Dubai weddings are known for scale. Five-star venues, dramatic floral installations, long guest lists, and jaw-dropping backdrops like the Burj Al Arab or the Marina skyline.
After scrolling through photos like these, it’s easy to assume one thing: getting married in Dubai is only for millionaires.
That assumption stops a lot of couples before they even start planning. The reality is more practical. Dubai weddings can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. What matters is where you spend and where you don’t.
At Sona Vista Events, we focus on smart spending decisions that create a luxury look without unnecessary costs. Here’s how couples consistently get that polished, Pinterest-level finish without overspending.
1. Choose the Right Date, Not the Most Popular One
Venue costs are heavily tied to timing.
Most couples automatically aim for a Saturday in peak season, usually December through February. That choice alone can add tens of thousands to your budget.
Friday and Sunday weddings often come with lower minimum spends, and venues are more open to negotiation. Even bigger savings come from choosing shoulder months like May or September. The weather is still suitable, but demand drops, which gives you leverage.
Couples who avoid peak dates often secure meaningful discounts simply by being flexible.
2. Spend Less on the Cake Without Compromising the Look
Wedding cakes are priced for display, not consumption.
A simple solution is ordering a multi-tier cake where only the bottom tier is real. The remaining tiers are lightweight foam, finished with the same icing and design. For photos and the cake-cutting moment, it looks identical to a fully edible cake.
Guests are served professionally prepared sheet cake from the kitchen. It tastes the same, costs far less, and no one notices the difference.
3. Be Selective With Your Guest List
In Dubai, catering costs are charged per guest. With average packages around AED 400 per person, numbers add up quickly.
Reducing your guest list by even 50 people can free up a substantial portion of your budget. That money can go toward better entertainment, stronger florals, or professional videography.
A practical rule: if this person isn’t part of your current life, they don’t need to be part of your wedding day.
4. Reuse Your Ceremony Flowers
Florals are one of the most expensive décor items, yet they’re often used for less than an hour.
The ceremony arch can be moved behind the sweetheart table. Bridesmaid bouquets can be placed in vases for table décor. Aisle arrangements can be relocated to buffet areas or entrances.
Using the same arrangements across multiple spaces creates visual consistency and significantly reduces floral spend.
5. Choose a Venue That Already Looks Good
Some venues require extensive draping, lighting, and décor just to feel complete. Others are visually strong on their own.
Gardens, beachfront spaces, and well-designed restaurants need far less styling. Locations in areas like DIFC or venues with architectural character often require minimal decoration to look polished.
When the space is already attractive, your décor budget naturally drops.
6. Go Digital Where It Makes Sense
Printed stationery adds up quickly. Save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, menus, and programs all come with design and printing costs.
Using a wedding website for invitations and RSVPs streamlines communication and costs nothing. For menus, one framed copy per table or a QR code is more than enough.
It’s simple, efficient, and avoids unnecessary printing.
7. Be Strategic With Alcohol Packages
Open bars are one of the fastest ways to overspend.
Instead of paying for an unlimited package, ask venues about a capped consumption bar. You set a maximum amount, and once it’s reached, the bar switches to cash.
Another option is limiting the selection to wine and beer. Most guests don’t expect premium spirits, and this alone can cut bar costs significantly.
What Guests Actually Remember
Guests don’t remember linen quality or chair styles. They remember the energy, the music, and how the couple felt that day.
A wedding that looks expensive isn’t about excess. It’s about smart choices, strong visuals, and prioritizing what truly matters.
At Sona Vista Events, we treat every budget carefully because we know where spending makes a visible difference and where it doesn’t.
If you want a realistic breakdown of what your budget can achieve, get in touch. We’ll show you exactly how far your dirhams can go.
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