SUMMER 2020

KUWAIT KD1.70 BAHRAIN BD2.10

UAE DHS20.00 OMAN RO2.10

MAGIC MAKING
Wedding Trends
Bridal Hair
High Jewellery
 Connoisseur of Rare
and Boutique Experiences
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Obaid Humaid Al Tayer
MANAGING PARTNER AND
GROUP EDITOR
Ian Fairservice

EDITOR / ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amy Sessions
FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR
Natalie Westernoff
SENIOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Cecilia DʼSouza
DIGITAL STYLE EDITOR
Diana Bell-Heather
DIGITAL FEATURES WRITER
EMIRATES WOMAN ARABIYA
Diyana Hakmi

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Olga Petroff

GENERAL MANAGER PRODUCTION

S Sunil Kumar
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Binu Purandaran
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Anthony Milne
GROUP DIRECTOR
Andrew Wingrove
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
Carlos Pedroza
GROUP SALES MANAGER
Bindu Gupta bindu@motivate.ae
SENIOR SALES MANAGER
Neha Kannoth neha.kannoth@motivate.ae
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS MANAGER
Kelli Maddock kelli@motivate.ae

Editor’s Letter
Head Office: Media One Tower, Dubai
Media City PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE,
Tel: (+971) 4 4273000,
Fax: (+971) 4 4282261
E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae
Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor,
Building 8 Dubai Media City, UAE,
Tel: (+971) 4 3903550, Emirates Bride is every bride-to-be’s essential Whether you’re still debating the dream
Fax: (+971) 4 3904845
Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072, UAE
guide to getting it right. destination or having to rethink plans amid
Tel: (+971) 2 6772005 Whether you dream of a classically el- travel challenges in the current global climate,
Fax: (+971) 2 6770124 egant event or a one-of-a-kind day, designed we’ve noted the ideal honeymoon destinations
E-mail: motivate-adh@motivate.ae to be bespoke for you both, you’ll find all the you can look forward to from chic city breaks
London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road,
London NW1 3ER, UK
inspiration and access you need. to the most idyllic of remote islands. Allow
E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae We’ve curated the best edit of global de- yourself to fall off the grid and let Emirates
signers from contemporary to classic to en- Bride deliver both discovery and relaxation.
Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai
sure you have access to the very best dresses to Finally, giving you direct access to the very
make your decision for The One. In the spot- best in the industry, our directory is where
light this issue are stunning pieces from Zuhair you’ll find everything you need from photogra-
Murad page 22 and Jenny Packham on page 16. phers to florists, jewellery and more on page 78.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DIGITAL EDITION
Sharing their stories and the success of
Facebook: @EmiratesWoman
how they achieved their own spectacular wed-
Pinterest: @emirateswoman
Twitter: @Emirateswoman dings, our real-life brides make the perfect Congratulations & happy planning!
Instagram: @emirateswoman read for your upcoming nuptials on page 48. The Emirates Bride Team

Em irates Bride 3
 Contents SUMMER 2020
05 – A Head For Glamour
Love hairbands? You will love these

06 – The Gown Report

All the inspiration you need from
the S/S20 catwalks

10 – A Modern Statement
Be inspired by the Bridal
28 Collection from Max Mara

16 – Love International
The Jenny Packham 2020 Bridal
Collection

22 – Magic Making
Zuhair Murad’s mesmeric gowns
from A/W20

28 – Leading Lady
Marion Cotillard shows off
Chopard elegance

32 – A Royal Touch
The precious Princess Collection
from Raniwalla 1881

36 – Sealed With Love

All the jewellery a bride would
64 ever need

48 – Real Weddings
Sophie and Neha let us into their
glorious weddings

60 – Indian Brides Say Yes...

Embroidered and sequinned
lehengas near and far

64 – The Know-How
Wedding etiquette questions and
answers for every bride

66 – Floral Trends For 2020

Maison des Fleurs’ head florist
Cheryl Cox weighs in

70 – Honeymoons
The ultimate destinations
66 of all time

76 – Splurging in the Maldives

Win a stay at Niyama Private
Islands Maldives

82 – Lifelong Companion
Show off your style with this
beauty by Burberry

4 Em irates B r id e
 Headi rabbit
headband Dhs1,435
Maison Michel

Crystal embellished
headband Dhs1,980
Miu Miu
Givenchy

A Head For
Glamour
Pearl headband
Dhs1,835 Givenchy

Bridal accessories have evolved past the

traditional veils, with many brides now looking to
exaggerated headbands and hair embellishments.
We pick out the pieces that inject a
touch of decadence to the proceedings Studded leather
headband Dhs2,100
Compiled: Diana Bell-Heather Prada

Em irates Bride 5
 S /S 2 0 T R E N D R E P O R T

The Gown Report

Words: Amy Sessions

For S/S20 the runways

played host to impact-
making gowns in all forms,
from modern, clean and
minimal high-shine at
Givenchy to Elie Saab’s
regal embellishments

Giambattista Valli
Kristina Fidelskaya

Floral
A perennial favourite for wedding season, florals came
in many forms for S/S20 from modern neon at Cong
Tri to undone romance at Kristina Fidelskaya. Alex-
ander McQueen conjured hand-crafted lace into floral
forms that gave a nod to Victoriana.
The Hero Brands: Giambattista Valli, Alexander
McQueen, Kristina Fidelskaya, Cong Tri

6 Em irates Brid e
 S /S 2 0 T R E N D R E P O R T

Movement
Feathers took centre stage, evoking a sense of
movement and magic on the runway. It’s an ideal
investment if you’re looking for an impactful gown
eschewing subtlety for boldness. Prabal Gurung’s
monochrome offering played with proportions while
Ralph & Russo delivered screen siren allure with
feather-trimmed silk gowns cut to the floor.
The Hero Brands: Prabal Gurung, Ralph & Russo,
Rahul Mishra, Valentino
Prabal Gurung

Ralph & Russo

Valentino

Em irates Bride 7
S /S 2 0 T R E N D R E P O R T

Aelis

Elie Saab

Versailles
Think powder pastels, oversized bows, ruffles and
grandeur for event season. Elie Saab created ele-
vated, elegant silhouettes that felt regal and refined
while Aelis dared to dream up undiscovered dimen-
sions for their Couture show with giant ruffles in
the softest lavender tulle.
The Hero Brands: Cong Tri, Aelis, Elie Saab,
Zuhair Murad
Elie Saab

8 Em irates Brid e
 S /S 2 0 T R E N D R E P O R T

Cong Tri
High Shine
Fabrics felt appropriately indulgent for wedding sea-
son. For S/S20, Oscar de la Renta added a Grecian feel
to golden pleats and Cong Tri cut the highest quality
silk into forms which evoked molten metal. Givenchy
stole the show with a modern floor-length gown that
was nothing short of show-stopping.
The Hero Brands: Cong Tri, Elie Saab, Oscar de la Renta,
Givenchy, Zuhair Murad

Oscar de la Renta
Givenchy

Em irates Bride 9
Words: Diana Bell-Heather

A Modern Statement
Elevated minimalism is at the core of Max Mara’s
2020 Bridal Collection. Streamlined silhouettes
have been enhanced with delicate tulle, micro
embellishment and romantic feathers
Em irates Bride 1 1
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All Max Mara Bridal 2020

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Love International

Em irates Bride 1 7
Jenny Packham’s 2020 Bridal Collection comprises gowns, mini dresses and
capes, capturing the spirit of some of the world’s most romantic destinations:
Paris, New York and Buenos Aires... Words: Diana Bell-Heather
1 8 E m irates Brid e
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J E W E L L E RY

All Jenny Packham Bridal 2020

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Design your perfect wedding day
at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Allow The St. Regis Abu Dhabi to assist you in flawlessly arranging a
once-in-a lifetime and truly unique wedding
Since 2013 The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
has been renowned for passionately
and graciously executing exquisite wed-
dings. With the relentless assistance of
an experienced team and event plan-
ners, you can consider each request and
meticulous detail taken care of, ensur-
ing your special day is truly unique and
personalised to your wishes.
Begin your personal consultation with
the specialised wedding and events
manager and craft the ideal wedding
following the local traditions or inter-
national profile. On the memorable day
the professional events team and your
SPECIAL PROMOTION
personal St. Regis Butler will be by your
side to attend to the proceedings while
you relax in the private bridal suite lo-
cated next to the Al Mudhaif Ballroom.
The Al Mudhaif Ballroom is a 1,311
square metre expanse of opulence and
can comfortably accommodate 650
guests. The exceptional touches of
gold throughout the room, the ornate
details of the handcrafted ceilings, the
captivating crystal chandeliers and
of course the hand-tufted carpets all
combine to give the venue and your day
an ideal setting and a wonderful atmo-
sphere. A setting that strikes a fine bal-
ance between impressive gandeur and
cosy intimacy; immaculately beautiful
yet warmly welcoming. You also get an
epicurean and indulgent selection of
specially created menus to personalize
to your and your guests taste.
Book your special wedding day at
the iconic St. Regis Abu Dhabi and
save 15 per cent on selected wedding
menus. Valid for weddings taking place
between May 2020 to beginning of
September 2020.
To know more visit
weddings.stregisabudhabi.com
Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad creates magical gowns
incorporating sculpted lace, romantic embellishment
and a signature silhouette set to turn heads. For A/W20
his Bridal Collection is simply breathtaking...

