Embarking on the magical journey towards your dream wedding in the UAE is an exciting adventure, filled with love, joy, and, yes, a bit of planning prowess. We get it—the thought of budgeting can be a tad overwhelming, casting a shadow on what should be a sun-filled journey to your big day. Fear not, for we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the financial waters of wedding planning with ease. Say goodbye to the headaches and heartaches often tied to crunching those numbers.

Ready to dive into budget bliss? Let’s get started with our budget guide to planning a wedding in the UAE.

WEDDING PLANNERS

Consider hiring a wedding planner to bring your dream wedding to life, effortlessly. With their deep industry knowledge, they can help you make the most of your budget. Fees for a full wedding planning service can vary, starting at AED 10,000 for smaller, one-day celebrations, to AED 50,000 or more for grand, multi-day affairs. Remember, this fee covers the planner’s expertise and coordination, but not the costs of other vendors and services, which will need their own separate budget. Alternatively, some planners might charge a service fee of 10% to 15% of your total wedding budget.

VENUE & CATERING

In the UAE, your dream wedding venue awaits, from secluded beaches and desert dunes to lush gardens, elegant ballrooms, and beneath the dazzling skyline. Costs vary, with minimum spends for food and beverage starting from AED 20,000 to AED 170,000+ for premium venues in prime locations. Alternatively, some venues offer per-person pricing from AED 130 to AED 1000+, inclusive of drink packages. Prices depend on the venue, number of guests, location, and other factors.

In addition to the minimum spend, some venues have a rental fee so it’s always good to clarify the cost breakdown with them when you do your venue tour.

Top tip: Venues tend to offer more flexible pricing options during the summer and weekdays if you are on a budget.

OFFICIANTS/CELEBRANTS

A wedding officiant for a symbolic ceremony typically ranges from AED 2,500 to AED 5,990 depending on the celebrant and requirements.

WEDDING CAKE

Wedding cake prices range from AED 900 for a very simple design to over AED 17,000 for a lavish, multi-tiered cake with intricate details.

ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment is key to setting the mood for your day, from ceremony tunes to after-party vibes. Entertainment packages, including live bands or DJs, start from AED 4,000 to AED 25,000+. Costs vary based on the band’s size, performance duration, etc.

Solo acts like violinists or saxophonists range from AED 3,500 to AED 5,000. Remember, not all venues come with sound systems, so you might need to budget for AV & Sound equipment hire, starting at AED 5,000+.

FLOWERS

Crafting floral masterpieces to adorn your day is an artistry unto itself. Costs vary depending on the intricacy of design, with options tailored to suit every budget. Below breakdown will give you an overall idea of the essential requirements:

• Floral arch for the ceremony range from AED 1,500 to AED 10,000+
• Table centerpiece range from AED 350 to AED 1500+ per table arrangement
• Bridal bouquet starts from AED 300 to AED 1000
• Groom boutonniere starts from AED 50 to 100

DÉCOR & RENTALS

While most venues provide basic furnishings and linens, customising your wedding vibe may require additional rentals.

Here’s a breakdown of what to budget if you wish to create a bespoke wedding vibe:

• Chairs from AED 25+ per item
• Tables from AED 250+ per item
• Table linens from AED 65+ per item
• Tableware sets to elevate your wedding design (charger plates, designed cutleries & glassware, colored napkins) from AED 100+ per set
• Fairy lights from AED 6000+
• Stage, catwalk, dance floor from AED 270 per SQ. M

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

Prices start from around AED 8,000 for wedding photography packages based in and can go up to 18,000AED+ depending on hours and requirements. Usually covered is the bridal and groom preparation, the first look, ceremony, cocktail, dinner reception, and after-party.

Videography packages start at AED 8,000 to AED 25,000 depending on hours and requirements, if cranes are needed, multiple videographers, etc.

Certain vendors provide bundled photography and videography packages for added convenience. Prices may start from AED 1,700+ per hour, depending on the required hours.

HAIR STYLIST & MAKE-UP ARTIST

Bridal hair & makeup packages start from AED 600 to 5000+ for hair and makeup, depending on the MUA and hairstylist, their portfolio, products used and type of make-up, hairstyle required (simple western style, Arabic/Indian).

ADDITIONAL FEES TO CONSIDER

Take into account overlooked costs such as taxes, exchange rates, and delivery fees, therefore we recommend to maintain a contingency fund of 10% to 15% of your budget for unexpected expenses.

We hope this guide provides clarity and inspiration as you plan the wedding of your dreams in the UAE. If you need assistance finding the perfect venue and vendors tailored to your budget and vision, our FREE concierge service is just a click away.

Wishing you a joyous planning journey and a lifetime of love and happiness.

*All images featured in this article are AI generated