Marrying for money

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Johara Bacalso, events executive, Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

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Simone Krill, events manager, Renaissance Dubai Hotel.

True love is big business for hotels in the UAE and many are cashing in with extravagant packages catering to the blushing bride's every whim.

Is the UAE a popular destination for weddings?

Johara Bacalso: Dubai is now becoming one of the top wedding and honeymoon destinations. The world's finest luxury hotels, year-around sunshine, breathtaking beaches, mystical deserts and top class entertainment are at your fingertips here.

And the cost of a wedding in Dubai compares favourably to most European destinations.

Alejandro Betera: The UAE is popular for weddings as it combines everything -relaxation, shopping, adventure and culture - in one destination.

Melque Verbo: Weddings in the UAE are popular because it is a big thing for the Emirati people. The families of the bride and groom prepare ahead of time and make bookings for the venue months in advance.

UAE weddings are serious and big affairs. They are lucrative events and are unlike weddings anywhere else.

Robin Stewart: During the last few years, Dubai has been a very popular wedding destination as the cost of a wedding here compares favourably with what is available at most of the big European destinations.

It is also due to its convenient geographic location, a multitude of unique wedding venues, and an abundance of facilities offering exotic ambience and top-class service.

What market does most of your wedding business come from?

Krill: Most of our business comes from Emiratis, followed by Indian and Pakistani nationals. We hardly have any weddings for other expatriates and, as far as I can remember, we have never had a wedding for guests visiting the country.

Betera: As we just opened the Grand Millennium Dubai in February, we do not have a large portfolio of weddings yet, but we are receiving overseas inquiries for wedding receptions and requests from expatriates. There's also interest from the the Indian community, as well as for Arabic weddings.

Stewart: Although the market for UAE national weddings remains stable and strong, there has been an increase in the number of expatriates wanting to have their wedding ceremony in Dubai.

Indian sub-continental weddings still account for most of the non-UAE weddings, followed by Arabic countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. And we also do a few European weddings as well.

How important are weddings as a revenue stream for your property?

Bacalso: The wedding market never fails to be in the top five priorities in regards to revenue and therefore plays an important role in the business.

Krill: Wedding business forms a revenue sector by itself and is very important for the hotel.

Betera: The revenue from wedding covers is important for the hotel. From room bookings to transportation, all departments' facilities and services are utilised.

Verbo: While there are a lot of preparations, weddings are money-generating events as each usually involves 400 to 600 guests on average. Because of the tradition for separate men's and ladies' wedding celebrations, they also sometimes have two sets of meal requirements.

Stewart: In a destination like the Gulf, where wedding couples spend the highest amount per head compared to other countries, weddings contribute tremendously to the revenue stream of the hotel, especially during the summer, where weddings compensate for the drop in corporate business.

Also, weddings usually fill the revenue gap during the weekends when corporate meetings and conferences are less frequent.

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