Generosity worthy of your guests
Wedding catering and hospitality
Hospitality is one of the things guests remember most: a cup of Arabic coffee on arrival, dates and sweets, then dinner. At Saudi weddings hospitality is served in both sections, usually with coffee servers and male hosts in the men’s section and female hosts in the women’s section.
If your hall doesn’t include catering, or allows outside catering, SaudiWedding lets you request offers from catering companies in your city with one request — including your guest count, sections and date.
What does wedding catering include?
Welcome hospitality
Arabic coffee, tea, dates and water served to guests as they arrive.
Dinner buffet
Main dishes, starters and salads, as an open buffet or served at the tables.
Sweets
A dessert table, the wedding cake, chocolates and Middle Eastern sweets.
Coffee servers and hosts
Uniformed staff serving coffee and hospitality in the men’s section.
Female hosts
Female staff for hospitality in the women’s section — essential for many families.
Equipment and set-up
Dallahs, cups, serving sets and buffet tables, and cleaning up afterwards.
Hospitality stations
A coffee, juice or fresh Middle Eastern sweets corner — a special touch that also eases the queue at the buffet.
Agree the timing of each stage with the planner or hall so dinner isn’t late or clashing with the zaffa.
Catering options
- Open buffet
More variety and flexibility for guests; it needs suitable space in the hall.
- Table service
Dishes served to each table, more formal and orderly.
- Traditional dishes
Classic rice-and-meat dishes, a favourite at many weddings.
- Light hospitality
Coffee, dates, sweets and pastries only — suited to engagements, milka and short celebrations.
- Both sections
Each section can have its own menu and service style, with suitable staff for each.
- Saudi coffee
Coffee brewed with cardamom and served from the dallah in small cups with dates — many hosts care about how it is served and passed round as part of their hospitality.
What to ask a caterer
These questions help you compare offers like for like and make sure the hospitality lives up to your guests:
- Can we taste the dishes before agreeing?
- Are female hosts available for the women’s section, and how many staff per section?
- How are quantities calculated for our guest count, and what if numbers rise?
- Are there options for allergies or special diets?
- Does the hall allow outside catering, and does the caterer need a kitchen there?
- What equipment, tables and cleaning does the offer include?
- Does the company hold the required health licences?
- What are the deposit, final-number confirmation and cancellation terms?
What affects the cost of catering?
Prices depend on many factors, and we don’t quote figures:
- Guest count
The biggest factor — it sets quantities and staff numbers.
- Menu
The number and type of dishes, and any special or signature items.
- Service style
Buffet or table service, and the level of presentation.
- Staff
The number of coffee servers and male and female hosts, and their hours.
- Sweets and extras
A dessert table, the cake and special hospitality stations.
- Date
The wedding season and busy occasions.
When comparing offers, work out the cost per guest after adding staff, sweets and equipment — not the dishes alone. Much depends on your guest count — read our guest count and hospitality guide to estimate your needs.
When to book catering
Book catering once the hall is confirmed and you know whether it includes catering or allows outside caterers. The sooner you know your approximate guest count, the more accurate the offer.
Caterers usually ask you to confirm the final number a set time before the celebration — ask what it is, and track replies to your invitations so you can confirm on time.
If you have guests from out of town or elderly guests, consider a quiet hospitality corner near the entrance and serving coffee and water as soon as they arrive — small touches that say more about generosity than the number of dishes.
How to request catering offers
Mention your approximate guest count and sections, whether you need a full dinner or light hospitality, and whether the hall covers part of the catering.
- 1
Send your request
Choose “Catering & hospitality” and add the occasion, date, guest count, sections and city.
- 2
Receive menus and offers
Caterers contact you with menus and offers suited to your celebration.
- 3
Taste and choose
Arrange a tasting if possible, compare, then agree directly with the caterer.
Wedding catering FAQs
Does the hall usually include catering?
Some halls offer packages including dinner and coffee; others cover the venue only. Ask the hall first before requesting outside catering.
Are female hosts available for the women’s section?
Yes — many caterers provide female staff for the women’s section. Mention it when they contact you.
How do I estimate food quantities?
Caterers calculate quantities from your guest count and menu. Give them as accurate an estimate as you can and confirm the final number by the required date.
Can I book coffee servers only, without dinner?
Yes — you can book coffee service and light hospitality only, which is common for engagements and milka.
Can we taste the food before the wedding?
Many caterers offer a tasting, sometimes for a fee that is deducted from the offer if you go ahead.
How many coffee servers do I need?
It depends on the number of guests, the size of the section and how long the reception lasts. Give the caterer your approximate guest count per section and they will suggest the right number of staff so nobody waits.
What happens to leftover food?
Agree in advance how leftovers are handled — some families prefer to have it packed or donated through the appropriate organisations.
Request catering offers
Buffet, coffee, sweets and staff for both sections — one request in your city.