Magic Making
Words: Amy Sessions
Em irates Bride 2 3
24 E m irates Brid e
All Zuhair Murad Bridal A/W20

Em irates Bride 2 5
FA S H I O N
Pure
Romance
Words: Diyana Hakmi
It’s not exactly rare for us to swoon a little
over a Michael Cinco wedding gown. The
Dubai-based designer has a knack for cre-
ating the kind of fairytale dresses that make
a girl plan her wedding day to the Nth de-
gree. His latest design, created for Thai ac-
tress, Rita Sririta Jensen, is no different.
How does the dress represent your aes-
thetics? I am known for fabulous couture
ball gowns and exquisite detailed wedding
gowns with juxtaposition of fabrics and
Swarovski crystals.
Are brides still interested in volume and
intricacy? Brides from the Middle East are
up-to-date with the latest trends in wed-
ding designs. Some brides are modern and
they prefer minimal, no embroideries and
blings but elegant designs that are light,
practical and easy for them to walk the aisle
and dance in. Some brides want to look
special and unique on their wedding day, so
they prefer the fantasy look in a voluminous,
sparkling and glittering wedding gown.
What do you love the most about wedding
dresses? The passion of devoting my love
and time towards creating the details that
takes thousands of hours to finish by skilled
artisans. I’m always in awe when I see the
smiles and tears of the brides when they
try the finished garment. Some brides are
2 6 E mirates B r id e
so full of emotions they burst into tears the
moment they see their dream wedding gown
materialise.
Who would you like to make a wedding
dress for? It has always been my dream to
make a wedding gown for Audrey Hepburn
whom I admired most and the first and only
woman who inspired me to be a fashion de-
signer. I wish I was born during her time to
live out that dream. I have created the most
beautiful wedding gowns for Arab and Euro-
pean princesses, daughters of Presidents and
Prime Ministers, celebrity brides and power-
ful women, but it is always a pleasure and
a dream for me to create a couture wedding
gown to any brides who wants me to help
them realise their dream wedding come true.
What inspires you when designing a wed-
ding dress? LOVE...it inspires me to create
beautiful things in the world.
Actress Rita Sririta Jensen
wearing Michael Cinco
Em irates Bride 2 7
 This page: Bangle bracelets from the Ice Cube Collection in 18-carat gold,
Ref. 85A029-5000 in rose gold; Ref. 85A029-0000 in yellow gold; Rings from
the Ice Cube Collection in 18-carat gold; Ref. 829834-5010 in rose gold; Ref.
829834-0010 and 827702-0199 in yellow gold

Leading Lady
Discover Chopard’s Ice Cube
and Magical Setting collections in
the graceful and elegant presence
of Marion Cotillard

Compiled: Diana Bell-Heather

Em irates Bride 2 9
J E W E L L E RY

This page: Rings from the Ice Cube Collection in 18-carat gold, Ref. @829834-0099 and 827702-0289 in yellow
gold set with diamonds; Ref. 827702-1259 and 827702-1289 in white gold set with diamonds; Ref. 827702-1199 in
white gold; Next page: 36-mm timepiece from the Ice Cube Collection in 18-carat rose gold, Ref. 124015-5001;
Bracelet from the Ice Cube Collection in 18-carat rose gold set with diamonds, Ref. 857702-5003; Ring from the
Ice Cube Collection in 18-carat yellow gold set with diamonds, Ref. 829834-0099

3 0 Emirates Brid e
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 A Royal Touch
Eclectic, modern and deeply rooted in
tradition, Raniwalla 1881’s elegant Princess
Collection pays homage to the elegant
millennial bride

Photographer: Rahul Jhangiani

Em irates Bride 3 3
J E W E L L E RY

The ornate collection of handcrafted keepsakes features entic-

ing chokers, layered neckpieces, chandelier earrings, cocktail
rings, bewitching bangles and alluring hathphools (hand jewellery).
Exuding contemporary luxury with the centuries-old grandeur of
Rajasthani tradition, the collection is handcrafted in 18 carat gold,
and is set in exquisitely intricate jadau and open-setting techniques.

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Photography: Mustufa Abidi Styling: Diana Bell-Heather Flowers: Florette

Sealed With Love

The gift of jewellery not only expresses eternal love,
it also symbolises a memory that can be passed
down through generations
Left page: Valley of Fire necklace POA; Valley of Fire ring POA; Desert Bloom earrings POA all
Messika High Jewellery; This page: Treasures earrings and ring POA Piaget
Em irates Bride 3 7
 J E W E L L E RY

This page: Earrings Dhs424,500 and ring Dhs39,00 both Tiffany & Co.;
Right page: Avenues Statement earrings Dhs105,100; Avenues Crown bracelet Dhs53,200;
Avenues Statement multi-finger ring Dhs40,430 all Marli New York

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J E W E L L E RY

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 J E W E L L E RY

Magnolia necklace part of Regalia Collection Dhs941,160 Mikimoto

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 J E W E L L E RY

Fiorever necklace POA and earrings POA in white gold and diamonds both Bvlgari

Em irates Bride 41
 J E W E L L E RY

This page: Frivole bracelet POA; Frivole pendant POA; Frivole earrings POA all Van Cleef & Arpels;
Right page: Clockwise from the top: Blast Bangle Dhs66,200; Carré Alterné earrings Dhs13,396;
Blast Ring Dhs27,200; Carré Alterné ring Dhs24,231 all Repossi

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J E W E L L E RY

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This page: Diamond and emerald necklace Dhs1,103,970 GRAFF; Left page: Étourdissant
necklace POA and Étourdissant earrings POA both Cartier

Em irates Bride 4 5
Limitless Imagination
Embark on your beautiful journey with us. Together, Events Hub at
Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre will plan every detail
of your special day to create a magical celebration that personifies
your romance. Their 3 grandeur ballrooms and other reception
spaces will serve your dreams whether it’s a lavish or an intimate
affair. They always have something to suit you!
Events Hub ensures your day is garnished with splendor food,
catering to different taste buds from varying nationalists, for
example Arabic, Indian, Asian or Italian to name a few.
Not only that, but the Great Ballroom’s 3 built-in kitchens create
an attractive scene for guests, seeing the live-cooking stations!
Think of a theme and Events Hub will transform the Ballrooms
according on your taste and aspirations. Just recently it was
transformed to a summer evening in Greece, a massive garden
theme, even a wedding on a snowy day – Wish for it and it will
be granted!

Your Journey
Bring your dream wedding to life in the Great Ballroom, where
unreal elegance and beauty surrounds you. Just sit back and enjoy
every moment of your memorable day as Events Hub graciously
takes over to welcome over 2000 guests effortlessly through their

attention to detail and flawless execution. The Great Ballroom never

fails to amaze with its vast foyer, unique show kitchens as well as
the bridal suite and majlis that overlook the Great ballroom add
a stylish tier to your magical celebration.
Your Experience
Situated in the bustling heart of Dubai the hotel has an almost
serene quality about it. An oasis of calm and sophistication, it has
everything you need for your dream wedding. Being close to Dubai
International Airport, it’s convenient for couples with guests coming
from abroad but just as accessible from both Sharjah and Dubai.

Dreamy Surroundings
Your dream wedding in an idyllic setting of Le Meridien Dubai
with 580 rooms and suites, 18 restaurants to suit your taste,
a full service spa and salon for both men and women and a
state-of-the-art fitness center creates the perfect setting to
come together with friends and family to celebrate your love.
Lavish Venues
Linda Mwaffak, Complex Director of Sales at Le Meridien Dubai
Diverse range of event spaces for you to choose from. The hotel
rightly puts it as she sums up
encompasses 3 ballrooms and 21 impeccably dressed function
the wedding venues at the hotel
rooms complimented with easy access and ample parking.
by saying, “The professional
team of Events Hub is all about
bringing a dream to reality
through seamless orchestration
of every wedding party.
Attention to detail, passion,
dedication and teamwork
makes them successful over
and over again.“

The combination of world-class catering, elegant venues and

attention to detail allows Events Hub to surpass all expectations
leading to a resounding success.
Exceptional Service
They listen and they cater so you can cherish every moment of your
special day. Events Hub listens to your ideas and transforms them
into a memorable day! From table styling and floral arrangements
Events Hub - Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
to exquisite menus vand artistic cakes, every element is seamlessly
Airport Road, Dubai. UAE
attended to. T: +971 4 217 0000 | lemeridien-dubai.com
 REAL WEDDINGS

SOPHIE
AND
ANDREW
Planning a wedding abroad has its
challenges, but Sophie had a clear vision
of what she wanted for their idyllic
celebrations in a French Chateau

Photographer: Richard Skins

REAL WEDDINGS
W
We met at a music festival in the North of
England and for our fist date, since I was
at University in Manchester, Andrew got
the train down and we spent a memorable
day together in Manchester. It was the
first of many. Andrew whisked me away
on the most incredible ski trip to Whistler,
Canada. After the most perfect first day of
skiing, he suggested we have drinks and a
swim in the outside pool and hot tub. It
was snowing, and the setting was so beau-
tiful. We then went back into our room
where there were roses and champagne
waiting. The fire (in our room) was roar-
ing and as we sat by it chatting, Andrew
got down one on knee. And I could not
help but say yes. The wedding planning
5 0 Emirates Brid e
was both fun and stressful. I had a clear
vision of the type of wedding I wanted and
luckily Andrew was happy for me to take
the lead. I thought it would be easier hav-
ing such a clear vision, but I think it ac-
tually made it harder because sometimes
it was difficult to find things or execute
ideas exactly how I imagined. As we are
based in Dubai, and the wedding was in
France there was a lot of organisation and
late-night calls needed. From finding our
venue to the wedding week, we were plan-
ning for nearly a year and a half.
We had a three-day wedding weekend
in South West France. All of our closest
family and friends flew out. We began
with drinks on the Friday then had a BBQ
and pool party on the Sunday at the Cha-
teau. The main event – in the gardens of
a beautiful 14th century Chateau in rural
France called Chateau de la Bourlie – was
on the Saturday, and it was the most in-
credible day. We couldn’t have wished for
anything more special. After the ceremo-
ny, we all walked around to the back of
the Chateau which had views of the valley
for the reception. We had festoon lights THE DETAILS
draped over the courtyard and candle-lit Dress: Susanne Neville exclusive for The Wedding Gallery,
London; Her shoes: By Far; Groom's attire: Bespoke from Collars
tables so as the sun set, it all felt incred-
& Cuffs; Wedding rings: Cara Jewellers; Our bridesmaids: Asos
ibly romantic. We later moved into an old Bridal; Flowers: Jenny Fairbanks; Cake: La Nectar (Caterer);
barn and danced late into the evening. Wedding song: You’ve Got The Love - Florence & The Machine.
REAL WEDDINGS
REAL WEDDINGS

WEDDING TEAM
Venue: Chateau
de la Bourlie, Urval France
Date of wedding:
7 September 2019
Planner: Rosie Green Events
Caterer: La Nectar
Makeup: Emily Naylor
Honeymoon:
South Africa, Mr & Mrs
Smith
Photographer: Richard
Skins Photography

