Creating a dream wedding requires energy, hard work and know-how to make it run smoothly. We tap into the resources of those who know best for their top wedding planning tips and advice on trimming the budget.
THE WEDDING PLANNER
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and chances are you've never done it before. The weeks running up to your big day are usually swamped with time-consuming details that can easily elevate stress levels.
That's why a professional wedding planner can be invaluable. Bringing Canadian expertise to Dubai is wedding planning specialists, Absolute Weddings.
Managing director Sangeeta Kumar-Dsouza says, “Never lose sight of why you are having your wedding in the first place. This is the one day you have dreamed of all your life and it should be filled with enough special memories to last a lifetime.'' Her top tips to achieving this are:
1. If you can't justify the expense of a wedding planner full time, consider hiring one just for the day. Let the professionals deal with the stress so you can relax and enjoy.
2. When it comes to planning your own wedding, don't procrastinate. Make a realistic month-to-month plan and stick to it. OrganiSe your home with a dedicated ‘wedding' workspace to keep everything at hand.
3. BUDGET TIPS: Seasonal weddings are always in demand; avoid Christmas, New Year or Valentine's Day when rates will be higher. Save on car hire costs by making use of your colleague's cool car (with him as the chauffeur).
> Absolute Weddings: www.absoluteweddings4me.com; 04-3519352
THE INVITATION SPECIALIST
Lana de Morelos from I.D.Morelos design studio in Dubai has been designing invitations since 2006. “The wedding invitations are the first thing your guests will see; they give an idea of what to expect on the day.'' Her tips are:
1 Use the same design for all wedding stationery (envelopes, programmes, menus, etc) and keep it simple. Decide on one striking element – an embossed detail, unusual colour combination or silk cord or ribbon tied around the invitation.
2 For colour ideas, visit your local cosmetics counter. The eye-shadow palettes have been perfectly toned and can be great inspiration.
3 BUDGET TIPS: Printing costs will be less if you print more. For up to 150 invitations the cheapest option is to simply do it yourself using an internet template and your home printer.
> Lana de Morelos: www.invitationsdubai.com; 050-4242017.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Dubai photographer Rebecca Hobday believes the best results are achieved using a photographer you feel relaxed with.
“Images caught as they happen will always show more emotion, romance and humour than even the best-managed shot.'' Her top tips to consider when you're looking to hire a photographer are:
1 Visit the venue with your photographer beforehand to select the backdrops together. Use this time to get some direction from your photographer on posing techniques if you feel camera-shy. A good photographer should be able to put you at ease.
2 Try to plan at least half an hour into your wedding schedule to have photographs taken with just you and the groom. Some of the best, most expressive pictures of the day are usually of the couple sharing this time together.
3 BUDGET TIPS: While asking a few talented friends to take your photographs may sound like a great way to save money, think carefully before doing this – this day will never be repeated and the photographs will be cherished for a lifetime.
Consider hiring the photographer for a few hours rather than the full day, or cut costs by making your own album using the professional photographs.
> Rebecca Hobday: www.rebeccahobday.com; 050-8810038
THE DRESSMAKER
Selecting a wedding gown is possibly a bride's most exciting task. Regardless of your choice, it is a dress you will remember for the rest of your life.
Anne Rashid, owner of the Bridal Room in Jumeirah Plaza and Montexa Tailoring in Satwa, has over 15 years experience in the UK bridal industry.
“Allow at least six months to choose your gown. It's not a decision to be rushed, whether you decide to buy it or have one made.'' Her tips are:
1. If buying a readymade gown, make an appointment to ensure the sales assistant's undivided attention. Take a friend whose opinion you value (but not more than two, contrary opinions can be confusing and stressful).
To get absent family involved, ask if it's allowed to take photos. Once narrowed down, have your favourite dress held for a day or two, allowing time to reflect on your choice.
2. If you're having a dress made, have a lining or calico fitting before your fabric is cut so design changes can be made.
Don't forget to order the size you are now not what you plan to be! Dresses are easier to make smaller than bigger. And whenever you go for fittings, wear the undergarments you intend to wear on your wedding day.
3. BUDGET TIPS: Ask to see the discontinued rack for bargains. Another cost saver is to hire rather than buy your petticoat.
> The Bridal Room: 04-3446076
THE TAILOR
The groom needn't feel like a prop next to his lovely bride. Pradeep Aswani, a tailor from Dubai's Royal Fashion, recommends the groom has a suit made for your wedding day, “unless he happens to be that one person in a thousand who matches the pattern used to mass produce an off-the-rack suit.'' His top tips for helping your groom look his smartest your smartest are:
1 Begin meeting with your tailor at least a month in advance of the wedding date a thorough tailor may need up to three fittings.
2 If going with a tuxedo rather than a formal suit, chose either a cummerbund or waistcoat – not both as you'll look overdressed.
3 BUDGET TIPs: A well-tailored, good quality suit will last a long time. Choose a classic colour and style that will never date – such as black, white, navy or charcoal grey. The more you'll be able to wear it, the cheaper it will be in the long run.
> Royal Fashion, Dubai Mall, Souk Madinat and Jumeriah Beach Hotel: 04 396 8282
THE FLORIST
“Passion and creativity are the hallmarks of wedding flowers,'' says internationally recognized French floral designer Olivier Dolz. Olivier's top tips for making the most of your bridal bouquet and wedding flowers are:
1 For UAE weddings choose heat- and humidity-resistant flowers. When keeping bouquets in vases of water, don't forget to dry the stems thoroughly before walking down the isle to avoid water stains.
2 Your bouquet is an accessory, it should complement your gown not distract from it. Also make sure your bouquets aren't too heavy or awkward to carry.
