How to make weddings truly special according to experts

If it took a village to raise you as a child, then expect an army of wedding vendors to see you through your nuptials. Be it deciding the colour tones on your bridesmaids’ dresses with your stylist, to picking the blooms on each table with the florist, or the music that your guests will dance on by the DJ, to finalising the edible treats on your multi-tier cake at the bakers, or choosing the perfect photo-op with the photographer – each wedding industry professional is going to be a much-needed ally leading you towards that perfect D-day. So, let’s flip the side and hear it from them, to know what it takes to walk you happily down the aisle, especially in the UAE.

Sunshine blues

To begin with, they say, having chosen to get married in the UAE, gives you a head start on many counts. Home to sandy beaches, luxurious ballrooms, golden deserts and pretty manicured resort gardens, the nation offers couples several wedding venues. No wonder, it’s just been voted as the top-most destination wedding spot by a wedding management website. But being an all-year-round sunny weather destination, UAE poses its unique challenges for couples planning to tie the knot here including flowers on the floral arch wilting under the sun and make-up that melts with the sweat.

“Going high on setting and SPF”, is how Hayley Bingley, a make-up artist in Dubai helps her brides battle the sunshine. “Plus, I would say, less coverage. The last thing, a bride wants is to feel the heaviness of the make-up on her face,” says the owner of HB Beauty, Hair and Makeup, Dubai. Oil-free formulas, moisturisers and primers are the other tips that make-up experts say will help brides face the summer sun. A softer paired down look with a hint of glamour, suggests Hayley, is perfect for the summer. It is also the most wanted look this wedding season. “Dewy glowing skin, subtle contour, soft pink blush, a pop of high shine pigment on the eyelids, a natural brushed out brow and individual lashes is trending in 2022,” she adds.

Besides the make-up, the humidity can yet again play spoilsport, when it comes to the delicate whimsical floral arch, at the entrance of your venue. Be mindful of using the fragile flowers, suggests Joelle Clute, florist and stylist at My Lovely Wedding, Dubai. “Avoid hydrangeas and ammi majus as they wilt fast under the sun. Instead include leafy greens such as eucalyptus and ferns,” she says. You could also consider succulents and tropical florals such as anthuriums, orchids, proteas and palm leaves. For that bridal bouquet, keep a spray bottle in hand and mist it often.

Keep calm

Your wedding is going to be one of the biggest highlights of your life and documenting the memories through photographs and videos is the only way to capture those priceless moments of the celebrations forever. Agreed, you want everything to be picture perfect and getting stressed is obvious, but don’t let it flash on your face. “Unfortunately, couples often get overwhelmed with all the buzz around them and at times lose focus and become planners themselves. They are not relaxed and it shows in their pictures,” laments Jose Emmanuel Aldea, a Dubai-based wedding photographer.

Having realistic expectation from your wedding photography will help you flow with the tide on the day, say the photographers. “I see them scout through Instagram, Pinterest and come up with suggestions to duplicate the looks they liked on social media. But they forget that all weddings are not the same -- their location is different, so would be the weather and so is the energy. They need to remember that, their wedding has not yet happened, it will be unique and expect that distinctiveness,” says Jose.

Take out time

Yes, you have a high-pressure job, your life is hectic, and on top of it every detail in the wedding planning requires your approval. That’s too much on your plate. Yet there is no way out, but to assign some time every day before the final event to get everything personalised and as per your dreams including the music that will play at the after party. Getting people on the dance floor, swaying to the right kind of music, makes a ton of difference.

“Understanding people’s favourite hits and genre and their background helps us curate the music and make it personalised,” shares DJ Beatz Jaswani, who plays at numerous weddings in the UAE and globally. “When the couple is able to chat with us about their music preferences before the party, it’s much smoother on the day of the event,” he shares.

As the world’s shrinking, people’s choice in music is widening, the latest trends this year on the dance floor, according to DJ Beatz are Techno, Afro Beats and Punjabi Rap.

Think of the planet

Post pandemic as the wedding season is bouncing back with a bang, it’s become equally crucial to be mindful of incorporating sustainability-inspired preparations. Going local and seasonal is fast becoming a priority, extending even to the wedding feast. “Being eco-friendly and thinking about the planet, is more important than ever before. Opt for local and organic produce on your menu, include sustainable supplies, serve water in glass bottles and donate leftover food,” suggests Sanjay Vazirani, CEO, Foodlink Global Restaurants and Catering LLC.

Sit-down intimate dinners, grab-and-go stations, vegan cuisine and bowl food for the calorie-conscious guests are most sought after in 2022.  “Asian curry bowls and burrito bowls are great food concepts for guests who want lighter and healthier meals. It gives them the flexibility to choose what and how much they want to eat,” adds Sanjay.

Stick to a schedule

After having spent months choosing the decor and hiring the vendors, if the timing of each service provider is not planned smoothly, then the wedding day festivities can collapse like a pack of cards. With so many people working together, it’s important to have a master plan with everyone’s responsibilities and timing commitments outlined. “It’s really important the day runs smoothly and the bride is not late. So, I always agree to a time and schedule with the bride, the planner and the photographer,” says Hayley. She also does a hair and make-up trial for the bride before the day, so that the look and style is agreed upon prior to the event.

Coordination between each vendor is of prime importance and everyone has devised strategies to combat disruptions. As a florist, points out Joelle, one of her biggest challenges is logistics of flying in the flowers from other countries. “That’s why I work with two suppliers, to have a stand-by in case of last-minute delays. An industrial flower fridge at home is also a life saver,” she explains.

Be open and authentic

The pandemic has taught us how unpredictable life can be. Be open to let nature take its course and celebrate your authenticity. The couple in 2020 is also fast realising the fulfilment of telling their unique love story through the wedding celebration. “No more overly posed pictures. Couples are increasingly opting for fine art photography – a documentary style of capturing candid and natural shots,” says Jose.

Keeping it simple and real, the decor and makeup is also wearing towards minimal and raw. Wildflowers and organic greens on the table reflect this ethos. Finally, at the end of the day, everyone is rooting for the success of your event and of your marriage. Little details, unusual requests and unexpected incidents are all tackled expertly by the professionals. For, as DJ Beatz points out, “The golden rule is that no one should go unhappy from the party.”

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