United Arab Emirates

Weddings are very special occasions in the U.A.E. and involve great celebrations and great expense. The cost of weddings became so high that in 1992 the government stepped in and set up guidelines as to what should be spent on the weddings. A special fund was created with the intent of limiting gratuitous spending on marriages. Monetary incentives were offered to encourage the brides father to accept lower dowries, assist in setting up households, and raising birth rates, as well as to encourage men to marry women who were U.A.E. nationals. In addition, the government has built great halls where the wedding may be held without the additional expense of renting out a private hall or hotel.

Traditionally, the bride will go into seclusion for forty days prior to the wedding. During this time she will receive gifts of jewelry, perfume, and silks from her future husband. These valuable gifts will make her trousseau.

During the entire week before the wedding both families will celebrate with traditional music, continuous singing and dancing.

Several days before the ceremony mehndi will be applied to the bride in the night of henna rituals, Laylat Al Henna. The bride’s body will be cleansed with oils and creams and anointed with perfumes. Her hair will be washed with amber and jasmine and mehndi will be applied to her hands and feet. All of the bride’s female relatives will attend, providing food, singing and dancing.