Destination Weddings

Dubai

11 Venues
4Verified
At a glance

Marrying in Dubai

Dubai does glamour without apology, from desert camps under the stars to skyline ballrooms and beach clubs. Service levels are exceptional, which makes it a strong choice for large, lavish guest lists.

See the venues
Best timeNov to Mar

Warm days before the extreme summer heat

Flight time7 hours

Direct from London

VisaVisa on arrival

Free visa on arrival, passport needs six months' validity from arrival

Legal weddingLegal in Abu Dhabi

Dubai's civil marriage is for residents. Visitors can marry legally at Abu Dhabi's Civil Family Court, then celebrate here

Top tipExpress court service

Abu Dhabi's court offers express processing in one working day for AED 2,500, handy for short trips

Checked against official UK government and embassy guidance. Rules can change, so confirm paperwork with the registry before you book.

11 venues in Dubai

Hand-picked from 324 venues in 31 countries and 59 areas

When to book

Your Dubai wedding, month by month

Marrying abroad runs to a longer clock than at home. The best venues book a year or more ahead, and the legal paperwork has its own timings. Here is the order that works.

  1. 12 to 18 months
  2. 12 months
    • Book your venue and planner
    • Check the legal route and who confirms it
    • Hold a block of rooms for guests
  3. 9 months
    • Send save the dates
    • Share flight options with guests
    • Lock in your best month and time of day
  4. 6 months
    • Book photographer, florist and music
    • Plan a menu tasting or site visit
    • Arrange travel insurance
  5. 3 months
    • Start the legal paperwork, sooner if your route asks
    • Confirm final guest numbers
    • Plan the welcome and farewell events
  6. 1 month
    • Final payments and timings
    • Pack documents in your hand luggage
    • Hand the day over to your planner