Inside Mohammed Al Haj’s wedding boutique on Sunday night prospective brides browsed through gowns of lace and silk, discussing plans for their big day.
Just a few weeks ago, such scenes were hard to imagine.
But this week, Dubai's government eased its Covid-19 safety restrictions and declared weddings receptions of up to 200 people would be permitted once again from Thursday.
Mr Al Haj’s shop was suddenly full.
“We had a lot of walk-ins and we were asking people to come back because we were already at serving capacity,” said Mr Al Haj, the co-owner of Contessa Bridal and Evening Wear.
“People want to buy. I’ve been getting a lot of messages of congratulations this morning from wedding planners. Dubai is a positive city and people want to have fun.
“Yesterday, I actually had a client who got married last year come in with her best friend. She came in pregnant and she said, ‘see, love is in the air.’
"Weddings are love and happiness, so they’re always going to happen.”
A 200-person wedding is small compared to some Indian and Arab wedding parties or a traditional Emirati event, which can easily number 500 guests at the women’s celebration alone.
Yet, it is the first time weddings parties with more than 10 guests have been allowed in seven months and for the city’s dress makers, bakers, beauticians, event planners, henna artists and happy couples, that is cause for celebration.
Olga Pashchenko, a wedding planner at Opulent Events in Dubai, said Sunday’s announcement was welcome news.
“We tend to specialise in local weddings which usually cater to 500 or 600 guests,” she said.
“It would have been nice to resume normal business for standard capacity but for now, a 200 limit is good. The last large scale wedding we hosted was in February, so hopefully in the next few days and weeks we will get a host of fresh inquiries and bookings.”
Each event can last only four hours and tables can accommodate a maximum of five guests.
“The four hour time limit could be difficult for some clients,” said Ms Pashchenko.
“Typically, local weddings are all night events.”
Tania Kreindler, founder of My Dubai Wedding, said Sunday's news was a huge relief for her existing clients.
“We moved many weddings to 2021 as there was so much uncertainty," she said.
"As many of my clients' guests are predominantly coming to Dubai from overseas, we needed a solid decree before risking booking a new date.
“Just this morning I’ve had three new enquiries so it seems the turn in weather coupled with the new rule is making the wedding bells chime again.”
Typically, Ms Kreindler said she hosts receptions for an average of 70 guests. But between May and October she was unable to host any weddings because of the pandemic.
“It is still a little hard to imagine a wedding where the guests cannot hug the newlyweds,” she said.
“We are having to make the choice to either adjust to the new rules or not get married at all.
“Ensuring safety and good health and keeping positive Covid-19 cases in the UAE to a minimum is the ultimate goal.
“If we can celebrate love and togetherness amongst the pandemic, we will do everything in our power to ensure this is possible.
Mr Al Haj used the Dubai lockdown in early April as a time to plan new designs. By September, customers started to buy dresses for overseas weddings once again.
The pandemic has already changed bridal style, with brides opting for simple cuts in satin and taffeta.
“Everybody is going for Hollywood glam," said Mr Al Haj. "It’s not that they don’t want to spend but people are understanding that it might not be a big wedding.”
Just across the Dubai border in Sharjah, bridal shop owners are holding their breath.
Jameela Li, the owner of the Bliss Bridal wedding dress boutique, saw sales fall 70 per cent this summer as families put weddings on hold.
Ms Li dropped prices, began online sales and reduced staff salaries.
“Customers require corona prices,” said Ms Li. “If the Dubai government is opening restrictions for weddings, this is a good sign.”
She predicts frugal habits will remain as the global economy reels from the pandemic.
“People are squeezing their money for the necessary things. I don’t think spending is going to come back like before,” said Ms Li.
However, watching life has re-opened in her home country of China has brought hope that one day soon, brides will be back in her store.
“We love to share their happiness,” said Ms Li. “We meet so many brides and hear their love stories. That’s why we continue. Nobody stops love and marriage.”
