooms and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and add the cream.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and simmer for about 3 minutes, then add the shredded pork and heat through. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
Vol au vent cases
- Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Unroll one roll of pastry and leave it on the plastic it was rolled in. Using the 4 cm cookie cutter, cut out 25 circles (or as many as it yields), then place these pastry circles upside down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Beat the egg yolk and milk together, and then brush the circles with this mixture – take care not to brush too close to or around the sides of the circles, as this can cause the pastry not to rise properly.
- Unroll the second sheet of pastry and keep it on the plastic it was rolled in; cut the same amount of circles. You will end up with a doughnut-shaped ring of pastry.
- Lift these, turn them upside down and place them on top of the original circles that you have already egg washed. This will form the sides of your ring-shaped piece of pastry.
- Using a fork, prick the bottom pastry in the centre hole of the ring layer to prevent it from puffin up during baking. Brush the top of the ring circles with egg wash, but again, be careful not to get it on the sides, otherwise, your vol-au-vents may not rise properly.
- Note: The circles that were removed from the centre of the pastry rings, as well as any leftover pastry, can be egg washed and cooked separately. The round centre pieces can serve as ‘hats’ for the vol-au-vents, should you choose to use them.
- Place the tray into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the vol-au-vents are well-risen and golden. Remove the pastry cases from the oven and allow them to cool.
Bacon crumble
- Turn the oven to the grill setting. Lay the bacon on a baking sheet and place it into the oven for 8 to 10 minutes to cook until crispy. Alternatively, cook in an air fryer. Let it cool slightly, then chop to a fine crumb.
To assemble
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of the pork and mushroom mixture to each vol-au-vent to fill. Sprinkle bacon crumbs over the top of each vol-au-vent and garnish with chopped chives. Serve immediately.
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You’ve had the big engagement and decided on a date – now it’s time to get down to the planning but your partner doesn’t seem keen on contributing. Wedding planning can be stressful enough without having a partner who is not interested in helping out, so we’ve put together these five tips to get your partner involved in planning your big day together.
1. FROM THE GET-GO
Make sure you are both discussing wedding options from the start. You don’t want to get ahead without your partner and leave them behind, only to want their input later on.
2. BE OPEN MINDED
Your partner may have some strange ideas, but try not to brush them off harshly, as you want them to continue making contributions. If you don’t like something, be gentle and explain why.
3. GET HANDS-ON
If there are certain areas that you know your partner will be interested in, such as the music, food or transport, then hand over those tasks, making sure you are both on the same page when it comes to what you want.
4. ASK FOR HELP
If you’re struggling to juggle all of the invitations, nagging family members and bookings, ask your partner if they can take on some of the tasks, or that you work on them together to ease the pressure.
5. JUST BE HONEST
Tell your partner that you want their input, after all, you both decided to have a wedding. Having open communication will help you to express how you feel as well as finding out what your partner wants.
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Feature image: Priscilla du Preez/Unsplash