The 10 most fascinating reasons to marry in Dubai, the Dynamic City!
There are 1001 reasons to visit Dubai, marry in Dubai or even move to Dubai, too many to accommodate in this article. So we’ll stick to what we believe are ten of the most fascinating reasons to visit the Emirate sooner rather than later.
#10 Safety in Dubai
Even as the city becomes more global than several other established international hotspots, it is literally untouched by the crime that usually accompanies globalization. Unlike other commercial capitals around the world, people in Dubai don’t fear stepping out alone even late at night, confident in the knowledge that the Emirate’s world-class police have ensured that it remains one of the safest places on the planet. In addition, stories abound of its friendly and honest residents, some of whom have returned millions that they found left behind by an absent-minded tourist or fellow resident.
#9 The weather in Dubai
Marry in Dubai on a fine day, no problem, pick your date! Summer months are hot indeed, but the winter months (October to April) are immensely pleasant and plentiful. Besides, even during the summer months, a host of available indoor activities coupled with lower than usual hotel rates add to the charm of visiting this immensely popular place. Visitors, especially from Europe and the Americas, tend to frequent even during peak summer months as that’s something they don’t usually get to see in their own countries. Prepare to be very hot though if you visit in July or August.
#8 Desert in Dubai
Marry in the Dubai desert! Dubai is not just sun, shopping and modern buildings. The one thing to do while in Dubai is the desert safari. While on a Dubai desert safari you will experience the deserts of Dubai, an exciting drive over sand dunes, a camel farm, watch the sunset from high dunes and finally after sunset, a barbecue dinner is served at a traditional Arabic Camp.
#7 Food in Dubai
Marry in Dubai for the food! You could do an awful lot worse! It’s a city that boasts 200 nationalities among its residents. It would be safe to say that these 200 nationalities have brought with them a similar number of cuisines, and visitor are spoilt for choice when it comes to food variety. From the epic brunches to eclectic taster lunches, belly-buster experiences abound in Dubai. Ethnic treats from the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Asian cuisines of the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, or even the continental fare, Dubai has more to offer than your average taste buds can take in the span of a trip.
#6 Shopping in Dubai
Marry in Dubai for the shopping before the big day! Well that’s surely enticing! It’s the best place in the world when it comes to shopping. If the world’s largest mall isn’t enough to convince you, remember that Dubai has been ranked as the world’s second most important international retail destination for the third consecutive year. The Emirate closely trails London in the 2014 ‘How Global is the Business of Retail’ report published by real estate consultancy CBRE. From smartphones to apartments, designer labels to fast cars, luxury watches to million-dollar shoes, Dubai has it all for the shop-a-holic.
#5 Mega festivals in Dubai
Dubai is an all-year-round tale. Whether it’s shopping or sports, arts or entertainment, food or culture, business or leisure, Dubai has a festival or event for everything. It;s not for nothing that it’s said, “Dubai never sleeps.” The Rugby Sevens, European Tour golf, Dubai World Cup horse racing, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai Jazz Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises, Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, Dubai Music Festival, Dubai Comedy Festival, Dubai Motor Festival, Gitex Shopper… the list is indeed quite long.
#4 Wonderful to-do list in Dubai
Marry in Dubai and have your honeymoon in the same city with so much to do. The list of activities to do in Dubai makes an amazing read. Take the world’s fastest elevator to the 148th floor observation deck of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, for a 360-degree view of glittering Dubai. If that doesn’t suffice, take a helicopter ride to soak in views of Dubai’s skyline, numerous man-made islands, beaches and the desert itself. And remember that it’s the only place in a radius of thousands of kilometres to offer indoor skiing, and the only one to offer indoor skiing in the midst of a desert. Hot-air balloon rides, skydiving, snorkeling, scuba diving and swimming around shipwrecks… there is indeed a long and wonderful list of activities to do in Dubai. I myself am taking up Kite Surfing to see how that goes!
#3 Gold and spice in Dubai
Marry in Dubai as the gold rings will cost at least 25% less! Dubai is known as the city of gold and there’s a good reason for it. No, Dubai’s roads aren’t paved with gold, but consider this. Dubai is the biggest transit city for gold in the world, with 40 per cent of the global physical gold trade or 2,250 tonnes of yellow metal passing through the city in 2013. Visiting the iconic gold souk should be a must-do item on the list of anyone coming to the Emirate, as should purchasing some gold. At times, the difference in prices with some countries, especially those that tax gold may go up to 25 per cent or even more. Just next to the gold souk is the spice souk which offers a heady mix of spices, notably the frankincense, that will definitely thrill your senses.
#2 Culture in Dubai
Host your wedding in Dubai so everyone at your wedding can feel at home, marry in Dubai this year. Dubai offers an eclectic mix of nationalities and culture, but it also offers a window into the rich history and culture of the region. A must-see is the beautiful Arabic architecture and traditional buildings such as Jumeirah Mosque situated on Jumeirah Beach Road. For those who want to discover more about the history and culture of the area, the Dubai Museum, Sheikh Saeed al Maktoum House and Dubai Heritage and Diving Village are also a must-visit. A visit to Bastakiya will show that old Dubai lives on in this remnant settlement of coral walls and wind towers. The XVA Art Hotel located in the heart of the Al Fahidi Historical neighbourhood, the oldest community in Dubai, is a charming boutique hotel and art gallery. Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort (1787) gives an insight into the emirate’s rise to riches.
#1 Hospitality in Dubai
Marry in Dubai for number 1 service! Dubai is a dynamic destination that boasts of some of the world’s most iconic and luxurious resorts and hotels. Sophisticated, chic and urbane, Dubai epitomises hospitality and takes it to a whole new level. The city that boasts of a huge number of world records even has its own hospitality championship. Iconic hotels in the Emirate range from the 7-star Burj Al Arab to the magnificent Atlantis, the Al Maha Desert Resort, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Bab Al Shams, Dusit Thani, Armani Hotel, Mina A’Salam and many more.
In the end, Dubai is the ultimate global destination not just geographically, but also in every other aspect, even to marry in Dubai. It is a modern city with deep roots steeped in history. The city with a golden heart is the dream destination of hundreds of millions of people across the globe, and for a million reasons. Marry in Dubai this year for the perfect day!