There are only three requirements for Nikah: The man and woman should know what they are doing and do it willingly, They have to predefine a set amount as Mahr and any other conditions they want to uphold in the marriage. read more
Shaykh (Mufti) Mohammed Sajjad writes, “Nikah is a very blessed Sunnah so much so that scholars have written to occupy oneself in arranging to marry, or in maintaining ones' marriage through earning a living etc. is preferred over performing extra (nafl) acts of worship, See Rad al-Muhtar, vol.4 p.57. read more