bride

Bride prevented from seeing in-laws house before marriage

Q: There is a tradition when the bride's parents go to the groom's house for discussion, they leave the bride at home. The groom, his parents, bride's parents, everyone are present in the discussion related to marriage, except the bride. The bride is not even allowed to see her in laws house before marriage.

I feel all these rules are made by the society to deprieve a woman of her rights. Since it is her marriage, the bride should be allowed to be present during the discussions, just like the boy. And she should be allowed to see her in laws house before marriage, as she will be spending her entire life there. I am getting married soon, so I just want to know if visiting the groom's house with parents and taking part in discussions, will not be against Islam.

Having a wedding ceremony after many years

Q: I am now marrried for 13 years. Unfortunetly during my wedding, my father in law had gotten ill. He passed away the day before my wedding. We had cancelled everything and just made the nikaah and fed the guests. We have always wanted to have a good wedding but that had not happened. Our nikaah was mixed with very big loss and most of the elders could not attend. All these years I have yearned for a proper opportunity to be a bride. If we would like to have like a reception or gathering is that Islamically allowed?