Saying "I Do" in Wedding Capital Abu Dhabi

Those who wish to host their wedding ceremony in Abu Dhabi should first consider the legal aspects of organising the occasion abroad. A marriage must first and foremost be legal and the legality of conducting one's wedding in a foreign country will differ from nation to nation. British nationals for example are required to present a banns or Notice of Intention of Marriage to their respective embassy prior to the ceremony while other nationals flying in to Abu Dhabi for a destination wedding should also consult their embassies on protocol to follow to legalize the marriage ceremony held in Abu Dhabi.

Regardless of the venue planning one's dream wedding can be a daunting task for the uninitiated and couples hoping to tie the knot in Abu Dhabi should consider hiring the services of a wedding planner to make their dreams a reality. Taking care of every minute detail of the ceremony and reception thereafter, a local wedding planner will have viable connections with service providers and other contacts to make the event flow seamlessly. Those who wish to entrust the details of their wedding to a five star hotel will also find all inclusive wedding packages from nearly all of the city's major accommodation providers.

Couples that prefer to host a religious ceremony in a local church have a number of options available to them in Abu Dhabi's multicultural landscape. Catholics can opt for a ceremony in one of the city's oldest parishes; St Joseph's which is stunningly located close to the Corniche area. St Andrew's Church is another popular option among local Catholics due to the venue's convenient location and stunning interiors. Note that certain churches in Abu Dhabi such as St. Joseph's will require couples to complete a Marriage Preparation Course prior to the ceremony to be allowed to host the wedding at the venue.

Venue options for those who are not bound by religious and cultural restrictions and requirements are more varied as weddings in Abu Dhabi are conducted in a plethora of exotic and unique locations. From hosting a gala reception at an iconic resort such as the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara or holding the nuptials on the beachfront the choices are endless. Desert weddings, terrace weddings and Bedouin style weddings are just some of the many alternatives available to adventurous couples in search of unusual wedding settings and locations.

Another significant aspect of planning a wedding in Abu Dhabi is selecting the theme and decorations for the occasion. Those who are saying "I Do" in a traditional setting such as a hotel ballroom or a church can select a florist affiliated with the venue to make the necessary arrangements while couples who are tying the knot on the beach can keep it simple by employing limited floral arrangements and using candles and torches or other exotic decoration items instead of flowers.

As one of the world's favourite retail hubs brides and grooms in search of wedding attire will surely be in luck if their nuptials are also conducted in the shopper's Mecca. From designer gowns to bespoke creations the wide range of attire options available is truly staggering as the city's multicultural populace has contributed to the broadening of wedding attire alternatives found in its retail hubs.