Quick Answer
What is a kosha?
A kosha is the elevated, often elaborately decorated stage, backdrop and seating setup — typically a two-seat "loveseat" style bench — where the bride and groom sit at the center of the reception, positioned so every guest has a clear view. It is a common centerpiece across Egyptian, Levantine and Gulf Arab weddings, and its design is a major part of the overall décor budget.
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Last updated:
What is a kosha?
Also called: couch stage, bride and groom's stage.
Walk into most Arab wedding receptions and the kosha is the first thing you see — a raised platform, often with a large floral or lit backdrop, holding a single ornate seat built for two. It functions as the visual anchor of the whole room: the couple's entrance, the cutting of the cake, and much of the formal photography all happen in and around it.
What a kosha setup typically includes
- •A raised stage or platform, giving the couple visibility over the whole reception hall.
- •A large decorative backdrop — commonly floral arrangements, drapery, or lighting design — built specifically around the wedding's colour palette and theme.
- •A wide, ornate two-person seat or loveseat-style bench for the couple, often the single most expensive décor item at the reception.
- •Frequently positioned so the couple's grand entrance, and often the zaffe, leads directly to it.
Planning notes
- •Confirm ceiling height, load capacity and power access for lighting well before booking an elaborate kosha design — larger builds can have real structural requirements.
- •Coordinate the kosha's design and colour palette with the rest of the décor and floral vendor early, since it is usually the most photographed backdrop of the night.
- •Plan sightlines from the kosha to the dance floor and entrance, since key moments like the zaffe and cake cutting are often staged around it.
Coordinate décor vendors around one shared timeline
Keep the kosha build, florals and lighting vendors aligned on setup timing using Weddingkart's shared wedding checklist.
Try the wedding checklist tool →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the kosha the same as a mandap?
No — a kosha is a reception-décor centerpiece for the couple's seating and photography, common in Arab weddings, while a mandap is a distinct ceremonial structure used in Hindu wedding rituals. They serve different functions in different traditions.
How much does a kosha typically cost?
It varies enormously by design complexity, from simple staged seating with basic florals to elaborate custom-built backdrops — décor vendors usually quote it as a distinct, often significant, line item separate from general venue florals.
Do the bride and groom sit at the kosha the whole night?
Not necessarily — many couples use the kosha for their entrance, key photos and portions of the reception, while also moving around the room and joining guests on the dance floor.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated