I don't quite see why a marriage has to be an orgy of materialism that indebts the newlyweds forever. This money could be spend more wisely. And how happy is the beginning of a marriage that starts on a mountain of bills?
Kerstin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2008, 18:25

This is not something we should be proud of. It is eating our Muslim society. The worst is that the affording groom or his family proudly support this lavish expenditure. Our thinkers and column writers and other social intellectuals should make their efforts to convince our people that such extravagance is not allowed in our religion and is not something to be proud of and it could be spent after the wedding more effectively in your future married life, rather to start your married life with a loan.
Syed
Toronto,Canada
Posted: February 15, 2008, 15:04

I honestly don't think that the problem is in the marriage fund policies. In fact, people should change their ideas about marriage and make their marriages more realistically affordable.
Haya
Riffa,Bahrain
Posted: February 15, 2008, 14:30

If you are not rich, you can't afford to get married if this is the usual way of getting married. How about people who belong to the lower class? There's no possible way to make their wedding as special an occasion.
Raafi
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2008, 14:03

on a wedding? If they were paid Dh300,000 it will still not be enough for them, they would still want more. Dh70,000 may not mean anything to them but to some it may build a home, so please stop wasting money.
Zahra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2008, 12:55

The expenses for this wedding show that this was one of the top weddings. Many people choose to cut back on the extra expenses and, for example, do not have a dress that costs Dh40,000. Some may choose to do more. However, men and women who are thinking of marriage need to know that the prices listed by this specific bride and groom are not the only option. People need to know not to get scared by these prices and that an agreement can be reached by both families on the expenses.
Azadeh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2008, 12:50

"The groom arrives towards the end of the party and they leave together as man and wife." And when do they divorce? I've seen many traditional marriages ending so fast afterwards.
Reem
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2008, 12:04

I personally think its insane spending so much on a wedding, when both can save the money to invest it for long term financial bliss, rather than be in debt. Many who live in the third world and can only read and long to have such fairy tale weddings are left with nothing but depression.
Afshan
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: February 15, 2008, 10:53

Our marriages in Oman only cost OMR4000, including everything. But if you look for name, fame and all that nonsense then you empty your pockets and pay for loans for years and bring trouble to your marriage.
Ahmed
Muscat,Oman
Posted: February 15, 2008, 09:24

Wow, a Dh70,000 grant is not enough? It is their own choice to have expensive, elaborate wedding parties. It is not a necessity to have an expensive wedding. Get back to your roots and get out of the UAE culture of the necessity to show off by seeing who can throw the most elaborate wedding. Throw a more simple wedding party. Invite less people if you really cannot afford it.
TJ
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2008, 07:29

By Mariam Al Serkal and Shireena Al Nowais, Staff Reporters

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In depth: An unaffordable affair