Many of us believe that an Arab wedding is a closed and boring event, since religion does not allow luxurious feasts. However, this is absolutely not true. Of course, obedience to Islam plays perhaps the most important role in the life of a Muslim. He imposes many prohibitions, and every citizen of the UAE considers obedience to the laws of Islam to be his duty. Regarding the wedding ceremony, there are a number of restrictions. But Arabs celebrate weddings on such a grand scale that many Europeans would envy. In this article we will tell you about how a wedding is celebrated in the United Arab Emirates.
Matchmaking
The decision to marry is traditionally made by the head of the family - the father. Very often these people are not guided by the idea of a happy family life for their child. For example, if this very head of the family owes someone a large sum, then he, without any remorse, can give his beautiful daughter in marriage to the debtor in order to subsequently write off the debt. Or, without looking for benefits, give up your daughter or son for the first successful passion you come across, just to quickly “save” them into adulthood.
Women in the UAE live completely separately from men, communicating only with their closest relatives, so it is not strange that parents are involved in selecting a couple. The Arabs are accustomed to such customs, no matter how oppressive they may seem to adherents of other religions.
Often Muslims adhere to an ancient custom when a girl should not see her future husband before the wedding, much less talk to him. All she can count on is to accidentally see him from the window, and then she should not tell anyone about it.
Two Azerbaijani wives of an Arab sheikh
A representative of the ruling Al-Maktoum dynasty in the UAE, the son of the former Emir of Dubai, the nephew of the current Emir and the current Prime Minister of the UAE, Said Al-Maktoum is a professional shooter, a participant in many world championships in clay pigeon shooting.
Of course, for an Eastern man, especially one invested with power, such a career is hardly something significant. Emirs and sheikhs treat all sports with leniency, since in Islam it is considered a waste of time.
We have already written on our channel about the wife of Said Al-Maktoum from Belarus, about Natalya Aliyeva. If this information is interesting to you, check it out here
. As the second wife of a UAE sheikh, she received both status and a new name, and is now called Sheikha Aisha.
Meeting the third wife
In 2015, Said Al-Maktoum participated in a shooting competition in the Azerbaijani ancient city of Gabala (Kutkashen in Soviet times), where he noticed a girl of unusual appearance. The height of the Azerbaijani champion in artistic gymnastics, Zeinab Javadli, is 175 centimeters, which is considered a big disadvantage for Eastern women.
But Zeinab’s charm and modesty immediately attracted the attention of the sheikh, and they struck up an acquaintance. Knowing about the morals of Azerbaijani chaste girls, sheikhs practically do not make easy acquaintances with them, and the attention of an eastern billionaire in this case means a lot.
Public opinion
Unfortunately, details of the acquaintance between Zeinab and Saida Al-Maktoum cannot be found for the general public. Moreover, the Azerbaijani sportswoman, addressing her compatriots and the Azerbaijani media in 2021, asked not to publish in future any materials that constitute the secret of her personal life.
True, she did a small favor for the Azerbaijani media by adding “without my consent.” We follow this request, using only the information that is known in relatively wide circles of eastern countries.
Zeinab Javadli became the third wife of a sheikh from the UAE, which was not viewed favorably by both Azerbaijani society and some of her close relatives. Although the fundamental law of dignity and honor, the Islamic code of conduct, comes first among the traditionally Muslim population of the republic, they are hostile to marriage as a second and subsequent wives.
Criteria for choosing a wife
Amazingly, when choosing brides from the republics of the former USSR, sheikhs are guided not only by the principle of the Muslim origin of the applicants. The fact is that the close interweaving of clans associated with the ruling dynasties in the UAE, as in Saudi Arabia, gives rise to the problem of genetic problems. To put it bluntly, we can say: if the Arab necks do not introduce foreign blood into their genetics from time to time, then the entire ruling class will be threatened with real degeneration.
How do the bride and groom find out about each other?