3 BUDGET TIPS: Use flowers in season and avoid special occasion dates such as Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Have your bridesmaids each carry a single elegant flower instead of a bouquet. Use candles, potted flowers or plants as centerpieces as cheaper alternatives to flowers.
> Olivier Dolz: www.olivierdolz.com; 04-3405025
THE WEDDING CAKE BAKER
“The wedding cake is a main attraction and should be well placed and centrally displayed,'' says Cecilia Ashageridian of ChoCo'a's, specialty cake makers. Top tips from ChoCo'a's on selecting the perfect wedding cake are:
1 A wedding cake shouldn't only look good, it should taste good too. Schedule a tasting session and sample the inside as well.
2 Save a piece of the wedding cake for your first anniversary or birth of your first child. Keep it well wrapped in the freezer until needed.
3 BUDGET TIP: Having a fake wedding cake (from Styrofoam), or part of it, isn't as silly as it sounds. Not only does this give the chef greater flexibility in design, it will cost half the price. A separately iced, edible cake can then be cut up in the kitchen and served to guests.
> ChoCo'a: www.chocoa.ae; 04-3409092
THE VENUE EXPERT
One of the great things about a UAE wedding is that you can almost guarantee the weather, which is why outdoor wedding venues are so popular.
The Ritz Carlton, Dubai's events manager, Sylvia Schmetz, says that, “There is nothing more romantic than saying your vows on the beach under a beautiful blue sky.'' Her top tips when choosing your venue are:
1. Select an outdoor setting with that perfect spot or focus point. Try to position it so the sun won't shine in yours or your guests' eyes during the ceremony.
2. Always consider a weather change and have a backup plan ready – a marquee perhaps for shelter in winter or air-conditioned in summer. A nice touch is having shawls available in case it gets chilly or raffia flip-flops for guest wanting a stroll along the beach.
3. BUDGET TIPS: Consider an outdoor wedding to cut down on decoration costs. With a fabulous white sandy beach as a backdrop, there's no need for anything else. The same can be said for a garden wedding. Pick a location with colourful landscaping and do away with the added expense of extra flowers.
> The Ritz Carlton, Dubai: www.ritzcarlton.com; 04-3994000.
THE CATERER
Great food is one of the best ways to send thanks to your guests for coming to your wedding. The Ritz Carlton's executive sous chef Stefan Borchardt offers his advice:
1. Keep the food classy and simple using fresh ingredients. If additional guests will be joining the wedding after the official reception, arrange for a shawarma stand later.
2 Schedule speeches or the toast before dessert. If the speeches are slotted in between the appetiser and main course the service or food quality can be compromised.
3 BUDGET TIPS: A buffet wedding breakfast not only provides your guests with more variety than a sit down dinner, it can also be substantially cheaper.
> The Ritz Carlton, Dubai: www.ritzcarlton.com; 04-3994000.
THE BEAUTY AND SPA SPECIALIST
The stress of planning a wedding can take a lot out of a girl. No matter what stage your wedding preparations are at, you can improve how radiant you look by taking a little extra time for yourself.
The Madinat Jumeriah's Talise Wellness Spa offers a bridal ritual day spa. Spa manager Fiona Collins says, “A six-month countdown is recommended to make sure you look your centre-of-attention-best on your wedding day.'' Her treasured beauty secrets are:
1. For perfect skin, start a body exfoliation regime one month prior to the big day. Also use this month for regular manicures and pedicures.
3 Regular facials are recommended – but not last minute or you could risk a blotchy face on your wedding day. For the same reason have any threading or plucking done in advance so any swelling fades.
4 BUDGET TIPS: The top three most essential beauty tips cost next to nothing. Firstly, drink your eight glasses a day; a thoroughly hydrated body always looks its best.
Secondly, get plenty of sleep since night is when your skin is at its most active – rejuvenating, producing healthy new cells and eliminating dark circles under the eyes.
And lastly, stop smoking! Smoking robs your body of Vitamin C, which is so important in producing collagen for young, radiant and beautiful skin.
> Talise Wellness Spa: www.madinatjumeriah.com; 04-3666817.
THE HAIR AND MAKE-UP ARTIST
David Johns, talent behind City 7's reality TV show Make Me A Model, is no stranger to making people beautiful for a day. “During your wedding day all eyes are on the bride from the moment you pull back the veil to your first dance.'' His suggestions for beautiful hair and make up:
1 Have any hair colour or highlights done at least one week before the wedding day to give it time to settle. Make sure you have a trial of both the hair and make-up wear your dress and any accessories to bring it all together.
2 You'll need more make-up than usual due to the camera flash that tends to fade make-up quickly.
3 BUDGET TIPS: Find a talented friend to do the rest of the wedding party's hair and makeup, or check if the bridesmaids feel comfortable doing it themselves using a makeup palette that matches yours.
> David John:hair_cut_dj@yahoo.co.uk; 050-7451496
THE RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLOR
Relationship counselor Devika Singh urges newly engaged couples to browse the website www.thefirstdance.com for invaluable advice on dealing with the relationship dynamics of planning a wedding. She also comes up with ways to keep the romance intact during this often stressful time:
1 Use your wedding planning as an opportunity to problem-solve together. Keep your focus on the common goal and avoid friction. Take turns comforting each other and remember assurance goes a long way during stressful situations.
2 For some a wedding can trigger happy emotions, but also be aware that for others the event can prompt negative memories. Accept that this isn't fair but also recognize this negativity is not about you and move on.
3 Keep your expectations realistic. There is no such thing as The Perfect Wedding, try to focus on the things that have gone as planned rather than those that haven't.
> Devika Singh, Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre: www.dubaihtc.com; 04-3351200.
