Weddings are a special affair. Not only are they an occasion for you to celebrate love and partnership, but they are also a way for friends and family to get together and bond.
For many brides and grooms, their wedding day is a culmination of years of planning and fantasies. And so, when it comes to choosing a wedding venue, you need a place that not only caters to your guests well but also makes for spectacular photoshoots.
Luckily, Dubai is a city that knocks it out of the park with its luxurious hotels, beautiful beaches, and year-round sunshine. But while there is no shortage of indoor and outdoor venues in this magical city, it can all get a little overwhelming.
To help make it easier for you, I have compiled a list of the most stylish, chic, and downright gorgeous indoor and door wedding venues in Dubai. Whether you are a ballroom type of gal (or guy!) or want a low-key beach wedding, you will likely find your dream location in this list.
Let’s take a look.
1. Anantara The Palm
Located on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, Anantara The Palm resort redefines beachfront luxury.
The resort overlooks Dubai’s glittering skyline and offers an expanse of blue lagoons on which there are beautifully constructed Thai temples. This blend provides you with the perfect combination of nature and Dubai’s exotic city life.
At Anantara, couples have the choice to have photos taken either by the beach or in spaces between their beautiful villas surrounded by greenery. The unique Thai architecture of their water villas can serve as the perfect backdrop to your wedding photos.
It is also an ideal location to stay in, especially for the water babies who prefer their beachside time to be dipped in oodles of luxury.
Location: East Crescent, Palm – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 250 guests
2. Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa
One of the most obvious wedding hotel choices in Dubai is the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa. Staying at Al Maha, one can hardly believe that there is a modern and bustling city just nearby.
This classy hotel is situated in the heart of the desert and features an ultra-luxe and charming atmosphere.
The natural scenery of the seemingly endless golden sand dunes truly provides the perfect background for pictures. This is an excellent location for lovebirds to get hitched and follow their big day with romantic photos that are truly unmatched in their elegance and uniqueness.
Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve –Al Ain Road – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating Capacity: up to 300 guests
3. Sofitel The Palm
Sofitel The Palm is one of the best hotels in Dubai, whether that be for a stay or to conduct your I Do’s. As versatile as can be, it offers a variety of different backdrops for couple shoots – over the boardwalk, by the beach, or with greenery.
The hotel also provides you with a dedicated wedding planner that accompanies you every step of the way, making sure that every detail is perfect.
It is a great outdoor wedding venue in Dubai for couples wanting a more intimate ceremony. Think: exchanging vows on a private white sandy beach amidst a lush garden! What more could you need to start an amazing new chapter of your life?
Location: Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: Varies with the setting
4. Nikki Beach Resort and Spa
Another one for the beach lovers, the Nikki Beach Resort and Spa is where the cool kids hang out. This outdoor wedding venue in Dubai has everything couples can possibly dream of.
It is set on the beachfront overlooking Pearl Jumeirah and boasts a spa that will make your wedding weekend relaxing yet luxurious.
The resort also offers world-class contemporary cuisines for your guests to enjoy while you make the most of its private beach for your wedding pictures.
Keep it on the down-low or make it a grand occasion, there is no wedding dream that is unachievable for this classy resort in the city of lights.
Location: Pearl Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 500 guests
5. Palazzo Versace Dubai
At Palazzo Versace Dubai, they’ve got something for everyone!
From a luxurious indoor wedding at the Gala Ballroom to an outdoor occasion with views of the stunning Dubai Creek, there is no shortage of options in this luxurious setting.
The beautiful waterfront location coupled with the incredible food that comes from all corners of the world, the Palazzo Versace is the perfect choice for couples with finer tastes. Not to forget, sealing the deal under Gala Ballroom’s many glittering chandeliers is an experience that will last a lifetime.
Location: Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 900 guests (grand ballroom), up to 500 guests (pre-function area)
6. Park Hyatt
Park Hyatt is located within the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, right on the banks of the mesmerizing Dubai Creek. Its location serves as the ideal spot for couples who want a quiet and serene yet still breathtakingly remarkable place to say their nuptials.
What’s even better about Park Hyatt’s location is that it is only 10 minutes away from the airport, making it super convenient.
The hotel offers several indoor and outdoor wedding venues surrounded by expansive gardens and palm trees amidst which you can take that perfect wedding photo.
Amongst many other things, the hotel has an 800sqm Fountain Garden that features lavish courtyards, cocktail bars, and a lounge area. It is a great location for couples who want a more intimate evening with their near and dear ones.
