So what is the cost of a wedding in Dubai?
In Part 2 of our Dubai Wedding Guide, Olga from Dubai boutique wedding planning agency Save the Date, provides a guideline on the cost of a wedding in Dubai and gives some practical advice and budget tips for couples who are interested in having a destination wedding in Dubai.
If you missed Part 1, of the Guide, Olga outlined the legal process for getting married in Dubai and the UAE, the best time of year to marry in Dubai and provided an overview on wedding settings and venue options.
Cost of a Wedding in Dubai – A Guideline
When it comes to estimating the cost of the wedding in Dubai it is quite challenging to give a specific figure, as the cost varies depending on the season, the venue and a number of other factors.
We always suggest to our clients that they provide us with an approximate budget that they plan to spend on their big day. Another important question to consider is what matters most to the couple, whether it’s food and drinks, couture wedding dress, decor, entertainment, so on. Knowing the answer to these questions will make it is easier to offer the best solution in terms of costs without compromising on quality, which we talk about below.
As a starting point an overview of typical supplier costs for a wedding in 2020/21:
- Venue hire & dinner cost per person: on average ranges between 85 – 150 USD per person in 5 star hotels (depending on the venue, and when minimum spend is not applicable)
- Full day photographer services starts from 2,500 USD
- Makeup and hair – 800 USD
- Symbolic Blessing ceremony, celebrant fees – 600 USD
- Basic floral arrangement for 20 guests wedding – starts from 1500 USD
Room for cost cutting:
A wedding is one of the most expensive events in our life, and your priorities define the budget. You can spend a little bit more on the aspects that are most important to you and cut the costs on the less important parts. With some creativity and a bit of research it is possible to save few dollars here and there, without sacrificing on quality.
To save on venue costs
Plan both official ceremony and reception at the same venue, this will eliminate the spend on transportation. Opt for less options on the wedding menu and select them carefully – for example chicken dishes are cheaper than beef of seafood. Go for a buffet, rather than a set menu. The cost of a seated dinner is usually greater than a buffet style.
To save on the entertainment costs
Choose a Dj instead of a live band and ask a friend to be the MC at your wedding.
To save on décor costs
It’s always difficult to provide an estimated cost when it comes to the décor, since the bride is the one to choose how lavish she wants it to be. Décor is basically everything guests see at your wedding: flowers, table ware, furniture items, and so on.
The décor budget can be always worked out based on couple’s budget, and it is easier for your wedding planner or florist to come up with the best solutions. All you need is a creative approach.
Important note, hotels in UAE provide basic banquet furniture and tableware free of cost, however if the couple want their wedding to have a distinguished look, we always suggest to spend extra and hire furniture and table top items. When it comes to flowers – they are quite costly in Dubai, but you can still save on floral arrangement if you use on-season blooms. Always discuss this with your wedding planner.
Discuss the extras offered by the hotel on complimentary basis
Almost all hotels offer some complimentary add-ons as a part of their wedding deal. To reduce the overall cost of a wedding in Dubai make sure you ask about them, if they are not being mentioned. They often include: complimentary 2 tier cake, one-night complimentary stay for the wedding couple, spa treatment, and some others.
Be selective when choosing the date for your wedding
High season in Dubai is considered from October to May. It gets very hot during the summer, but it is still possible to host weddings in a ballroom, at a lower cost. Hotels are very flexible during the low season.
- Avoid big holidays, especially Christmas, New Year, Easter
- Be careful with Islamic Holidays, there is a dry night during some of them, when alcohol is not being served
- Go for a mid-week wedding. Weekend in Middle East is Thursday, and hotels charge more from Thursday to Saturday.
Minimum Spend
A lot of venues apply minimum spend or venue hire fees. This might not be ideal for a smaller wedding 20-50 people. For some venues it reaches 40,000 USD. However, there are still plenty hotels that are ready to waive or adjust this amount, and others have smaller venues, where minimum spend doesn’t apply.
Alcohol
Alcohol is quiet expensive in UAE and can exceed the food cost. Two main ways to go about this is to have unlimited hourly consumption package or open bar with upon consumption basis. We always suggest to go for the second option, especially if not all guests are going to drink. You can select the list of beverages to be served and set a tab. Once the tab limit has been reached, the waiters will advise you accordingly. You can increase this limit at any point.
Work with professionals
Hire a professional wedding planner, who will not only help you to plan your big day, but also save a lot of money and time for you. Industry professionals avail better deals with vendors and can negotiate a special terms on your behalf, which can actually help save on the overall cost of a wedding in Dubai.
Dubai Destination Weddings
I hope this information has been a useful starting point! If you’re ready to take the next step in planning your dream destination wedding, grab our Wedding Abroad Success Bundle. Our All-in-One Digital Planning Companion is designed to provide you with expert advice, exclusive resources, and a supportive community to help make your wedding planning process seamless and stress-free. From finding the perfect location to discovering trusted vendors and budgeting tips, we’ve got everything you need to bring your vision to life. Connect with other couples and industry professionals, gain inspiration, and access planning tools that will help make your celebration truly unforgettable.
Find more Insider Tips and Secrets from Wedding Abroad Experts.
Need to know more about planning a Destination Wedding? Our Step by Step Planning Guide is a great place to start.
Note: Information & fees subject to change, correct as of April 2021 Image Credits: Save the Date