Countdown begins to Abu Dhabi's premier bridal event

The show, which will be a fashion and beauty extravaganza addressing all the needs for today's bride under one roof, will be officially opened on 21 January by patron Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Crystallized Abaya Design Awards will reach its spectacular climax as all finalists' designs are professionally modelled on Saturday, 24 January at 6 pm. Sponsored by Crystallized - Swarovski Elements and supported by the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, the contest searches for emerging fashion talent in the UAE and gives them the tools and materials to realise their visions of the national dress.

Daphne Cota, Exhibition Manager of The Bride Show, said:

"The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is a spectacular event, and the 2009 edition will be the biggest yet, with Abaya, wedding dress and haute couture fashion shows during the four day exhibition."

"As the premier bridal and fashion event in the capital, it will be a great one-stop-shop event for brides and their families, as well as an inspiration for women interested in fashion and beauty," Cota added.

One lucky visitor will take home an exclusive wedding dress designed by Ahmed Al Reyaysa, the oft-proclaimed "King of Wedding Dresses". Shattaf Jewellery will raffle off a diamond ring, Noblesse Oblige will donate an elegant Abaya worth Dhs17,000, and one newlywed couple will spend their honeymoon on the exotic island of Mauritius, courtesy of Emirates Holidays.

Other special features include the official Scent of the Bride Show, created exclusively by Abu Haleeqa stores, a traditional name in the Gulf fashion and textile industry.

With more fashion shows than any other event in Abu Dhabi, The Bride Show is a must attend event for fashionistas, who will savour watching models strut down the catwalk every day in haute couture Abayas and wedding gowns.

Exhibitors include elite fashion houses such as Ghawashi and Scallini and Abaya designers like Mauzan and Abu Haleeqa. Everything, from photography and custom-made travel packages to wedding cakes and one of a kind jewellery, will be on display. Established favourites and new talent will exhibit side by side, presenting every device and product a bride could possibly need to organise her special day.

German retailer Cecile has a show-stopping parade of exquisite creations from prized labels Elie Saab, Ungaro and Valentino. European wedding retailers, whose products are available exclusively at The Bride Show, will offer residents a chance to snag the latest limited collections of eveningwear and weddings dresses designed specifically for women in the Middle East.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is supporting 'Make-A-Wish' as their official charity, an international organisation dedicated to granting wishes of children with life-threatening conditions, also under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi takes place from 21-24 January 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and is open from 2:30pm to 10:30pm daily. An entry fee of 10dhs applies and Thursday 22 January is dedicated to ladies only.

The Bride Show Dubai takes place from 8-11 April 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.