Step 1Set Budget & Financing▼
12-18 months before
Set Budget & Financing▼
Based on our experience with over 500 destination weddings in Dubai & United Arab Emirates, here is the timeline we recommend:
Phase 1: Dream & Research (12-18 months before)
- Set your vision: What type of wedding? Intimate (20-40 guests) or larger (50-100)?
- Budget overview: Set a total budget. Average in Dubai & United Arab Emirates: 51 601 €
- Season: October-April is ideal. Shoulder season (before/after peak) is often 20-30% cheaper and venues are more available. Our clients who chose shoulder season are often equally happy - the weather is usually great!
- Deposit: Book venue/planner with 15 480 € deposit (usually 30%)
Phase 2: Key Bookings (9-12 months before)
- Wedding planner: Book a local planner (18 060 € savings through their vendor contacts)
- Venue: Secure your dream venue - popular ones in Dubai & United Arab Emirates book up quickly
- Main vendors: Photographer, caterer, florist, music
- Save-the-Date: Send to guests (many need to plan flights + accommodation)
Phase 3: Details & Logistics (3-6 months before)
- Formal invitation: With detailed travel info for guests
- Hotel blocks: Reserve rooms at 2-3 price levels
- Flight info: Send recommended flights and booking tips
- Guest logistics: Plan group transport for wedding day
Phase 4: Countdown (1-3 months before)
- Confirm all vendors 2 weeks before (dates, times, payments)
- Create a day-of timeline (detailed minute-by-minute)
- Travel insurance for bridal couple + review guests' insurance
- Final payment to vendors (usually 70% remaining)
Our Expert Tip for Dubai & United Arab Emirates:
The best tip we can give is to BOOK EARLY. Popular venues in Dubai & United Arab Emirates are often fully booked 12+ months ahead, especially during October-April. Start your research at least 15 months before, and use your wedding planner/venue's experience - they have done this hundreds of times!
Step 2Choose Destination & Venue▼
12 months before
Choose Destination & Venue▼
Dubai & United Arab Emirates offers incredible variety. The right choice depends on your style, budget and guests' needs.
Choosing the Right Destination
When choosing your destination in Dubai & United Arab Emirates, consider these factors:
- Accessibility: How easy is it for guests to get there?
- Climate: What's the weather like during your preferred period?
- Budget: How do prices compare between different areas?
- Style: Does the destination match your wedding vision?
Symbolic ceremony: For symbolic ceremony it's simpler, but some areas may have specific rules.
Our Recommendation:
Visit your preferred destination before the wedding (if possible). A 3-day trip costs 8k-15k SEK but can save 50k+ SEK in dissatisfaction.
Step 3Hire a Wedding Planner▼
10-12 months before
Hire a Wedding Planner▼
A local wedding planner is your BIGGEST investment for stress-free planning in Dubai & United Arab Emirates.
Cost & Value
Price: 15,000-40,000 SEK (depending on scope)
Return: Often saves 50,000+ SEK through vendor discounts and preventing mistakes
Three Levels of Services
Partial Planning (15,000-20,000 SEK)
- Recommends vendors
- Negotiates contracts
- 3-4 digital meetings
Best for: Couples who want local expertise but do a lot themselves
Full Planning (25,000-35,000 SEK)
- Everything from Partial Planning +
- Creates timeline
- Coordinates all vendors
- Unlimited communication
Best for: 85% of couples - best value
Concierge (35,000-40,000 SEK)
- Everything from Full Planning +
- Visits venues for you
- Handles ALL details
- Completely stress-free for you
Best for: Busy couples and those who want zero stress
Important:
90% of successful destination weddings have a local planner. The 10% that skip often spend 20-30% more due to mistakes and lack of local knowledge. Don't spend 100+ hours on vendor research - let your wedding planner do this!
Step 4Book Venue▼
10-12 months before
Book Venue▼
The venue is your MOST IMPORTANT booking - it sets the tone for the entire wedding and is often the biggest cost.
Budget Allocation
Venue + setup: 15 480 € (approx. 30% of total budget)
Catering (included at many venues): 12 900 € (approx. 25%)
What's Included in a Venue Package?
- Space: Venue, setup, basic decor, chairs/tables, staff, teardown
- Catering: Welcome drink, dinner, wedding cake, drinks package
- Coordination: Day-of coordinator (included at most venues in Dubai & United Arab Emirates)
Venue Selection Checklist
- Capacity: Does it accommodate your guest count?
- Accommodation: Can guests stay on-site?
- Rain plan: Is there an indoor alternative?
- Sound: Are there noise restrictions (time limits)?
- Access: How do guests get there?
- Exclusivity: Do you have the entire venue to yourselves?