5 2 Emirates Brid e
REAL WEDDINGS

Em irates Bride 5 3
REAL WEDDINGS

NEHA
AND
ADEEL
From the start Neha
and Adeel’s romance
wasn’t only about
the flowers, the
moonlight and date
nights… it was also
about the utmost
commitment towards
each other
Photographer: Hitesh Chhabria

5 4 E mirates Brid e
 WEDDING TEAM
Venues: Kino Cottage, Juhu,
Mumbai; Gallops; Mahalaxmi
Racecourse Mumbai
Date of wedding:
12 January 2020
Planner: Neha Adeel & Co.
Caterer: Venue
Makeup: Make Up My Mansi.
@mansididwhat
Photographer and
videographer: Talking
Pictures By Hitesh

5 6 E m irates Brid e
 REAL WEDDINGS

took the opportunity to ask Adeel to drive tense and crazy period of our lives. Try-

A
Adeel and I worked in different divisions
of the same company in Dubai and were
introduced to each other at a work get
together. My heart definitely skipped a
beat and later into our romance, I found
out that it was similar for Adeel too. One
of my friends was visiting Dubai and I
me to the airport. He did one better and
asked me out for dinner. It ended up be-
ing a dinner at Soho grill, picking up my
friend and then all of us partying together
late into the night.
We kept arranging dinners and ap-
pointments just to be in each-others
company. I am a very practical girl, and
my friends would actually say I have no
romantic bone in my body. Adeel is my
exact opposite. He told me his company
was having a recreation programme over
the weekend at The Ritz Carlton- Al
Hamra Beach, RAK. When we reached
there it was to a beautiful dinner set up
in a chalet where Adeel got down on his
knee to pop the question. Of course, I
said yes.
We got married in Mumbai, India.
The planning took us nine months, and
eight flights back and forth between
Dubai and Mumbai. It was the most in-
ing to co-ordinate all the suppliers over
weekend trips, and international phone
calls was a lot of hard work, but abso-
lutely worth it in the end.
Our wedding itself was spread over
three days of great fun and merriment.
We had friends and family flying in from
all over India and the world. The henna
function – where I got my hands and
feet decorated with beautiful designs,
and Adeel’s name hidden in it – was fol-
lowed with lots of dancing to the beats of
the Punjabi dhol (drums). Later that af-
ternoon we had the haldi ceremony and
in the evening a rock ‘n’ roll party for all
our friends. The second day was a lot less
hectic. We had an intimate brunch with
our closest friends and a private photo-
shoot. The third day was reserved for our
official wedding registration at the court
house, followed by a reception with lots of
delicious food, music and dancing.

THE DETAILS
Dress: Mehendi Outfit Designer - Reet by Bhavna & Shweta, Dubai; After party Dress: Lace & Beads; Reception Outfit Designer: Soltee by Sulakshana Monga; Rings: Fergus
James; My shoes: Valentino; Groom's attire Mehendi: Purusham, Mumbai; Grooms attire Reception: Gaurav Gupta; Grooms Shoes: Shutiq India; Our bridesmaids: Their Own;
Flowers: Arth Eventertainment; Cake: The Cake Lady, Mumbai; Wedding song: XO John Mayer; Unique touches: Handmade favors for guests. Colourful pouches filled with
combinations of Indian jewellery & Jenga blocks placed on tables signed by guests.
B R I D A L FA S H I O N
Indian Brides
Say ‘Yes’ to
Lehengas
Near and Far
(Ver-y Far)
Words: Sapna Maheshwari
A
fter an 18-hour journey from
New York to New Delhi in De-
cember sandwiched between
my parents, I wanted nothing
more than to take a long show-
er and dive under the covers. But we were
there on a mission, and time was scarce.
So, one brief pit stop at our hotel lat-
er, we were yawning in a car on the way to
Chandni Chowk, a famously crowded mar-
ket hawking everything from textbooks to
hardware supplies. The maze of stalls is so
sinuous that cars can only travel so far, at
which point we clambered into an auto rick-
shaw and told the driver to head to Asiana
Couture. I nervously hoped that it was
as good a store as my distant cousins had
claimed on our WhatsApp group chat.
Finally, at the end of a dimly lit alley
lined with heaps of vibrant saris and the oc-
casional stray dog, we found the store. And
so began a frantic week of shopping for my
bridal lehenga, aka my wedding dress.
The notion of shopping in India for my
June wedding in Connecticut has struck
many of my friends and work colleagues as
unusual and even glamorous. But for many
5 8 E m irates Brid e
South Asian brides, as well as people marry-
ing South Asians, this sort of high-pressure,
whirlwind trip is a normal rite of passage
in the lead-up to their weddings. Count-
less stores are visited where shopkeepers
attempt to discern your tastes as they trot
out garment after garment. Scratches may
be left on your arms from trying on so many
richly embellished clothes. Decisions have
to be made quickly, which is a challenge be-
cause most stores do not allow photos.
“It was the most intense 10 days of my
life,” said Maya Eichler, a 31-year-old prod-
uct manager at Uber in San Francisco, who
shopped in Mumbai, India, before her wed-
ding in June 2017. “Every hour was planned.”
Jennifer Welch, a 30-year-old govern-
ment employee in Washington, who married
her Indian American husband last year, said
that she and her in-laws planned a trip to
Mumbai and managed to find two lehengas
for their fusion wedding in just four days
there. While she had fun, she noted, “a lot
of chai got us through it.”
Pop culture has made it easier to explain
the colour and customs of Indian weddings
since the days of Bend It Like Beckham.
B R I D A L FA S H I O N

