Is it obligatory to have a wedding party?

Is it obligatory to have a wedding party?

ar - en - ur

I have a problem here at work. my boss needs a paper stateing that in the muslim religion when we get engaged "legally we are married" but we don't really get married untill we have the party so to speak. my question to you is can you help me find a source that can help me find what i need.

 

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

According to sharee’ah, marriage is done through the contract
between the two spouses, with the consent of the woman’s guardian and in the
presence of two witnesses. Such a contract is complete even if there is no
celebration or party. See question no.
2127. 

With regard to the celebration of the marriage, announcing it
and inviting people to a feast on this occasion as an expression of joy and
to publicize the marriage, all of these are things which are mustahabb
(encouraged) on the occasion of marriage. The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Announce marriage.” (Narrated by
Ahmad, 4/5; classed as saheeh by al-Haakim, 2/200; classed as hasan by
al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1072). 

And the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf
when he got married, “Give a feast, even with one sheep.” (Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, 1943; Muslim, 3475). 

See al-Mughni, 8/105.