Middle East

United Arab Emirates

Plan a destination wedding in United Arab Emirates

The destination guide

The United Arab Emirates can bring city energy and open desert into the same trip. For couples, the choice is about contrast: a waterfront stay, a dinner with a view or a few days away from the city's pace.

Choose the setting, not just the skyline

Begin with Dubai and its surroundings, where the hotels in this collection are concentrated.

A city or coastal base puts a different day at your doorstep from a desert retreat. Dubai's desert experiences and the Al Qudra area show another side of the destination beyond the towers. If Abu Dhabi is part of your idea, plan it as a separate outing or stay rather than an incidental stop.

Keep the occasion at the centre

Our suggestion is to reserve the celebration itself first: dinner, a private outing or a quiet day together. Then build a few contrasting experiences around it. A short trip often works best with one base; a longer one can make room for a city-and-desert combination.

Pay attention to the time of day

Ask your advisor to arrange outdoor experiences around expected conditions for your dates. Compare transfer times and exactly what is included in any desert activity. The hotels below can help you decide which setting should anchor the trip.

Explore more with the official destination guide.

Photograph: Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0. Resized and cropped for display.