Table of Content
- What is an Emirati wedding ceremony like?
- Emirati wedding traditions and customs
- Food and hospitality in emirati weddings
- Music and UAE traditional dance at weddings
- Post-wedding customs and etiquette
An Emirati wedding is more than a ceremony—it’s a grand reflection of UAE heritage, faith, and family values. It symbolizes not just the union of two individuals, but also the coming together of families, tribes, and communities. Rooted in UAE traditions and Islamic principles, every detail reflects honor, generosity, and hospitality.
While traditional Emirati weddings remain sacred in spirit, today’s couples often weave in modern elegance. Luxury venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, fusion décor, and contemporary entertainment add glamour while keeping cultural roots intact. For Indian expats, an Arab wedding in the UAE often becomes a cultural bridge where South Asian customs blend beautifully with UAE culture and traditions.
What is an Emirati wedding ceremony like?
An Emirati wedding ceremony is a multi-day affair, often beginning weeks before the actual event. The celebrations are both spiritual and festive, combining Islamic rituals with Bedouin hospitality.
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Cultural roots: Deeply inspired by generosity and unity from Bedouin life.
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Core values: Family honor, respect for elders, and strong community ties.
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Modern adaptations: From palaces and luxury hotels to contemporary décor, weddings today blend tradition with global influences.
Emirati wedding traditions and customs
1. The proposal & agreement (Al Khotbah)
The wedding journey begins with Al Khotbah, the formal proposal where families play a central role. Elders bless the match, ensuring compatibility and unity. This highlights how Emirati wedding customs emphasize collective family honor, not just the couple’s bond.
2. Henna night (Laylat Al Henna)
The Henna Night is one of the most anticipated Emirati wedding traditions. The bride’s hands and feet are decorated with henna, symbolizing beauty, blessings, and good fortune.
The Henna Night is one of the most vibrant and meaningful Emirati wedding traditions, celebrated with music, laughter, and symbolic rituals. The bride’s hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna patterns, believed to bring beauty, blessings, and protection from negative energies. Families and close friends gather to honor the bride, making it a warm, intimate celebration before the grandeur of the wedding day.
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Traditional attire: Emirati brides wear green dresses symbolizing fertility and prosperity, often paired with gold jewelry that reflects family heritage. Indian expat brides may choose sarees or lehengas embellished with Arabic-inspired embroidery, blending two cultures beautifully.
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Festivities: The evening comes alive with traditional songs, drumming, and UAE traditional dance such as Al Ayyala, creating a joyful rhythm that unites guests. Women often sing folk songs passed down through generations, adding authenticity and cultural depth to the occasion.
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Family involvement: Female relatives and friends also apply small henna designs as a gesture of shared blessings and solidarity with the bride. It is as much about bonding as it is about ritual.
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Modern touch: Couples today elevate the experience with luxury décor, curated setups, and personalized touches. Blending style with heritage, Pataaree’s Pastel Pink Thaal with 2 Bowls, Oil Bottle & Cover transforms the presentation of henna cones, fragrant oils, or sweets into a statement of modern elegance rooted in tradition.
3. Dowry (Mahr) & gift exchange
The giving of Mahr (dowry) is a sacred part of an Emirati wedding ceremony, symbolizing the groom’s responsibility, commitment, and respect for his bride. Traditionally, it is offered in the form of gold, money, or valuable possessions, agreed upon by both families beforehand. Alongside this, families exchange Emirati wedding gifts such as perfumes, silk, jewelry, and beautifully crafted trousseau boxes like the Surkh Trousseau Trunk or Zehra Sajra Box—gestures of generosity and blessings for the couple’s new journey. In modern celebrations, these customs have evolved with luxury items, designer keepsakes, and heirloom trunks, ensuring the exchange remains both culturally meaningful and personally memorable.
4. The wedding day (Yawm Al Zafaf)
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The Groom’s Procession: Traditionally includes sword dances like Al Ayyala, camels, and chanting. Today, luxury cars and grand entrances are popular.
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The Bridal Entrance: Brides wear elaborately embroidered thobes or jalabiyas adorned with pearls and gold. Guests eagerly await this highlight moment, often enhanced with floral arches, LED stages, and cinematic music.
Food and hospitality in emirati weddings
Food is at the heart of UAE traditions. Guests enjoy lavish spreads, showcasing Bedouin hospitality and Emirati flavors.
Traditional Emirati Dishes:
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Majboos – spiced rice with chicken, lamb, or fish.
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Harees – slow-cooked wheat blended with meat.
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Luqaimat – sweet dumplings drizzled with date syrup.
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Hospitality staples: Arabic coffee and dates served throughout the event.
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Fusion menus: With multicultural weddings, Indian biryanis, kebabs, and mithai often merge with Emirati feasts, reflecting the inclusivity of modern weddings in Arab culture.
Music and UAE traditional dance at weddings
Traditional Emirati weddings are filled with music and cultural performances:
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Cultural atmosphere: Music is a heartbeat of traditional Emirati weddings, creating an atmosphere of joy and community. Harbiya chants and Khaleeji drum beats are central, echoing themes of bravery, pride, and celebration.
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Symbolic dances: Traditional performances like Al Ayyala—where men stand in rows, carrying sticks and moving in unison—represent strength, unity, and heritage. Similarly, the Liwa dance, influenced by African rhythms, adds vibrancy and cultural depth to the celebration.
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Inclusive performances: These dances often invite guests to participate, fostering connection between families and friends.
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Modern blends: Today’s weddings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often mix tradition with trend—Bollywood-inspired performances, live bands, international DJs, and curated fusion playlists—bringing together heritage and modern glamour.
