Dubai wedding is considered one of the most desirable places in the world for weddings due to the stunning skyline, beautiful sunset over the desert, and high luxury everywhere you look. However, if you’re thinking about holding your dream wedding in such a place, and you live miles away, how do you make that happen?No matter where you are, planning a wedding in Dubai while being far away isn’t impossible; it’s quite possible, especially if you’ve got the right people doing it for you. Read on to find out how.
Book Ahead of Time — Minimum of 12 Months
Dubai’s most beautiful venues from Burj Al Arab terraces and desert resort pavilions to the majestic Palm Jumeirah ballrooms tend to fill up quickly, particularly during the cooler months of October through April. For international guests, extra time is needed for travel considerations, including air tickets for visits, document verification, and dealing with the difference in time zones for vendor communication.Establish your vision before moving forward — the guest list, preferred atmosphere (from intimate garden ceremony to lavish ballroom reception) and an attainable budget. Your vision must have all these elements in place because each subsequent choice will revolve around it.
Hire a Dubai-Based Wedding Planner
This is the most crucial decision for couples booking their dream wedding from abroad. A professional wedding planner based in Dubai acts as your eyes and ears, performing venue inspection in person, negotiating with vendors on your behalf, handling all legalities and logistical details involved without having to be present yourself.Consider choosing someone with verifiable portfolio experience in organizing destination weddings, strong relationships with vendors in different niches and timely communication through different time zones.
Pro Tip: Arrange a virtual walk-through of the venue with your planner. All venues in Dubai now provide video walks through the venue and even live chats. This will help you understand more about the venue without being physically present there.
Know the Legal Formalities Involved
Legal marriage is quite easy for foreigners who are not Muslims in Dubai, but it needs some preplanning. Normally, couples need to choose between getting their marriage registered through the embassy or conducting a civil wedding in Dubai that will be recognized in the UAE. Requirements differ according to your nationality; hence, contacting your embassy in advance will help in preparing for the legalities.Some common requirements usually include passports, birth certificates, affidavits of single status, and translated or authenticated documents as required by the authority.
Choosing the Suitable Venue for Your Wedding Vision
It is amazing how diverse Dubai’s venue selection can be. You could say your vows next to the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa. You could have a romantic wedding in the middle of the desert under the stars in a luxury desert resort, or you could opt for having your celebration in a private villa by the Arabian Gulf. There will always be something new to consider in relation to each venue.
List of Criteria for Choosing a Dubai Venue
- Capacity & layout options
- Outdoors/indoors
- Catering options
- Accommodations on site
- Liquor license possibilities
- Limitations for entertainment & decorations
- Availability of accessibility services for old or disabled people
- Back-up plan for outdoors in case of weather problems
Build Your Vendor Team Online
Whether you choose photographers and florists, caterers and live performances, the selection of wedding vendors in Dubai is extensive and world-class. Several have extensive experience dealing with international couples online. Have a video consultation with them, check their portfolios, and request recommendations – especially if they have helped couples plan from afar.Your entire list of vendors and contracts needs to be collected into a single document and shared with your planner. Make sure that timelines, payment plans in AED, and cancellations policies are in black and white before making any payments.
Schedule One Physical Trip — Make Sure You Plan It Well
Try to make a physical visit to Dubai at least once, usually about 6 to 8 months before the actual event. This will allow you to select the venue, meet key vendors in person, sample food, look through samples of decorations, and complete all necessary documentation that needs to be done personally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I begin my Dubai wedding planning when coming from overseas?
A minimum of 12 months is recommended, and a minimum of 18 months for elaborate luxury weddings. Venue options during peak times sell out fast, and international planning takes some more time than regular planning.
Is it possible to get married in Dubai while being a non-resident?
Yes. For non-Muslim foreigners, marriage in Dubai can be done either in one’s home consulate/embassy in Dubai. There are specific processes depending on the nationality of the bride/groom.
What will be the cost of a Dubai wedding?
A wide range between AED 80,000 for smaller events to more than AED 500,000 for luxurious weddings. The main determinants would be the number of guests, location, type of catering services, and the level of entertainment services.
Is it necessary to have a local wedding planner for planning the wedding from overseas?
Most definitely. A Dubai wedding planner will take care of the organization aspects, coordinating vendors, and completing any legal processes.
Your Dubai Wedding is Calling
Booking your Dubai wedding while being in another country is a stunning logistical challenge, but when you find a suitable local wedding planner, all pieces will fall neatly into place. Plan ahead, put together a solid team, know what legal arrangements need to be made and take the time to meet personally. And the end result will be your Dubai wedding that seems to happen effortlessly against the backdrop of an amazing city.
Our team at Ishqat Events specializes in creating spectacular Dubai weddings for international couples. We take care of every aspect of your wedding planning process and make sure it goes flawlessly until you walk down the aisle.