A ring on the left hand can push even the sanest woman to the edge. If planning your big day has left you stressed and confused, make tracks for The Bride Show Dubai.
Couture gowns, perfumes, jewellery, personal health advice and more are all under one roof at the largest bridal exhibition in the Middle East.
The Bride Show takes place from April 23 to 26 in Zabeel Hall at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
While fashion is the focus, with 20 shows planned for the four-day event, the exhibition also has caterers, hairdressers and beauticians, wedding organisers and honeymoon specialists.
More than 400 companies from 13 countries will be presenting their products and services.
Daphne Cota, exhibitions manager of The Bride Show, says weddings are only getting bigger and bigger. And Dubai is set to become the hot new wedding destination.
"Even summers are a busy time for wedding venues. For the higher income group, the average cost of a wedding starts at Dh500,000 and could run into millions."
The little details
Emirati national Latifa Fekri, director of channel management at Etisalat, the premier sponsors of The Bride Show, said: "I wish I would have gone to such an event before I got married some 10 years ago. When you are organising a wedding, you need all the resources at hand."
"These days, people notice all the little details at a wedding - from the flowers to the table décor. You get to see some amazing things at Emirati weddings these days, including birds flying inside the hall."
While The Bride Show is targeted at Arab brides, this year there are many more international exhibitors, including the German fashion house Cecil.
Indian designer Manish Malhotra will also be showing his range of bridal wear including abayas, sheylas and jellabyas.
Amateur designers and fashion students will be showcasing their wedding dress designs as part of the competition for the Swarovski Young Designer of the Year.
There will also be daily competitions, with prizes that include an all-expenses-paid honeymoon package to the Seychelles, a wedding dress from Salma Khan Fashion House and a diamond ring from Shattaf Jewellers.
Designer battle
The Swarovksi Young Designer of the Year Awards is in its eighth year and is held during The Bride Show.
It is credited with having boosted many a young designer's career. The exhibition will showcase the works of the 10 finalists in two categories.
Their creations, based on the theme "The Art of Being Intimate" will be on display at The Bride Show.
Women's healthcare show
A part of The Bride Show Dubai, this section is dedicated to women's well being.
On offer are:
• Free health check-ups for all visitors.
• Free daily seminars about health risks faced by women, including diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and strokes.
• Free personal advice from leading physicians.
