Diary Of A Real Bride: Turkey Or Dubai? Finding Our Dream Wedding Venue
Written by Fairy Bride Mother on February 26, 2024.
Tagged under: Destination weddings, Honeymoon, Real Wedding, Steven, UAE Weddings, WEDDING DJ, chairs, cleaning, honeymoon ideas, tables
You heard all about the proposal, now it’s time for our beautiful bride Diane to share how she and her fiance Steven first chose their dream wedding destination, followed by their dream wedding venue, with a little help from our wedding concierge team! Over to you Diane!
I’ve always loved throwing parties and hosting gatherings, so naturally, when it came to my wedding with Steven, we both agreed it had to be unforgettable.
Chapter 1: The Turkey Saga
Being from Turkey and Steven hailing from the US, we figured meeting halfway for our wedding made sense, which initially led us to consider Turkey. However, the reality of planning a wedding there quickly hit us. The costs for venues in Istanbul, Bodrum, and Cappadocia were sky-high, not to mention the 18% VAT, pricey beverage packages, and the logistical nightmares of organizing everything from afar. Our dream of a AED 200,000 wedding seemed to slip through our fingers.
After countless venue searches, we were introduced to our wedding planner, Tasneem Alibhai, via the free Bride Club ME concierge, who opened our eyes to the benefits of a Dubai wedding, and we were sold.
Chapter 2: Habibi, Come to Dubai!
Dubai promised a central location for our friends and colleagues, minimal taxes, no travel expenses, and a plethora of stunning venues. We dreamed of a wedding with a “Dubai View,” necessitating an outdoor venue. Yet, with Dubai Municipality’s restrictions on outdoor music, we knew we needed a venue that could offer both outdoor charm and indoor practicality.
Chapter 3: Show Me the Money!
Our venue hunt revealed that Dubai venues typically don’t charge booking fees but require meeting a minimum spend on services like food and beverages. Prices varied significantly, leading us to meticulously question each venue about their offerings and policies, impacting our budget and preferences drastically.
Chapter 4: If the Shoe Fits!
The thrill of venue hunting waned quickly as we encountered options that just didn’t meet our needs, sparking a mix of nerves and anxiety. Yet, when we discovered Address Dubai Mall, everything clicked into place.
Chapter 5: Bow-Tying the Knot
Our excitement over selecting Address Dubai Mall was palpable. It ticked every box:
- The full Burj Khalifa view screamed “Dubai Wedding.”
- Its prime location in Downtown Dubai felt just right.
- The branded property had that unmistakable Emaar quality.
- The terrace allowed for an outdoor ceremony without the lawn pitfalls, and the connected ballroom promised a seamless transition indoors.
- Not having to impose hotel stays on our guests was a relief.
- The flexibility with outside liquor and the inclusion of the wedding cake and honeymoon suite were the cherries on top.
Wrapping it all up, we knew we had found the perfect venue for our dream Dubai wedding, tying everything together in the most beautiful way imaginable.
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