Interview With Alma Au Yeung

Last month, we featured an overview of what you can expect from The Wedding Fair by Emaar Hospitality Group, which will be hosted at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, on the 3^rd and 4^th February 2017. The fair is the largest open-air wedding exhibition in the region, bringing to life the traditions and heritage of different cultures and showcasing some of the best products and services the industry in the UAE has to offer. With this in mind, we took some time to speak to Alma Au Yeung, Group Director of Lifestyle Events, Sponsorship and Partnership at Emaar Hospitality Group, to discover what else makes the fair unique and why brides-to-be and their partners should attend.

Above: Alma Au Yeung, Group Director of Lifestyle Events, Sponsorship and Partnership at Emaar Hospitality Group

What can brides-to-be expect from The Wedding Fair by Emaar Hospitality Group?

The Wedding Fair by Emaar Hospitality Group promises to be a wonderful occasion this year with a number of highlights. Emaar is showcasing several venues that can host pre and post wedding parties, wedding ceremonies and dinners. There are over thirty venues set both indoors and outdoors. Uniquely, we have four different zones including Arabian, Western, African and South Asian that demonstrate different cultural settings, providing a breadth of choice and diversity to people from different backgrounds across the world.

Over fifty handpicked partners and market leaders in their field will showcase their quality products and services whilst providing outstanding advice and guidance in a number of different areas including personal style, wedding planning, wedding cakes, wedding stationery, memorabilia, decorations and entertainment, and unique services. Guests who book their wedding venue between February 3^rd and 28^th have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes and for those who love value for money there will be numerous extra special offers available for on-site purchases.

Please tell us how the idea of the fair came about…

I have been involved in numerous successful Wedding Fairs in Asia and they are a great platform for brides and grooms to obtain information to make informed decisions when planning their big day. This is our eighth Wedding Fair as Emaar Hospitality Group but the first time it is all encompassing as we really are taking the event to the next level by hosting it at a new iconic location – Burj Park in front of Burj Khalifa.

How will the fair differ to other similar events in the region?

Our strength is twofold; we are based in Dubai, the hub of the Middle East and North Africa and arguably one of the most popular destinations in the world. Secondly, as a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, Emaar Hospitality Group has the ability to offer a world-class and diverse range of properties and experiences not only for the wedding itself but also for the guests. We are meticulous in choosing professional market leaders and vendors to showcase their work and talents, and we only pick the very best.

Why should brides-to-be visit the fair?

Brides-to-be can learn from some of the industry’s top experts on what the latest trends are and get answers to important questions. Attendees can source everything related to an ideal wedding within just a day and enjoy special offers over the two-day period including a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to either London or Sydney in our draw. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to save money and avail a wonderful array of discounts, too.

What recent trends have Emaar noticed within their wedding venues?

Key trends for 2017 include the growing popularity of the garden wedding, outdoor locations, transforming ballrooms into a theme that represents the couples’ character, and a particular focus on menus and food and beverages. More specifically, there is a growing demand for comfort and convenience, which is why we’re introducing a deal where any Rove Hotels property will offer complimentary transport to a group booking ten rooms or more, providing the wedding they are attending is at an Emaar venue. 

Tell us about some of the exhibitors – which areas of the wedding industry will be represented?

The fair is carefully curated across four pavilions focused on Arabian, African, South Asian and Western weddings. The Wedding Fair brings together everything you need to know under one roof with a hand-picked range of exhibitors including leading wedding planners such as Ali Bakhtir, bespoke stationery designers Prêt a Papier, milliner Hayley Marsden,  together with Vanila Studio and The Bridal Showroom to name a few.

The expert event teams from across Emaar Hospitality Group’s venues will also be on hand to talk to guests in more detail about a wide range of areas including venue options, themes, menus, itineraries, running order and décor, as well as offering invaluable advice on how to convert their ideas into reality.

What are you particularly looking forward to about the fair?

We are looking forward to assisting couples who are seeking to host their ideal wedding and the satisfaction that we gain from succeeding in making dreams come true for our clients. This is the largest outdoor wedding fair in the region, and we began planning six months in advance, ensuring, as market leaders, that we understand what our clients need to know and making it a one stop shop in the journey to their dream wedding.

What about grooms? Will there be something for them?

Of course! We have a variety of products and services for grooms and by the time they leave the fair they will know exactly how they want to be groomed and what they want to be wearing. Coming to The Wedding Fair is a short cut to discovering all the options and getting expert help making the right decisions.

Tell us about your association with Bride Club ME?

Bride Club ME showcases listings for products and bridal services such as wedding planners or dress makers to an interested and relevant audience. As a premier online destination, the site gives brides a fantastic information resource and in addition acts as a support network, forum and community for one of the biggest days of a woman’s life. We are happy to have several of our key properties listed on the site and we’re looking forward to seeing your readers at Burj Park on February 3 and 4!  

The Wedding Fair by Emaar Hospitality Group takes place at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, on 3^rd and 4^th February. The fair is open from 2pm until 9pm on the 3^rd, and from 11am to 6pm on the 4^th. For further information about The Wedding Fair by Emaar Hospitality Group, please visit their website here.