All the information that is available to a girl before the wedding is that which she will receive from the groom’s relatives: his mother, sisters or aunts. Sometimes the groom is judged by the impressions made in early childhood. According to Arab law, girls and boys under nine years of age can play together. Every father of the bride considers it his duty to ask the groom if he had the opportunity to see her. He, in turn, must say that he did not see the girl, he only had the honor of hearing about her.
Fathers of brides have one little “trick”. If a parent is not indifferent to his daughter’s opinion and he wants to make sure that she will marry a certain chosen one of her own free will, he proceeds as follows: communicates with the girl’s mother and with herself, while casually stipulating that he wants to arrange a men’s evening, listing the guests , calling the name of the one who wooed, and observing the reaction of women. If it is positive, he directly informs his daughter who is wooing him and asks her opinion about it. Only when he receives approval do preparations for the wedding begin.
In other cases, communication between the groom and the bride before the wedding is also practiced. First, women from two families meet to discuss the upcoming marriage, then men. And after this, the groom can talk with his future wife to make a firm decision.
Sometimes parents agree on an engagement when their children are still very young. They may be less than ten years old when conversations about marriage begin.
IN RECENT YEARS, NATIVE EMIRAT WEDDINGS HAVE BECOME AN OBJECT OF CAREFUL INTEREST BY THE UAE GOVERNMENT. THEY DIRECTLY INFLUENCE THE POPULATION AND WELFARE OF THE COUNTRY.
A wedding in the Arab world is the largest celebration. In a traditional society, this is not just a couple of lovers creating a new “unit” - it is a moment of unification of two large families. And in the East it is customary to approach it with due attention. Now Arabic customs are intricately intertwined with modern world trends and vary depending on the country, area (urban or rural), and family. And in the UAE - also from the emirate and the tribe.
Islamic canon
The marriage union was destined to play an important role in the birth of Islam. We are talking about the first marriage of the Prophet Muhammad with a woman named Khadija, the story of which can refute many stereotypes. Khadija was married twice, became a wealthy woman, independently managing the business of sending trade caravans. Having hired Muhammad to work for her, she, despite her father’s objections, made him an offer herself. According to legend, at the time of the wedding she was 40, he was only 25. It was the moral and material help of Khadija, who immediately believed in her husband’s prophecy, that facilitated Muhammad’s mission in Mecca, and her death was one of the reasons why the prophet had to move to Medina...
Today, issues of marriage and family are one of the most developed areas of Islamic law. Thus, a Muslim cannot be married to more than four women at the same time (an exception was made only for the prophet). And the husband should treat his wives with equal attention. For example, give each a separate room, provide food and clothing no worse than in the parental home.
The Koran warns: if a man is afraid of being unfair, then he should have only one wife. According to one of the schools of religious law, a Muslim can marry a Christian or a Jewish woman, but usually they require the bride to convert to Islam. A Muslim woman can only marry a fellow believer.
The Koran prohibits unions with some close relatives, for example, you cannot marry two sisters. However, in many Arab countries, the most enviable match is the “bint alamm”, the daughter of a paternal uncle.
One of the most important elements of marriage is mahr, the property that the future husband allocates to his wife. She will receive it in case of divorce initiated by her husband (talaq) or widowhood. Terry can be money, jewelry, everyday items, clothes, bags, perfume... The size of the terry is negotiated by families during engagement (hitb) and is indicated in the marriage contract. And the mahr itself consists of the presence of an imam or a notary. Late payment of mahr entitles the woman to a conditional divorce (faskh). Mahr cannot be identified with bride price: unlike ransom, “payment” for a woman to her family is, first of all, an instrument for protecting women’s rights.
According to Islamic law, if a bride enters into her first marriage, her father or guardian gives consent for her; in case of repeated marriages, the woman is completely independent. Both husband and wife can initiate divorce. The husband can apply the formula “talaq” (“absolution”), then the wife retains mahr. After divorce, a period of iddah (abstinence) is prescribed to determine whether the woman is pregnant. The wife can initiate divorce (faskh) or dissolve the union by agreement with her husband. Sometimes a marriage ends with mutual curses (lian) regarding possible infidelity, then the woman loses mahr, and the man has the right not to recognize a child born during Iddah.