6 0 E m irates Brid e

There was Cece and Schmidt’s wedding on
New Girl, the People magazine spreads of
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, and the
lavish Isha Ambani wedding where Beyoncé
performed. Rent the Runway recently start-
ed testing formal Indian garb for guests. But
even as Indian weddings have entered the
mainstream in the United States, and more
first-generation Indian Americans get mar-
ried, the options for bridal clothing in the
United States are limited.
A quick tutorial in the garb: Wedding
garments and colours can differ based on the
region of India where brides are from, but
many wear lehengas in shades of red, pink or
orange for their ceremonies. These include a
cropped top, flowing skirt and a sash known
as a dupatta. It’s common to wear lighter-
coloured lehengas or gowns for receptions
and brightly coloured lehengas or saris for
prewedding events, like a Sangeet, which is
an evening event centered on song and dance.
While the internet has expanded access
to Indian attire, a wedding dress is one of
those pieces of clothing that women reason-
ably prefer to see and try on in person. In
the United States, that quest is often limited
to small shops like Nazranaa on Oak Tree
Road in Iselin, New Jersey, and stores that
are essentially set up in family homes.
Anu Rajasingham, a 35-year-old public
health engineer for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, visited one such
home in the Atlanta area last year while
searching for wedding saris from Sabyasa-
chi Mukherjee. It was an unusual retail ex-
perience, she said, given that Mukherjee is
one of India’s top designers and the host of
an Indian wedding dress show akin to Say
Yes to the Dress. But the address was listed
on the brand’s website. “We drove for 45
minutes and got to a very suburban-looking
house, and all of us were like, ‘Is this really
it?’” Rajasingham said. “And then down-
stairs in her basement, she essentially had a
mini Sabyasachi store.”
When Rajasingham, who is of Sri Lank-
an descent, couldn’t find the right white sari
for her ceremony, she was told that she could
receive images of the designer’s upcoming
collection through WhatsApp photos and,
upon making an order, share her measure-
© 2020 THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
ments through Skype. Ultimately, though, it
was a challenge to discern the outfits from
grainy WhatsApp images, she said, moti-
vating her to make a shopping trip to Chen-
nai, India, and Sri Lanka.
These frantic searches have fueled a lu-
crative business for Indian designer Anita
Dongre, who opened a 5,000-square-foot
store in SoHo in Manhattan in 2017 to sell a
variety of clothing. Now more than half her
business is tied to wedding-related garb for
brides and other Indian wedding guests.
“There are a few mom-and-pop stores
in the U.S., but I would say we are the first
Indian wedding wear designer brand there
with our flagship in New York,” she said.
Dongre, whose designs have been worn
by Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge,
and Chopra, said she was inspired to ex-
pand her wedding collection into the United
States by the women who travelled to her
stores in India. She knew of the pressure to
complete their shopping quickly, their con-
cerns around fittings and the tight manage-
ment of vacation days.
“Having our store and the brand there
just makes it so much more convenient for
them to come in,” she said. “She can come
“While the
internet has
expanded access
to Indian attire,
a wedding dress
is one of those
pieces of clothing
that women
reasonably prefer
to see and try on
in person”
in with her fiancé, the in-laws, and all of
them can be part of that process of help-
ing her choose a wedding lehenga, and it’s a
very special time.”
The popularity of her wedding business
has caught her by surprise and piqued the
interest of other Indian designers. Calcut-
ta-based Sabyasachi, for example, recently
announced on Instagram that the label will
be opening a New York flagship this fall,
though the brand didn’t respond to inquiries
about how much wedding wear it plans to
carry. It also announced a jewellery collabo-
ration with Bergdorf Goodman.
It speaks to the scarcity of options in the
United States that Dongre has been such
a hit, given her steep prices. She said that
her lighter, non-ceremony lehengas start at
$1,000 (Dhs3,673), while bridal outfits rise
B R I D A L FA S H I O N
to $7,000 (Dhs25,707). On average, women
spend $1,600 (Dhs5,876) on wedding fash-
ion, from gowns to jumpsuits, according to
a 2019 study by The Knot. But Dongre has
benefited from brides who are factoring in
the potential cost of a trip to India with their
families.
“A trip to India is not cheap so you
might as well buy a beautiful lehenga in that
amount.” While Dongre sells the lehengas
and measures brides in the United States,
the garments are still tailor-made in India
and then shipped back to her store.
When my parents and I travelled to In-
dia, as well as my older sister before me,
we each brought an empty suitcase. It took
up an entire suitcase and, according to my
mother, came in at 20 pounds of deep pink
fabric and embroidery.
Many stores in India, from designers to
regular boutiques, require at least 30 days
to customise lehengas and may not ship
goods. Eichler, who shopped in January
for her June wedding, was told that her two
Sabyasachi lehengas would be ready in three
months, but she didn’t have time to make
another trip to India, and the store did not
ship to the United States.
“That whole five months, my parents
were constantly looking for who was going
to India of all our friends living in the United
States,” Eichler said. “I had to coordinate
all sorts of handoffs between uncles.”
Until more options emerge for Indian
bridal wear in the United States, the shop-
ping trip to India and all its accompanying
chaos remains the norm for many women.
On Facebook, a roughly 2,200-member
group for Indian American women planning
weddings called “The Little Brown Diary”
regularly lights up with recommendation
requests for visits to Mumbai, Delhi, Ah-
madabad and more, where they intend to
buy their own clothes as well as outfits for
family members and bridal parties.
Itineraries are hastily stitched togeth-
er through tips and direct messages from
strangers and references from loved ones,
and then it’s time to hope for the best and
prepare for totally unpredictable events.
In my case, I’m pleased to report that
Asiana Couture was as good as my cousin
said it was. In fact, we ended up buying a
lehenga that I tried on that first, exhausted
night in Delhi – but only after days of visit-
ing a slew of other shops.
Even though I was halfway around the
globe from home, fighting jet lag and wear-
ing an outfit that had been lifted and tied
onto me by no less than three people, I still
felt that spark that most of my friends de-
scribe when they buy their wedding dresses
as I exchanged a tearful hug with my moth-
er. Now, let’s just hope it fits.
Em irates Bride 6 1
WEDDINGS
10 Frequently
Asked
Wedding
Etiquette
Questions
Words: Alix Strauss
I
f you’re planning a big, fancy wed-
ding – or even a more modest affair
– you need to know how to put it
all together properly. This is where
wedding-etiquette preparation may
help. “Protocol, respect and behaviour are
still crucial,” said Myka Meier, the founder
of Beaumont Etiquette, a consultancy firm
in New York. “But many couples don’t know
what’s correct. Books don’t address every-
thing. People want affirmation.”
Etiquette coaches like Meier, in partner-
ship with hotels, are offering classes for cou-
ples and their families looking for guidance
on everything from organising rehearsal din-
ners to tactfully making adults-only requests
in the invitations. “There’s a huge return and
resurgence to etiquette,” said Meier, who is
a founder of the Plaza Hotel Finishing Pro-
gram, which is held at the Plaza Hotel in New
York.
Maggie Oldham, an etiquette coach based
in St. Petersburg, Florida, was hired by the
Watergate Hotel in Washington earlier this
year to teach, among other classes, Etiquette
for the Modern Bride. Oldham maintains
that understanding proper etiquette is more
6 2 E mirates B r id e
important than ever “as gender norms are
changing, and as our culture has adapted.”
“Brides, grooms, even their parents, feel
coming to a class is one more way to look
polished and like a princess,” she said.
Here are 10 of the most asked wedding-
etiquette questions.
01.
Who do we have to invite with a plus one?
“We used to say, ‘No bling, no bring.’ But
that’s completely out of date,” Meier said. “If
they’re married, engaged, or living together,
they get a plus one, no matter how you feel
about that person.” If the couple is dating for
six months or more, or is considered in a se-
rious relationship a plus-one invite would be
appropriate. “There’s something significant
about half a year,” she added. “I know people
who have gotten engaged within that time.”
02.
Can we fire a member of our bridal/groom
party? Not unless you want to end your rela-
tionship. “Keep them in their wedding party,
but redistribute their tasks to someone else,”
Meier said, adding that it is culturally un-
derstood that being a bridesmaid comes
with certain duties and responsibilities. An-
other solution? “If someone in the party isn’t
pulling their weight, put the wedding plan-
ner in charge of making sure they’re doing
what they’ve been asked to do, like helping
plan the brunch, bridal party or shower,” she
said. “Then you’re not seen as the bad guy.”
03.
How soon can I reach out to people who
haven’t RSVPed? Soon. As in the day after
the due date. “Typically, guests are given
three to four weeks before the wedding date
to RSVP,” said Lizzie Post, the great-great-
granddaughter of the etiquette author Emily
Post and who is co-president of the Emily
Post Institute in Burlington, Vermont. “Once
that date has hit, you can call, email or text
people.” Post suggested using a friendly tone,
saying you’re just checking in and hoping you
and whomever you’ve included in the invite
are able to come. “Try to get them in person
so you’re not left hanging or have to chase
after them,” she added. If you can’t reach
them directly, give them another hard date.
“At some point you will have to decide how
long you’re going to hold the spot for them.”
04.
Is it inappropriate to do a “honey fund”?
No, as long as you’re not asking directly
for cash. “Some consider this tacky; others
don’t. It’s a modern addition that’s become
socially acceptable,” Oldham said. “It’s a
nicer way to say, ‘the couple wants cash,’
even though guests think they’re gifting
an experience.” Truth is, most couples al-
ready live together. They own their house-
hold items and have picked out their décor.
Money for their honeymoon is truly what
they want. So that you don’t offend any-
one, Oldham suggests having a short reg-
istry as well. “A smaller list means it will
fill up fast,” she said. “So you increase your
chances that guests who don’t know what to
give will end up gifting to the honey fund.”
05.
Who do we have to invite to a rehearsal
dinner? A lot of people. “Immediate fam-
ily, anyone who is in the wedding, and out of
town guests,” said Suzanne Pollak, the dean
of the Charleston Academy of Domestic
Pursuits, a school specialising in etiquette
and entertaining, in South Carolina. What
the bride (and groom) might be really ask-
ing is: How much input do we have with the
rehearsal dinner? “If you’re not paying for
it, not much,” Pollak said. “You can share
how you would like the evening to look,
which shouldn’t upstage the wedding, and
that the meal being served offers a different
feel than the wedding, but if you’re not pay-
ing, your in-laws call the shots.”

06.
Most asked question by besties: Do I really
need to give multiple gifts? Unfortunately,
yes. “It’s expected and it looks really bad if
you go to a shower and everyone has a gift
but you,” Pollak said. Best advice? Go big
on one; small on the others. “Traditionally
you would spend the same amount on a gift
that the bride’s parents spent on you to at-
tend the wedding,” Pollak added. “The wed-
ding gift is your big one. If you’re going to
the bachelorette party, and travelling, that’s
your gift. Stick to the registry for the shower.
07.
© 2018 NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
Can we have a no-phone, no-social media
wedding? “Couples are now about having
their guests present, and not wanting them
to miss important moments,” Pollak said.
This fall she will teach etiquette classes at
the Beach Club Hotel at Charleston Har-
bor Resort and Marina, in South Carolina.
For others it’s about privacy. “This is a new
wedding etiquette,” she added. “It’s about a
celebration, it’s not about advertising your-
self and where you went over the weekend.”
Those wanting a “no-phone policy” can
say so on the invite. Others can share their
wishes with a sign seen by guests upon ar-
rival. “Saying something like, ‘Please leave
your phone in your purse or pocket. We
promise to share our photos with you after-
ward,’ is perfectly reasonable,” Pollak said.
08.
Can we keep our wedding adults-only with-
out offending anyone? Yes, but tread light-
ly. “You don’t want to say. ‘No children,’”
Oldham said. “Instead, the adults’ names
should be the only names on the envelopes.”
Some guests may still add their children’s
names anyway. “If that happens, call the
couple and say, ‘We are so thrilled you’re
coming. But this is an adults-only wed-
ding,’” she added. “The format is geared
to adults, and not conducive to kids, so we
don’t think they will enjoy the event. But we
would love to catch up with all of you after
we get back from the honeymoon.’”
WEDDINGS
09.
Do we have to pay for bridesmaids’ and
grooms’ flights and rooms? No. Phew.
“That’s not your responsibility,” Meier said.
“Some couples have a destination wedding
so they can intentionally make their wedding
smaller because they know a lot of people
won’t come. And guests understand a des-
tination wedding means it’s not mandatory
to attend.” Once guests arrive, however, the
party and events are on you. And your job
doesn’t end there. “Help offset costs by or-
ganising room blocks, group discounts, even
negotiating car service rates,” she added.
10.
Can we have a cash bar? Absolutely not. Even
a tip jar on the bar is considered distasteful.
“If you’re trying to save money, cash bars are
still considered tacky,” Oldham said. “If you
need to control budgets, serve a set number
of drinks.” Or switch your dinner to brunch
and serve set bubbles. “You’ll probably slash
your reception cost in half by having a morn-
ing ceremony followed by a late brunch recep-
tion,” she added.
Em irates Bride 6 3
B R I D A L B E AU T Y
Hair
Raising
Styles
Should you go What tips do you have for women wanting
to have perfectly shiny hair on their wed-
for the traditional ding day? For the hair to look healthy and
up-do? Roll it?
shiny on the day, it is important for the
bride to start having regular moisturising
Curl it? Or just
treatments a couple of months before the
wedding. She should also speak to her hair-
leave it down? dresser who will prescribe an at-home hair-
care routine that will be tailor-made to suit
Bridal hair comes her hair type.
How long before your big day should you
with a lot of have your hair coloured and cut? The bride
should colour her hair a week before the
decisions. We got wedding. This will ensure the colour is fresh
Angelina Stengler,
and she won’t have any regrowth. It is not
usual for brides to have haircuts as usually
from Pastels
they keep their hair long for the upstyle. If
she wants to have a little trim, however, she
Salon to help with
can do it at the same time as the colouring
treatment.
some tips and How many hair trials would you recom-
mend before your wedding? I usually have
suggestions to take one trial that lasts about two and a half
hours. During the trial, I will try a few dif-
your bridal hair to ferent hairstyles so the bride can firmly
and confidently decide what exact style she
the next level wants. Many brides come with an image of
a style that they want recreated and when
I do it, they will decide. If this is the first
style I have tried, however, I will still tweak
or change it to give them some options.
Words: Cecilia D’souza This will ensure they get a style they love,
one that suits them and their hair type and
will ensure they look as beautiful as possible
on their big day. The most important thing
for me is that all my brides leave happy and
feeling confident with the choice of hairstyle
they have made for the wedding.
Would you recommend women go for
something that’s completely out of their
comfort zone or stick to what they know
when it comes to bridal hair? I don’t recom-
6 4 E mirates B r id e
mend a bride to debut a completely new look
for the wedding. This is because brides feel
most comfortable having a hairstyle that
channels their usual style.
What would you recommend for women
with short hair? If a bride has short hair,
we can still do several things. This includes
waving the hair or having some hair tied at
the back, or using accessories in the hair to
give a special accent to a blowdry.
How about those who want hair extensions
– how soon before the wedding should this
be done and are there any types you recom-
mend? If the bride has never had extensions
done, I wouldn’t recommend she invests in
some before the wedding. Instead I would
use clip-ins at the time of the hair appoint-
ment (both trial and on the day of the wed-
ding) to get any length and volume needed to
create the style she wants. By using clip-ins,
I can place the hair exactly where I need it
and also cover them completely in the style I
create so they won’t be visible in the upstyle.
If the bride has certain types of extensions or
if they have been fitted a certain way, it can
be difficult to do a complete upstyle and so
a half-up/half-down hairstyle might be the
best option. My advice when it comes to ex-
tensions is that rather than one long piece, it
is better for a bride to have individual exten-
sions as this gives more choice when it comes
to possible styles. I would also recommend
not having them fitted less than two weeks
before the wedding so they have loosened a
little, allowing the hair to be more flexible.
Are there any particular trends or styles
you’re loving right now? The great thing
about bridal hair is there are no rules or
trends that you have to follow. Instead the
bride can choose any look she wants. Re-
cently though, there has been a move to-
wards natural, looser styles. I have many

