A Malay wedding ceremony consists of two parts - the akad nikah (marriage contract) and the bersanding (enthronement ceremony). The akad nikah is the legal and religious ceremony, while the bersanding is a family celebration. It is common for these two parts to take place over two days. Traditional Malay weddings follow Islamic principles but also incorporate local customs. Elements of Malay wedding culture include henna designs, sireh darah flowers, rose water, traditional costumes, and the keris dagger. Sending wedding invitations is important to inform guests of the wedding details and directions.