An interesting form of relationship is a temporary contractual marriage, the so-called muta (pleasure, object of pleasure - author's note). Muta can last 99 years, or it can last one day! The maintenance of the wife instead of mahr and remuneration in case of divorce are stipulated. In pre-Islamic Arabia, muta was common, but in modern times it is only permitted for the majority of Shiites.
Extramarital affairs are an ungodly act. Unlike crimes against a person (even murder), the punishment for which can be commuted at the will of the victim or his family, there is no forgiveness from Allah for adultery. Those who are married will face stoning, if one of the criminals is single - one hundred lashes with a whip or stick (the blows, by the way, are applied so that the internal organs are not damaged). It is important that the prosecution requires four honest witnesses who observed the heinous act directly...
Thus, the case of Mughira ibn Shuba, one of the prophet’s companions who played a prominent role in the conquest of Iraq, became very famous in Islamic history. A great connoisseur of the fair sex, who had legally been in 300 marriages, found himself a married passion in Basra. And he began to visit her regularly. Well-wishers were quick to inform Caliph Umar about this. He did not want to discredit Mugira, but he could not hush up the fact of adultery. The case was decided by four witnesses. Three literally described the scandalous scene, but the fourth, Ziyad, showed diplomacy and said that he had never seen the relevant details. As a result, the false witnesses were simply whipped.
However, one cannot imagine the history of Islamic societies as completely patriarchal or defined by strict religious prohibitions. It is enough to recall the role of the harem in the Ottoman Empire and the names of the great wives of the rulers... For example, Khaizuran, who from a former slave became the wife of Caliph Al Mahdi and the mother of two heirs, including the great Harun Al Rashid. Or Zubaida - Harun's wife and mother of his heir. And of course, the legendary Hurrem - the favorite and wife of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Literature in Islamic countries was often markedly frivolous. The playful title of a work by a medieval author speaks for itself: “Adultery and Its Joys”...
Emirati wedding today
The path to marriage for native Emiratis who have reached the age of majority (18 years old according to the lunar calendar and approximately 17 and a half years old according to the solar calendar) is quite long. Most marriages are still concluded by family agreement, although not forced. If a young man or his relatives have a worthy couple in mind, then the first step is to “make inquiries” about the girl’s family and her social status. Most often, preference is given to a bride from the groom's tribe.
The first to meet are women - members of both families. Sometimes the future groom himself is present at these meetings: here he can talk with the bride and finally decide whether they are suitable for each other. This is followed by a meeting of the male half of the families. Now in the bride's house. During this meeting, the head of the groom's family formally asks for the girl's hand in marriage, and the head of the bride's family gives consent. Then the families decide on the issue of mahr and take the treats. Now women can discuss details, such as the conduct of milkha (formal marriage in accordance with Sharia), the purchase of rings (dible) for engagement and wedding, the organization of celebrations, the specific content of the mahr...
Next comes the engagement. Usually it takes place in the bride's house: the future spouses exchange rings in the presence of close relatives. At the same time (or the day before the wedding) the milkha can take place. The marriage union is registered in a Sharia court, and some families invite a judge to the bride’s house. Representatives of the newlyweds must be present at the ceremony - the bride's father and two other Muslim witnesses must be present. In the Emirates, milkha is most often held in separate rooms for the men and women of two families, and only the religious sheikh and children under eight years of age can move between them.
The judge reads quotations from the Koran, the groom and the head of the bride's family repeat the marriage vows. The sheikh can address the bride several times with a long speech, and she agrees: they say that during the milkha ceremony among the Shiites, some judges repeat their address to the bride 40 times! The details of the marriage contract and mahr are certified for compliance with Sharia. The newlyweds are greeted with loud cheers by all relatives. Finally, the union of the bride and groom is officially approved, they can remain alone. But there are still a few steps left before the main wedding ceremony and full-fledged marriage.
