Fairytale designs and A-list performers: UAE wedding planners say budgets have increased by 20%.
The UAE has become a popular fantasy wedding destination, with a rising number of couples choosing to exchange vows in opulent ceremonies here.
Stefine Heller, a wedding planner at Jam Weddings and Events, said she has seen a 20% increase in wedding expenses over the past two years.
"Many people are already sending us these magical AI designs for their wedding. There are new technologies for wedding planning, however these designers are not always producible due to their high cost. We created something similar to an AI-generated image for a wedding arrangement, which was extremely nice. Of course, these expensive ceiling decorations would raise the wedding costs', Heller explained.
'AI wedding designs' refers to the use of artificial intelligence to generate highly personalized wedding concepts. These designs frequently incorporate extensive and innovative components, such as custom lighting, ceiling decorations, and odd thematic settings that go beyond traditional wedding decor.
Another wedding planner stated that artificial intelligence's expanding influence has a big impact on general trends. Kunal Rupani, a spokeswoman for The Big Night, a wedding planning agency, stated, "It has paved the way for larger scale decor themes and elements, as well as overall designs, which have increased wedding budgets." Aside from that, we see technology becoming more integrated into the decor to produce seamless design results."
Social media and technical improvements have also transformed customer expectations. "The need for intricate settings and AI-integrated decor is driven by modern couples' desire for unique and customized experiences.
"The recent Ambani wedding in India drew global notice. It is believed to have cost Dh2.2 billion, making it one of the most expensive weddings ever. The wedding dominated global headlines, with A-listers arriving in Rolls-Royces and emerald jewels providing a vivid tone.
Inflation, cultural influences
Rupani also identified worldwide inflation as the primary cause of rising wedding costs in Dubai. "Everything from venue rentals to floral arrangements is affected," Rupani told me. This pattern represents the impact of the global economy on luxury markets around the world.
"The prices of pretty much everything around us increase due to global inflation, which by default impacts the wedding industry," Rupani told me. "This includes venues, food costs, florals, and every other aspect required for a wedding."
Beyond economic issues, Dubai's fortunate location has a significant impact on wedding costs. "Dubai's accessibility to global entertainment and its proximity to neighboring cities like Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah provide couples with unparalleled options," says Rupani. This geographic feature enhances Dubai's appeal as a wedding location.
Maximizing value
Stefine Heller underlined the importance of prioritizing and budgeting. "In my opinion, couples should list their priorities in terms of what is of most importance to them and invest in that," Heller told the crowd. "Would hiring an A-lister to perform for your wedding versus spending on floral decorations or having chefs flown in from across the globe to curate a dining experience versus investing in entertainment excite you the most?"
Key priorities
Both experts emphasized the importance of key wedding aspects like floral arrangements, lighting, and entertainment. "Priorities shuffle among photography, venue, food and decor," according to Rupani. Photo booths have also gained popularity in recent times.
"As a wedding planner, you are working with an army of partners that make the vision come to life," according to him.
Production, sound and lighting equipment, flowers, entertainment, and a variety of other things all have an impact on pricing. The specialists do their utmost to maximize profits wherever possible while keeping the client's creative vision and quality in mind.
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