It happens sometimes that a Muslim wedding isn’t consummated right away. For instance, the bride is too young and the newlyweds wait a couple of years before starting a physical relationship or the couple can’t live together after the marriage for some reason but wants to make the said marriage official. Or there can be other situations. Anyway, it is possible to wed the man and woman, sign the papers, and arrange the religious ceremony, but the wedding will be consummated after some time. Such weddings can be held even without the bride present (although, her consent is significant). In this case, a relative of the bride comes to the ceremony and acts on her behalf. He signs the papers and celebrates with the groom’s family. It seems a bit weird for the Western culture, but in the Islamic culture, it’s possible.