Sometimes on the eve of the wedding, a celebration is organized in the bride’s house, at which the groom’s family presents the bride with jewelry, and the future husband puts them on her while her relatives sing and dance. But it happens that gifts from the groom’s relatives are put on the bride right during the wedding feast. On the eve of the celebration, other wedding guests also give gifts. And in some Arab countries, gifts from guests are even given throughout the entire “Mubarak” - the month following the honeymoon.
One of the favorite celebrations that most Emiratis, as well as residents of the Gulf countries, Egypt and Sudan, organize before their wedding is the so-called “henna night” (“laylat alhinna”). The main event of this Middle Eastern bachelorette party, where the bride gathers her relatives and friends, is the application of traditional henna patterns on the women's hands and feet.
A professional craftswoman decorates the bride using a special conical-shaped instrument, using the most popular motifs - flowers and butterflies. Sometimes before the wedding, a girl also undergoes depilation in the traditional way.
The festival features belly dancing, in which women from young to old participate in appropriate outfits. The atmosphere is given a traditional flavor with the help of pillows, tents, Arabic clothing, incense, and all participants are given gifts. Sometimes palm readers, fortune tellers and even DJs are invited. Usually it is on the night of henna that the bride's dowry is transferred from her parents' house to her new home. On the same evening, a modest “bachelor party” is often held there. Some couples also like to celebrate the first Ramadan they spend together after getting engaged.
Finally, the climax comes - the wedding celebration itself. Weddings in Arab countries are mixed and separate for men and women. The second type is common in the Emirates. Men throw a festive party, but the most colorful celebration is organized by women. The festivities last up to two or three days, sometimes with significant breaks, for example, ten days.
The Emiratis love large-scale events and, of course, do not limit themselves to the modest zaffa ceremony (in Arabic there is even a special verb “zaffa” - “to solemnly take the bride to the groom”). The process is celebrated on a grand scale - at home, in hotels and special halls that offer wedding services in abundance in Arab countries. Sometimes ceremonies are held in traditional tents. Invitations are sent to all guests on behalf of the men - the heads of two families.
The celebration itself traditionally begins with a delay to allow guests (and especially guests) to gather. On Women's Day, the fair sex demonstrates the splendor of Jumeirah Beach Hotel evening dresses and jewelry. Most often - from fashionable Western couturiers. Unmarried people are especially zealous. Their dresses are sometimes too revealing. And the girls dress up for the inconspicuously seated ladies - members of the newlyweds' families, who, as a rule, look after worthy parties for their sons and nephews at other people's weddings. So for unmarried people at an Arab wedding, the main thing is not the bride’s cherished bouquet (although the tradition of catching a bouquet has also found its way to the UAE), but the approving reviews of elderly aunties.
By the way, the bride can appear in public only in the middle of the evening. Having shown off to her heart's content in a luxurious wedding dress (the classic outfit of a newlywed), she sits on a special “throne” - a “cushion”, on which the entire holiday sits, causing admiring glances from guests and bridesmaids. Although many wealthy families do not limit themselves to the throne and arrange podiums for a real wedding fashion show. But the most popular entertainment is dancing. Sometimes at weddings, women symbolically “mourn” the loss of friends who have become happy wives. Photography is prohibited at most Emirati weddings according to Islamic law. However, music, despite the ambivalent attitude of the zealots of piety towards it, has become widespread among the Emirates. Both Arabic and Western tunes are played.
Upon entry, guests can perfume themselves with Arabic perfume. In this case, the entire hall is permeated with tart oriental aromas, coupled with the fragrance of special smoking sticks (bakhur). Often the room is decorated with stylish flower arrangements.
The abundance of food is the main sign of traditional hospitality, a demonstration of generosity and wealth. At the beginning, guests, in accordance with Islamic norms, are refreshed with soft drinks - flavored water of various types. They also serve mint tea and cardamom coffee. There are always several traditional dishes prepared for a wedding. First of all, haris (a mixture of meat and wheat grains, which is simmered for a long time until smooth), machboos and biryani (meat, fish or chicken on a bed of seasoned rice), as well as a variety of kebabs. Wealthy families can afford the legendary Emirati dish Khuzi - a whole roasted camel, into which a lamb, a couple of dozen chickens, fish, eggs and rice are placed.
