3 Masjids with Banquet Halls in New Jersey to have your Islamic Marriage (Nikkah) Ceremony
With New Jersey’s high Muslim population and abundance of Masajid, it can get hard picking the right Masjid for your special day. As a photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing beautiful events in many different locations. One benefit to having your Nikkah ceremony in a Masjid with a banquet hall is that the event can also include a lunch or dinner - depending on when you’re planning to host. I’ve highlighted some of my favorite masajid (that also have banquet halls!) to host your Islamic Marriage ceremony with locations, fees, useful links as well as photos I’ve taken in the corresponding locations.
Muslim Center of Greater Princeton (MCGP)
2030 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
Nikkah and Banquet Hall Fees: $500 - $3,500
https://www.themuslimcenter.org/
With it’s beautiful exterior and Musalah area MCGP offers a modern facility that caters to all brides, grooms, family and friends. It’s open prayer area is the perfect place to host a Nikkah, Islamic Marriage, as it allows visibility from all angles of the Musalah area. The masjid features intricate tile work and a beautiful chandelier that brought me back to Masjid AlNabawi in Medina, Saudi Arabia. For $500, you have the opportunity to book the Musalah area for up to 50 guests. For $3,500 you have the opportunity to book the Masjid’s banquet hall for 5 hours. When I’ve photographed events in the banquet hall, couples typically had their Nikkah in the banquet hall (separate from the Musalah area) and also had food catered.
2. El-Zahra Islamic Center
218 Irving St., Midland Park, NJ 07432
Nikkah and Banquet Hall Fees: TBD
info@elzahra.org or (201) 670-9090
On the El-Zahra Islamic Center’s main floor is the grand prayer hall offers space for brothers and sisters. With its warm architectural design and high ceilings the Musalah area is unique as it also offers a stage in the front to spotlight the Nikkah ceremony. A banquet hall is also available in the masjid which was renovated in 2019. The banquet hall features exquisite molding on the ceilings and windows and absolutely gorgeous chandeliers. It is truely a photographers dream to photograph! The El-Zahra banquet hall can accommodate up to 160 people.
Check out some photos of Nadeem & Sara’s Nikkah at El-Zahra Islamic Center: https://www.ayaephotography.com/portfolio/sara-nadeem
3. Masjid Al-Wali
9 and 10 Olsen Ave, Edison, NJ 08820
Nikkah and Banquet Hall Fees: $250 - $1,000
http://masjidalwali.org/
info@masjidalwali.org or (908) 444-0595
Masjid Al-Wali has been a long time favorite of mine. One of my favorite things about Masjid Al-Wali is that the masjid and banquet hall are within walking distance to one another. Masjid Al-Wali is located on a cul de-sac and 9 as well as 10 Oslen Ave can be used to host your Nikkah celebration. Another distinction from other masajid is that you are able to bring your own Imam to perform the Nikkah. If you are looking for a budget friendly masjid, to rent out just the Musalah area, Masjid Al-Wali only requires a $250 security deposit which would be returned upon Nikkah ceremony completion (assuming everything goes as planned). A couple of my previous brides and grooms have rented out 9 Oslen Ave. (the banquet hall) and had their Nikkah completed there, then upon Nikkah confirmation, we took photos in the Musalah area. For $1,000, couples are able to rent the banquet hall. The banquet hall can seat up to 250 guests, with access to 2 food warmers, refrigerators as well as tables and chairs.