A signing corner that deserves the photographs
The signing table, backdrop, lighting and florals are designed together as one scene, because that corner is the frame every photograph and every clip of the ceremony comes back to.
Starting from 2,500 AED
Katb ketab and milka planning in Abu Dhabi
Katb ketab — also called milka, or the marriage-contract ceremony — is the small gathering where the contract is signed in front of close family, at home, in a majlis or in a small hall. Zaina designs the signing corner and backdrop, coordinates the vendors and runs the day, from AED 2,500.
Published pricesWritten contractReply within one working hourArabic and EnglishAbu Dhabi and Al Ain
The outcome
What you get
A calm ceremony in front of close family
A katb ketab is short and the guest list is small, so the run sheet is built around the ma’zoun’s time, both families arriving, the signing itself and the photographs after it.
One design direction that can carry into the wedding
If the wedding follows, the palette, calligraphy and florals are settled once, so the two events read as one family of design rather than two separate decisions.
A clear fee with vendors kept separate
Zaina’s fee is published and starts from AED 2,500. Decor, florals, photography and catering stay with their own suppliers and appear in full in the written quote.
How it works
From the first message to closing the day
- 01
Agree the date, the venue and how many people will attend, and settle whether the signing is at home, in a majlis or in a hall.
- 02
Design the signing corner and backdrop: table, seating, drapes or arches, lighting, florals and Arabic calligraphy.
- 03
Put decor, floral and photography quotes side by side for you, then fix your choice in a written quote.
- 04
Build the run sheet around the ma’zoun’s time, both families arriving, the signing and the photography session.
- 05
Confirm every vendor before the date and agree the setup window with the venue.
- 06
Lead the setup and the sequence on the day through to the end of the agreed scope.
Fees
The price, and what moves it
- Small Occasions starts from AED 2,500 and is the usual package for a katb ketab or milka.
- That figure is the planning and coordination fee. Decor, florals, lighting, photography and catering are separate vendor invoices.
- It moves with the size of the backdrop, the number of vendors, the setup hours the venue allows and how short the lead time is.
- If the wedding falls in the same week or on the same day, we review scope first: the two run sheets overlap and need to be planned as one.
Coverage
Where we work
- Abu Dhabi: homes, majlis venues, small halls and hotels, with vendor timing matched to the venue’s loading and setup rules.
- Al Ain: the same service, with vendor travel and setup time calculated early and shown in the quote.
- Outside Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly whether we can cover the date.
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Pages that complete this one
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Frequently asked questions
Questions people ask before booking a katb ketab
How much does katb ketab planning cost in Abu Dhabi?
Zaina’s fee starts from AED 2,500 under Small Occasions, the usual package for a katb ketab or milka. That is the planning and coordination fee only; decor, florals, lighting, photography and catering remain separate vendor invoices. After a free 30-minute consultation we send a written quote within 48 hours showing both numbers before any commitment.
What is the difference between katb ketab, milka and aqd qiran?
All three name the same moment: signing the marriage contract in front of family. Aqd qiran is the formal term, while katb ketab and milka are the everyday Gulf names, and which one a family uses varies. For planning there is no difference between them — the same signing corner, the same run sheet and the same package apply.
Can the katb ketab be held at home?
Yes, and a home or majlis setup is one of the settings we deliver most. Before the design is confirmed we check the door vendors will load through, the ceiling height that decides how large a backdrop or arch can be, the power available for lighting, and the seating area. One photograph in our gallery is an outdoor setup with white drapes in a home garden.
Can you plan the katb ketab and the wedding together?
Yes, and it is the better route when the two dates are close. The visual direction is settled once so both events read as one family of design, and the run sheet accounts for vendors shared across the two dates. For a full wedding, one of the wedding packages — day-of, partial or full planning — is usually the right frame.
How far ahead should I book?
Book four to eight weeks ahead where possible. That is enough time to confirm the venue, design the signing corner and compare floral, decor and photography quotes without rush fees. Peak-season dates from November to March fill faster, and for a closer date we review what can honestly be delivered before promising anything.
Are the photographs on this page real Zaina work?
Yes. Every photograph here is from a katb ketab Zaina delivered, published with the client’s approval, and each caption names what the photograph actually shows. The full portfolio holds 22 photographs and 10 clips from weddings, katb ketab ceremonies, engagements and college send-offs.
Do you work in Al Ain?
Yes. Al Ain sits inside our service area exactly as Abu Dhabi does. The only difference is that vendor travel and setup time are calculated early and shown in the quote before you commit, so no surprise charge appears later. If your event is in another emirate, message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly whether we can cover it.
Free 30-minute consultation
Clarity from the first decision to the final moment
Start with a free 30-minute consultation about your event, budget and date. A clear written quote follows within 48 hours.