Location: Dubai Creek Resort – Dubai Creek Club St – Port Saeed – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 100 guests (Palm Garden), up to 250 guests (The Fountain Garden)
7. One and Only Royal Mirage
If you have dreamt of having wedding photos taken on the shore of a snow-white beach accompanied by stunning turquoise waves, One and Only Royal Mirage is the place to make this fantasy come true for you.
One of the best wedding venues in Dubai, this luxury hotel is situated in the famous Palm Jumeirah Island.
Here, you will have the world at your disposal with both indoor and outdoor venue options. You will find everything from exotic private beaches and beautiful gardens to charming fountains and chic hotel interiors. This place is as romantic as it comes.
The impressive skyscrapers of modern Dubai combined with its fantastic coastlines simply make for the classic wedding photo backdrop that is hard to beat.
Location: King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud St – Dubai- United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 500 guests
8. Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club
If elegance, grace, and poise are your perfect idea of a wedding, then consider tying the knot at Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club.
Imagine having your pictures taken overlooking an expanse of lush green polo fields during the day. Or if you are more of an evening person, the starlit night sky paints the perfect picture of your special moment.
What makes the experience here even more special is that the bride arrives in a horse-drawn carriage, creating all the fixings of an ultimate fairytale wedding.
Location: Al Qudra Road, Next to Dubai Studio City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 400 guests
9. Bab Al Shams
If you want to experience the authentic Arab-style wedding location featuring labyrinth streets and accompanying lanterns to adorn those streets, Bab Al Shams is the place for you.
At Bab Al Shams, you can be sure that your wedding pictures will turn out magical and colorful. In the evening, the place is lit up with multi-colored lanterns, giving you the opportunity to create romantic shots in the night.
It also serves as the perfect wedding venue for those who like their silence and privacy. An atmosphere of complete relaxation surrounds you as you enjoy the most special day of your life.
Encompassing the hotel territory is a beautiful desert where you can rent thoroughbred Arabian horses and make your second-day photoshoot even more eventful and unique.
There is nothing like witnessing the sunset in the remarkable sand dunes of the desert with your loved one. And Bab Al Shams gives you just that and much more!
Location: Al Qudra Road, Opposite Endurance City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: Varies with the setting
10. Burj Khalifa
A wedding at Burj Khalifa is sure to be a royal affair. But the iconic location gives you a wide array of choices and caters to every kind of décor needs that couples may have.
Giving you some of the best views in the city, a marriage ceremony at Burj Khalifa will be nothing short of spellbinding. You will have the classic fountains, that we all know too well, serving as a backdrop for your pictures along with the surrounding majestic architecture that screams Dubai.
Live entertainment, grand culinary experiences, and the gorgeous interior by Armani are just some of the things you can experience if you choose to say your vows in the tallest skyscraper in the world.
Location: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 600 guests
11. Atlantis The Palm
Atlantis The Palm sits on the iconic Palm Islands in Dubai and has venues that place it among the top choices for wedding venues in Dubai. With plenty of space to go around, the Atlantis is able to cater to large wedding ceremonies, hosting thousands of people.
The Ballroom features an elegant welcome reception, a private entrance, and access to the Royal Terrace. The hotel also features world-class chefs from around the globe that can take any wedding experience to the next level.
Pairing the classy hotel interiors with the endless blue waters all around will make your wedding photos stand out in the best way.
Location: Crescent Road – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 2000 guests
12. Burj Al Arab
There is no wedding venue list that would be complete without Burj Al Arab – it is just that special of an experience.
Burj Al Arab is the poster child of luxury. The stunning beauty of the 7-star hotel lies not only in its architecture but also in its surroundings. Located in the sea, this heavenly spot can be spotted from miles away by possibly everyone.
The beachy white sand, turquoise waves, and blue skies provide an impressive background for any type of occasion. Photographers can take beautiful panoramic shots of couples at multiple locations around the hotel. In fact, couples can also opt for a photoshoot on the hotel’s iconic helipad.
Location: Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Seating capacity: up to 1,500 guests
The Bottom Line
Not many places in the world beat the luxe and style of Dubai when it comes to celebrating the best day of your life. A sense of imagination and fantasy fills every moment as you and your loved one say your wedding vows and start the next chapter of your life together.
While the city is known for its modernity, wedding venues in Dubai don’t shy away from providing its guests with the ultimate traditional experience. No matter what type of a ceremony you want, Dubai’s indoor and outdoor wedding venues offer a unique experience each and every time.
With the 12 best choices listed above, it is now up to you and your beau to choose how to make your wedding day memorable for the rest of your lives.
Alona Koenig Photography.
Vintage charm. Timeless elegance. French ‘joie de vivre’