brides who are choosing either half down
styles with romantic curls like Mediterra-
nean-esque waves and styles that feature
loose braids.
What about those getting married in Dubai
– how do we deal with the humidity? Hu-
midity is a big problem in Dubai, especially
when brides choose to have loose waves or
styles that are half-up/half-down. Even
with lots of hairspray, it is common that
the hair will fall with these types of styles
and not last an entire day. For this reason,
I usually suggest to have a complete hair up
style. I can then place the hair once I have
styled it in a net that matches the hair’s co-
lour and this means the hair will not lose
its shape and will keep the style it has been
given for much longer.
Are there any treatments you would rec-
ommend having before the wedding and
how long before the wedding day should
we have them? It is vital to invest in mois-
B R I D A L B E AU T Y
turising treatments to minimise frizz. Have
an in-salon treatment at least one month
before the wedding and then give the hair
some TLC at home by treating it to a condi-
tioning treatment once a week. If the hair is
super curly and frizzy then a good treatment
option is the in-salon treatment from Ker-
aStraight. This will smoothen the hair and
ensure it has a silky shine.
What products should a woman invest in
before her wedding day? Have a consulta-
tion with your hair stylist and ask him/her
to prescribe a mask, shampoo and condi-
tioner to suit your hair type. Invest in heat
protection to prevent damage to the hair
and a good serum for moisture. It’s always
a good idea to have a can of hair spray on
hand to touch up the hair throughout the
day, if necessary.
Do you have a favourite wedding up-do?
My favourite look is a romantic hair up
using loosely-placed curls just above the
nape of the neck. I also like to have hair soft
around the face, so I leave some hair down
so the style seems more natural and doesn’t
look too rigid.
On the day of the wedding how much time
should be scheduled in for our hair? Around
two and a half hours.
Are there any other tips or tricks you can
share? Always have the make-up done first.
If it is done after (which is common prac-
tice!) then the make-up artist might touch
your hair, move it out of your face, and even
accidently pull it out of place! Most veils
have big plastic combs. The comb is diffi-
cult to put in and can mess the hairstyle.
For this reason I usually remove the plastic
comb and replace with bobby pins so I can
place it in the hair securely without affecting
the style and the bride can easily remove it,
if she wants to during the day.
Em irates Bride 6 5
 W E D D I NG FLOW E RS

Flowers are a classic feature of any wedding, wheth-

er we’re talking about a bouquet, table or venue
set up. And the choices of arrangement trends
are ever-changing. They are also majestic back-
grounds for that Insta upload. Planning weddings
are stressful enough, and so, we asked Maison Des
Fleurs’ head florist Cheryl Cox to help bride-to-
be’s with everything they need to know about the
flower trends for this year

Words: Cecilia D’souza

Floral Trends
for 2020
Em irates Bride 6 7
W E D D I NG FLOW E RS
What floral trends can we look out for this
year? We expect themes to be opulent yet
intimate such as flower arrangements that
are designed in volume or classily cascading
from ceiling to floor.
What goes through your mind when plan-
ning a bridal bouquet for a client? Usually,
we like to understand the bride’s personal-
ity and create a bouquet that is based on her
character and style. Each bouquet we create
is unique as it will be created to capture the
bride’s essence, taking into consideration
the flowers that are in season and colours
that will best match her.
6 8 E m irates B r id e
What goes into planning the flowers for a
large event? Any advice for the brides? It is
always a good idea to consider the seasonal-
ity of flowers. Then we decide on the theme
and the colour combinations. We aim to plan
as much in advance as possible and to work
with event planners and florists, so that she
can just enjoy her big day without worrying
about logistics, or centrepieces.
What else should a bride consider?
There are certain flowers that could either be
too large, too small, too weak, etc. For exam-
ple: flowers such as delphinium, eremurus,
jasmine and latirus are not usually used in
bridal bouquets, but you would see them in
centrepieces or other arrangements.
What do you think about flowers that go
in and out of style? It’s not specific flow-
ers that go in and out of style, but more the
composition of flowers and how they are
used together. Some factors that influence
floral trends are certain colours and ele-
ments used in interior decoration as well as
fashion. However, the seasonality of flowers
and availability of specific flowers during a
certain season will always be a key driver.
Are there any flowers that you feel are unde-
rused and would do really well in a wedding
Both pages: From wedding
bouquets to the ultimate
table settings, here are some
cool ideas for your wedding day
bloom displays
or bouquet? Tropical flowers. They are not
usually used for bridal bouquets due to their
weight, however they would look quite unique.
How do you ensure that the flowers you
pick will last and look luscious throughout
the event? When a bouquet is compact and
hand-tied it will last for a day. There are
certain flowers to pick that we know from
experience would last, like peonies, roses,
and tulips. As for other arrangements at the
event, it is very important to understand the
location in advance so that certain condi-
tions can be taken into consideration when
selecting the flowers.
Is there an increase in demand for faux and
long-lasting flowers for weddings? Why do
you think that is? Yes, there is certainly an
increase in demand for faux or long-lasting
flowers for weddings as we are seeing that
brides would like to keep them to remember
the big day. Additionally, there is no season-
ality with faux flowers, so brides that want
certain flowers in their bouquet might opt
for a faux bouquet if the flowers they want
are out of season. We are also seeing more
demand for faux flowers for larger struc-
tures such as arches and flower walls, due
to the huge cost of creating these structures
with fresh flowers compared with the cost of
renting faux flowers which could be cheaper.
Another reason is that there are now pro-
ducers of faux flowers who are making these
look and even feel very real to the point
where the wedding guests might not even be
able to tell the difference.
Anything else to add? Floral colours,
themes and quality will make a huge differ-
ence in the whole wedding set up. So don’t
underestimate the importance of flowers
and leave them till the end which may not
give your florist enough time to create and
execute the concept.
Em irates Bride 6 9
7 0 E mirates Brid e
 H O N EY M O O N

The
Ultimate
Honeymoon
Destinations
of All Time
Words: Cecilia D’souza

Whether you want

to relax on a golden
beach, go on an
adventurous post-
nuptial trip or explore a
far-flung hideaway, here
are 10 destinations to
add to your shortlist
Em irates Bride 7 1
H O N EY M O O N
01.
The Maldives, Dhaalu Atoll
Why go: Well, we cannot help but state the
obvious here. It chooses itself in any hon-
eymoon discussion. Home to snow-white
sands, glistening blue waters, secluded re-
sorts and heart-melting sunsets, this luxu-
rious destination has it all. And then there
are the watersports, the scuba diving and
the spa pampering, too. It’s a one-stop shop.
What to do: Drink in the amazing views,
jump from your villa into the ocean, go surf-
boarding, scuba diving, take loads of photos
for your Instagram, play footsie in the sand
and feast on local and international cuisines.
Where to stay: There are a plethora of luxu-
rious hotels spread across the Maldives. On
the Dhaalu Atoll, there stands the majestic
Niayama Private, on the Noono Atoll the Che-
val Blanc Randheli, the exclusive Anantara
Kihavah Maldives Villas, One & Only Reeti
Rah, the Naladhu Private Island Maldives,
Coco Bodu Hithi and Velaa Private Island.
7 2 E mirates Brid e
02.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Why go: You’ll feel like you wandered onto a
movie set complete with a bustling medina,
snake charmers, belly dancers, horse-drawn
carriage rides and an extensive maze of co-
lourful markets.
What to do: Visits to Jardin Majorelle and
Yves Saint Laurent’s former home and gar-
dens are Insta-gold. Celebrate your love
when you stop by the Galerie ‘Love’ – a col-
lection of all of the designer’s collage posters
with the word ‘love’ emblazoned on each one.
Where to stay: The stylish and luxurious
Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech, the Jnane
Tamsna, the character-filled La Mamounia
with its lovely walled gardens and Jasper
Conran’s 19th centrury riad L’Hotel.
03.
Rwanda
Why go: If trekking through misty moun-
tains in search of wild gorillas in this land of
a thousand rolling hills, watching beautiful
volcanoes and golden monkeys excites you,
then this one is for you.
What to do: The delightful Nyungwe Forest
National Park, the Volcanoes National Park,
the utterly stunning Lake Kivu are a treat to
the eyes and add a calm to the soul. Roman-
tic leisurely walks by the waterfalls and can-
opies, bird watching and much much more.
Where to stay: The One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
offers a front row seat to the gorilla sanctuary
and has loads of adventure spaces. The Bis-
ate Lodge is immersed in greenery.
04.
Ladakh, India
Why go: Situated at an average altitude of
11,500 feet and crisscrossed by four moun-
tain ranges it is one of the few breathtaking
places on Earth that remain virtually un-
touched and unexplored.
What to do: Tour the city of Leh, meet local
monks, stargaze to your hearts content and
maybe even catch a game of Ladakhi Polo.
Where to stay: Why not stay in beauti-
ful homestays in unknown villages and then
luxury tented camps. Try the momo, Ladakhi
Pulao and Chutagi (dumpling soup) cooked by
a local. You will find it beats any restaurant.
The Grand Dragon Ladakh is top of the list.
 H O N EY M O O N

