UAE

Dubai Rivals Paris, New York As Couples Seek Instagram-worthy Weddings, Proposals

Dubai is fast emerging as the preferred global destination for relationship milestones as couples pour in from every corner of the world.

Tourist preferences show a marked shift away from the traditional backdrops of Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower and New York City’s Empire State Buidling, to Dubai as visitors seek its year-round amenable weather and vibrant social scene.

Once primarily known as a business and transit hub, the emirate is now widely becoming recognised as one of the most sought-after locations worldwide to tie the knot or pop the question.

Postcard-worthy backdrops like the Eiffel Tower in Paris of the Empire State Building in New York once dominated proposals but now Dubai’s iconic landmarks like the boat-shaped Burj Al Arab and the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, are drawing in tourists from around the globe to pop the question.

Pioneering specialists like Proposal Boutique have revolutionised the ceremony, curating over-the-top bespoke experiences tailored to each duo. From renting out iconic venues and landmarks to coordinating viral-worthy visual productions, these planners are pushing creative boundaries.

Rising demand from both residents and visitors alike is positioning Dubai as the ultimate destination. Tourists seeking Instagramable moments are flocking to the emirate in record numbers and Proposal Boutique’s Founder and CEO, Caroline Ralston, says she expects 2024 to be a record-breaking year for the industry.

“Since starting in 2014, the demand for proposals increases year-on-year and with visit numbers set to hit a record high in 2024, we anticipate this year to be the highest on record for proposals in the city, especially with the drive from Dubai Tourism to encourage stopovers in the city for those that would normally just transit through,” she says.

Rising demand from both residents and visitors alike is positioning Dubai as the ultimate destination
Rising demand from both residents and visitors alike is positioning Dubai as the ultimate destination

Over-the-top proposals

Ralston and her team have pulled off some truly jaw-dropping proposals in Dubai. One involved renting out the Rugby Sevens stadium, filling the pitch with fabric spelling out “Be My Valentine,” and a lunch setup where the groom proposed on the field.

For another client, the entire Dubai Zoo was closed off for the proposal. The happy couple enjoyed a private walk before arriving at the elephant sanctuary, filled with flowers, and leading to resident elephants that sprayed the couple with water after the proposal.

“The couple’s first date was at a zoo, and they had been on a luxury safari together, so we wanted to bring this into their proposal,” she recalled.

“The couple enjoyed a completely private walk around the zoo before going to the elephant sanctuary which we had filled with her favourite sunflowers and red roses. We displayed a walkway of the couple’s images that led to the two resident elephants. He then got down on one knee and proposed just in time for the elephants to spray them with water – a nice alternative to fireworks.”

Another one involved a private dining room in Burj Khalifa and a custom Disney-themed proposal from the couple’s favourite movies.

“We created a video involving all their friends and family, hired rental paparazzi for the red carpet walkway, had a musician that serenaded the couple with a personalised playlist and a magician that floated the ring across the room to the couple.”

Burj Khalifa Metaverse
Around 95 percent of Proposal Boutique’s clients want a “big Dubai” backdrop and specifically request for the Burj Khalifa or Burj Al Arab backdrop

Perhaps most extravagantly, one proposal included three separate events in a single day – starting with a proposal during a private helicopter ride over Dubai, followed by a flash mob proposal at a privatised golf course. Finally, an underwater proposal was staged at the Burj Al Arab hotel, with divers presenting a “Marry Me?” message underwater as the groom got down on one knee to propose for the third time – with the third ring.

“We had been skyping our client in the weeks running up to the proposal and he was part of the virtual rehearsals where he had his own dance routine at the end which she was super shocked about,” Ralston shared.

Around 95 percent of her clients want a “big Dubai” backdrop and specifically request for the Burj Khalifa or Burj Al Arab backdrop.

Proposal Boutique’s average proposal event costs around AED40,000 including venue and décor, but some can go up to AED250,000.

“People are favouring rooftops more than ever for their proposals and steering towards beach weddings more than ever. People are also wanting sunset proposals and wedding times, whereas before it was always after nightfall,” she explained.

“We now tend to plan events around golden hour so our couples can have a proposal at sunset and then have dinner when it’s dark. That way, the images reflect different moods too.”

The demand has skyrocketed so much that Ralston is now adding luxury date nights to her services.

“The Burj Al Arab never fails to wow me, and the area around Al Qasr hotel is calm, glamorous and has everything for everyone including the ocean, canals and abras. There is a private rooftop within this hotel that offers panoramic ocean views and means you look down on the canals and overlook the Burj Al Arab and it is just so impressive. Not many people know it’s there so it’s our secret gem and our favourite proposal spot.”

One of Proposal Boutique‘s events revolves around golden hour so couples can have a proposal at sunset and then have dinner
One of Proposal Boutique‘s events revolves around golden hour so couples can have a proposal at sunset and then have dinner

Demand is being further driven by the emirate’s rising status as a multi-cultural melting pot. According to Ralston, the city sees a higher rate of international and inter-religious marriages seeking uniquely inclusive celebrations.

Dubai as a premier wedding destination

Unsurprisingly, having established itself as the optimal location for proposals, Dubai is also cementing its place as a top destination wedding hotspot. The emirate has now positioned itself alongside destination wedding favourites like the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como in Italy, the French Riviera, the Greek island of Santorini, France’s Cote d’Azur, and Istanbul in Turkey. Tropical locales such as Phuket in Thailand also attract hordes of wedding tourists each year.

With constantly evolving high-end venues, infrastructure, and experts dedicated to turning even the most eccentric visions into reality, the emirate has secured its place as the ultimate exotic wedding and proposal capital of the world.

Ankur Bagga, CEO of travel agency QRated World and Chief Proposal Organiser at Proposal Dubai, noted that inter-nationality and inter-faith couples are looking outside traditional norms and opting for exotic destination weddings within the city.

“Traveling is very popular nowadays, so it is no surprise that people are more open-minded when it comes to their weddings,” he says.

“Thus, people feel they can organise their weddings wherever they want to, and Dubai, with its charming locations, is one of the top places on Earth to organise a truly exotic wedding.”

With spectacular venues like the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, and various beach resorts along the coastline, couples are spoiled for choice. And as the ultimate flexible and inclusive celebration destination, it continues to reinvent expectations for weddings worldwide.

Dubai is cementing its place as a top destination wedding hotspot
Dubai is cementing its place as a top destination wedding hotspot

The most over-the-top wedding Bagga has organised was for an Indian client in Abu Dhabi where he bought out the prestigious Emirates Palace. “The main procession, or Baraat as it’s called in India, started from a fleet of supercars doing a drive around on the F1 Grand Prix Circuit at Yas Marina and the convoy led the groom to Emirate’s Palace – about 100 supercars made part of the convoy,” he shares.

“The main wedding had a customised 800-drone show for the bride and groom followed by fireworks.”

The average cost of planning a wedding in Dubai can vary widely depending on the venue, guest count, and desired level of extravagance. They can range anywhere between tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands.

Another growing trend is destination weddings among Dubai residents. “[Couples] have a desire for unique experiences and intimate celebrations,” says Bagga, highlighting the city’s diverse population means couples often come from different backgrounds, leading them to choose weddings that either blend their traditions or embrace a completely non-conventional route.

“Dubai’s wedding industry is highly adaptable to diverse cultural and religious preferences. The city’s cosmopolitan environment allows couples to choose from various wedding options, ranging from traditional ceremonies to modern and extravagant celebrations,” he explains.

From desert scapes under starlit skies to intimate moments aboard hot air balloons and private yachts, Dubai’s diverse romantic setups cater to every whim.

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Arabian Business

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