4 Things To Consider When Planning a Destination Wedding in Dubai

Destination Wedding in Dubai

A destination wedding will give you and your guests an opportunity to take a holiday and enjoy a different culture altogether. Having one also means it can double as your honeymoon destination. When it comes to destination weddings, a destination wedding in Dubai is no less than a dream come true for the couples looking to tie their knot in style.

Dubai is an exotic yet luxurious option for your dream destination wedding. Whether you want a beach wedding, an Arabian-themed wedding or simply the luxurious wedding of your dreams, Dubai will certainly not disappoint.

Destination Wedding in Dubai

Things You Need to Consider Before Planning a Destination Wedding in Dubai

The weather is almost always sunny, and the city offers plenty of unique and exciting activities that you and your guests can enjoy. But before you start reaching for your chequebook, here are some important things you need to set before planning your destination wedding in Dubai.

1) Date

As the summer months get too hot and humid, Dubai offers on-season and off-season rates for hosting destination weddings.

Destination Wedding in Dubai

The best time to host a wedding in this city is from October to May.  To give your guests enough time to book their flights and plan for a short vacation, you must send out “save the dates” close to a year prior to your wedding. You also need to include some basic and essential information about Dubai along with your invitation cards.

Before flying to the UAE, ensure that you and your guests already have a visit visa (though there are nationalities who can get their visa upon arrival at the airport). So ask your guests to check for this in advance as it may take a couple of days to secure one.

2) Venue

Destination Wedding in Dubai

Most destination weddings in Dubai take place in hotels because these are the places where alcohol is legally served (that is, if you require it to properly celebrate).

When searching for a hotel, consider if you want to host it outside on a golf course, in a glamorous ballroom, or in a relaxed beach setting.

Hotels are great options since you can book both a ceremony and reception in the same venue. Hotels also offer packages to help you save time and money.

Here are some of the best venues to consider:

Bateaux Dubai

Bateaux Dubai is an elegant 56-meter long vessel that can accommodate up to 300 people. Take to the seas for a romantic ocean wedding under the stars making it a truly memorable occasion for you and your guests.

JA Al Sahra Desert Resort

JA Al Sahra Desert Resort is the perfect venue if you want an Arabian setting for your wedding. This place is an impressive venue for your special day, with marquees to a dramatic outdoor amphitheater that can accommodate up to 3,000 guests.

Hatta Fort Hotel

Celebrate your wedding bliss in the midst of nature. Hatta Fort Hotel is a mountain retreat surrounded by the natural beauty of the Hajar Mountains. This place can accommodate up to 1,200 guests.

JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort

This is certainly a perfect venue for a beach wedding. You and your guests will be amazed by the lush green surroundings, idyllic fish-filled streams, and palm-lined beach. The JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort resort can accommodate up to 2,500 guests.

3) Planners and Suppliers

Hiring reputable wedding planners is a must for a destination wedding. These wedding experts can assist you in coordinating all the details from abroad. They know the ins and outs of the event, and can even recommend the best suppliers.

Dubai has a variety of musicians for hire, from ethnic, to classical, jazzy, traditional and modern. You have the option to choose a DJ or band that will play music in your preferred genre and language.

Destination Wedding in Dubai

Moreover, Dubai has a lot of boutiques and stores where clothing and decorations can be purchased. But if you want to customize your wedding, this is also possible. The many expert tailors and souks provide the means for you to choose your preferred fabrics, and have your wedding dress tailor-made.

Furthermore, the city has award-winning stylists from across the world to help you look your very best. Spas and treatment centers using the latest technology are also available to give you that bridal glow.

Recommended Read: Super Romantic Places to Visit in Dubai For Honeymoon

4) Administration

All weddings will involve paperwork. For you to be legally wed in Dubai, you or your partner must be residents. If only one of you is a Dubai resident, the process will depend on which nationality or religion you belong.

Destination Wedding in Dubai

Paperwork usually takes about a month in the UAE, or longer. But before this, you may need to get permission from your home country as well, which may take several months to complete.

Planning a destination wedding is not easy, but with the help of a reputable wedding planner, it can be done with as little stress as possible. But before proceeding, be aware of the ins and outs of weddings in Dubai so your special day will go smoothly and beautifully.

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About the Author:

Thomas Grundner is the Group Director of Sales and Marketing for JA Resorts and Hotels. He has more than 20 years of expertise in the hospitality and leisure industry – across international markets including Germany, Egypt and Spain. Grundner oversees all sales, marketing and revenue efforts as the company continues to build on its key growth and development strategies and further cultivates its unique blend of “Heartfelt Hospitality” and “Casual Luxury”.