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1. One&Only Royal Mirage

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Prices from: All wedding ceremonies and events are bespoke.

Venues: With over 65 acres of lush green landscaped gardens, 1km of exclusive beachfront overlooking Palm Island bay, a variety of water fountains, falajs, winding walkways, arches and domes, the resort offers a collection of the most unique, and scenic outdoor and indoor venues. There are two recently refurbished ballrooms, The Royal Ballroom at The Palace, for up to 300 guests, and the Peregrine Ballroom at the Arabian Court for up to 160 guests. The outdoor Amphitheatre and Oval Garden could seat another 300 guests.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? The stylish Arabesque architecture and décor makes One&Only Royal Mirage an ideal location for those colourful, vibrant Indian weddings. Reflecting pools, colourful mosaics, hand-painted domes, winding corridors, candle lights and bakhoor sets a theatrical scene perfect for those romantic pictures and videos shoots. A team of dedicated chefs from India also contributes in creating the most unique Asian culinary experiences.

Contact: 04 399 9999

2. Emirates Palace

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Package price: Ballroom rental Dh120,000 and customised silver service menus starting from Dh350 per person, soft drinks and water served during the dinner at Dh65 per person (minimum 500 guests).

What does it include? Fresh juices upon arrival, food tasting for four, suite on the night of the wedding for the bride and groom, private dinner for two on the night of the wedding and breakfast, return transfer for the couple in a Rolls Royce, first anniversary overnight stay in Emirates Palace or other Kempinski hotel.

Venues and capacity: There’s something for every party size, from 30 to 2,000 guests, whether under the stars in one of the many outdoor gazebos, on the beach with the backdrop of the illuminated Palace, or within the regal ballroom.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? Royal weddings are signature, so no matter who you are, their talented team of professionals will assist you in planning your perfect wedding. Inspiration may be found in every corner of the one million square metres of breath-taking grounds, from the glimmering ocean to the ceilings embellished with 24K gold.

Contact: 02 690 7944

3. Raffles

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Prices from: Dh250 per person

Includes: Custom menu, served in set, buffet or family style, soft drinks, table settings and non-floral centrepieces, couples’ one-night stay in a suite with breakfast, three-tier wedding cake, standard AV equipment, LCD projector and screen, stage and dance floor, menu tasting for up to four guests, valet parking, special accommodation rates for guests and a wedding planner.

Venues: Raffles Ballroom, overlooking the Gardens, boasts stunning Swarovski crystal chandeliers, hand-carved doors and natural daylight (up to 350 guests in a dinner set-up); the Garden, for an intimate outdoor blessing or dinner for up to 200 guests; and the Roman Court in the Garden for up to 100 guests. Other venues include the library, Luxor and Gizza.

What makes it a special place to get married? The hotel’s venues are suitable for different types of ceremonies such as mehendi, sangeet and pheras, giving the chance to have the fire, drums and the temple. There are special and personalised menus for Indian weddings – serving authentic dishes, customised to the guest preference by the expert and Indian executive sous chef Santosh Gonzalves.

Contact: 04 324 8888

4. Jumeirah Beach Hotel

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Package price: Dh9,900 for up to 20 guests (Dh27,750 for up to 150 guests) for the ceremony; minimum spends apply to the various reception venues.

Includes: Wedding ceremony set-up including floral arch, ceremonial table with flowers, bridal bouquet and boutonniere for the groom, seating, audio, red carpet and soft drinks. Reception at Safinah Ballroom has buffet, family style, soft drinks, table linens, floral centerpieces, personalised signage, valet parking, wedding cake, a one night stay at the hotel, inclusive of breakfast, for the couple, four changing rooms for the bride and families; 10 per cent extra of final guest numbers on complimentary basis.

Venues: Safinah ballroom with LED lighting, ceiling-mounted projectors and screens, for 300-600 guests, subject to the stage size (minimum food and beverage spend of Dh110,000); Sunset Garden (minimum food and beverage spend of Dh30,000).

What makes it a special place to get married? With indoor spaces and several outdoor options with views of the Burj Al Arab, this beach hotel is the perfect option for weddings of all sizes with guests needing accomodation options, as block-booking at preferential rates is possible.

Contact: 04 348 0000

5. Oberoi Dubai

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Price from: Dh270 per guest

Includes: Choice of dinner menus, soft drinks, candle centerpieces, dance floor, menu tasting for the bride, groom and up to two guests; dedicated wedding team, parking for all guests, one night stay for couple and wedding cake.

Venues: The Grand Hall (up to 280 guests banquet style, 350 guests lounge style), has a private entrance and is adjacent to the outdoor Courtyard, which is perfect for welcome cocktails or a wedding ceremony (200 guests); Poolside (250 guests standing; 80 guests banquet); Yoga Deck for up to 50 guests, for intimate blessings, receptions, wedding luncheons and dinners.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? The Oberoi Dubai offers beautiful venues together with exemplary service quality that ensures guests’ special day is extraordinary. The hotel boasts a dining experience that promises to be one of the highlights of your wedding thanks to the award-winning chefs. The team of in-house pastry chefs will design and decorate the wedding cake of your dreams.