Our Recommendation:
Allocate 70% to what guests EXPERIENCE (venue, food, music) and 30% to what they SEE (flowers, decoration, styling). This gives the best balance of memorable experience and beautiful aesthetic.
Step 5Arrange Documentation▼
6-9 months before
Arrange Documentation▼
Documentation is the #1 cause of stress for destination weddings. Here is a complete guide for Dubai & United Arab Emirates:
Type of Ceremony
Most couples choose a symbolic ceremony in Dubai & United Arab Emirates and register legally in your home country.
Symbolic Ceremony (Most Popular)
- No legal requirements - complete freedom
- Choose your own officiant (friend, professional, or religious)
- Write your own vows
- Register legally in your home country before or after (simple process)
For ALL Types:
- Valid passports (minimum 6 months validity)
- Travel insurance for all guests
- Copies of all important documents in the cloud
Important:
95% of our couples choose symbolic ceremony + Swedish legal registration. This is the EASIEST and SAFEST option - zero risk of delays due to documentation!
Step 6Book Vendors▼
6-9 months before
Book Vendors▼
After the venue, the next focus is: photographer, catering, music, flowers. These create your wedding experience.
Photographer & Videographer
Budget: 6 192 € (approx. 12% of total)
- Full-day photographer (8-12 hours)
- Highlights video (3-5 min edit)
- Engagement shoot (1-2 hours, often included)
- Album and digital gallery
Tip: Photography is the ONLY thing that lasts forever. Don't save here!
Catering & Drinks
Budget: 18 060 € (approx. 35% - often included in venue)
- Welcome drinks (1 hour before ceremony)
- 3-5 course dinner (local cuisine recommended!)
- Wedding cake
- Open bar (4-6 hours)
Flowers & Styling
Budget: 4 128 € (approx. 8%)
- Bridal bouquet + boutonniere
- Table centerpieces
- Ceremony arch/backdrop
- Tip: Use local seasonal flowers - more beautiful AND cheaper!
Budget Priority:
They have established relationships and can often get 10-15% discounts. Plus, vendors they recommend are pre-vetted for quality and reliability.
Step 7Plan Guest Logistics▼
4-6 months before
Plan Guest Logistics▼
Guest logistics are critical for destination weddings. Smooth transportation and accommodation = happy guests.
Flight Information
- Flight time: 6-7 timmar from your home country
- Best time to book: 4-6 months before for best prices
- Tip: Create a shared spreadsheet with recommended flights
Accommodation Strategy
- Block booking: Reserve rooms at 2-3 price levels
- Negotiate: 15-25% group discount for 10+ rooms
- Deadline: Set a booking deadline 3 months before
Transport on Wedding Day
Budget: 1 032 € (approx. 2%)
- Group bus hotel → venue → hotel
- Book 2 departures (before ceremony + late evening)
- Consider shuttle service for larger groups
Guest Communication
Couples who send out a professional "Guest Guide PDF" 5 months before report significantly fewer logistics questions.
- Weather information and packing list
- Recommended flights and hotels
- Local tips (restaurants, activities)
- Wedding schedule and dress code
- Emergency contacts
Our Recommendation:
Invest 2-3 hours in creating a comprehensive guide - it will save you 20+ hours of answering individual questions from guests!
Step 8Finalize & Travel▼
1-3 months before
Finalize & Travel▼
The last months are about confirming details, finalizing payments, and preparing for the big day.
3 Months Before
- Confirm final numbers with hotels & transport (1 month before)
- Send detailed timeline to all guests
- Final fitting for wedding attire
- Confirm menu selection with caterer
1 Month Before
- Final payment to all vendors
- Confirm all bookings (venue, photographer, florist, music)
- Create seating chart
- Prepare tips/gratuities for staff
1 Week Before
- Create a "Day-Before Checklist" and review with your wedding planner the day before
- Pack ceremony items (rings, vows, marriage certificate)
- Confirm arrival times with all vendors
- Time for venue inspection, vendor meetings, jet-lag recovery, relaxation
Wedding Day Timeline
- Morning: Hair/makeup, getting ready photos
- Ceremony: Usually 16:00-17:00 (best light for photos)
- Cocktail hour: 17:00-18:00
- Dinner: 18:00-20:00
- First dance + party: 20:00-02:00
Budget: Final Costs
Expected extras: 6 192 € (approx. 10-15% of total)
- Tips for service staff (5-10%)
- Last-minute additions
- Welcome dinner for arriving guests
- After-party/brunch the day after
Our Final Advice:
What truly matters is that you marry the love of your life surrounded by the people you love most. The planning might feel overwhelming at times, but Dubai & United Arab Emirates will provide an unforgettable backdrop. Trust your planner, enjoy the process, and remember: every wedding is perfect when the couple is happy!