Luxury Weddings In UAE: From White Tigers To Holographic Processions

Weddings in the UAE are reaching new heights of extravagance. Wedding planners have witnessed jaw-dropping creativity and quirky requests from couples. Imagine an underwater wedding ceremony accompanied by a personalized marine life show or fireworks displays with embedded QR codes. Some even dream of holographic wedding processions, where the bride and groom enter via a projected walkway instead of the traditional aisle.

Recently, the pre-wedding celebrations of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, son of Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, made headlines. It was a grand affair with never-seen-before decor, opulent attire, and a performance by pop star Rihanna.

However, not all requests can be fulfilled. One memorable inquiry involved including a white tiger and elephants in the groom's procession (baraat), but legal restrictions prevented its realization. UAE weddings continue to redefine luxury and create unforgettable experiences for couples and guests.

Rhiannon Downie-Hurst, founder of BrideClubME, an online platform for the wedding industry, has witnessed her fair share of wedding luxury. She recalls planes flying overhead during ceremonies, releasing vibrant color clouds. Enormous 6-foot-tall cakes suspended from ceilings have also graced these celebrations. Then, the brides and grooms arrive in vintage or luxury sports cars, making a grand entrance.

In true UAE style, wedding costs can span a wide range—from as little as Dh4,000 to well over Dh5 million. Some clients have even chartered private jets to fly in guests and booked entire hotels for a week to accommodate up to 400 attendees. These lavish affairs spare no expense on flowers and production.

However, wedding planners emphasize that creating a memorable event in the country is entirely possible on a limited budget. Florian Ughetto and Liz Nunez, founders of Easy Wedding, said, "To work on an economical wedding, couples usually ask us to look at diverse venue options beyond luxurious hotels, like parks, beaches, community halls, and smaller hotels, often at more budget-friendly rates". They further added, "Looking for hidden gems, local catering, photography, or entertainment vendors can be significantly cheaper than opting for international or high-end options."

Rhiannon shared her favourite budget-friendly wedding that involved a mixed Emirati/Thai/Uzbek couple. They orchestrated their retro-style wedding in a local café, involving friends in DJing and personally designing and styling the decor. While exact expenses remain undisclosed, estimates fall between Dh10,000 and Dh25,000 for this intimate and personalized celebration.

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