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.
Budget: Approximate total spend, excluding venue, transportation and any additional elements Dh46,260.
Catering
Parfait Patisserie can provide couples on a tighter budget with canapés and a buffet for their wedding feast for 100 people from about Dh25,000. Arab food options are available, as well as traditional roast beef, fish, cheese tarts, pastries and main courses. A cake-pop wedding cake 30cm high costs from Dh350. Waiting staff are included in the price, but tables and chairs must be hired elsewhere.
[ www.parfait.ae ]
Flowers
If you dream of a hydrangea wall like the one at Kim and Kanye’s wedding, the most affordable way to have flowers en masse might be to use silk ones. Diamond Events in Abu Dhabi rents out a flower wall, in addition to table centrepieces, from Dh5,000. Real flowers cost Dh8,000. Call 02 644 2314 for details.
Hair and make-up
If you are after hair volume in a quick and affordable way, check out the extensions by Lockstress Hair. They are made from human hair, come in a range of colours and are tangle free. Tutorials are available online and prices start from Dh650.
Semi-permanent brow-sculpting kits, falseeyelashes, mascaras and lip glosses are what Chelsea Brows specialises in. Create a salon at home with their beauty packages, which start from Dh150. Free international delivery is available for orders of more than Dh260.
[ www.chelseabeautique.co.uk ]
Dress
For a few thousand dirhams, you could find a wedding gown on pre-used websites, or have one made by your local tailor. Here are two of the most affordable offerings from Bride Abu Dhabi.
Left: Alternative red rose ballgown by Turkish couturier Tijda Butik. The designer will fly from Istanbul for fittings. Prices start from Dh15,000.
Right: Mery’s Couture has a wide range of gowns and the Swiss designer, who will fly here for fittings, speaks Arabic. White sculptural dress, Dh29,800.
[ www.merys.com/de ]
