UAE | General
Summertime leap in Emirati weddings
The number of Emirati weddings taking place this summer is up by 50 per cent, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- By Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:14 July 5, 2008
Dubai: The number of Emirati weddings taking place this summer is up by 50 per cent, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).
DICEC recently held a prize draw, offering couples the chance to win their wedding free of charge this summer.
Najah Al Mulla, Manager Wedding Services, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: "We have received a significant number of inquiries and bookings for weddings at DICEC over the summer. The concept of the draw was created as a way of offering something back to the community and giving a nice surprise for two happy couples. We can't speak for society as a whole but DICEC welcomes a 50 per cent increase in the number of weddings this summer."
Lavish celebrations
The venue currently has 84 national weddings booked over the summer period, which is traditionally a 'high season' in the industry. Last year it was the venue for approximately 300 weddings.
Recent statistics from the IIR Middle East Bride Show in Dubai, show that a third of couples are prepared to pay between Dh100,000 to Dh250,000 for their wedding, which is up by 26% on 2007.
Wedding costs vary, although traditionally lavish weddings in the UAE encounter costs due to the engagement party, dowry and gifts, wedding clothes and accessories and wedding dinner/reception.
A wedding fund for Emiratis wishing to marry was set up in 1992 by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, gifting Dh70,000 to prospective couples.
Couples need to have a sole income of less than Dh15,000 a month and must not own any businesses to receive this fund. In 2007, 2,089 nationals benefitted from the fund.
Compared to a wedding in the US, an American couple is likely to spend about Dh3,718 on wedding rings, while 43% of couples in the UAE will spend Dh20,000 to Dh50,000 on jewellery, according to IIR ME.
According to DWTC, groups of up to 1,000 people attend wedding ceremonies in the UAE and there is a strong demand for high standards of hospitality and decor, particularly at ladies events.
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