Finally, when the plates are gradually empty, the moment of the groom's appearance approaches (before this, women usually throw their veils over themselves). He appears in traditional clothes (dishdasha) with ceremonial gold embroidery or in a European costume. Often accompanied by a musical group. A special place belongs to a completely universal tradition - the bride and groom cut a huge wedding cake together - sometimes it is cut with traditional Arab swords. The young people generously treat each other as a sign of mutual care. The guests take turns congratulating the couple, and then either everyone leaves or continues to have fun, even after the bride and groom leave the holiday.
According to custom, a week after the wedding, another party is held at the house of the newly-made family, to which only women are invited. It is called “saba” - from the word “seven”. There is also a tradition of a honeymoon, during which the newlyweds go on their first trip together.
A matter of national importance
Today, many Emiratis choose foreigners as wives. And left out of work, unmarried Emirati women by the age of 25 join the list of old maids. Tribal traditions aggravate the situation. For example, modern women are increasingly concerned about their own careers, while the groom must match the bride’s status! In addition, younger sisters are always married after the older one. And her protracted marriage creates additional problems for the family. But the main reason is the huge wedding costs. And above all, the size of the mahr, which has long passed reasonable boundaries. According to Islamic law, the minimum mahr is 30 grams of silver, with no upper limit.
Today in the UAE it often exceeds 500 thousand dirhams ($135,000)! Not all men are ready to get bogged down in debt to follow the Arabic proverb: “He who wooes a beauty does not skimp on mahr.” This is why 20% of Emiratis have recently preferred to look for brides outside the country. “Wedding arithmetic” in Emirati is more reminiscent of the mathematical law of large numbers... At least 300 guests are invited to the wedding. The average cost of celebrations is 300 thousand dirhams. At the same time, in wealthy families, according to the media, expenses increase to 4.5 million and higher! Here, just the performance of a traditional musical group can easily pay the price of an average Emirati wedding... In these conditions, the UAE government is simply forced to take action. Since 1992, the UAE Marriage Fund has existed in the country, helping grooms with low salaries (and by local standards this is 20 thousand dirhams a month!) to build halls for mass weddings in order to reduce costs. A limit has also been set for mahr - 50 thousand dirhams, although the bride's relatives continue to insist on more. Finally, it was decided to educate fellow citizens by personal example: at the past two weddings in royal families, the rulers of the Emirates did not organize luxurious feasts and receptions, thereby calling on their subjects to “prudent extravagance.”
All this is designed to increase the number of traditional Emirati families and reduce the number of single women. By the way, as an alternative they are offered polygamous marriages, which have recently become increasingly popular among Emirati men who have “seen life.” But the choice is up to the Emirates.
Pre-wedding preparations
An event like the wedding of an Arab sheikh can have a budget of millions of dollars. Even if the groom is not a sheikh, the average wedding in the UAE costs 80-100 thousand dollars. But this is mainly due to the fact that almost every 13 people in the United Arab Emirates are a millionaire.
So, the engagement was a success. What happens next? Next, relatives and friends are notified. This is done by servants dressed in elegant clothes. They go from house to house, presenting sweets and other foods and handing out wedding invitations. All preparations usually take no more than a month, and during this time you need to do a lot.
Features of the ceremony
Dubai is an excellent choice for those who dream of a luxurious wedding in the best European traditions, but with a characteristic oriental flavor. According to legal and religious rules, only a symbolic wedding ceremony is possible for foreign tourists here. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain official marriage certificates in advance. For celebrations in the Emirates, only foreign passports are required. You should consult your tour operator about additional documents and insurance.
It is necessary to fly to the country several days before the proposed event in order to clarify and resolve remaining issues on the spot. As a rule, wedding organizers in the east take into account every possible detail and provide the widest range of additional services.
Editor's choice: What to take on a picnic, making a list
Most often, the ceremony is carried out in accordance with European wedding canons in the presence of Russian-speaking staff. The number of guests and design options depend on the chosen venue.
