Why more and more brides are going down the aisle in Dubai

The Middle East destination wedding market is estimated to be worth more than €4 billion and for increasing numbers of couples their journey down the aisle is leading them to Dubai. With year-round sunshine, five-star ballrooms and beaches, and multi-faith churches and temples, the expanding industry is big business.

Easy Wedding Dubai facilitates marriages for people of all nationalities and religious denominations both from within the UAE and overseas.

“We assess the situation and based on their religion, nationality and residency, we will offer them the best options, legal advice and solution to get legally married,” says Easy Wedding Dubai co-founder Florian Ughetto. “Almost anyone can have a religious wedding in Dubai, with Dubai recognising all the official religions. People need to be residents and from the same religion, and then they will be able to tie the knot in front of their religious authority. Alternatively, almost anyone can have a civil marriage in the UAE. This happens a one-hour drive away from Dubai in the capital, Abu Dhabi, where residents and tourists can tie the knot.”

When it comes to planning the celebration, Dubai’s growing wedding industry can facilitate all styles of ceremonies, from the intimate to the lavish. Bride Club Middle East is an online platform where vetted vendors, from wedding planners to florists, are recommended.

_“Think big and Dubai will give it to you,_” says Bride Club Middle East founder Rhiannon Downie-Hurst.

Recommended vendors range from wedding planners and celebrants to artisan florists such as Ame Artistic Studio in Alserkal Avenue, the creative soul of Dubai (âme means ‘soul’ in French). Here, flowers can be shaped and styled into trailing fuchsia and dark plum plumes