Nikah, Mehndi, Walimah — Catering for Every Part of a Muslim Wedding
A Muslim wedding is not one event — it's a beautiful sequence of celebrations, each with its own atmosphere, traditions, and catering requirements. This guide explains how to plan catering for every stage of a Muslim wedding in South West London.
The Mehndi Night
The mehndi is typically the most informal and celebratory event. Catering should reflect this relaxed, festive mood:
- Sharing platters and finger foods
- Chaat stations (pani puri, dahi puri, bhel puri)
- Mini wraps and skewers for easy eating while socialising
- Sweet treats — gulab jamun, barfi, jalebi
Budget: £15–£22 per head.
The Nikah Ceremony
The nikah is the religious ceremony — often more formal. Catering ranges from a light lunch to a full sit-down dinner depending on timing:
- For daytime nikah: elegant buffet with 3–4 mains, starters, and rice/bread
- For evening nikah: premium 5-course buffet with lamb, prawns, and dessert
Budget: £22–£35 per head.
The Walimah
The walimah is the grand celebration — traditionally hosted by the groom's family. This is where you pull out all the stops:
- Premium lamb and prawn dishes
- chef-prepared speciality dishes (tandoor, biryani)
- Extensive starter selection
- Dessert table with Indian sweets
Budget: £35–£45 per head.
Multi-Event Discounts
At Jaflong, when you book catering for two or more wedding events (e.g., mehndi + nikah + walimah), we offer multi-event pricing. This can save 10–15% compared to booking each event separately. Get a multi-event wedding quote.
All Food is Halal-Sourced
Every dish at every event is prepared with halal, with meat sourced from halal-certified suppliers-sourced halal meat. No exceptions, no compromises. Full halal documentation available for venue coordinators and families.
Related resources
Planning an event in Richmond, Kingston, Twickenham or the wider South-West London area? These pages help you take the next step:
- Request a free catering quote — tell us your date, guest count and venue and we'll reply the same day.
- Compare our catering packages — Essential (from £15pp), Classic (from £22pp) and Premium (from £35pp).
- Browse the full menu — 80+ Indian and Bangladeshi dishes with clear halal, vegan and gluten-free markers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas do you cover?
Jaflong Catering is based in Richmond (TW10) and covers Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames, Twickenham, Teddington, Surbiton, Hampton, New Malden, Sheen and Wimbledon. Delivery is free within 10 miles; a small fee applies between 10 and 20 miles.
How much does catering cost per person?
Our packages start from £15 per head (Essential buffet), £22 per head (Classic) and £35 per head (Premium multi-course). Final pricing depends on guest count, menu choices and service style — request your bespoke catering quote for an exact figure.
Is your catering halal?
Yes. All our meat is sourced from trusted suppliers providing halal-certified products, and we can cater fully halal events including Nikah, Mehndi, Walimah, Eid and Aqiqah occasions. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are clearly marked on the explore our full Indian & Bangladeshi catering menu.
How far in advance should I book?
For weddings and events over 100 guests we recommend booking 6–12 weeks ahead. For smaller parties 2–3 weeks is usually enough, and we regularly accept last-minute bookings within 48 hours where capacity allows.
Do you offer tastings?
Yes — tastings are available by appointment for weddings and larger events. Ask about a tasting when you send us your event details for a personalised catering quote and we'll arrange a convenient slot at our Richmond kitchen.