Days before the wedding
During this period, the bride herself is given many gifts and a dowry, which remains strictly her personal property. Not only the groom, but his entire family is in a hurry to present the future daughter-in-law with the best jewelry, outfits or materials for tailoring.
Unlike European customs, it is not the groom, but his close relative who puts the ring on the bride’s ring finger.
Formally, marriage takes place after the marriage contract is signed, where the groom himself and representatives of the bride are present. There are also cases when a girl can be present herself, but she must have male relatives with her. After which the union is considered concluded, but in reality everyone recognizes it only after the wedding ceremony.
Lalla Salma
The woman met her future husband back in 1999 at a closed event. And soon Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, announced to his subjects his intention to get married, although previously such information was kept secret. This fact is understandable: the red-haired beauty is quite progressive and modern. Lalla was one of the first Moroccan rulers to stop wearing a hijab, and she also has an unusual profession for a queen: she is an information systems engineer.
Many Moroccan women imitate Lalla's style - immediately after the announcement of her engagement to the king, women began to dye their hair bright red en masse. She was also voted "the most elegant guest at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge" thanks to the outfit the Queen chose for the occasion. It was a national caftan.
Lalla Salma - the most famous red-haired beauty of the East
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Arab wedding traditions
Preparations for the wedding do not end there. The last week before the celebration, the bride should stay in a secluded small room and be dressed in simple clothes. The Arabs believe that this way she will look even more beautiful on her wedding day. The groom should not spend the entire week in a dark room, but he must spend the last three days before the ceremony at home, surrounded only by his closest relatives and friends.
An Arabic wedding is a grand event. The wedding ceremony traditionally takes place after sunset. This event can be celebrated for more than one day. On such wedding days, the families of the bride and groom pursue different goals. For example, the groom’s family considers it their duty to surprise relatives, friends and other ordinary residents of the UAE with a variety of treats and delicacies. Tents are even placed on the street, where any passerby can try the wedding food. The girl’s family will “boast” about the decoration of their home. And this is no coincidence, because the ceremony takes place in the bride’s house, and not in a mosque, as some are inclined to mistakenly believe.
Crown Prince of Jordan Hussein bin Abdullah
In 2007, the prince entered the Royal Academy in Madaba, then, as usual, went to study in the West, and is currently studying political science in Washington, at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. In addition to his native Arabic, the Prince of Jordan is fluent in three foreign languages: English, French and Hebrew.
Hussein bin Abdullah is involved in charity work, runs a foundation to support the development of science among youth, and also has a number of hobbies, including football and collecting motorcycles.
Despite the fact that Jordan is a country characterized by a higher level of transparency and more “Western” values than neighboring UAE and Saudi Arabia, no information about the personal life of the heir to the throne is publicly available, only that he is not yet married.
How is the wedding celebrated?
And that's not all that an Arab wedding is about. The customs are quite original. Newlyweds can celebrate both together and separately. Often the bride and groom practice the latter option. Accordingly, the bride celebrates with women, and the groom with men. Even if these two holidays take place in adjacent halls, their guests do not collide with each other at all.
Women in their hall do not have to cover their heads, pleasant music flows from everywhere, dancing goes on, the treats never end, and all the girls can have a great time on this day. The most beautiful and elegant among all is the bride. In the middle of the hall stands her throne, which really looks like a royal one.
The groom's holiday is no less fun. With only one obligatory condition - no alcohol. There is prohibition in the United Emirates, and the Abadites don’t even smoke tobacco. But nevertheless, the celebration is luxurious, and the guests do not deny themselves anything. This is an Arabic style wedding.
If men and women celebrate this celebration separately, at the end of the evening the groom with his father and witness comes to the women's hall. The ladies are notified of his arrival in advance, as they must have time to cover their heads. The festivities continue. At the end of the ceremony, the groom takes the bride to his place.
Wealth - on show and in secret
The wealth of the sheikhs There
are 3.3 million residents in Dubai, of which every tenth is a millionaire. What then can we say about the UAE sheikhs and the fabulous wealth of these families? Islam condemns debauchery and drunkenness (by the way, in Arab countries it is forbidden to use alcohol-based perfumes - only oil-based ones are available), but asceticism is not prescribed for devout sheikhs.