Left page: The

Maldives, Dhaalu Atoll;
This page, from top:
Marrakesh, Morocco
Ladakh, India

Em irates Bride 7 3
H O N EY M O O N

WHAT TO
PACK

Boost square sunglasss

Dhs1,865 Mykita

Fellini straw panama hat

Dhs750 Borsalino

From top: Salta, Argentina, The Faroe Islands, Denmark; Right page: Tulum, Mexico Crossover leather sandals
Dhs1,530 Joseph

Catalina tie-front hemp

jacket Dhs1,765
Mara Hoffman

Rider linen canvas backpack

Dhs8,550 Métier London

74 E m irates Brid e
 H O N EY M O O N

05.
St Barts
Why go: This island is one of the most pic-
turesque and stylish destinations in the Ca-
ribbean and has a French Riviera feel. It has
it all – sun, sand, acquamarine waters and
total privacy.
What to do: Pack a picnic basket, swimsuits
and beach towels and head to the insanely
beautiful Le Colombier beach, which is
only accessible via boat or by foot. Laze in
the sand and watch the sunset, kite-surf,
snorkel with turtles or hire a car and take a
memorable drive on the coast.
Where to stay: Supremely stylish stays
await you here. The enchanting Le Sereno,
the Hotel Le Toiny which is set on a pan-
oramic hillside or the majestic Cheval Blanc
St-Barth Isle de France, are gems to lap in.

06.
Orkney, Scotland
Why go: Indulge in all your daydreams at
this northern archipelago off the coast of
Scotland with green-topped islands, tur-
quoise waters and sandstone cliffs.
What to do: Take a day trip and wander
around Stromness Port. Stand in awe at
the Neolithic Ring of Brodgar, an ancient
and eerie ring of standing stones. It is still
a mystery how the stones were brought here
or what the circle means but it makes for a
supernatural sight. is cosy and very inviting and the Hotel Vagar What to do: Check out Cartagena, where
Where to stay: The family-run Kirkwall Ho- is as popular a spot as any. pastel buildings in the old city house some

08.
tel is steps from shopping. The Sands Hotel of the best dining options. For something
on Burray and the ornate 17th century Orkney completely off-the-beaten track yet luxuri-
hotel are also close to the magnificent sights. ous, it’s the Corocora Camp in Llanos Ori-

07.
The Faroe Islands,
Denmark
Why go: Located in the chilly waters between
Norway and Iceland, the Faroe Islands are a
mesmerising treat. The dramatic landscapes
Salta, Argentina
Why go: Famed for its spectacular scenery
and richly coloured landscapes – think red
rock valleys, multi-coloured hills and terra-
cotta peaks set magically against blue skies,
you will fall in love all over again.
What to do: Visit its outstanding museums,
plaza side cafes and the vibrant folk music
entales region that you head to. Spend days
exploring the terrain on horseback, go off-
roading or even birdwatching.
Where to stay: The 17th century convert-
ed monastery Sofitel Legend Santa Clara
Cartegena has heaps of fascinating history.
You can also try the Bastión Luxury Hotel in
the heart of Cartagena’s walled city.

redefine the meaning of untouched archi-
pelago and offer one breathtaking view of
waterfalls and quaint villages after another.
What to do: Rugged coastlines are home to
natural wonders best explored by old fishing
boats. The Faroe Islands are limiting tour-
ism to preserve the ecosystem and authentic
culture, so begin planning your trip as soon
clubs where you can dance the night away in
each other’s arms. The diversity of the area
also makes it a haven for trekking, horse-
back riding, rafting and a lot more.
Where to stay: La Merced del Alto is a spec-
tacular escape while the delightful town-
house Legado Mitico Salta and the grand
Patios de Cafayate are also choice stays.
10.
Tulum, Mexico
Why go: With pristine white beaches, the
ultimate hammock life and colourful cul-
ture, it has something for all couples.
What to do: If you are in the mood for shop-

as the wedding preparations are underway.
Make your trip extra special by embarking
on a helicopter tour and, while there, why
not snag a reservation at the Michelin-
starred Koks for a taste of regional specials.
Where to stay: Hotel Foroyar is perched on
the hillside overlooking the world’s smallest
capital city, the Gásadalsgardur Guesthouse
09.
Cartagena and Llanos
Orientales, Colombia
Why go: It has stunning colonial architecture,
oozes romance, a buzzy nightlife and impres-
sive wellness offerings. What’s not to love?
ping, you should check out the local bou-
tiques which run along the beach road for
caftans, locally-made knits, leather goods
and funky accessories.
Where to stay: From a rustic bungalow to a
luxury suite, it’s all here. The Nest has ev-
erything you have dreamt about. Another
beautiful eco-boutique hotel is Sanará.

Em irates Bride 7 5
 COMPETITION

Splurging in the Maldives

How does a stay in a beach villa at Niyama Private Islands Maldives with sun decks, a private butler,
endless Instagram opportunities and just you and your love, sound? Magical? We think so too...

Is there a more exotic island honeymoon des- beach villa and drink in the unreal Maldivian THE PRIZE
3-night stay in
tination than the Maldives? We think not. And sunset views along with a chilled drink.
it’s hard to imagine something better than the Meanwhile at Play, explore the incredible

Niyama Private Islands Maldives. Set across
two spacious private islands – Chill and Play
– connected to each other by a single wooden
bridge across the Indian Ocean, in the south-
western atoll of Dhaalu, is a dream to stay at.
The beauty of a dual island setting is that
space is in abundance. At Niyama, you’re pretty
secluded at whichever island you choose. Sur-
rounded by the magnificent blue waters, the
white sandy beaches you can walk barefoot on,
the swaying palm trees, the utter privacy, all the
a Beach Pool
array of activities. Try parasailing, waterski-
ing, jet skiing, windsurfing and much more.
The Maldives is famous for its snorkeling and
scuba diving, so taking a plunge from Float – Villa inclusive
the resort’s go-to spot for PADI dives and wa-
tersports – is an absolute must. of breakfast
And did we tell you about the yummylicious
food? Well, there is Epicure where you will be
at Epicure
treating your palate while also unique to Niyama
+ Domestic
transfers for two
is the Caribbean themed surf shack – a popu-
lar spot for après-surf as the sun sets. Then, for

Instagrammable spots and loads and loads of
sunshine, it checks off all the boxes for a honey-
moon destination, and then some.
Chill is home to the hotel’s DRIFT spa, a
true sanctuary at sea with six over water treat-
ment rooms all with dreamy views across the
ocean. Don your white robe, slip into your white
slippers, relax and feel all the pre-wedding
stress that has followed you, banish. Relax on
the roomy Dhoni-shaped swing in your lavish
from Malé
some extra-special dining experiences, there is
the treetop dining at Nest, the underwater gour-
met at Subsix – their bubbly breakfasts with
views of parrot fish, moray eels and other exotic
marine life are to die for – and The Edge which For your chance to win, answer
the question below:
is set one kilometre out at sea and only acces-
How are the Chill and Play islands
sible by boat. Totally loved-up dreams are made at Niyama Private Island Maldives
of this. To make a booking log on to niyama.com connected to each other?
or email reservations@niyama.com
A) Stairs B) Boat C) Bridge

Rules: This competition is open to residents of all GCC countries and valid until 30 April, 2020. Entries received after this date will not be accepted. The prize will be awarded to one entry received, at
random. The prize is non-transferable, and no cash alternative or extension on voucher is available. The prize voucher has to be used over consecutive nights and cannot be used in conjunction with any
other special offers available at the time. Subject to availability, bookings to be made by the winner directly with the hotel. Any additional extras not included in the prize will be charged directly to the winner.
Flights and travel insurance are not included in the prize. Black-out dates apply. Employees of Motivate Publishing and the company contributing the prize are not eligible. The decision of Motivate Media
Group is final, and no correspondence can be entered into. The winner will be announced on our website and notified by email.
VISIT EMIRATESWOMAN.COM TO ENTER
emirateswoman.com
 Raj Mahtani
The Directory
B E AC H H OT E L S U P TO
5 0 0 G U E ST S
ANANTARA DUBAI THE PALM
RESORT & SPA, (04) 5678888,
Dubai-palm.anantara.com.
Blessings and wedding reception
for up to 150 guests
BURJ AL ARAB (04) 3017777,
Jumeirah.com. Blessings and
wedding for up to 300 guests.
JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL (04)
4068501, Jumeirah.com. Blessings
and weddings for up to 90 guests.
JUMEIRAH ZABEEL SARAY
(04) 4530000, Jumeirah.com.
Engagement parties, blessings and
receptions for up to 250 guests.
ONE&ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE
(04) 3999999, Oneandonlyresorts.
com. Blessings are available with
an indoor reception for 250 guests
and outdoor for 350.
PARK HYATT ABU DHABI
(02) 4071234, Abudhabi.
park.hyatt.com. Blessings for up to
300 guests.
7 8 E m irates Brid e
THE RITZ-CARLTON, DUBAI
MARINA (04) 3994000,
Ritzcarlton.com. Blessings for up to
250 guests with receptions catering
to 500 guests.
WALDORF ASTORIA DUBAI
PALM JUMEIRAH,
(04) 8182222, Waldorfastoria3.
hilton.com. Blessings and wedding
reception for up to 350 guests
B E AC H H OT E L S M O R E
T H A N 5 0 0 G U E ST S
ALANTIS THE PALM HOTEL
(04) 4262626, Atlantisthepalm.com.
Blessings and receptions for up to
2,000 guests.
AL QASR (04) 3668888,
jumeirah.com. Blessings and
wedding receptions for up to 1,800
guests.
EMIRATES PALACE (02) 6907956,
kempinski.com. Blessings and
receptions for up to 1,200 guests.
JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT AND
SPA (04) 8145500, jaresorts.
com. Blessings and receptions are
available outside for 800 guests and
indoors for 300 guests.
MADINAT JUMEIRAH
(04) 3666293, Madinatjumeirah.
com. Blessings and receptions for
up to 1,200 guests.
THE ST REGIS SAADIYAT
ISLAND RESORT ABU DHABI (02)
6944444, marriott.com. Blessings
and receptions for up to 1,500
guests with cocktail receptions
catering for up to 2,500 guests.
C I T Y H OT E L S M O R E T H A N
5 0 0 G U E ST S
ARABIAN RANCHES
GOLF CLUB (04) 3664700,
Arabianranchesgolfdubai.com.
Blessings and receptions for up to
1,500 guests.
FOUR SEASONS ABU DHABI,
(02) 3332222, Fourseasons.com.
Blessings and wedding reception
for over 500 guests
JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS DUBAI
(04) 4140000, Marriott.com.
Blessings and receptions for more
than 1,000 guests.
LE MÉRIDIEN DUBAI
(04) 2170000, marriott.com.
Engagement parties, blessings and
receptions for up to 700 guests.
MILLENNIUM AIRPORT
HOTEL DUBAI (04) 7028888,
Millenniumhotels.com. Engagement
parties, blessings and receptions for
more than 550 guests.
HABTOOR GRAND RESORT
AND SPA (04) 3995000, marriott.
com. Blessings and receptions are
available outside for 3,000 guests
and indoors for 650 guests.
C I T Y H OT E L S U P TO 5 0 0
G U E ST S
ARMANI HOTEL (04) 8883888,
dubai.Armanihotel.com. Blessings
and receptions for up to 350 guests.
DUBAI MARINA YACHT CLUB
(04) 3627900,

