Marriage engagement

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum.how important is marriage? Is delaying marriage right? The reason for my questions is that I want to have my wedding as soon as possible, but my family is demanding that it be delayed until the end of the year as they believe it would be "wrong" to not have my brother and sisters-in-law attend. They want to wait on their immigration. They are also worried about what people would say if my wedding was done without their presence. I don’t want to delay as we have been holding the other party for about two and a half years. This is unfair to the other party as well as myself. Any advice? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. What are the limits of the relationship between the engaged couple?

Dear scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. My question is, if the nikah (Islamic marriage contract) of a woman took place during her period, is it valid? Jazakum Allah khayran.

I would like to know what is the concept of mahr in Islam? What should be the mahr for someone living in California, USA? I am getting married soon and my in-laws would like the mahr to be set according to the Shari`ah.

As-Salamu `alaykum. I have been living with a Muslim man as his wife more than seven years. In my mind and my soul, I consider myself as his wife. I am a new Muslimah and I know that you must get marry officially. We can’t get married because of our cultural background. Does that mean that being with him is a big sin? His family is getting him a wife. My question is: Can he have two wives if I agree to share him with the other woman? Please advise me what to do. Can I choose to be his life-long partner without the consent of his family?

What is the significance of reading Al-Fatihah over a couple when they become engaged to marry? They are engaged once they exchange rings; but are they now allowed to be in private together, hold hands or show other gestures of love, etc.?

Salam Alikom,My brother was engaged to a very good girl who we all fell in love with her so quickly. she's very beautiful, independent, has a good career, from a good family, good education and very well brought up. they kept engaged for 6 months and then later, just 3 months before their wedding, she had a medical problem and had an operation to remove some cysts from her ovaries, the operation ended well but the fallopian tubes were found entirely damaged and now her chances to get pregnant is through the Invitro fertilization process. My brother is shocked and is hesitent to contiue because he heard that the success rate is only 30% and that there are risks too about the ivf... he sees this as a sign from God to stop him from marrying this girl, but i see it as a test from God to test his patience and his faith. I told him that God is the only one who gives people children whether the wife and husband are fertile or infertile. But he doesnt want to give up his fear. Is his fear valid? Now he left his fiancee', is it haram to leave her for such a reason that's completely out of her hands and is ultimately in the hands of God??Thanks a lot for answering my question is advance.

Would you please explain the difference between nikah and rukhsati and how practical are these customs in the light of Islamic teachings?