Dubai Wedding Symposium Confirms Dubai's Leading Status for Destination Weddings
Dubai has reinforced its reputation as a leading global city for destination weddings and celebrations, following the highly successful second edition of the Dubai Wedding Symposium (DWS). Held recently at various locations across the city, the event highlighted Dubai’s world-class infrastructure, exceptional service, diverse offerings, and brought together industry experts and event planners from around the world.
Organised by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, DWS provided a platform for international wedding experts, industry professionals and influencers from across the wedding and events sectors to network and to connect with Dubai expert suppliers. Attendees were also able to experience a wide variety of wedding offerings in Dubai, share ideas, exchange best practices and inspire new ways to deliver every couple with a truly unforgettable experience, whether it is their wedding, honeymoon or anniversary celebration.
More than 100 international wedding planners and stakeholders from various regions attended the symposium, including delegates from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, United Kingdom and Africa. This marked a 7% year-on-year increase in delegate numbers, with representation from 37 countries, a 19% increase from 2024. Participants had the opportunity to experience the city’s unparalleled wedding venues and supplier network, including wedding experiences supported by the key events partners, Atlantis The Royal and Wedding by Emaar, as well as 25 hospitality venues and 40 wedding industry suppliers. Dubai based stakeholder participation doubled, as 67 stakeholders and partners joined the 2025 event, and the number of curated one-to-one meetings increased by 226%, reinforcing the symposium’s role as a high-impact networking platform.
Hoor Al Khaja, Senior Vice President, International Operations at Dubai Corporation of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: "At the second Dubai Wedding Symposium, Dubai proudly showcased itself as a leading destination for unforgettable weddings, aligning with the aspirations of our visionary leadership to transform Dubai into the best city to visit, live and work in, as part of the long-term objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. The resounding success of this international symposium, our flagship lifestyle event, served to highlight the city's unparalleled appeal for all types of celebrations. Once again, this achievement was largely made possible by the wholehearted support extended by our stakeholders and partners - a true testament to Dubai’s longstanding and strong public-private partnership model. With delegates from six continents joining us, we were able to ensure that Dubai remained at the forefront of the world’s preferred cities for destination weddings, as a vibrant place where celebrants can immerse themselves in culture, cuisine, and celebration, experience exceptional venues, services and attractions, and take advantage of the city’s global connectivity. Together with our partners, we are committed to further promoting Dubai's unique proposition as the dream destination for couples and those seeking to celebrate life's most cherished milestones."
DWS 2025 also deepened industry conversations around the emergence of wellness as a key pillar in wedding planning. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness industry is valued at $5.6 trillion and accounts for nearly 60% of all consumer health expenditures. A standout panel at DWS – ‘Wellness in Weddings’ – brought together international planners from India, the UK, and Australia along with a Dubai-based wellness expert from SIRO One Za'abeel to explore the growing demand for holistic wellbeing experiences. From pre-wedding fitness to mindful event design, wellness has emerged as both a client-driven trend and a valuable business differentiator.
Another highlight was a session with luxury wedding designer Karen Tran, who shared her journey of more than 25 years of experience in the luxury events industry, and scaling her company Karen Tran Floral and Event Design, into a global brand. With experience across more than 50 countries and weddings ranging in value from $100,000 to more than $6 million, she offered insights on identifying trusted partners, maintaining creative consistency across markets, and aligning growth strategies with brand values.
With the destination wedding market projected to grow from $48 billion in 2025 to $137 billion by 2029, according to Research and Markets’ 2025 Destination Wedding Global Market Report, the sessions at DWS reflected broader global trends, driven by demand for exclusivity, sustainability, and culturally immersive celebrations. Other top trends showcased during the symposium included personalisation through technology, and culinary storytelling featuring local and international flavous.
Strategically located between East and West, the city offers unrivaled airline connectivity, with flights from Europe, Asia, and Africa in under eight hours, complemented by visa options including visa-on-arrival for over 50 nationalities.
Arabia Weddings was thrilled to have moderated a session at the Dubai Wedding Symposium to explore the exciting possibilities Dubai offers for destination wedding planners gathering from all over the world. Samar Shawareb, Foundr/CEO, took to the stage alongside Dubai's wedding and hospitality industry leaders to share experiences, insights, and practical tips, equipping international planners with the essential knowledge needed to navigate the extraordinary wedding landscape of Dubai.
Dubai’s appeal as a wedding destination is further enhanced by its world-class infrastructure, including a portfolio of more than 830 hotels and resorts, as well as a stunning array of backdrops for any kind of celebration.
For venues, couples can choose from sparkling cityscapes, sandy beaches, lush gardens, rolling dunes, and more – supported by a 360-degree wedding service, with experienced in-house and freelance wedding planners catering to diverse needs. The city’s culinary scene provides a global gastronomy experience, influenced by nearly 200 nationalities, catering to the tastes and preferences of couples seeking to celebrate their love across a mix of both MICHELIN-starred and homegrown concepts.
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