Get To Know The Wedding Pro!

Each week, we shine the spot light on Bride Club ME vendor club members, allowing you, our reader to get up close and personal with some of the best wedding vendors in town. Here, you can learn more about the people behind some of the businesses you may be engaging to make your wedding day perfect!

Above left: Mennat Al Hammami, Wedding Planner & Founder of Cloud 9 Weddings & Events

This week we have the privilege of showcasing Mennat Al Hammami, Wedding Planner & Founder of Cloud 9 Weddings & Events. Mennat provides us with an exclusive insight into her company, approach to wedding planning and shares what she loves the most about the her job.

How long has Cloud 9 Weddings & Events been established and what do you do?

Cloud 9 was established in June 2011, Surprisingly, over three years now. Upon launching, we strictly focused on bespoke intimate weddings. Today, we handle larger weddings and have successfully branched out to the corporate arena, where we attract clientele who wish to create truly memorable times for their guests.

Describe your wedding planning style and approach events.

Moments make memories. I believe strongly in approaching every event carefully, closely examining the aspects that bring it together. The type of guests, the client’s style, the details needed in terms of décor and entertainment. They all must align and be in harmony to make the ambience special and unforgettable. For me, planning is a ‘soul-full’ experience; I try my best to make each event speak the client.

What do you love most about your work?

I love that the more people I meet, the more well rounded and understanding I start to feel as an individual. I also love that I sometimes don’t consider my job work! Granted, there is a strong business side that demands constant attention – yet promoting my team’s creations and seeing the way it is received is the most rewarding.

Do you have any excit­ing projects/weddings com­ing up?

As the business grows each year, I am fortunate to meet and work with new nationalities. In a couple of month’s time, I am working with a family that have very different traditions to what I am used to and that for me, is always exciting.

What is your current favorite color combination for weddings?

I am a fan of white with minimal prints, greys and antique nudes and any combination of pastels with light or rose gold. Perhaps it is worth mentioning that growing up, my mother was a huge influence on my love for fashion; the use of colours, textures and prints. Artistic expression and experimentation was very much an integral part of my childhood and I believe that helps me in understanding what a bride is looking for very quickly.

Do you have a favorite ceremony and / or reception location in the UAE?

Yes! For ceremonies in Abu Dhabi, I think anywhere on Saadiyat Beach is the ultimate romantic spot. The Saadiyat golf club has a stunning area on the course that overlooks the sea that they rent out for ceremonies. As do both the Park Hyatt and St Regis hotels on the island. Another favourite worth mentioning is the fountain lawn of the Emirates Palace, it is simply beautiful for a ceremony followed by an intimate dinner reception.

Above: Ceremony set up on the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi beach lawn: Image Credit: The Studio

As for Dubai, my favorite for a ceremony would be Al Qasr Hotel beach area. In Ras Al Khaimah the Banyan Tree Beach as well.

For indoor receptions, it is difficult to pick one that stands out because every theme and colour scheme is different. But if I had to pick a ballroom that doesn’t require much work, would have to be the St Regis Corniche in Abu Dhabi and the Address Downtown in Dubai and the Raffles Hotel ballroom.

How can our readers (Brides & Grooms) benefit from your service?

Cloud 9 is a friendly provider of all planning needs. In other words, I offer couples guidance and reassurance. I work closely with the couples and offer full transparency with each step of the way. Through discussions and sharing ideas, I always help couples realize on their own, what it is they want the most at their wedding. Planning a wedding can be a bitter-sweet phase for some couples, the benefit of working with Cloud 9 is it becomes more fun and less of a task.

If you could give one piece of advice to our readers (brides to-be) what would it be?

If you are not planning on hiring a planner for your wedding, please revisit the thought. Carry out as much research as possible before hand. The wedding industry is quickly evolving here in the UAE and while more vendors are optimizing the digital platforms, a lot are still taking their time to catch up and can offer you services without breaking the budget. 

Meet with planners who can give you options and flexibility and listen to your needs. Take your time with your significant other and plan as early as possible. Discuss and share ideas using a checklist and always prioritize the elements you want to include in your wedding.

Lastly, why did you choose to list with www.brideclubme.com?

Bride Club ME is the only online platform (for weddings) in the Middle East that has been able to maintain itself and be up-to-date with its market. Moreover, the site addresses both vendors and brides/couples and delivers its news on time. Finally, the site itself, though rich in information, is easy to use and conveniently user friendly. Through being a member of vendor club, I have personally used the site for inspiration for my own wedding and often use the site to source vendors when planning my clients weddings!

Thanks Mennat! For more on Cloud 9 Weddings & Events click on their Bride Club ME Vendor listing, or head straight to their website. Any questions or comments for Mennat? Leave them in the comment box below!