- Their fortunes amount to billions, they live in palaces surrounded by fabulous luxury with their families. By the way, anyone can admire such palaces from the outside, but for trying to photograph them you can literally pay with a huge fine or end up in the local jail.
- The buildings are built according to an individual plan, and all the furniture is made in the same way. The entire design, from wallpaper and lamps to plumbing fixtures and door handles, includes abundant gilding and inlay with precious stones and expensive finishing materials.
- In this sense, the life of the sheikhs is a complex mix of an oriental fairy tale with marble fountains and golden bowls with sweets and fruits and modern well-being in an oriental style. The passion for precious materials is transferred to technology, for example, you can see gold-plated Rolls-Royces and diamond-encrusted mobile phones.
The Arabian flavor of the life of the sheikhs is not only palaces with fountains and garages that can accommodate 200 rare cars. Rare birds sing in the palaces and estates of royal families, and instead of the usual domestic cats and dogs, sheikhs keep leopards, white tigers and other exotic animals.
There are also stables where thoroughbred horses are kept in royal conditions at fabulous prices: they take part in races and regularly win. And the most eastern feature is camel racing: the most thoroughbred camels in the world belong to the sheikhs of the UAE and cost several million dollars.
Holiday in the desert
Exciting views of sandy landscapes are an attractive backdrop for organizing a wedding ceremony. In the atmosphere of silence and endless open spaces, you can organize any event - in the style of a safari, romantic or with elements of an adventure novel. In the desert, as on the shore, you can place tents, arrange a guest area and space for a buffet, and organize active events for guests.
About the banquet part
Do not give up the idea of a hearty and light dinner if the event program includes excursion services, active events, contests, and competitions. One buffet may not be enough for a busy and busy schedule.
It is advisable to make the dishes varied - let everyone choose what they like best: vegetable and fruit salads, desserts, snacks, cold cuts, milkshakes and other non-alcoholic drinks (juices, smoothies, fruit drinks, etc.). A wine list with delicious seafood-based dishes is an important element of the festive seaside table. In general, you can choose any cuisine - Italian, Mexican, Oriental, Japanese - Dubai restaurants offer high-quality and varied service.
A wedding cake with a top in the form of figurines of the newlyweds, decorated with edible flower arrangements, looks traditional and attractive. No less interesting options are to present the main table decoration in the form of a prefabricated treat made from cakes, a multi-tiered ship, stylize it as a yacht, a fabulous multi-story hotel, etc. Modern technologies make it possible to bring to life any thematic elements that are used to decorate a cake. Don't forget to add the initials of the newlyweds and the wedding date for dessert - they can also be used to decorate the guests' tables.
Landing cards made in the form of souvenir magnets, decorated with a small scattering of shells, will remind you of the wonderful moments of your vacation. An interesting idea is to prepare for each guest a bottle with a scroll with a name attached on top, or use a beach theme as the basis for the composition - sun loungers, paper umbrellas, sunglasses. Traditional weddings in Dubai require laconic solutions - place a card with the guest's name on a white plate with a single rose bud.
Chair covers, tablecloths and napkins can be luxurious and as simple as possible, made from natural fabrics with cheerful motifs. It all depends on the scale of the celebration and the style of the event, as well as the location (an outdoor banquet can turn into a casual picnic, in a restaurant hall into a magnificent celebration).
Summary
For a wedding to be flawless, you need to prepare thoroughly, and a properly planned budget will be its basis. You shouldn’t skimp on a photographer, costumes or food, but you can decorate the hall yourself. Prices for a photographer, makeup artist, manicurist and stylist need to be carefully monitored in order to find a professional and not for an exorbitant fee.
Looking at the approximate estimate, you can clearly understand where you should spend more and where you should cut costs. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary expenses and feelings of guilt for foolishly spent money.
Before planning a wedding abroad, it is important to find out all the nuances so that nothing spoils the celebration
If a couple is limited in finances, it is best to find a middle ground between a luxurious wedding and an economical celebration, using some of the tips provided. The main thing is not to forget: happy newlyweds mean a perfectly executed wedding.
