Sheikha Sheikha opens The Bride Show Abu Dhabi

After cutting the ribbon to officially inaugurate the four-day exhibition at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Sheikha Sheikha toured the exhibition hall which houses an impressive line-up of bridal fashion and jewelry designers and suppliers of a comprehensive range of wedding services.

With daily fashion shows unveiling both traditional and modern bridal looks as portrayed by a cluster of leading names, and many exhibitors offering exclusive discounts, the event is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors from around the region. Brides-to-be as well as women who enjoy fashion and beauty, have the opportunity to shop for everything they need for the perfect wedding all under one roof.

Significantly, the Bride Show Abu Dhabi takes place at a healthy time for the multi-million dollar regional wedding industry. Research commissioned by event organisers IIR (The Institute for International Research) has shown that the average cost of a wedding in the UAE now stands at AED300,000 (approx US$82,000).

Almost half of those surveyed planned receptions for 500 guests while 15 per cent envisaged invitation lists topping 1,000. Brides are also splashing out freely on jewellery, with 16 per cent spending more than AED100,000 and as many as 47 per cent paying out at least AED30,000.

"This is a very good time for the wedding industry worldwide, and particularly in the UAE and the Gulf region as a whole," said Geoffrey Booy, Group Exhibitions Director for IIR Middle East. "Globally, the industry is growing at a rate of 20 per cent per year, and that general trend is highlighted here.

"Not only is the UAE one of the world's most affluent markets, it is also a country where weddings have a great significance and tradition and no expense is spared in making them occasions to remember. This is a very important and lucrative market for the industry and this event is a must for designers and suppliers eager to make their mark here."

Open from 3pm-10.00pm daily, with admission reserved for women only on Wednesday, The Bride Show Abu Dhabi has attracted an international line-up of more than 175 exhibitors who are showcasing everything from wedding gowns, international haute couture fashion, beauty and hair to wedding venues and honeymoon destinations.

Visitors can also seek advice and gather inspiration from demonstrations taking place throughout the four days, while daily competitions offer luxury jewelry from Paris Gallery and the newly launched Scent of the Bride Show.

Rony Richa, known as Lebanon's "incurable romantic", is among the gathering of designers intending to grab the limelight as the catwalks reveal bridal gowns and accessories, henna dresses, evening wear, abayas, jalabiyas and sheilas and bridesmaid's dresses.

Exhibitors have also assembled from across the UAE and other parts of the Middle East, India and China and the Far East, to promote a broad range of wedding services, from beauty and hair services and products to photography and video production, floral and stage design, wedding stationary, cakes and confectionary and limousine hire.