| Will the parents get on? Who will the bridesmaids be? | | | | large shopping malls and ambitious real estate projects, |
| Will a king's ransom be enough to pay for the big day? | | | | such as the Palm Islands, the world's largest man |
| These are all questions that will inevitably come up | | | | made islands which will eventually house numerous |
| when any couple decide to tie the knot and for this | | | | residential, leisure and entertainment facilities. And there |
| reason, more and more people are opting to exchange | | | | is also Ski Dubai, the world's third largest indoor ski |
| vows abroad. | | | | slope, catering for skiers and snowboarders. On top of |
| The average price of a wedding in Britain has been | | | | this, Dubai offers a fantastic range of golf courses and |
| placed at anywhere between £4,000 and | | | | some excellent scuba diving, with numerous wrecks |
| £18,000, depending on which survey is to be | | | | dotted around the coastline, so there is certainly no |
| believed and what is being taken into account in terms | | | | shortage of activities in Dubai. |
| of the wedding costs. Nevertheless, whichever figure | | | | Like most major cities, Dubai has its own iconic |
| is used, there is no doubt that a wedding is a pricey | | | | structure in the Jumeirah's Burj Al Arab, the world's |
| business that can lead many couples into debt; not the | | | | tallest hotel which was built to resemble a billowing sail, |
| ideal way to begin married life! | | | | and from its helipad Tiger Woods famously hit golf |
| Perhaps not as obvious a wedding destination as, say, | | | | balls in 2004. There's also the Madinat Jumeirah which |
| the Caribbean, Dubai is becoming an increasingly | | | | translates into 'the city of Jumeirah', a sprawling luxury |
| popular choice, with a lot to offer over other traditional | | | | resort, encompassing waterways and glorious |
| hitching hotspots, and it has even been dubbed 'the | | | | sea-scapes, restaurants, shops and even a private |
| Las Vegas of the Middle East', but what makes it so | | | | beach making it a perfect venue for weddings in |
| popular with couples? | | | | Dubai. |
| Firstly, there is accessibility. There are direct flights | | | | Importantly, English is widely spoken throughout Dubai |
| from Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle | | | | and most signs are written in both Arabic and English, |
| and London and the flights are mostly under 7 hours. | | | | making practical issues such as travelling and shopping |
| Furthermore, flights can be found for as little as | | | | a breeze. There are also no special visa requirements |
| £200. Secondly, Dubai has year-round sunshine | | | | for most western countries. |
| and rainfall is rare, meaning an outdoor wedding is | | | | Dubai is an ambitious and bold place which doesn't do |
| practically guaranteed to be safe from a washout. | | | | things in half-measures. Its climate, accessibility and |
| Dubai itself is one of seven emirates that form the | | | | activity-rich opportunities make it the perfect place to |
| United Arab Emirates, and is a wealthy area, popular | | | | tie the knot. Viva Dubai! |
| with businesses and tourists alike. It is famed for its | | | | |