Engagement, nikah and shabka
Engagement and Katb Kitab Celebrations in Dubai
The day two families become one deserves a setting that feels warm and personal. We style and host the gathering, you share the moment.
A celebration around a promise
In many families the engagement is as meaningful as the wedding. It may be a shabka evening where the bride receives her jewellery, a katb kitab where the marriage contract is signed, or a nikah followed by dinner for close relatives. Each has its own rhythm, and we plan around it rather than forcing it into a standard format.
Please note one clear line: we plan celebrations, not legal ceremonies. The marriage contract itself is the couple's own step, completed at the court or before an authorised officiant. We prepare the space, the seating, the flowers and the timings around that moment, and we keep a calm corner ready for the signing.
Engagements in Dubai range from a family gathering of thirty in a villa to a dinner for two hundred at a venue. Whatever the size, the styling should feel like the couple. When the engagement leads into a henna night a few days later, we can carry the same palette across both.
Intimate ceremonies
At home or in a family majlis
Many families prefer to hold the katb kitab where they feel most at ease: the living room, the garden or the majlis. We bring in soft seating for elders, low tables, fresh flowers and gentle lighting, and we keep walkways clear for older guests.
A small table for the signing, a backdrop for photos and a quiet place for the officiant make the moment feel considered. If your home is too small, we can suggest suitable venue types nearby.
Styling ideas for your engagement
- A floral archRoses and greenery framing the couple's seats, sized for a living room or a hall.
- Ring displayA small styled table where the shabka or rings rest before the moment they are given.
- Signing cornerA calm table with fresh flowers, a pen set and soft light for the contract signing.
- Majlis seatingLow cushions and armchairs arranged so elders face the couple and see every moment.
- Sweets and datesA table of dates, Arabic sweets and coffee served by hosts in matching attire.
- Name signageThe couple's names in Arabic and English calligraphy on a mirror or wooden panel.
Family checklist before the day
A few things to settle early so the day itself stays relaxed:
- Agree the guest list with both families
- Confirm the officiant and the signing time, if there is a katb kitab
- Prepare the documents the court or officiant asks for
- Choose who will sit beside the couple
- Decide on segregated or mixed seating
- Plan the shabka or ring moment
- Book a photographer, and decide if the team should be all female
- Arrange parking or valet for older guests
Engagement questions
Do you handle the marriage contract?
No. That step belongs to the couple, at the court or before an authorised officiant. Our part is the gathering that surrounds it.
Can you decorate our home?
Yes. We visit beforehand, measure the space and install everything on the day, then clear it away afterwards.
How many guests can a home gathering take?
It depends on the space. We advise on comfortable numbers after the visit and suggest a venue if the list grows.
Can we hold the engagement on a yacht?
Yes. An engagement cruise on our own yachts works well for close family. To ask about dates, please contact us.