The world was surprised when Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck announced they'd married in a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding in July, but we were watching closely when they hosted their far more lavish second ceremony last week.
The nuptials were held at Affleck's $8.1 million Georgia estate amid famous friends and family members, as the couple, known colloquially as Bennifer, said "I do” — again — almost 20 years after their first relationship.
They’re not the only celebrities to have more than one wedding ceremony — and they certainly won't be the last.
Only a few months ago, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker famously held three ceremonies — one also in Vegas, a second in California to make it legal, followed by a big bash in Italy.
In the Arab world and the subcontinent, having several wedding events is the cultural norm, but it’s also a rising, post-pandemic trend in the West.
In the US, for example, couples are having two or three events, something Steve Kemble, a wedding planner in Dallas, told The New York Times he calls “sequel weddings”. He said it allows “couples to create authentic moments of celebration at times that work for them and their loved ones”.
Brides magazine also named "full wedding weekends" a top trend for 2022. "With welcome parties, daytime activities and day-after brunches, many weddings are expanding their scope outside of the simple ceremony and reception," the publication wrote.
Mark Khawaja, co-founder of La Table Events in Abu Dhabi, says it's becoming more popular in the UAE, too. “There has been a surge in events happening in the Emirates from people coming from all over the world ever since they announced civil marriage," he tells The National, describing these as "truly exciting times”.
The events company, which specialises in weddings, has had many couples get in touch with them to organise their nuptials in the UAE, with plans for another ceremony in their home countries. "They have different themes, fashion and crowd. One can imagine the incredible experience.”
Arun Bablani, of Vivaah Weddings, recalls one couple who used eight properties to host 10 events across Dubai during a seven-day wedding extravaganza with more than 500 guests.
“Another couple who live in Benin, West Africa, held a traditional wedding over seven days in Benin City for over 1,000 guests. Then they held another three-day event in Paris, followed by four days in Dubai.”
It's quite usual for the company to organise multi-day weddings in Dubai, he says. “Many of the couple’s guests will be travelling from overseas to attend the wedding. So, planning a number of different events to keep guests engaged and occupied is pretty standard.”
It's particularly common for Indian weddings, he says, which can last between two to five days. "The need to honour the cultural history and in deference to their elders, couples will happily follow the same wedding plans that their parents and grandparents did."
Scroll through the gallery below to see inside a lavish, multi-day Indian wedding in the UAE, with laser shows, fireworks and Ain Dubai ceremony
Destination weddings simply can't be a one-day event, Bablani continues. "These days, it is not unusual to have family and friends scattered all around the world. Holding events over numerous days gives everyone a chance to really reconnect and spend quality time together.
"It helps create many wonderful memories in a way that a singular event cannot.”
It just makes sense for guests flying into the UAE, says Rasha Badran, founder of weddings and event planning company The Purple Chair. “Given that there is so much the country has to offer, couples are creating memorable events for their guests by giving them unique experiences," she says.
“Day one can be dedicated to people meeting each other and reconnecting. Day two can be the day of the ritual and celebrations without the formalities. Most couples are so overwhelmed on their wedding day that they feel it passes quickly and are trying to juggle their time between enjoying the night and meeting guests' expectations.
"By having multiple events, you tend to be more relaxed and have a smoother process of matrimony.”
But while it's nothing new in the UAE, there has been a noted rise in recent interest. Bablani, who also founded the Middle East Wedding Alliance, says that as Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted across the world, they've seen a "higher average spend”, since people had more time to save for their ceremonies, leading to more than one event.
There's also a religious and cultural aspect, he says. “With the rise in marriages of people born into different religions and the tolerance and acceptance that may have been missing in the past, couples feel more able to have celebrations that can encompass and honour both faiths. There are so many wonderful traditions and symbolic elements that are part of a marriage ceremony be they Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist or Jewish.
“Apart from the fun of having more than one wedding, it is also a great way of showing true respect to the family of your partner that you are about to become a part of.”
Badran, who has organised several three-day events in Dubai, says anyone considering a multi-day wedding should focus on providing guests with completely different experiences for each event.
“The pre-wedding can always be themed and the main focus is to have fun and have all friends and family get together. Weddings should be more timeless and classic.
"The third day is usually more relaxed and laid-back. It can be a dressed-up brunch where guests say their goodbyes in a relaxed environment.”
Bablani says it's most important to know your budget. “It's easy for costs to spiral if you're not careful. Think about what elements of a wedding are really important to you. Remember past weddings you have been to and what bits you did and didn’t like.”
Khawaja also says balancing the budget is of utmost priority, but ultimately a multi-event wedding is a no-brainer — if you can afford it. “If one has the ability, resources and will to create and enhance these memories and share it with as many loved ones as possible, then why not?
"Covid taught the world that without joy, love and gatherings, we are just empty souls with filled-up bank accounts."
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ATP WORLD No 1
2004 Roger Federer
2005 Roger Federer
2006 Roger Federer
2007 Roger Federer
2008 Rafael Nadal
2009 Roger Federer
2010 Rafael Nadal
2011 Novak Djokovic
2012 Novak Djokovic
2013 Rafael Nadal
2014 Novak Djokovic
2015 Novak Djokovic
2016 Andy Murray
2017 Rafael Nadal
2018 Novak Djokovic
2019 Rafael Nadal
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
The%20Specs
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The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
