Sheikha Jawaher opens Sharjah Wedding Show

Opened February 26 by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Wife of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the show will run for five days until Saturday March 1st.

If wedding bells are ringing in your future and you expect that day to be perfect in the true sense of the word, then the best place you should now be is the Perfect Wedding Show

"More than 100 exhibitors from Lebanon, Italy, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, Pakistan and the UAE are displaying the region's biggest and finest collections of wedding dresses, related materials and a host of services that make a wedding function flawless. ," said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah

They inlcude gifts and accessories, fashion and jewellery items, designer ware, bridal attire, health and beauty products, cards and stationery.

"We endeavour to make the day special for many a couple, their families and friends by bringing together all the products and services that go into making a wedding great under one single roof,"added Mr. Midfa.

Designers, couturiers, men's outfitters, flower and décor specialists, wedding planners and caterers are offering their services, while there is a host of options regarding wedding and reception venues, photography, entertainment options and honeymoon destinations.

The wedding industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. "Be it the thriving economy, booming tourism and leisure sector or a population that spends the highest per head for their weddings, the wedding industry here has all the ingredients to scale new heights," said Mr Midfa.

"The total cost of a wedding, according to conservative estimates, could range from anything between Dh25,000 for a short and sweet ceremony and millions of dirhams for an extravagant one. With a tradition of having extravagant celebrations for weddings, especially for those belonging to the region and the sub-continent, the functions are getting more elaborate than ever before."

"It would be interesting to note that NRI steel tycoon LN Mittal made it to yet another billionaire club of the Forbes magazine for hosting the most extravagant wedding affair of the century. Mittal spent $60m for his daughter's wedding," Mr Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah said.

Keeping the multi-cultural society of the country in mind, The Perfect Wedding Show has a diverse range of products across all price ranges made available through the presence of companies from different parts of the world. The diversity of products also ensures that the needs of modern, traditional as well as offbeat wedding arrangements can also be met.

The show is also a reflection of the booming wedding industry in the region. "The Middle East wedding market is estimated at more than $3bn and it is growing at a rate of 20% per year. In the UAE alone, it is estimated that thousands of marriages take place annually. The budget of an Emirati marriage is considered to be the highest in the region," Mr Khan pointed out.

Recent reports from global consultants put UAE's gross domestic product at 7% in 2007, 7.5% in 2008 and 7.3% in 2009. The country's nominal GDP is expected to grow from $163.1bn in 2006 to $186bn in 2007, $215bn in 2008 and $235bn in 2009.

In the GCC, the nominal GDP is projected to soar threefold from $773bn to roughly $2.3 trillion by 2020. This enormous growth will raise the average per capita income in the region by over 80%from less than $20,000 to more than $35,000 in today's prices.

"This means there is more money to be spent and marriage is an occasion when one doesn't hold back on spending. This shows the potential for the sector to grow further, and through the wedding show we also aim to be a catalyst to the industry in the entire region," added Mr Khan.

Daily fashion shows that offer a sneak peek into latest trends as well as traditions of bridal ware by leading designers from the region will be one of the main attractions this time too.

The show-stealer on the opening day was celebrity designer Walid Atallah. Atallah showcased his works to the awe of women VIPs on the opening day. On February 27, there will be two fashion shows at 7pm and 8.30pm. Thereafter, there will be three shows daily at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.

"There will be plenty of prizes and raffles draws for visitors, including a dream honeymoon trip to either Malaysia or Thailand to a lucky couple, apart from live demonstrations of hair-styling and make-up, and live dance performances," said Group Project Manager, Expo Centre Sharjah, Taghreed Khallaf.

The Perfect Wedding Show is an initiative of the Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will be open for public from 3 pm to 10 pm.