No reliable number, and we will not invent one
People ask "what is a normal deposit?". We found no Saudi source giving a typical deposit percentage for weddings or events, so any figure would be a guess. What protects you is not a percentage but a written agreement. Suppliers: state your deposit and terms on your profile.
It does happen in the region
We found no Saudi press cases of lost deposits, but neighbouring countries have court cases:
- UAE: a wedding company was fined and ordered to refund a bride (Gulf Today, 2024).
- Oman: a photographer was jailed for not delivering photos (Oman Observer).
We mention them as examples that it happens, not to scare you. A written agreement before paying is the best protection.
What to get in writing before you transfer
| Item | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Amount | A clear figure, the balance, and when it is due |
| What it secures | The date? The pieces? The team? Write it down |
| Refund | Whole or partial, and in which cases |
| Postponement | Does it carry to a new date, and within what time |
| If the supplier cancels | What she owes you if she cancels or does not show |
| Receipt | A message or receipt with name, amount and date |
| How you pay | A business account, not a personal one if possible |
Accounts and verification
The Ministry of Commerce warns shoppers not to pay into personal accounts. Online-store verification now runs through the Saudi Business Center's Business Platform (business.sa), which needs a CR or a freelance certificate plus a commercial bank account. Many excellent suppliers do not have these documents, so a missing one is not proof of a problem, but it makes the written agreement matter more.
Custom-made work
Under the E-Commerce Law, goods made to the consumer's specifications have no 7-day return right. That covers name-printed giveaways and tailor-made items, so agree every detail before work starts.
What about escrow?
Platforms such as Mila Celebrations use Waffy escrow, which holds payment until delivery. Laqeeni cannot hold money: you pay the supplier directly. So rely on the written terms and on what a supplier shows on her profile.
General information, not legal advice.
Next step
Copy the table into a WhatsApp message and ask the supplier to reply in clear text before you pay.
Sources
- Gulf Today, UAE company fined: https://gulftoday.ae/news/2024/07/25/company-fined-dhs5000-and-directe…
- Oman Observer, photographer jailed: https://www.omanobserver.om/ampArticle/1149999
- Wamda, Mila Celebrations (2024): https://www.wamda.com/en/2024/09/mila-celebrations-raises-227000-pre-s…
- Saudi Gazette, Business Platform (Sep 2023): https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/635484
- Saudi Gazette (Mar 2023): https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/631184
- Saudipedia E-Commerce Law: https://saudipedia.com/en/article/2910/government-and-politics/systems…
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