Contact: 04 444 1444

6. Madinat Jumeirah

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Price from: Dh230 per guest

Includes: Buffet or family-style menu, soft drinks, one-night stay at the resort with honeymoon amenities and breakfast (two nights if the wedding takes place between June 15 and August 31, 2018), wedding cake, valet parking, dance floor, wedding coordinator; access to Madinat Jumeirah for photo shoot; abra tour for the couple on the wedding day.

Venues: Fort Island, an outdoor venue in a lagoon; Joharah and Murjaan ballrooms (280 guests); Arena (4,500 guests); Layali, a beachside setting for a blessing ceremony.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? Like the other Jumeirah properties, this is the place for a beachside wedding in Dubai; the venue is geared up to handle multiple events.

Contact: 04 366 5354

7. Fairmont Ajman

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Package price: From Dh185 per person (minimum 200 guests). For every 100 guests paid, 10 guests eat free. Smaller party? A mid-week wedding package starts from Dh135 per person for a minimum of 120 guests.

Includes: Customisable buffet, set menu or family style, three-tiered wedding cake in a choice of designs and flavours, beverages, one-night stay in a Junior Suite inclusive of in-house breakfast, food tasting for four people, access to the hotel facilities for pre-wedding photoshoot, special spa packages for the couple, on-site team, state-of-the-art AV.

Venues: The Topaz Ballroom. At 700sqm, it is an opulent marbled room with floor-to-ceiling windows running its entire length. Pearl Garden, overlooking the beachfront, is a spectacular setting for a pheras and baraat.

What makes it a special place to get married? Holding court along the prime beachfront address of the corniche and enveloped by white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, the perfect backdrop for creating a lifetime of memories on your special day. The hotel offers wedding planning service and photography partners.

Contact: 06 701 5757

8. Atlantis

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Prices from: Dh350 per person for the reception (packages for mehendi and sangeet available separately).

Includes: Customised buffet, soft drinks, signature mocktails during the cake-cutting ceremony for the bride and groom, wedding planner, ceremonial wedding, one-night stay in a deluxe room with breakfast, free entry for couple to Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers, dance floor and stage set up, dinner 
for the couple on their first anniversary, Mercedes or Audi limousine airport transfer.

Venues: Both the Atlantis Ballroom and Zero Entry Pool have a 2,000-guest capacity; or go big at the 2,500-guest Asateer with a view of the Dubai skyline.

What makes it a special place to get married? It’s is a destination within a destination, with the largest meet, eat and sleep facilities in the region, and 455 chefs are ready to prepare any kind of food for any event. There are outdoor venues and beautiful views. The team understands different cultures, traditions and their requirements and work efficiently to create a memorable celebration.

Contact: 04 426 2000

9. Crowne Plaza Dubai

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Prices from: Dh220 per person (minimum 100 guests)

Includes: Choice of a customised buffet or three-course set menu, three-tier wedding cake, soft drinks, welcome drinks, food tasting for four guests, red carpet arrival for the bride and groom, dance floor, stage, AV screen and LCD projector, valet parking service for all wedding guests, one-night stay in a Deluxe Suite, make-up room for the bride and special room rate for the wedding guests.

Venues: The Al Jumairah Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,000 (banquet) and 1,800 guests for a cocktail reception. The 15 meeting rooms can between them accommodate 5-1800 guests.

What makes it a special place to get married? Crowne Plaza Dubai has a long history and has been part of the Dubai social scene for almost 24 years. It is the oldest hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road and generations of families have chosen to have their weddings at the hotel.

Contact: 04 331 1111

10. Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi

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Prices from: Dh155 net per person.

Includes: Customised wedding menu (buffet or family style), venue rental, welcome juices, one night stay for the couple in a deluxe suite, in-room breakfast, discounted room rates for wedding guests, three-layer wedding cake, couple’s food tasting, additional 10 guests free of charge, wooden dance floor, dedicated wedding planner and 20 per cent discount on nails, hairstyling and massages.

Venues: The Liwa Grand Ballroom can accommodate minimum of 150 guests; the outdoor venue is available on weekdays only.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? Weddings are meant to be timeless memories. The team are there to make it last. Whether your style is modern or classic, intimate or extravagant, they can assist to make your vision an extraordinary reality and deliver a personalised wedding day.

Contact: 02 674 2020

11. Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi

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Prices from: Dh310 per person

Venues: The grand Roma Ballroom has chandeliers, upholstered walls and unique lighting and can accommodate up to 900 guests with direct access to the bridal suites. Napoli (90 guests); Grand Canal Beach, in front of the canal; Grand Lawn with views of the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque (500 guests); Pool Garden (1,000 guests); Villa Lawn (200 guests).

Includes: Dance floor, linens, stage, candles, buffet or a set menu, valet parking, couple’s one-night stay in Executive Suite with breakfast in bed, first anniversary celebration set dinner, special room rate for wedding guests. Contact: 02 818 8888

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12. St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

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Price: Depends on the menu

Includes: Menu served in buffet or a family-style seated dinner, five-tier wedding cake, one-night stay in the bridal suite with breakfast for the couple, access to The Majilis venue (waiting room) for the groom and his family with dinner for 15 guests, valet parking, special rates for a maximum of 10 guest rooms and a romantic dinner for the couple on their first anniversary at any St Regis resort restaurant.

