Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa

Al Maha sits inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, off the Dubai to Al Ain Road, in a protected area of 225 sq km, about 5% of Dubai's land. It has just 42 villas, each with its own temperature-controlled plunge pool, and Dubai International Airport is about 65 km away.

The resort's outdoor venues can host up to 300 guests for weddings, and the team can arrange florals, linens, themed décor, hair stylists and photographers. It even keeps its own camels and thoroughbred horses. The silence, the wildlife and the sheer space are what set it apart from a city hotel, and they shape the whole weekend.

Al Diwaan is the signature restaurant, blending Arabic and Mediterranean cooking, and dinner can also be set on the terrace, out in the dunes or in the villas. Hajar Terrace Bar looks after cocktails. For guests based in the city, the hotel can arrange classic cars, limousines, taxis or coaches between Dubai and the reserve. Ask the team where ceremonies take place, how a dune set-up works for your numbers and the music curfew, as these are not published. For the legal side, Dubai's civil marriage service for non-Muslims needs at least one partner to be a Dubai resident, while Abu Dhabi's non-Muslim family court accepts tourists.

With 42 villas, a smaller wedding can sleep almost everyone on the reserve, in Bedouin, Royal, Emirates or Presidential villas. Days fill easily with guided wildlife drives, horse rides, camel treks, nature walks, archery, falconry and sundowners in the dunes, plus the Al Maha Spa, which uses organic products and has a sauna and Jacuzzi. There is no shuttle, but a 4x4 transfer from Dubai International can be booked for a fee, and Sharjah airport is about 86 km away. For larger groups, ask the team about exclusive use and where overflow guests should stay.