UAE Wedding Planners: “It’s a Team Effort” to Support Couples Through Challenges.
The show must go on.
In an unprecedented moment for the UAE, global tensions have created ripples of uncertainty in everyday life. Yet, the wedding and events industry continues to move forward, finding ways to create space for celebration and joy.
As Dubai-based bride-to-be Aamna says, “This is meant to be the happiest day of our lives. Of course it will happen — maybe with a few adjustments here and there, with extra care — but there’s always a way to make it happen.”
Plans may shift, timelines may bend, but weddings will move forward. It is this steadfast hope that keeps her motivated. She adds that she has surrounded herself with people who share the same mindset and energy.
“My wedding planners, family, and friends have all been such support systems during this time of change. There’s always a check-in filled with jokes and laughter as we make plans and work our way through this. It reminds me that some joys truly remain untouched,” she says.
As Aamna adds with a laugh, onward, onward — we move.
UAE wedding planners seem to share the same unspoken motto: onward.
Rhiannon Downie-Hurst, founder of Brideclubme.com and Bride Club ME Business, echoes this sentiment. Weddings are still taking place across the region, with many couples choosing to move forward with their plans. “What we are seeing is a degree of adjustment. Some couples with weddings scheduled in the coming weeks have chosen to reduce guest numbers, particularly where international travel is involved, or in some cases, postpone their celebrations to later in the year. This is a natural response to evolving travel conditions and personal comfort levels, but it does not mean that weddings as a whole are stopping,” she says.
Smaller guest lists, same emotions
Dubai-based events planner Mark Khawaja explains that several events went ahead in March, even if some required postponement. The priority, he says, was to keep clients calm and well-informed, ensuring decisions were made rationally rather than emotionally.
He also highlights the practical realities behind such decisions.
“In situations like this, many services and preparations have already been completed well before the event dates. For this reason, we have been advising clients that postponing their weddings is often the best solution, as it protects the significant investments they have already made while still allowing them to ultimately celebrate the wedding they envisioned,” he explains.
“It’s a team effort”
A determined sense of unity shines through. Another bride-to-be, who wishes to remain anonymous, recalls a particularly vulnerable moment: “I was on the verge of tears, and I wasn’t even sure if my mother could get a flight here,” she says.
Yet her wedding planners and caterers came through for her. “They just calmed me down first. One of them brought me tea and said, ‘First you drink this. Then we’ll talk.’ It made me laugh, too. They didn’t immediately hunt for solutions. Once I was more composed, we looked for answers.”
She reflects that they all became a unit. “At that point, the lines between planners and us blurred; we were just figuring things out together. And we did — my mother was finally able to arrive in Dubai without a hitch.”
Vaibhav Anju Arora, Co-founder of Ikigaii Planners, describes the process as a team effort. “Everyone understands and supports each other. We all know we will come back stronger. For example, I have a wedding on March 27 where the bride was overwhelmed. We discussed how to replan things, realised certain options weren’t available, explored alternatives, and reassured her that the day would go ahead as smoothly as possible. It’s still a very important day of her life.”
He adds that planners focus on the bigger picture rather than fretting over obstacles. “At the end of the day, we are planners, so we have to think ahead and anticipate challenges.”
Emotional anchors
For many planners, the role extends far beyond event execution and administration. Tajrean Kashem-Malhotra of Taj Events Team has navigated her share of difficult moments and delays, yet continues to move forward by providing reassurance to her clients, prioritising their safety, and offering consistent day-to-day support. While closely monitoring the situation, she also keeps her team in mind, managing potential refunds and postponements. “I’ve been reassuring my clients that the UAE is one of the best countries and they’re doing everything to keep us protected. I’m also from Canada, and I’m staying here,” she says. Confident in her efficient planning process, she adds, “All my clients have been so understanding and supportive, too.”
Gauri Chadha of The Big Night Events and Wild Child Events notes that these are uncharted waters, where events often get deprioritised. Yet in the current climate, planners have taken on a deeper role than simply organising weddings. “Our industry has almost become a moral compass, providing comfort to clients,” she explains. And indeed, clients lean on them for support.
The sentiment echoes that of Rhiannon Downie-Hurst: “The UAE wedding industry has always been collaborative, and during times like this we’re seeing that spirit even more strongly.”
Downie-Hurst has maintained close connections with suppliers and planners across the region. “We’ve been hosting regular online check-ins, continuing networking where it’s safe, and maintaining daily conversations within our private WhatsApp group. Suppliers are supporting one another, sharing advice, and navigating the situation together.”
And this spirit of collaboration extends directly to couples.
“We’re also supporting couples directly. Many brides are understandably looking for guidance, so we’ve been sharing practical advice across our platforms, helping them understand their options and navigate any changes with confidence,” Downie-Hurst explains.
This support can take many forms — from advice on postponements and managing guest expectations to simply providing reassurance that their special day can still go ahead smoothly.
A tale of two mindsets
Chadha has noticed a distinct divide in how clients are responding to the current uncertainty.
Some couples are comfortable moving ahead with their celebrations, perhaps with smaller guest lists, while others remain more hesitant.
Yet even amid that uncertainty, the events keep coming.
“The phone is still ringing,” she notes. “Maybe not the way it would normally, but it is. And I think that’s a really big blessing — a true testament to the comfort and safety that the UAE provides.”
Across the industry, adaptation is taking shape in various ways. There is a noticeable shift toward smaller, more personal gatherings — from home celebrations to backyard events — where every detail can feel more intimate and carefully tailored.
Safety, stability and perspective
Confidence in the UAE remains a steady thread throughout the industry.
As Khawaja points out, the country’s systems and infrastructure provide a strong sense of security for both residents and businesses. While inquiries may have slowed slightly, he emphasizes that the wedding industry has always operated in cycles — and there is confidence it will adapt and thrive once again.
Looking ahead
For Chadha, the industry doesn’t need to look far back to anticipate what comes next. The Covid‑19 years offered a clear lesson: once restrictions lifted, demand returned with full force. People wanted to celebrate — and celebrate properly. That, she says, is the space the industry is ready to hold.
That balance between honesty and hope continues to carry it forward. Chadha emphasizes that there’s no need to be superhuman; being vulnerable and honest is what helps everyone navigate uncertainty. “And we ride the wave together,” she says.
At its core, the purpose hasn’t changed. Downie‑Hurst sums it up: weddings remain moments of joy, family, and celebration, and those values are enduring. “While the industry may experience short-term adjustments, the UAE wedding community is demonstrating remarkable resilience, support, and commitment to helping couples celebrate their milestones. We have navigated tough times before, and we will get through this — we are one of the most resilient industries in the world.”