Approximate prices
Traditional ceremony.
Usually held in a city garden, on the coast or in a restaurant. The service includes decoration: wedding arch, tables and chairs, music.
Cost from $1000.
Creating decor and decorating the hall.
Includes a variety of decorative elements, depending on the organizer.
Cost from $2000.
Presenter services.
Traditional wedding scenario, toastmaster service.
Cost from $400.
Live music.
Any music, from classics to oriental melodies. Solo performance or concert, musicians.
Cost from $750.
Yacht rental.
Or any other vessel for a sea cruise, with a capacity of up to 12 people.
Cost from $400 per hour.
Festive fireworks.
The most beautiful fireworks in honor of your wedding.
Cost from $10,000.
Wedding photographer.
Professional photo shoot and video shooting, in any territory, all day, up to 10 hours.
Cost from $1600.
Evening ceremony in oriental style.
An unforgettable romantic night with dinner at Burj Khalifa, or Bab Al Shams.
Cost from $2000.
Dress code
If the bride is wearing a traditional white dress, the bridesmaids can choose any contrasting color, or delicate cream and pastel shades. Both options are interesting from a stylistic point of view and are acceptable within a variety of styles - from classic to avant-garde.
Choose identical accessories for a harmonious look for your guests. This could be bracelets, scarves, shoe or dress decor. The materials used are fresh and artificial flowers, stones, beads, and colored stripes. If the bride appears before the guests in a long veil, the bridesmaids can use light veil hats with decorations in the form of fish, shells, and flower arrangements.
For wedding dresses, adhere to the principle of convenience and comfort. Silhouette, quality of fabric, additions to clothing that do not restrict movement - all this should be thought out in advance.
The groom's friends and other male guests will appreciate light suits in white or a contrasting shade, an option with trousers with suspenders and a short-sleeved shirt. A light linen vest in a bright color will be a good addition, which will make you comfortable and not hot. Shoes in the same style, bow ties or scarves, jacket lapel decor - the groom's friends usually have a common element in their image that sets them apart from the crowd of guests.
If you strictly adhere to the nautical theme, the costumes of captains or cabin boys will suit the guests of the evening. Young ladies can dress in retro-style striped dresses, colored fabric headbands and bright shoes. Any motifs within the stated theme are appropriate for prints. This style is harmonized with a bright white-blue-red color scheme, which looks very attractive and lifts the mood of the wedding guests.
Don't forget about the attire of the service staff. Decorate the uniforms of waiters, administrators, toastmasters, musicians and presenters with the branded emblem of the wedding celebration.
Results
A wedding in Dubai will bring a lot of joyful moments to those who are ready to experiment and, at the same time, are interested in a clear organization and follow the event program. Do you want complete relaxation and relaxation? Go to the Emirates together and devote time to each other. Tour operators and agencies are ready to take into account your wishes and provide guides for excursions to the most interesting places in Dubai. The combination of active recreation, impressions of sea attractions and the beauty of buildings and a romantic setting will become the basis for a bright wedding celebration.
Olesya Tregubova
Wedding planner, wedding blog author
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Pros of the celebration
Among the advantages of an offsite event in Dubai:
- favorable weather conditions;
- friendly service staff;
- variety of options;
- an atmosphere of luxury and well-kept beaches.
The gentle sea and ideally warm climate will not present any surprises in the form of bad weather if you think about the date in advance. This is especially important for organizing a celebration that will be remembered for many years. At your service are restaurant rentals, yacht rentals, events in the desert and on the coast, and green gardens.
The scenario depends on the budget and preferences of the newlyweds. The cosmopolitan city provides opportunities to fulfill all your desires - swimming with dolphins, parachute jumping, safari tours, camel riding, boat trips. A characteristic feature of Dubai is the high level of service for tourists. This undoubtedly attracts newlyweds to the Emirates who want one of the main events in their lives to be perfect.
The wedding in Dubai in the photo below is simply gorgeous:
