Today’s real wedding features a bride who will be familiar to many of our readers. Anna Lucas, who had been documenting the build-up to her Dubai wedding each month over the past year or so, tied the knot with fiancé Tom back in April.

Originally hailing from Wales, the couple decided to hold their wedding at the gorgeous Al Qasr at the Madinat Jumeirah. With guests traveling from all over the world, Anna and Tom’s wedding day was full of fun and entertainment, as well as beautiful details, a heartfelt ceremony, and a massive cake!

Read on to find out more about Anna’s big day, and to see the beautiful pictures that capture every moment so effortlessly. Enjoy!

How did he propose?

We were in South Africa, in the vineyard region of Franschoek, celebrating both my 30^th birthday and our one year anniversary of being together. We bumped into old friends by chance at the vineyard where we were staying and had a long, delicious lunch with lots of gorgeous South African wine and bubbles. Tom proposed at our villa, with the most incredible backdrop, whilst jamming to Bob Marley’s ‘This is love’, which we then used to walk down the aisle to as husband and wife. Our friends filmed the whole thing – a memory not many people get to have, and I shall treasure forever.

Did you decide upon a wedding theme? If so, talk us through your choice…

I wanted our set up to look magical and pretty and not at all overly done. Our venue was so grand and beautiful, beginning right on the beach in front of the sea and with the backdrop of the Burj al in the bright sunshine. 

The day continued in a purpose built courtyard on an island area, travelled to by boat, surrounded by fairy lit palm trees. There was an air of romance with light, pretty pinks, champagnes and golds. The décor was not a big job for us because we were literally getting married in paradise! I cannot imagine a better wedding venue.

Tell us about the wedding cake….

Our cake was over a metre tall and was the most delicious lemon and cream stuffed naked cake, with themed flowers to decorate. Cutting your wedding cake with an actual sword has got to be on your bucket list – it was ginormous and I absolutely loved it!

For catering, we had Mounia as our Wedding Coordinator and an amazing team serving us on the day. We met with the Head Chef for a full tasting beforehand and the food was absolutely exquisite – very Dubai style.

Let’s talk wedding gowns. Where did you buy your dream gown?

I got my gown from Vanila Wedding Boutique. St Patrick by Pronovias, it was tight fitting with a sweetheart neckline, totally backless and had gorgeous lace at the bottom. I absolutely loved it. I topped it off with the most incredible full-length veil.

Most enjoyable part of the planning process…

Picking the venue and imagining everyone there and planning all the entertainment around it thinking about what everyone would really love – it all worked out perfectly!

Most testing part of the wedding planning process as an expat bride…

Delegating jobs to Tom, and then retracting them as he refused to help or tried to help and was useless! Do not involve them – it only adds stress and you will be let down!

Top three tips for a bride-to-be…

♡ Enjoy every single second as it goes so quickly. Honestly, when it’s over, it is the most awful feeling of sadness. You have spent so many months and so much time and energy organising the most perfect day for you and your guests, that when it’s over, and everyone leaves, you are literally devastated. It’s awful! My advice would be to go on honeymoon IMMEDIATELY after your wedding, to avoid serious Bride Blues.

♡ Have your wedding exactly where you want to host it – not to please everyone. Those who really adore you and want to be there will be there, no matter where it is. It is even more incredible when people travel so far. The love at the ceremony and the feeling you experience is surreal! It is very unlikely that you will ever get all of those people in one place ever again with you, apart from at your funeral, but you won’t be there. So DO IT BIG!

♡ Having our wedding in Dubai meant we could have activities surrounding the wedding for up to two weeks as the guests made a holiday of it. So do it! Having multiple ‘wedding’ events adds to everyone’s enjoyment of the occasion and makes it even more memorable for both you and them! The memories and happiness will really last a lifetime.

The Bride’s Little Pink Book

Venue: Al Qasr / Cake: Al Qasr Bakery / Flowers: Dubai Garden Centre / Photographer: Hafid Mai/ Make-up artist: Locks by Lou / Wedding Stationery: A Game / Acrobat: Hayley Martin / Photographer with printer on site:  Sky Media / DJ: DJ Emir / Wedding Dress and Veil: Vanila Wedding Boutique / Chair Hire: Innovative Hiring / Band: The Swing Review