Opting for a destination wedding instead of getting married in your home country is a great way to make your special day extraordinary and memorable. You and your guests can have the opportunity to explore a beautiful part of the world, have fun, and take a break from your hectic schedules and usual routines.
Of course, planning a destination wedding entails a considerable amount of time, effort, and money to guarantee its success. Luckily, you don’t have to do this alone because you can always get helping hands from within your family and friend circle or from wedding industry professionals.
And if you are still on the fence regarding which country or city to get married in, Dubai is an excellent choice. This city has a lot to offer – from delicious dishes to unique wedding venues. And to make your Dubai wedding smooth and stress-free, here are helpful tips and tricks to consider.
1. Check the weather
Nothing can ruin a bride and groom’s special day more than pouring rain getting everyone wet or severe heat putting the vulnerable population at risk for stroke and dehydration. So make sure to check the weather conditions in your chosen destination to ensure that your preferred date will be a comfortable one for everyone at your wedding.
In Dubai, extreme heat is a huge concern, so it would be best to schedule your wedding date during the cooler months, especially if you want to host your special day outdoors. And the prime time for a destination wedding in this city is from October to May.
2. Know and understand the local laws and customs
To legally marry in Dubai, you or your partner must be legal residents. Also, you might need to get permission from your home country. Generally, a Dubai marriage involves lots of paperwork and requirements that can be processed within three months.
If you are cleared to get married legally, you can also opt to plan a symbolic blessing ceremony. Do take note that this requires you to wed legally in your home country first.
In addition to understanding how Dubai weddings are administered, you should also be aware of the local culture and any important laws and regulations that must be observed.
3. Hire a wedding destination planner
A wedding planner in Dubai is an invaluable guide in ensuring the success of your event. These professionals can help you in every step of the wedding planning process – from sourcing reliable suppliers to liaising with the vendors to explaining all the requirements.
Hire a wedding organizer who is familiar with your chosen wedding venue. This ensures that they have a network of the best local suppliers and vendors who can help make your dream wedding a reality.
In addition to wedding planning and execution, wedding planners can also offer a range of services that include
- Venue selection
- Event concept and theme
- Decorations
- Entertainment
- Hospitality management
- Audio/visual
- Photography
- Film production
- Security
4. Visit the potential venues ahead of time
Despite having a wedding planner, visiting the potential venues in person is a must. This way, you will have a feel of the environment and you can further visualize how the wedding will look – something that a picture can’t do.
But if this is not possible, consider traveling out to the wedding destination ahead of your guests. For instance, be in Dubai months or even a year or more before your wedding date so you can personally visit the venues you are choosing from, make your decision, and deal with any last-minute details.
This will also give you enough time to plan and make crucial arrangements, like where you and your guests will stay and what activities you can do after your wedding should you wish to extend your vacation.
5. Send out your invitations ahead of time
To make sure that all your guests will witness your special day, you must send out your wedding invitations at least a year before your chosen wedding date. This will give them enough time to make all the necessary preparations – from acquiring the required visa to booking their flights. Whenever possible, you have to include information about the wedding destination.
6. Be prepared for questions from your guests
Expect to be swamped with emails, texts, and calls from your guest asking questions about your wedding, such as how to get to the destination, what to do, and where to stay. Thus, you should be prepared for these questions by creating a document or a group chat where you can post these concerns. Be sure to include details about flight options, ideas for excursions, accommodation options, local dining establishments, and local hair and makeup. Take note that guests often forget that you have a lot of wedding-related things to do, and you can become their travel guide. So it helps to prepare the information they will need ahead of time.
A destination wedding is definitely an event that you and your guests will remember forever. But planning this memorable event is not easy. Luckily, you can work with reputable wedding planners who can make the process a lot easier so you can focus on more important things, like enjoying the special day when you and your partner finally become one.
Masha Cain is a founder and a managing director of Fabulous Day Weddings & Events. Masha’s idea of having a wedding planning agency came from having a wedding planner at her own wedding. Now, 5 years later, there are over 100 successful weddings designed and planned by Masha and her team.