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Dubai couples are moving fast to tie the knot
Wedding organisers say this can also help save money as guest lists will be shorter.
- By Cleofe Maceda, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:01 April 3, 2009
Although some consultants may recommend planning weddings at least three months to a year in advance, many couples today are taking a speedier approach.
In Dubai, more and more lovebirds are moving fast-forward to their nuptials, opting to spend less time organising.
As Emma Pope, wedding planning consultant at Couture Events, observes, last-minute preparations are something that they have become accustomed to in Dubai.
"We have been contacted in the past with little over two weeks' notice to help with a wedding party of 1,200 guests. While this is not something that is encouraged, we would of course not decline such requests," Pope says.
But a quick stroll down the aisle doesn't have to mire you and your significant other in debt. Experts say a little creative thinking, a bit of patience, flexibility and compromise can save a bundle on your wedding.
To save time, Pope says couples who don't have the extra budget to hire a consultant need to be clear about what they want to achieve, should be flexible and willing to compromise. It also helps if the couple is upfront and honest about their budget when dealing with suppliers.
In order to cut costs, Paola Camilucci, wedding planner at DubaiWed, says renting the bridal gown and groom's suit is a better option. For transport, she suggests asking a friend with a nice car to drive you to the location instead of hiring a chauffeur.
Instead of getting your make-up and hair, as well as your bouquet, done by professionals, Camilucci suggests asking your friends to do the job for you.
With regards to the reception, she says the best way to cut costs is to opt for a standing buffet rather than a sitting dinner. A wedding cake made in-house also costs a lot less compared with the one ordered from some famous brand shop.
When it comes to alcohol, Camilucci cautions that some venues charge on a consumption basis, hence it can easily slip out of your control. "A good idea to circumvent the issue can be organising a wedding by day and offer a light brunch, rather than an evening reception where people could be more inclined to lose control of their alcohol intake."
She adds that couples can also opt for ready-made packages where vendors bundle all the basics such as the reception venue, musicians and floral arrangements. "But then you have to compromise with your expectations and tastes."
Also, the good thing about holding weddings on short notice is that the guest list is shorter, hence a couple can save money.
"Short notice means a shorter guest list, as not everybody can get organised to travel and bear the cost of attending a wedding on such a short notice," Camilucci says.
When choosing flowers, Sangeeta Kumar, managing director of Absolute Weddings and author of The Absolute Wedding Planner, suggests buying in-season local or regional flowers instead of importing exotic blooms to slash floral budget by 50 per cent.
Another absolute budget saver is throwing a wedding during spring or summer. "Seasonal weddings are always in demand, and rates in the UAE tend to be higher in the winter holiday period. The budget will shrink considerably in summer or spring," Kumar adds.
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