How to choose a wedding or event planner in Riyadh: planner, stylist or kosha supplier?

Who do you actually need?

Many people search for a wedding planner when they need something else. The titles overlap, and many planners work from home or Instagram, most of them seriously. This guide explains the difference and gives questions that protect your budget, whether you are after wedding coordination in Riyadh or party styling in Riyadh for a home event or a graduation.

Ask yourself: do I want someone to run everything, or only someone to dress the venue? Be clear on this before you ask for quotes.

What a package should list

Ask for a written list that includes:

• Flowers (real or artificial), entrance, lighting, chairs
• Setup before the event and removal afterwards
• Timings: when she arrives and when she leaves
• Rented pieces: when they go back and who pays for breakages
• Total price, deposit, and cancellation and postponement terms
• Who attends on the day: the planner herself or a team, and is it all-female?

"Experts in everything"

Some Saudi wedding customers complain about planners who claim to be "experts in everything" and then under-deliver (Middle East Exchange). That does not make every multi-service planner a bad one, but ask for specific examples of your kind of event. A full gallery beats a few picked photos.

What to check before the deposit

From what we found, the documents most realistic for a home-based business are the Freelance Document (which covers, for example, event organisers and photographers) or a CR. Check with the official body what the document covers exactly, and a planner without one may still be excellent. What protects you is:

1. A real portfolio, and is it her own work?
2. Views from past clients
3. A written package and a deposit with a receipt (see our deposit guide)
4. A business bank account where possible
5. A written agreement on privacy (see our privacy guide)

Costs creep up

Saudi newspapers (Al Watan, Okaz) have reported wedding costs rising because of showing off on social media. Set a budget before you see offers, and ask the planner to show options with prices rather than a single "everything included" package.

Figures we found (indicative)

Each comes from one source and some are old. We have no recent Saudi list. If you are a planner, share a "starts from" price.

Next step

Decide the type of event, place and guest count, then ask two planners for written offers with the same items. Laqeeni is free and commission-free; you message the planner directly on WhatsApp. Planners are being added gradually.

General information, not legal advice.