Be it the famous Burj Khalifa or the hidden souks, there is no dearth of picturesque locations in Dubai. Shubhanshu Jain of The Wedding Matinee introduces us to a few that are perfect to start your love story.
Opulence, luxury, and grandeur are some of the words that are synonymous with Dubai. So, if you are planning a larger-than-life wedding, here is some inspiration.
This is the love story of Niyati and Josh, who chose to say ‘I Do’ at a beautiful and opulent Indian wedding ceremony in Dubai. “The bride’s family lived in Dubai and the groom was from the United Kingdom. The couple wanted to show what a real Indian wedding would look like to their friends and families who were travelling from all across the globe,” says Shubhanshu Jain, CEO of The Wedding Matinee. “They told us exactly what they wanted it to look like and what elements of the wedding were important to them. Most of Josh’s friends and family were attending an Indian wedding for the first time, and were super excited,” adds Jain.
As part of the couple’s wedding photography team, Jain visited venues that should be on every bride and groom’s list. Here are his favourites.
Dubai’s Best Locations For Couples Photos
Luxury for everyone
Dubai is famous for its luxury and grandeur, and we were awed by every place we visited. Niyati and Josh’s wedding was a three-day long affair. The nuptials started with a party and ended on the same high with another party. Most of the wedding functions were held in Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection, a big wide hotel in Jebel Ali. We began the first function with a welcome party that had a white and neon theme.
Ode to Bollywood
The next morning began with an all-yellow and flowery haldi on the terrace, which was followed by a very colourful mehendi. The bride entered the mehendi venue with her nani and dadi. There were flash mobs and surprise performances for the couple by their near and dear ones.
In the evening, we went to BollywoodParks™ Dubai, a theme park based on famous actors and their iconic Bollywood roles and films. The evening ended with a cocktail and sangeet party at the grand ballroom in Lapita. Josh and Niyati joined the crowd dancing to the Bollywood track tenu leke mai jawan ga along with their bridesmaids and groomsmen.
The Eye of Dubai
The wedding ended with pheras and a reception at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, which is one of the finest luxury beach resorts in the world.
The varmala was held during sunset on the private beach of the resort with the sound and view of the ocean in the background. The giant Ain Dubai or Dubai Eye lit up the evening sky and made it an unforgettable experience. The night ended with a grand reception. It was a musical extravaganza, with violin players welcoming the guests and a live band rocking the stage.
The beauty of the city is perfectly captured in a beautiful photograph of Niyati and Josh walking towards the mandap. As someone who is always looking out for good lighting and frames, I noticed the setting sun creating just the perfect ambience for Niyati and Josh. And that’s the photograph turned out to be magical.
For the love of Instagram
There are indeed a lot of Insta-worthy places in Dubai. The souks reflecting the golden sun, the shops that sell oud with interesting patterns and rising smoke, and many more.
La Mer Beach is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. With the quirky wall paintings, restaurants, and fairy lights, it is all about aesthetics, and a must-visit.
Dubai has made quite a lasting impression on me. Next time, I want to skydive above Palm Jumeirah Island. A tradition that I’ve followed on every Dubai trip, that I recommend is going to Downtown Dubai and walking around the Burj Khalifa.
Happily Ever After
Dubai is one of the best options if you are looking for a destination wedding. Its many locations can match every vibe, and every wedding vision. A piece of advice to couples is to choose their vendors—decorators, planners, and photographers—wisely. Take your time, explore, and think well before you make these decisions.
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