Post-wedding customs and etiquette
The Walima (Reception)
The Walima is the groom’s feast and a central part of Emirati weddings, symbolizing gratitude and the start of the couple’s new journey. Families, friends, and the wider community gather to share blessings over lavish food and festivities.
For Indian expats in the UAE, the Walima often doubles as a grand reception, blending Emirati traditions with Indian customs. Alongside Emirati hospitality, couples may incorporate elements like Indian décor themes, traditional sweets presented in elegant keepsakes such as the Zehra Ivory Mithai Box (1kg) or cultural performances, creating a celebration that reflects both heritages seamlessly.
Emirati wedding etiquette & gifting
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Traditional gifts: Guests often present gold jewelry, fine perfumes like oud and attar, or cash envelopes (shagun) as tokens of goodwill, prosperity, and blessings for the couple.
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Modern touch: Today, families are also embracing thoughtful keepsakes, elegant trousseau items, and personalized gifts. Many are turning to curated gifting solutions like Pataaree’s luxury wedding gift boxes, custom shagun envelopes, and designer mithai packaging, which beautifully combine tradition with sophistication. For larger family gatherings, options like wedding baskets with trays make gifting both meaningful and visually elegant.
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Guest etiquette: Respecting Emirati customs is essential. Guests are expected to dress modestly, greet with a polite “Salam,” and observe cultural norms such as gender-segregated seating and limited photography. Following these practices reflects honor and respect for the hosts.
How emirati weddings are changing
Modern Emirati wedding ceremonies are evolving while keeping traditions intact. Trends include:
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Fusion décor: Many couples now blend Majlis-style seating (low cushions, traditional fabrics, lanterns) with Indian floral touches like marigolds and jasmine garlands. This creates a rich cultural aesthetic that honors Emirati heritage while adding global elegance.
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Luxury venues: Iconic Dubai five-star hotels, private resorts, and Abu Dhabi royal-style palaces are among the most sought-after destinations. These venues not only provide grandeur but also world-class services, reflecting the aspirational lifestyle of modern Arab weddings.
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Eco-friendly weddings: Younger couples are adopting sustainable practices like digital invitations, locally sourced flowers, reusable décor, and reduced food wastage. This shift reflects growing environmental awareness without compromising on celebration.
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Celebrity influence: Social media plays a huge role, with Arab and Bollywood celebrity weddings inspiring décor themes, bridal fashion, and entertainment choices. Couples now aim for Instagram-worthy weddings, often featuring dramatic stage setups, couture gowns, and curated playlists.
What to wear to an emirati wedding?
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For women: Guests usually choose elegant and modest attire. Options include abayas, long gowns, or sarees, often in vibrant colors or embellished with embroidery. While jewelry is encouraged, it should be tasteful and not overly flashy. Shoulders, cleavage, and legs are typically kept covered, aligning with cultural modesty.
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For men: Emirati men traditionally wear a white kandura (ankle-length robe) paired with a bisht (cloak) for formal occasions. Non-Emirati male guests often wear formal suits, tuxedos, or even sherwanis if they want to embrace a cultural touch. Neutral and elegant tones are preferred to keep the look dignified.
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Etiquette: Dressing appropriately is only part of the etiquette. Guests are expected to respect seating arrangements, as men and women may be seated separately. Following modesty rules in both dress and behavior is important. Greeting elders and hosts warmly and respectfully is customary, and guests should avoid excessive displays of affection or anything deemed culturally inappropriate.
Emirati wedding costs
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Average Cost: A traditional Emirati wedding can range anywhere from AED 500,000 to AED 1 million for large-scale celebrations. Smaller or more intimate weddings may cost less, but grandeur and hospitality are central to Emirati culture, so expenses often lean high.
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Government Support: To support young Emirati couples, the UAE government provides financial incentives, wedding funds, and initiatives that reduce the financial burden and encourage marriages within the community.
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Key Cost Factors: Major elements influencing the budget include the venue choice (luxury hotels or private halls), guest count (often in the hundreds), décor and floral arrangements, lavish multi-course meals, and entertainment such as live music or traditional dance performances.
Conclusion: The timelessbeauty of emirati weddings
From henna nights to lavish feasts and traditional dances, Emirati wedding customs showcase the UAE’s heritage while embracing modern grandeur. These weddings beautifully blend UAE culture and traditions with contemporary celebrations, making them unforgettable for families and guests alike.
Whether you are attending or planning, respecting Emirati wedding etiquette and appreciating the rich cultural nuances will ensure a truly memorable experience.
FAQs on Emirati Weddings
1. What is an Emirati wedding?
It’s a religious and cultural union rooted in Islamic values, UAE traditions, and Bedouin hospitality.
2. What are the main Emirati wedding traditions?
Al Khotbah (proposal), Henna Night, Mahr (dowry), sword dances, and Walima feasts.
3. What do Emirati brides wear?
Embroidered thobes or jalabiyas with gold and pearls.
4. What should guests wear in an Emirati wedding?
Modest yet elegant attire—gowns, sarees, abayas for women; kanduras, sherwanis, or suits for men.
5. How long is an Emirati wedding?
Usually 3–5 days, including pre-wedding, main wedding, and post-wedding events.
6. Can non-Muslims attend Emirati weddings ?
Yes, with cultural respect and adherence to etiquette.
7. Are men and women seated separately in Emirati weddings?
Traditionally yes, though many modern weddings allow mixed seating.
8. What is given in Mahr?
Cash, gold, or valuable items reflecting the groom’s responsibility.
