:sl:
Greetings, balaka, and welcome to the forum.
format_quote Originally Posted by
balaka
As I am not belonging to the "people of book",my future in-laws expects me to convert to Islam.
You'll probably already know this, so apologies if I'm repeating what you already know: reversion to Islam should not be just to enable you to marry, but because you truly believe in what you're converting to. Some of the conditions of the shahaadah (what you utter by mouth and believe firmly in your heart to become a Muslim) are acceptance of what the shahaadah implies (e.g. the five daily prayers, etc), love for what you're accepting, etc.
You will need a wali (a male Muslim guardian) to act on your behalf for the nikah, the legal contract which will bind you together as husband and wife. It may be that your in-laws will organise this for you, perhaps a local imam/scholar etc.
A dowry paid by the groom to the bride will also need to be agreed.
The nikah consists of an offer and acceptance, an offer from the brides side, e.g. Your wali will say to the groom something along the lines of I marry my ward to you, with the agreed dower of___ and the groom has to accept.
This will be done in front of witnesses (with your wali acting on your behalf, you may not need to be there) and you may be asked to sign.
That's the nikah, which is what makes you Islamically husband and wife.
Your going to live with him may be done then, or later.
After that, the groom will have to host a walimah (wedding feast), which may be the next day or a few days later.
There may be other cultural add ons (i.e. not rooted in Islam) that may be done, but it's actually best if you get your husband-to-be to ask his family what they're planning, in terms of make up, events etc, and how they expect you to behave, and I think they will most likely be impressed by your desire to respect them and their culture.
To all: Hopefully we can all exercise (sabr) patience with one another in our replies.