Essential Tips to Planning Your Wedding in Dubai

Destination weddings have significantly grown in popularity over the past 10 years.

Today, approximately one out of every four weddings is considered a destination wedding. For couples seeking a memorable experience that’s sure to impress your guests, there are few options as exciting as planning a wedding in Dubai.

The city of Dubai, where ex-pats outnumber natives 9 to 1, is home to a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. According to U.S. News and World Report, Dubai is ranked as the #1 “Best Place to Visit in Africa and the Middle East” and #10 in the “World’s Best Places to Visit.” If you’re considering planning your dream wedding in Dubai, there are a few things you need to know.

Reasons to Consider the City of Dubai

The city of Dubai offers a unique cultural experience for the wedding party and guests. It is centrally located for guests arriving from around the world and is an excellent starting point for your honeymoon.

Dubai Weather

The weather is pleasant most of the year and almost always sunny. Summers can be extremely hot and humid, so the months of October through May are considered the prime time for a wedding in Dubai.

Quality Vendors

The bride and wedding party can feel confident in knowing that the city of Dubai is home to an array of spas and award-winning stylists. There are many stores and boutiques where you can purchase decor and clothing. You can also choose your materials at one of the many traditional markets and have tailors custom design items to your specifications.

Activities

The city of Dubai offers a wide range of activities that are sure to please any guest. Here are a few of the most popular things to do while visiting Dubai.

Choosing Your Dubai Wedding Theme

There are many wedding vendors in Dubai, offering couples the ability to choose the wedding theme of their preference. Various cultural wedding types can be accommodated, including Western, Arabic/Ladies, and traditional Indian weddings.

Since hotels are the only place in UAE that are legally allowed to sell alcohol, almost all wedding receptions are held in hotel ballrooms. Some couples choose to hold the ceremony at an exotic location and then move to the hotel for their reception. Others find it more convenient to have the ceremony and reception in the same place.

Whether you prefer the ultimate in luxury, an Arabian-themed event in the desert or a casual beach setting, the city of Dubai has what you need. Other venue options include a golf or country club, private villa, yacht, or even Abu Dhabi’s private five-star Nurai Island.

Planning the Perfect Wedding in Dubai

Pulling off a perfect destination wedding in Dubai requires a significant amount of planning and preparation. There are many important considerations that must be addressed to ensure that your wedding plans go smoothly.

Understand the Administration

For a couple to legally get married in Dubai, at least one of you must be a legal resident. You may also need permission from your native country. There are a lot of paperwork requirements, and it typically can take from one to three months to process.

Couples who are not legal residents typically choose to have a symbolic blessing ceremony. If you plan to go this route, it’s recommended that you get legally married in your home country before traveling to Dubai.

Learn About Dubai Culture

Tourism is a huge contributor to the economy of Dubai, and this modern city is open to accepting visitors from around the world. That being said, it is still a Muslim city with a conservative culture that must be respected.

The laws regulating the sale of alcohol are strictly enforced. Public displays of affection are considered offensive, and kissing or acting “indecently” in public can lead to arrest. Women should avoid dressing provocatively and should not travel alone at night.

Estimate Your Costs

The average cost of a Dubai wedding is $81,000 to $136,000. A savvy planner with a small guest list may be able to take advantage of hotel packages and other discounts to get this price down to just under $30,000. On the other end of the spectrum, an extremely lavish wedding can cost well over several million dollars.

Plan Ahead for Your Guests

Plan to send your “Save the Date” reminders out at least a year in advance so guests have the opportunity to book their flights and plan their trip. If possible, include information about the destination and wedding location to help them prepare. Find out if you and your guests will need a travel Visa and include that information in your Save the Date packet.

Hire a Wedding Planner

The key to pulling off the perfect wedding in Dubai is hiring a top-of-the-line wedding planner. Working with someone who is familiar with the area is vital when trying to make arrangements from across the globe. Good wedding planners provide a wide range of services including:

  • Event concept
  • Venue selection
  • Budgeting
  • Graphic design
  • Hospitality management
  • Decor
  • Entertainment
  • Audio/Visual
  • Photography and film production
  • Food and beverage selection
  • Cake selection
  • Security
  • Wedding planning and execution

A destination wedding in Dubai is sure to be an awe-inspiring event that you and your guests will never forget. Planning an event of this magnitude requires a significant amount of time and effort. Many couples love the idea of getting married in Dubai but aren’t sure how to start the planning process.

Dubai Wedding Team takes care all the details that go into creating your ultimate dream wedding. We make the planning and preparation easy so you can focus on the things that matter most. Contact us today to learn how we can help make your dreams come true.

2017-10-25T14:42:06+04:00 October 9th, 2017|Journal|Comments Off on Essential Tips to Planning Your Wedding in Dubai