Dubai: Even in today's technologically-driven times human relationships still matter. Weddings are testimony to this.
We take a look at if the UAE's strong multi-cultural identity and the global economic downturn has affected marriage traditions and celebrations.
Gulf News readers caution prudence but they encourage people to get together with friends and family to mark the joining of two families.
"Weddings are always a time for fun and meeting relatives and people you haven't met in years!" Samreen Iqbal said. She is based in Abu Dhabi. "Being an Indian, I come from a background of rich culture and diverse traditions. [I believe] weddings are more fun if they're followed as per traditions."
Iqbal explained she chose to go a step further and revive a somewhat forgotten custom for her wedding last December.
"Instead of the usual three days of functions, we added another long lost tradition which was exclusively for women ... the turmeric day where the women are dressed in shades of yellow ... and apply a little bit of haldi (turmeric) on the bride," she said. "I had the best time of my life."
Unfortunately, with today's global economic crisis there are those who have had to cut back on the traditions they cherish.
Impact of high costs
Shahzad Shaikh, a Pakistani sales and marketing executive, said that here in Dubai, people can't adopt all traditions like the ones from his home country, because the high cost of living effects everything.
"Five or ten years ago ... weddings took up to seven days to conclude, now it takes only two days to conclude a marriage," Shaikh said. He is based in Dubai.
Shaikh was married last year and explained that he had to cut his wedding back to only two functions. One for the ‘nikah' (contract of marriage) and the henna (when the bride paints her hands and feet with designs), and the second for the reception and diner.
However, there are those who don't mind trying something new.
Dubai-based financial planning consultant Arish Ehsan said that once he completed the mandatory traditions of his religion he was more than happy to let his Moroccan bride and her relatives "live their hearts and enjoy what they wanted to do".
Ehsan, an Indian national, explained he felt "on top of the world" at his wedding in Morocco as the live band played, everyone danced and the bride changed her dress for the third time in as many hours.
Although he has been married for nearly two years, he remembers the day as vividly as if it were yesterday. "It was a memorable experience for me to get married under Moroccan customs and every moment was full of excitement as I wouldn't know what was going to happen next," he said.
Abu Dhabi-based IT technician Ashwin Abraham, believes "it wouldn't hurt to mix it up a bit since the special day only comes once in your lifetime".
However, he explained that today too many people want to show off their wealth and status through weddings, which was not the case years ago.
Have your say
How have marriage traditions evolved in your community? Would you rather have a
traditional wedding or try something different? Tell us by clicking the 'post a comment' link below.
