The capital’s wedding show returned bigger and better to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre over the weekend. The event, which ended on Saturday, gave visitors a glimpse of the best regional and international abaya designers, wedding-dress couturiers and event planners. Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane scoured the halls of Bride Abu Dhabi for one-of-a-kind solutions – from a lavish 100-guest bash to simpler celebrations for those on a budget.
Luxury: Approximate total spend, excluding venue, transportation and any additional elements Dh298,000.
Catering
With a wedding size of 100 people as a guideline, Royal Catering’s executive chef Eric Heurtel says he could provide the ultimate Emirati dining experience for upwards of Dh70,000. His team have reimagined local cuisine, giving it a gourmet twist and presenting it in a sleek, modern way. Meze is portioned individually in handblown glass bowls and harees is served in miniature tagines, doing away with sharing platters. Elaborate wedding cakes can reach up to 80 centimetres in height, and popular decorations include sugar roses, marzipan orchids and real flowers. A recent royal wedding cake Heurtel oversaw had twelve tiers. Embellishments requested by clients this season include gold-leaf flowers, gold spray, pearls and crystals – for which couples should budget up to Dh25,000, he says. Royal Catering’s place settings – especially for royal weddings – are the finest porcelain, often with gold-leaf trims and crystal glassware. Traditional Arabic dishes will also be served to guests on gilded plates with gold cloches.
Flowers
Expect to spend about Dh150,000 for about 5,000 Ecuadorean roses, says specialist florist Only Roses. For that price, flowers would be on display at the service, the entrance and as centrepieces on the 10 tables seating the 100 guests. Bridal bouquets can be preserved for life for an additional charge. Emirati weddings seem to favour floral displays of red and gold with crystals, while expatriates prefer pastel roses.
Hair and make-up
Natasha Zaki has made quite the name for herself in royal and celebrity circles in recent years. From blushing brides to English roses and Arabian princesses, Zaki has expertise in a range of make-up and hairstyling preferences. Individual sessions start from Dh8,000, while family appointments range from Dh20,000 to Dh40,000.
• Call 056 214 2020 or visit www.glossymakeup.com
Dress
The sky is the limit for couture gowns, with prices running into the hundreds of thousands of dirhams. One-off wedding dresses at Bride Abu Dhabi in the luxury category featured dramatic silhouettes and plenty of frills.
Left: A timeless column dress with chiffon overskirt from Carolina Herrera. Dh45,900.
Right: A show-stopping bridal gown with an exaggerated train by Filipino couturier Angelo Estera. Dh65,000.