Venues: The Regal Ballroom is the city’s largest banquet facility, which means it can accommodate up to 1,500 guests and it also boasts a separate pre-function space and a dedicated bridal entrance and salon; the hotel’s private beach can accommodate 400 guests for an intimate sea-facing ceremony, or you can also opt for the Ballroom Terrace that overlooks the sea and can accommodate 350.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? The hotel’s many venues cater to whatever setting your dream wedding comprises of. The resort also offers bespoke spa treatments for the bridal party.

Contact: 02 498 8888

13. Taj Dubai

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Package price: Dh250 per person (minimum 120 guests)

What does it include? Menu tasting for up to two guests, welcome juice upon arrival, a dinner buffet with soft beverages, a bespoke three-tier wedding cake in the flavour of your choice, table linen and chair cover options, fresh floral table centerpiece, AV equipment and themed ballroom lighting, one-night stay in Junior Suite with in-room breakfast, honeymoon offers at Taj Exotica Maldives and anniversary offers at any Taj hotel or resort.

Venues: Opera Ballroom, with its own dedicated entrance, accommodates 300 for a gala dinner, or 250 people for a sangeet/mehendi. For smaller pre-wedding functions, the Outdoor Pool Deck takes 110 persons, the Secret Garden, with views of Burj Khalifa, has a capacity of 80 persons(gala setup). Bombay Brasserie and Treehouse accommodate 120.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? The location of the hotel, with easy access to the best of the attractions that Dubai has to offer; views of Burj Khalifa; and a flexible and attentive team that presents a host of services and a single point of contact to plan, conceptualise and execute your wedding day.

Contact: 04 438 3100

14. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

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Price from: Dh350 per person (minimum 80 guests); Dh8,000 for wedding ceremony.

Includes: Customised buffet menu and soft beverages, three-tier wedding cake, one-night stay at Deluxe King Palm View for the couple with breakfast, couple access to Wild Wadi Waterpark, access to the hotel grounds for a pre-wedding photoshoot, two-hour beach ceremony, wedding specialist, floral decoration and audio visual set-up,

Venues: The Garden, by the beach, (up to 600 guests); MusicHall can be converted into banquet-style seating for up to 600 guests; Saray Club (up to 500 guests); Sultan’s Lounge Private Room (up to 90 guests).

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? A two-hour beach ceremony with lanterns and a red carpet and views of the Palm Jumeirah; and family as well as friends get a preferential rate when booking rooms at this palatial property. It’s perfect for your Arabian Nights dreams.

Contact: 04 453 0000

15. InterContinental Dubai 
Festival City

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Prices from: Dh270 per person

Venues: Two large ballrooms and 16 meeting rooms.

Included: Choice of menu, buffet-style or family-style by specialised Indian chefs, soft drinks, five-tiered wedding cake, table set-up, audio-visuals, dance floor, valet parking, overnight stay with breakfast in a one bedroom suite on the wedding night, dinner for two in the suite, one hour couples’ massage, earn IHG Rewards Points, upgrade to suite for the family of the bride and groom (package is applicable for destination weddings with accommodation and two or more event bookings).

Contact: 04 701 1111

16. Al Maha

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Prices from: Dh3,680 (dune ceremony); Dh15,000 (Presidential suite reception set-up); Dh6,176 (Al Majlis reception set-up); Dh9,125 (dune dining reception)

Includes: Ceremony seating, podium, carpets, altar table, bubbly in the suite for in-house guests and 25 per cent discount at the Spa.

Reception venues: Presidential suite, a private poolside venue with views of the desert for 80 guests (Arabic style) or 50 guests at round tables; Al Majlis banquet space for up to 120 guests; dune dining for up to 300 with Arabic-style carpets and cushions, gas torches, live BBQ, Bedouin tents, gas torches and lanterns, sound system, Arabic souk, bonfire, washrooms, welcome entourage with refreshing towels and welcome cocktail.

Food options: BBQ menu Dh240-490 per person; regular buffets Dh290 per person.

What makes the hotel a special place to get married? Because this recently refurbished desert resort is nestled in a protected wildlife reserve, it is utterly cut off from the world, with views over the dunes, animals roaming around and a taste of the UAE’s unique desert culture.

Contact: 04 832 9900

17. Jumeirah Golf Estates

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Prices from: Dh195

Includes: Table set-ups, stage, sound system, ceremony set-up, AV screen and projector, choice of buffet, set menu or family-style reception meal.

Venues: Jumeirah Golf Estates offers indoor and outdoor space including a ballroom (up to 240 guests, with a stage and its own terrace) and two outdoor terraces with lush golf course views – Fire Terrace accommodating 150 guests and Earth Terrace accommodating up to 450 guests seated. The Earth Terrace can accommodate a dance floor, stage and pre-function cocktail area, and the Fire Terrace, overlooking the 18th hole on the Fire Course, can accommodate a stage.

Contact: 04 818 2000