Engagement & Katb el Kteb Invitation Wording (Arabic & English)
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An engagement or katb el kteb invitation is usually shorter and more intimate than a wedding invitation. Say who is hosting (often the bride's family for the engagement), the couple's names, the occasion, the date, the time and the place. Send it 3–4 weeks before an engagement party and 2–3 weeks before a katb el kteb, which is often a smaller family gathering. Here are wordings to copy in Arabic and English.
What's the difference?
| Occasion | What it is | Usually hosted by | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement (خطوبة) | The celebration of the couple's engagement | Often the bride's family, or both | Medium to large |
| Katb el kteb (كتب الكتاب / عقد القران) | The Islamic marriage contract, signed with a sheikh | Both families | Usually close family and friends |
| Tolbe (طلبة) | The groom's family formally asking for the bride's hand | Bride's family receives | Close family only, often no printed invitation |
Engagement invitation wording
Arabic, formal (bride's family hosting)
يتشرّف السيد كريم حداد وعقيلته بدعوتكم لحضور حفل خطوبة كريمتهما مايا على السيد إيلي خوري وذلك يوم السبت ١٢ نيسان ٢٠٢٦ عند الساعة الثامنة مساءً في …، بيروت حضوركم يزيدنا فرحاً
Arabic, both families
تتشرّف عائلتا حداد وخوري بدعوتكم لمشاركتهما فرحة خطوبة مايا وإيلي …
Arabic, modern (couple hosting)
قلنا نعم! 💍 ندعوكم لمشاركتنا فرحة خطوبتنا مايا وإيلي السبت ١٢ نيسان · ٨ مساءً · بيروت
English, formal
Mr. and Mrs. Karim Haddad request the pleasure of your company at the engagement celebration of their daughter Maya to Elias Khoury Saturday, 12 April 2026 at eight o'clock in the evening
English, relaxed
She said yes! 💍 Join us to celebrate Maya & Elias Saturday, 12 April · 8 PM · Beirut
Katb el kteb invitation wording
Arabic, formal
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ﴿وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً﴾ يتشرّف السيد أحمد يوسف وعائلته والسيد خالد سعد وعائلته بدعوتكم لحضور عقد قران عمر وليلى وذلك يوم الجمعة ١٠ نيسان ٢٠٢٦ بعد صلاة العصر في …
Arabic, with the marriage blessing
«بارك الله لهما وبارك عليهما وجمع بينهما في خير» يسرّنا دعوتكم لحضور كتب كتاب عمر وليلى …
English
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful The Youssef and Saad families invite you to the katb el kteb (marriage contract) of Omar & Layla Friday, 10 April 2026, after Asr prayer
Useful lines
| Purpose | Arabic | English |
|---|---|---|
| RSVP | نرجو تأكيد الحضور قبل … | Kindly reply by … |
| Women-only gathering | الدعوة للسيدات | Ladies only |
| Dinner follows | يليه حفل عشاء | Dinner to follow |
| Family only | يقتصر الحضور على العائلة والأصدقاء المقرّبين | An intimate gathering of family and close friends |
Timing and etiquette
- Engagement party: send invitations 3–4 weeks before. A save the date isn't usually needed.
- Katb el kteb: send 2–3 weeks before. It's often smaller, so a personal message works well.
- Tolbe: usually arranged by phone between families, with no formal invitation.
- Guests invited to the engagement don't automatically expect a wedding invitation, but close family will.
- Gifts: engagement gifts are welcome but optional; for a katb el kteb, family often gives jewellery or money.
Send it digitally
Engagements and katb el kteb ceremonies are often planned quickly, which is where digital invitations shine. At Cedar Invites, we design engagement and katb el kteb invitations in Arabic, English or both, and send each guest their own personalised invitation on WhatsApp with the venue map and one-tap RSVP.
Keep reading: Arabic wedding invitation wording: 15 examples · Digital save the date ideas