Conversion to Islam

This can sometimes be a difficult situation to navigate among Muslims who handle marriage through interactions between families.

In this situation, you will most likely meet your prospective husband outside of the circle of your own family. (For example, daily life, socializing, Islamic groups or events, online)

In that case, the role of your family here is ethical and social. A prospective husband should make an effort get to know your family and be respectful towards them. If your father were alive, it would be respectful and good form for him to seek your father's blessing for the marriage. 

Of course, if your family is hostile towards Islam, or there are other issues, it may be that there will be no extensive relationship between him and them.

However, if a prospective husband does not want to meet your family at all, or is disrespectful, that is a red flag. 

As for actual wedding arrangements, or who will pay for a wedding, this is something you, your prospective husband, and your families will have to sort out.

Sometimes, weddings can be a challenge for converts, especially in a marriage between a convert woman and a born-Muslim man. It can be awkward if the born-Muslim brings a large extended family to celebrate, and the convert seems alone. Conversely, the two families may disagree about which wedding customs are important to them.

On the other hand, in a marriage between two converts (who both do not come from Muslim cultures), it can be difficult to decide how to celebrate, since there is no cultural precedent for Muslim weddings. 

Some converts sidestep this by skipping a wedding altogether, but many people regret this over time, so it is good to have a suitable wedding - even if it is simple and inexpensive - which is in line with both of your financial and social circumstances. A mosque wedding may also be an option, since it is both public and inexpensive. If the man does not want to have any wedding at all, that is also a red flag. 

The answer to this will vary based on a person's interests, circumstances, knowledge of Islam/Shi'ism, and, possibly, what they are converting from (for instance, were they a Sunni, are they coming from another religion, etc.). 

In general, it is good to explore the variety of what Shi'ism and the Shi'i community has to offer - for instance, attending different Shi'i mosques, and listening to lectures (online or in person). One of the advantages of being a convert is that you can usually experience various cultural interpretations of Shi'ism rather than being bound to one. (This is sometimes different if someone marries into the faith, in which case sometimes they are expected to be bound to their spouse's culture.)

While you are motivated, it is good to learn what you can; at the same time, there is a wisdom in not overdoing it, so that you do not get burnout. 

It is good to recite the major recommended prayers, such as Du'a Kumayl, once a week, either individually or in a group, and to contemplate them.

If possible, it is good to visit one or more of the shrines of the Imams (like Imam Ali, Imam Husayn, or Imam Reza), or Sayyida Zaynab in Syria or Fatima Masumah in Qom. 

It is good to have friendship with genuine mu'mineen (people of sincere faith) and  to spend time together in person (not only digitally). 

You should participate in the major commemorations with other Shi'is, like the first 10 days of Muharram, Ashura, and Laylat al-Qadr. Of course, it is good to attend other commemorations as well, but those are particularly valuable. If you have to travel to attend commemorations because there are none near you, then you should travel to do so, if possible. 

Sometimes, the social dynamics among Shi'is are different than the social dynamics among Sunnis, and, if coming from Sunnism, this can be worth reflecting on. Also, the worldview among Shi'is tends to be different than in Sunnism, in ways which you can discover for yourself, if that is your situation. 

It may be worthwhile to spend some time (which may be years) considering what it means for you to be Shi'i. For some people, this involves considering what it means regarding their beliefs about the Prophet and Imams, and how they interact with them spiritually. For some people, this may involve a political or activist stance (whereas still others may not see politics as an essential part of their faith). For some people, this involves a heavy interest in jurisprudence.

If you are new to Islam, it is good to become familiar with the Qur'an. It is good to spend some time every day, even just a little time, reading it and thinking about it. Of course, if you listen to Shi'i lectures, you will also become more familiar with the Qur'an.  

It is good to read some narrations (hadith) related in Shi'i books. A good general collection to start with is The Scale of Wisdom: A Compendium of Shi'i Hadith (while keeping in mind that some of this book is related from Sunni sources; a specialist can help you if you have any questions). 

If you are new to Shi'i ritual practice, such as how to say salat (daily prayers), you can find some introductory books on this website, as well as videos on YouTube.

If you do not speak a major heritage language used by Shi'is (such as Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu), it is worth learning one - although there is more English-language Shi'i expression, a lot of Shi'i expression is done in heritage languages, and so it will allow you to have a deeper experience. Of course, Arabic is always important for Qur'an and hadith. 

Also, keep in mind that every community has honest and dishonest people, sincere and insincere people, selfless and self-serving people, etc. Muslims also vary in how much they adhere to Islamic ideals and teachings. While any person who misbehaves is not a true Shi'i, nonetheless, one finds a variety of people among Shi'is, the same as everywhere else. So, while valuing your true friends, be sure to use wisdom and common sense when dealing with other people (especially in matters relating to finances, visas, or marriage), and if something seems wrong, stay alert to it.

(I am mentioning this because sometimes when people convert to Islam, they have an idealized view of Muslims, and while many Muslims have good ethics, exceptions apply.)

That is a lot - you do not need to do it all at once - but they are things you can look into now or over time. 

Best wishes on your journey!

Here are some differences between Sunni and Twelver Shi'i practices during Ramadan and Eid.

Ramadan:
* Shi'is usually fast a bit longer than Sunnis because the maghrib time is about 15 minutes later. Fajr time may vary slightly too. Usually Shi'is stop fasting slightly before fajr to be careful (the time is called imsak).
* Shi'is commemorate the main nights of laylat al-qadr on the 19th, 21st, and 23rd. There are specific du'as and acts of worship for these nights which you can find on duas.org. On the 19th to 21st, the martyrdom of Imam Ali is commemorated.
* There are also some other du'as which may be recited during the month of Ramadan which you can find on duas.org.
* Shi'is do not say taraweeh prayers in congregation; however, in some places, people get together for reciting the Qur'an so the whole Qur'an can be recited in one month. Otherwise it is good to do it individually.

Eid
* Eid is celebrated on one day rather than 3 days
* Shi'is also celebrate Eid al-Ghadir and other days such as the birthdays of the Prophet and Imams
* There are some differences in the Eid prayers including the qunut which is sometimes confusing (you can look it up)

Maybe there are some other differences which some others can mention. However most of these are for optional things (like reciting dua) and not requirements, apart from the fasting times. 

Best wishes!

Yes. 

However, it is good to keep in mind that some religious practices that are very emotional, crowded, or energetic (such as visiting the holy sites on Arbaeen) which are fine for most people may be overstimulating and trigger mental health episodes in someone vulnerable, even if one hopes for blessings and healing through them at the same time, and they can also bring healing. Also, sometimes, mental health conditions are masked as excessive religiosity and piety which are then inadvertently encouraged by people around them.
So it is good to be thoughtful about what is most appropriate to do if there are special circumstances.

Of course this is not about converting specifically but just about being mindful of one's practices when there are special circumstances.

On the other hand, some mental health conditions push people to consider spiritual matters more deeply than they would have otherwise. 

May Allah grant them healing and inshallah also intercession of Ahl Al Bayt (a).