An Arabic Wedding at the JW Marriott Marquis

Today we bring you some stunning pictures of an Arabic wedding, thanks to the talented team over at, Blue Eye Photography.

Dina, from Jordan, and Hussein, originally from the States, were both brought up here in the UAE and actually met at a mutual friend’s engagement party! Thanks to Hussein’s cousin, the couple were formally introduced and were inseparable from that moment on. We love it when random occurrences like this bring together two people who ultimately fall in love and get married. It just shows you how magical life can be!

Utilising the majestic ballroom at the JW Marriott Marquis, Dina (who made the most beautiful hijabi bride) and Hussein’s wedding took place on 11^th April 2014, and was a real treat for the 450 guests in attendance. Today’s feature focuses more on the beautiful bride and the happy couple, rather than the ‘details’. Enjoy!

Who designed your dress?

My dress was custom made by a great designer in Sharjah. I wanted to be a part of the dress making process and picked the fabric myself, as well as helping with the design. Rola Baghadadi did my makeup and I was very happy with the results. The whole experience was so nice; I wish I could go back in time and live it all over again!

Why did you choose to hold your wedding at the JW Marriott Marquis?

We chose to get married at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel because we both loved the ballroom. Other than the beautiful ballroom, I must say that the high standard that the hotel maintains in all aspects was an important reason for choosing it. 

What was the theme or colour scheme you picked for your wedding?

I wanted an all-white wedding and I added just a touch of silver. I aimed to create a peaceful and magical atmosphere. Our wedding was decorated with white orchids and candles, which looked so incredibly beautiful. We also had our names displayed as logos on a big screen. 

What should every bride know when planning for her wedding?

That it’s a difficult journey, especially here in Dubai. There is a wide variety of options and as a bride you can easily become confused.  It can get very complicated, so it’s important to focus on what you really want and not what other people think you should do. 

I would like to tell every bride-to-be not to stress so much. I know it’s hard, but at the end of the day it’s all about living in the moment. During your wedding day, time goes so fast. So enjoy your big day to the maximum and have fun.

What was the most difficult and stressful part of wedding planning?

Picking the right wedding planner, because there is such a wide variety and everybody has so many amazing ideas. Choosing was very hard for me because they all have similar ideas but as a bride you never know who is really going to deliver and be the best. 

On the other hand, my favourite part of the planning process was the excitement and seeing the final outcome after all the effort and work that we put into organising the wedding! 

Did you face any surprises?

Oh yes! The chair that my husband and I were supposed to sit on was way too small, and we didn’t fit properly. So right at the last minute we needed to get a new sofa. Luckily my brother came to the rescue and took care of the situation by getting a new sofa for us. 

Do you recommend any specific suppliers that you worked with?

Everything was perfect, especially regarding the photography.  We were lucky to work with great photographers. Also our wedding video looked amazing and professional. I was more than happy with the result and with the Blue Eye Pictures team. 

The Little Pink Book

Venue – JW Marriott Marquis / Dress – Designed by Raida Foudeh at Dibaj, Sharjah / Photography and videography – Blue Eye Picture / Wedding Planner – Samer at Sada Al-Afrah / Make up – Rola Baghadadi / Cake – JW Marriott Marquis

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