Ok where to start? Me and hubs were supposed to move Dubai after the wedding but we both ended up getting good offers now and weve decided to go Dubai. Its all rather hectic and I’m relocating next month and hes coming over the month after. Luckily our companies are providing us our own accommodation otherwise we would not have been able to afford separate accommodation!
For that reason, my mum and dad bought up the idea of doing a Dubai beach wedding. Although I hadnt thought of it at first I started researching into it. Ive always loved Al Qasr so I got some quotes from them for an intimate ceremony of about 50 people. I am absoloutly loving the idea for many reasons:
Its convenient for me and hubs
Love the idea of a beach wedding (live band, bbq, beach views) but never gave it much thought due to cultural traditions of inviting your entire family tree!
It will cost nearly half of what the wedding here was going to cost
So what do you all think?!
For the lovely people in Dubai…
What is Al Qasr Hotel like?
Are beach weddings a thumbs up over there?
What is coolest time of year but avoiding rain season?
How much can I get away with for 2 5 bedroom villa’s in Sharjah for the guests for a week?
The other choice is always come back to UK as planned in 8 months and do the wedding here… mehhh!
nah, go with a beach wedding! it’ll be crazy fun!
avoid the summer months- anywhere from mid april to mid october are bad weather wise. december in dubai is gorgeous and works well with chrimbo holidays over here so your guests would be able to fly down. it is high season, so best book their tix asap.
any idea what you’ll wear? something light and flowy and chiffony and pretty and pastel? loose wavy hair. hubby in a light coloured seersucker suit?
srsly, this could be SO much fun!!!
you could put a big basket of flip flops and pashminas for your guests to help themselves too on the beach and esp as it gets a bit cooler in the evenings, or you could offer parasols or paper fans if its during the day.
you can have beach wedding only after october since its v hot at day time n humidity is v high.......... beach weddings are excellecent idea but i never saw any here in dubai for al qasar hotel i l ask my huby n let u know n house rents have gone v low in dubai these days especially in sharjah i l check the prices n let u know.........
Thank you for all the links! I’ll be looking through those today!
December is a bit too soon but January-February works well for us. What is the weather like at that point?
In regards to tickets we are still undecided on what to do. We were thinking of hiring 2 5 bedroom villa’s for the families but allowing them to pay for their own flights. Thats what hubby suggested but I thought it may be a bit lame to expect them to pay for their own flights? I’m not sure about this one.
In regards to clothes. I’m going for the white HSY ribbon dress with less kaam. I already love how the dupatta is quite light for that outfit. What do you think?
Were thinking of having tent on beach with chairs like the civiil ceremony weddings. This will be for the nikkah and civil marriage. Then guests can move around the beach… we’ll leave out some deckchairs… live band… 2 people doing the bbq out on the beach etc
Ive attached a video of an Al Qasr wedding and after about a minute it shows a 360 clip of the layout… thats basically what I am after!
This changes SO MUCH from the original wedding plans but luckily nothing was too expensive so we can afford to change plans.
What id like is for all the guests to initially be seated here. Me and hubs come out to live harp music and we have the nikkah and civil marriage
Then guests can move around and enjoy the beach while drinks are served for the standing drinks reception during which point id like to get a live jazz band in for the entire night from then on.
The BBQ gets started up and dinner is served also outside but i’d like table layout to be like this
Cake cutting and first dance followed by speeches, photographs etc
^ I think its all very workable but beach weddings imho should be a little more relaxed, playful and fun- I mean, you're on a beach! Barefoot! Listening to the ocean and watching someone take their vows! FUN! :)
The table layout you're proposing for the beach for the dinner is a little too formal, I feel. And if you're going for that structured look then keep in mind that you'd need a patio type of area to put all those tables on and you'd need the weather to cooperate and not be too windy, etc. Maybe ask them about the possibility of erecting a marquee with a floor on the beach? You know, like tents have wooden or tiled floors put in sometimes? That would give you the best of both worlds. You could string up lots of lights around the perimeter of the tent and inside. If you were able to get one of those clear tents that would kick ass, or you could just do a marquee that's open on all sides. Jan/Feb are good weather months so you could manage those. I adore the tiki torches lit up at night- awesome idea! You could even have a bonfire and toast marshmallows - it would be such a relaxing wind-down to the evening.
Paying for flights is extremely generous of you! Can I come? :p I think its quite reasonable to find a package deal on flights for that many people with a travel agent and let people pay for them knowing their accommodation and food etc will be gratis once they arrive in Dubai. Speak to the hotel about arranging accommodations at special rates on or off premises- I'm sure they'll be able to help you out.
Thank you for all the links! I'll be looking through those today!
December is a bit too soon but January-February works well for us. What is the weather like at that point?
In regards to tickets we are still undecided on what to do. We were thinking of hiring 2 5 bedroom villa's for the families but allowing them to pay for their own flights. Thats what hubby suggested but I thought it may be a bit lame to expect them to pay for their own flights? I'm not sure about this one.
In regards to clothes. I'm going for the white HSY ribbon dress with less kaam. I already love how the dupatta is quite light for that outfit. What do you think?
Were thinking of having tent on beach with chairs like the civiil ceremony weddings. This will be for the nikkah and civil marriage. Then guests can move around the beach... we'll leave out some deckchairs... live band... 2 people doing the bbq out on the beach etc
Ive attached a video of an Al Qasr wedding and after about a minute it shows a 360 clip of the layout... thats basically what I am after!
This changes SO MUCH from the original wedding plans but luckily nothing was too expensive so we can afford to change plans.
Looking forward to your input girl!
gah! the HSY dress is beautiful! lucky girl! :) i'll watch the video later on- gotta head to work now!
Hey doll, your right about the centre pieces... I am going for all white tableware and I'm going to have a very small centre piece that goes with the surroundings.
I do love the idea of an intimate nikkah, civil ceremony (live harpist in background) in the gazebo type tent I showed you earlier, followed by a standing drinks reception (loungers/day beds will be scattered around the beach for guests to relax), playback music will come on at this point but no bollywood but a mix of english and arabic, followed with a live bbq and sit down dinner, speeches, first dance and all the other shenanigans! Once it gets dark we'll have the fire tiki's out on the beach and the marshmallows and fire idea is awesome end to the night! x
Theres alot to organise on top of moving there in 4 weeks :( I could do with a buddy to help me put it all together!
i wouldnt recommend january, the weather here is tooo unpredictable , it'd be horrible if it rained! this year january was really rainy, especially in the beginning, my weddings in Jan inshallah so no outdoor venue for me!
Either october/november or feb/march... dec and jan are very unpredictable!
Also check out ritz carlton on JBR walk, they're renovating their beach area and I've heard it's going to be really good once it's done by the end of the year!
Oh wow Gina your Nikka was at Al Qasr! Congrats on your nikka also I didnt know you were married! I guess I wont know about the right venue till I am out there and see all the venues for myself but thanks girls! Will keep you all updated with the plans! xxxx