dubaimarinayachtclub.com
Blessings and receptions for up to
300 guests
JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS
(04) 3300000, Jumeirah.com.
Blessings and receptions for
up to 500 guests.
GROSVENOR HOUSE
(04) 3998888, marriott.com.
Blessings and receptions for up to
250 guests.
SHERATON KHALIDIYA
(02) 6666220, sheratonalkhalidiya.
com. Wedding receptions for up to
120 guests.
THE ADDRESS HOTEL
DOWNTOWN (04) 4368888,
addresshotels.com. Blessings and
receptions for up to 200 guests.
THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE
DUBAI (04) 3905600,
addresshotels.com. Blessings and
receptions for up to 500 guests.
THE PALACE – THE OLD TOWN
(04) 4287888, addresshotels.com.
Blessings and receptions for up to
300 guests.
TAJ DUBAI, (04) 4383100, Taj.
tajhotels.com. Blessings and
wedding reception for up
to 300 guests
A LT E R N AT I V E V E N U E S
AL HAMRA FORT HOTEL AND
BEACH RESORT (07) 2446666,
hilton.com. Weddings available for
up to 800 guests.
AL MAHA DESERT RESORT AND
SPA (04) 8329900, marriott.com.
Receptions available for 100 guests.
Blessings need to be organised
by the couple. Fifty per cent of the
guests must also stay at the resort.
BAB AL SHAMS (04) 8096100,
babalshams.com. Blessings
for up to 40 people and receptions
for 50 people.
BATEAUX DUBAI (04) 3366768,
Jaresortshotels.com.
This Dubai cruise boat can be
customised for weddings.
THE MONTGOMERIE GOLF CLUB
(04) 3905600, Themontgomerie.
com. Blessings and receptions
for up to 250 guests by the pool and
up to 500 guests on the lawn.
DUBAI POLO AND
EQUESTRIAN CLUB (04) 3618111,
Poloclubdubai.com.
Blessings and receptions for up to
1,000 guests on the polo field.
W E D D I N G A N D PA R T Y
EVENT PLANNERS
JAM WEDDING PLANNER
(050) 5249597,
Jamweddingplanner.com
G I F T R E G I ST R Y
BLOOMINGDALE’S (04) 3505333,
Bloomingdales.com
CRATE&BARREL 80022632,
Crateandbarrel.com
HARVEY NICHOLS-DUBAI
(04) 4098888, Harveynichols.com
MARINA EXOTIC HOME
INTERIORS (04) 3410314,
marinahomeinteriors.com
POTTERY BARN (04) 3253720,
Potterybarn.me
Q HOME DÉCOR 800 802,
potterybarn.me
I N V I TAT I O N S, STAT I O N E R Y
AND WRAPPING
ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN
COMPANY (04) 3855443, Edc.co.in
ORDNING & REDA (04) 3700520,
Ordning-reda.com
THE PAPER ROOM (04) 4301230,
C A K E S A N D C H O C O L AT E S
CHOCO’A (04) 3409013
FRENCH BAKERY (04) 3436444,
Frenchbakery.ae
GALLER CHOCOLATE (04)
3399620, Galler.com
KITSCH CUPCAKES (02) 6398100
PATCHI (04) 341117, Patchi.com
SPRUNGLI MIDDLE EAST
(04) 3443005 Sprungli.ae
HEY SUGAR BAKE SHOP
(04) 3448106, eventstec.com
SWEET STUFF (050) 2544819,
Lovesweetstuff.com
THE HOUSE OF CAKES
(04) 4206973,
houseofcakesdubai.com
B R I DA LW E A R
AGENT PROVOCATEUR
(04) 3399570,
Agentprovocateur.com
THE BRIDAL ROOM, JUMERIAH
PLAZA (04) 3446076
CHANEL, THE DUBAI MALL
(04) 3827100, Chanel.com
DUBAI OUTLET MALL
(04) 4234666, Dubaioutletmall.com
ESPOSA (04) 3854477,
esposagroup.com
EZRA FASHION DESIGN
(04) 3955385, ezracouture.com
KAREN MILLEN, THE DUBAI
MALL (04) 3398608,
Karenmillen.com
LANVIN, THE DUBAI MALL
(04) 3555310, Lanvin.com
PRONOVIAS (04) 3398770,
Pronovias.com
RALPH LAUREN
(04) 3308347, Ralphlauren.com
RAMI AL ALI COUTURE
(04) 3945607, Ramialali.com
Stylebop Stylebop.com
THE WEDDING SHOP
(04) 3441618, Theweddingshop.ae
JEWELLER
BULGARI, THE DUBAI MALL
(04) 3308834
LE BRILLIANT (04) 3476118
MOUAWAD (04) 3398339,
Mouawad.com
OMEGA, THE DUBAI MALL
(04) 3398307,
Omegawatches.com
PAL ZILERI, THE DUBAI MALL
(04) 3399444, Palzileri.com
PIAGET, THE DUBAI MALL
(04) 3398222, Piaget.com
BEAUTY AND MAKE-UP
AMARA SPA PARK HYATT DUBAI
(04) 6021234, park.hyatt.com
AL MAHA DESERT RESORT
AND SPA (04) 8329900
ANANTARA SPA, EMIRATES
PALACE HOTEL (02) 6909000,
kempinski.com
DUBAI LADIES CLUB
(04) 3499922, Dubailadiesclub.com
FACES (04) 3471225, Faces.com
M.A.C (04) 4190856,
Maccosemetics.ae
MARIA DOWLING (04) 3454225,
Mariadowling.com
NATURAL ELEMENTS SPA,
LE MÉRIDIEN HOTEL
(04) 7022550,
naturalelementsdubai.ae
NIVEA HAUS SPA (04) 4340777,
REFLECTIONS (04) 3944595,
Reflectionsalon.ae
SAFAA SPA, DESERT ISLANDS
RESORT & SPA
(02) 8015408, Anantara.com
SISTERS BEAUTY SALON
(04) 3398500,
Sistersbeautylounge.com
THE BODY SHOP (04) 3399276,
Thebodyshop.com
WEDDING PLANNER
THE NAIL SPA 600544001,
Thenailspa.com
TALISE SPA, MADINAT
JUMERIAH (04) 3666818,
Jumeirah.com
VANILLA BY JELENA
SALON & SPA (04) 4519995,
Vanillabyjelena.com
F LOW E R S
BLISS FLOWERS AND DESIGN
(04) 4308501, Blissdubai.com
FLOWERS BY CONTEMPO
(04) 8853370, contempodubai.com
OLEANDER (04) 3440560,
Oleanderonline.com
WEDDING
P H OTO G R A P H E R S
BLUE EYE PICTURE
(050) 5395937,
Blueeyepicture.com
ICANDY.FOREVER (04) 4489290,
Icandyforever.com
SIMON CHARLTON
PHOTOGRAPHY (050) 5184241,
Simoncharltonphotography.com
REBECCA HOBDAY
(050) 8810038,
Rebeccahobday.com
UGLY DUCKLING (050) 8467326,
Uglyducklingphotography.com
D-WEDDINGS Dweddings.com
V I D E O, L I G H T I N G , S O U N D
A N D STAG E P R O D U CT I O N
DLC EVENTS (04) 3470484,
Dlcevents.com
LIGHTHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
(04) 4433766,
lhpme.com
AIR3 CREATIVE
(055) 4431041, Air3.tv
WEDDING TRANSPORT
AERO GULF (04) 8776120,
Aerogulfservices.com
EXOTIC LIMO (04) 8005466,
Dubaiexoticlimo.com
PREMIER LIMOUSINES
(04) 3449690
M U S I C A N D E N T E R TA I N E R S
BAREFACE (04) 5541060,
Bareface.com
JAM ENTERTAINERS
(04) 3955359, Jamentertainers.com
SIAN (04) 4570330 Sianevents.com
Em irates Bride 7 9
WEDDING PLANNER
How to get hitched
Islamic marriages
ST E P O N E
The couple intending to marry, together with the
bride-to-be’s father or her legal guardian and two
other male Muslim witnesses, must be present
at the Islamic marriage court for the ceremony
to take place. All witnesses must present their
passports stating that they are either UAE citizens
or valid UAE residence holders. To be married
under Sharia’ah law, the groom must be Muslim,
while the bride can be of any religion. Before the
wedding, a dowry has to be confirmed and paid. If
this does not occur, a written declaration must be
provided stating that there is no dowry.
ST E P T WO
Following the ceremony a UAE marriage licence
will be issued for a Dhs50 fee in addition to a
Dhs10 fee for identification purposes. If the
marriage is conducted outside of the UAE and
you want the agreement to be legalised here,
the documentation will need to be taken to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab
Emirates for ratification. If the certificate is in
a language other than Arabic it will need to be
translated and ratified by the Ministry of Justice.
ST E P T H R E E
Final authentication, for non-UAE citizens,
is then required by your embassy or consulate,
which will involve a fee.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
l Original passports and photocopies need to be
presented by all involved.
l Identification papers are also required for the
bride’s father or guardian, as well as the two
witnesses.
l If the bride’s father is deceased, a Sharia’ah
Declaration of his death must be provided. In this
case she must have consent from her brother or an
uncle. If there are no male relatives to give consent,
documentation of proof is necessary. Alternatively
if the bride’s father cannot be present, he must
provide a letter of consent, along with a certified
copy of his passport to verify his signature.
l In the case that the bride is Muslim and her
father is not, a certificate of no impediment (no
objection) is required from either the bride’s
embassy or consulate.
Christian marriages
ST E P O N E
Begin by choosing a church and minister,
but note that some ministers will only marry
members of their own denomination. Also take
into consideration that for your marriage to
be authenticated in the UAE the church and
minister must be recognised and registered by
8 0 E m irates Brid e
Dubai Courts. Then you need to decide if you
want to marry in the church or at an alternative
venue which needs to be supported by a wedding
licence. Keep in mind that you will need to have at
least two witnesses present.
ST E P T WO
Once the ceremony has been conducted, the
minister will issue a marriage certificate. This will
be in English so you will need to have it translated
into Arabic by a court-approved legal translator
for a specified fee of Dhs40-Dhs50 per page.
ST E P T H R E E
Both the English and Arabic certificates then need
to be certified by the Notary Public Office at the
Dubai Courts for a fee of Dhs110.
ST E P FO U R
The paperwork then needs to be processed
and authenticated by the Ministry of Justice for
Dhs52. This is followed by verification by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Dhs150.
ST E P F I V E
You can then have your marriage legalised
for your country of citizenship by taking the
certificates to your embassy, which will process
the information.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
lOriginal passports plus certified copies need to
be provided by both parties.
lIf either bride or groom is divorced decrees need
to be provided.
lGenerally a ‘no objection’ letter is required from
your embassy – fees vary.
lThe church will provide a standard form, which From top: Clark draped crepe
needs to be completed by both parties. gown Dhs8,309 Alex Perry; Zelda feather
shoulder bag Dhs1,258 Loeffler Randall
Indian marriages
ST E P O N E
Following the engagement, you must organise ST E P T H R E E
for three witnesses with residency visas to If the couple requires a religious ceremony under
accompany you to the Indian consulate the Muslim or Christian faith, they should follow
Marriage Officer. Here you will need to provide the guidelines given above for correct procedures
a Notice of Intended Marriage form and pay a on ceremonies and attesting certificates.
fee of Dhs190. This entitles you to a newspaper Alternatively the Church of South India (CSI)
marriage notification whereby the couple must parish in Karama offers services for their
then wait 30 days for any objections. After this members and can be contacted on (04) 3372111.
a date for solemnisation is given, provided there The Hindu Temple in Bur Dubai is available for
were no objections. Hindu ceremonies, phone (04) 3535334.
ST E P T WO DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
A day before the confirmed ceremony the couple lThe Dubai and Abu Dhabi Consulates are the
and their witnesses need to provide original best source for details on the formalities on Indian
passports to the Marriage Officer. The following wedding ceremonies and for all relevant forms,
day is the final solemnisation of marriage, where and a structured guideline.
everyone invited to the wedding can attend. Cgidubai.com and Indembassyuae.org.

