Katb ketab venues in Cairo.

What a katb el ketab is

The katb el ketab (also written katb ketab or katb kitab) is the signing of the marriage contract, conducted and registered by a ma'zoun in front of the couple's families and witnesses. For many families it is the moment that matters most, and it is often more intimate than the wedding night: a reading, the contract, the signatures, then congratulations, sweets and often a dinner.

Some couples hold it weeks or months before the wedding. Others hold it on the same day, in the afternoon, before the evening reception, or combine it with the engagement. That choice decides the venue more than anything else.

Historic mosques

A katb el ketab in one of Cairo's historic mosques is a beautiful and dignified choice. Cairo360 lists five that host ceremonies: the Mosque of Muhammad Ali at the Citadel, Ibn Tulun in Sayeda Zeinab, Al-Hakim at the end of Al-Mu'izz Street, and Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i, which face each other below the Citadel. It reports a usual limit of about 200 guests at each, with extra fees for additional guests.

• Permits go through the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, so start early. Cairo360 gives the ministry's hotline as 19654.
• Ceremonies fit within the mosque's opening hours and outside prayer times. Cairo360 describes a three-hour slot.
• Expect possible charges for electricity or water, and a refundable deposit.
• Fireworks, loud celebration and high-volume music are generally not allowed at historic sites. Dress modestly, and tell guests in advance.
• Confirm the exact guest count with the mosque administration, since fees are tied to it.

Hotel salons and gardens

A hotel is the easiest choice when the guest list is larger than a mosque allows, or when the katb el ketab runs straight into a dinner. You get catering, seating, parking and a team who has done it before. Some hotels name the ceremony directly: Le Méridien Cairo Airport, for example, lists katb ketabs among the celebrations it hosts.

Ask for a salon or a garden that is yours for the afternoon or evening, whether the ma'zoun can have a quiet table for the signing, and, if the wedding follows the same night, how long the changeover between the two takes. For capacities of smaller hotel rooms, see our guide to small wedding and engagement venues.

Villas, gardens and home

1. 01

   At home

   The most traditional and personal option, best for close family. Plan seating, a table for the signing, parking for guests and a simple sound setup for the reading.

2. 02

   A villa or garden

   Popular for a larger family gathering with more freedom over decor. You may need to bring catering, chairs, lighting and sound, and in winter the evening gets cold, so plan heaters or an indoor fallback.

3. 03

   A club hall

   Sporting and social clubs often have halls and gardens that suit a katb el ketab. Booking usually depends on membership.

What to book first

1. 01

   1. The ma'zoun

   Agree the date and time with the ma'zoun before you confirm a venue, and ask exactly which documents he needs from both of you and by when.

2. 02

   2. The venue

   Book the slot around the ma'zoun's time. For a mosque, apply for the permit early. For a hotel or garden, get the hours, the room and the guest count in writing.

3. 03

   3. The guest count

   Mosque limits and hotel minimums both work from a number. Count both families before you book, then add a margin.

4. 04

   4. If it is the same day as the wedding

   Plan the timing with both venues, or with one venue for both, so the ceremony, photos, the break and the reception fit without a rush.

In Alexandria

The same choices apply in Alexandria: a mosque, a hotel salon or terrace, a club, or home. We have not yet verified mosque booking rules or venue capacities in Alexandria, so ask each venue directly about guest limits, hours and permits before you plan around them. See our Alexandria venue guide for the wedding night itself.

Taking over an open date

Save the Date is a free place where couples who can no longer use their booked venue date list it, and couples who are looking find it. Browse by city, budget and date. Every listing is reviewed by hand, numbers stay private until both sides agree, and you arrange the transfer directly with the venue. We never handle money.