Wedding countdown
A F T E R T H E E N G AG E M E N T
l Choose a wedding date.
l Calculate your budget and draw
up a spreadsheet.
l Decide on the style and theme of
the wedding you want.
l Speak to your religious head
or registry office to confirm any
necessary details.
l Decide on and book the wedding
and reception venues and note the
guest capacity.
l Make a preliminary guest-list,
including your bridesmaids, best
man and full wedding party.
l Create and post Save The Date
cards to notify guests of the
engagement and wedding.
l Discuss menu options, look at
estimates for food and drink, then
confirm a caterer.
l Start looking for your dress.
l Book your photographer and
videographer.
l Take out wedding insurance if it is
required.
l Start a health/beauty regime.
T H R E E M O N T H S B E FO R E
l Organise a second meeting with
your religious head and venue
organiser to confirm timings and
other details.
l Finalise wedding cake options and
place an order.
l Book transport to and from the
ceremony and reception.
l Discuss flower arrangements with
a florist, keeping in mind what will be
in season.
l Book a musician, band or DJ for
the reception.
l Decide on the honeymoon
destination, book a hotel, transport
and check passports.
l Pick your wedding stationery
and order of services and place
your order.
l Choose your wedding bands and
order them.
l Decide on your wedding dress,
groom’s suit and the wedding
party’s attire for fittings.
l Confirm wedding guest list.
T WO M O N T H S B E FO R E
lConfirm all of your prior bookings.
lGive your caterer the final head
count noting any special dietary
requirements.
l Buy all of your accessories
to match your dress including
jewellery and shoes.
l Speak to a hair and makeup
artist and discuss potential looks.
l Book another dress fitting
appointment.
l If you are getting married in a hotel
make sure you have a room booked
for the day and/or night of the
wedding for getting ready.
l Decide if you are having
centrepieces, discuss with florist
and order them.
l Notify your bank and any other
official government bodies that
require your change of name status.
O N E M O N T H B E FO R E
lBook your hair and make-up
artist for a trial and arrange timings
for your wedding day.
lCollect your wedding bands.
lArrange for a trusted friend or
family member to bring the cake
knife, toasting glasses, ring bearer
pillow and flower girl baskets.
lDraw up a seating plan.
lFinalise the outfits for the
groom, bridesmaids, best man
and bridal party.
lFinalise any last details such
as gifts for the guests and the
wedding party.
lConfirm running order of the
ceremony with all relevant parties
taking part.
T WO W E E KS B E FO R E
l Speak to your DJ and confirm a
first dance song for the reception.
l Have a final fitting of your dress
with your veil, jewellery and shoes.
It helps to practice walking.
l Reconfirm the honeymoon arran-
gements and pack for the vacation.
l Confirm the number of guests
with your caterer and finalise the
seating plan.
O N E W E E K B E FO R E
l Arrange a rehearsal at the venue.
l Re-confirm your photographer,
florist, hair and make-up artist,
transport and catering.
l Liaise with your photographer
regarding specific shots you want.
l Ensure anyone doing a
speech has it written and ready
to be presented.
WEDDING PLANNER
lPrepare an emergency wedding your feet most of the day.
kit including dress repair materials, l Ensure you allow plenty of time to
any essential make-up, tissues and have your hair and makeup done.
other important items. l Get everyone dressed and ready.
The mother of the bride should
T H E DAY B E FO R E leave 15 minutes before the bride
l Help to decorate the reception and her father.
venue if necessary and make sure l At the ceremony, the speeches
all final details are in place. run in the order of father-of-the-
l Arrange for the cake to be bride, followed by the groom, then
delivered to the reception. the best man.
l Book your wedding party in for l At the end of the evening, it is
manicures and last-minute beauty tradition for the bride and groom to
treatments. leave the reception first.
l Relax and have an early night.
A F T E R T H E DAY
O N T H E DAY lEnjoy your honeymoon.
lStart the morning with a lSend ‘thank you’ cards for your
good breakfast, as you will be on wedding gifts.
Churches, legal aid and
government departments
Ministries in Dubai
l Christ Church, (04) 8845436 Christchurchjebelali.org
l Holy Trinity Church, (04) 3374947 Holytrinitychurchdubai.org
l Saint Mary’s, Roman Catholic Church, (04) 3370087 Saintmarysdubai.com
l United Christian Church, (04) 8846623 Uccdubai.com
Court-approved translators in Dubai
l Al-Diwan (Legal Translation), (04) 2232169 Aldiwan.com
l Eman Translation Services, (04) 2247066 Emantranslations.com
l Diamond Legal Translation, (04) 2273133 Diamondlegal.com
l Dana Translation, (04) 3935702
Government departments
DUBAI
Dubai Courts, Marriage Section, (04) 3347777 Dubaicourts.gov.ae
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (04) 2958161 Mofa.gov.ae
ABU DHABI
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (04) 4444488 Mofa.gov.ae
Ministry of Justice, (04) 6814000Uae.gov.ae/moj
SHARJAH
Sharjah Sharia First Instance Court, (06) 5024382
Embassies and consulates
Australian Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 4017500 Uae.embrassy.gov.au,
Australian Consulate General, Dubai, (04) 5087100 Uae.embassy.gov.au.
British Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 6101100, Ukinuae.fco.gov.uk/en. British
Embassy, Dubai, (04) 3094444 Ukinuae.fco.gov.uk/en.
Canadian Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 6940300 Uae.gc.ca. Canadian
Consulate, Dubai, (04) 3145555 Uae.gc.ca.
French Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 4435100 Ambafrance-eau.org.
German Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 6446693 Abu-dhabi.diplo.de. German
Consulate, Dubai, (04) 3972333 Dubai.diplo.de.
Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 4492700 Indembassyuae.org. Indian
Consulate General, Dubai, (04) 3971222 Consdubai.esteri.it.
Italian Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 4435622 Ambabudhabi.esteri.it. Italian
Consulate, Dubai, (04) 3314167 Ambabudhabi.esteri.it.
New Zealand Consulate General, Dubai, (04) 3317500 Mfat.govt.nz.
Philippine Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 6415922 Philembassy.ae.
South African Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 4473446 Southafrica.ae. South
African Consulate, Dubai, (04) 3975222 Southafricadubai.com.
US Embassy, Abu Dhabi, (02) 4142200 Abudhabi.usembassy.gov. US
Consulate General, Dubai, (04) 3116000 Dubaiusconsulate.gov
Em irates Bride 8 1
FINISHING TOUCHES

PHOTOGRAPHY: MUSTUFA ABIDI; STYLING: DIANA BELL-HEATHER; FLOWERS: FLORETTE

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