Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif inaugurates The Bride Show Abu Dhabi 2009

After cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the four day event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, toured the exhibition hall which has brought together the foremost wedding industry businesses to provide an all-inclusive bridal shopping experience under one roof.

Daily fashion shows will unveil traditional and modern bridal looks and with many exhibitors offering exclusive discounts and fantastic competition prizes, the event is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors from around the region.

Kick starting the fashion extravaganza was German retailer Cecile, in the first of two fashion shows they will produce. For those who missed the opportunity to see some of the world's most exclusive dresses, models will grace the catwalk in even more designs on Friday 23 January at 7pm.

Dar Jawaher then wowed the opening day audience with their new collection of evening wear and wedding Abayas. The finale of the fashion show, set to an uplifting soundtrack, was greeted with rapturous applause as the stunningly embellished Abayas were modelled down the catwalk.

Following Dar Jawaher was a new collection by Geelato Abayas, a Sharjah based design house. The fashion show was sponsored by Persil Abaya Shampoo, a new, specially formulated premium liquid wash detergent for Abayas which protects and maintains black material. Henkel, the manufacturers of the detergent, is participating in The Bride Show Abu Dhabi as part of their ongoing launch of this unique product.

New to the 2009 show is Al Maa'red Weddings, a business venture launched by ADNEC to serve the local bridal market in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. With a stylish venue featuring state-of-the-art production support, outstanding catering options, and connections with leading dressmakers, hair stylists, florists, and entertainers, brides-to-be in Abu Dhabi can design amazing nuptials at ADNEC with Al Maa'red's personal wedding consultants on hand to alleviate any stress.

Brides to be of all budgets are encouraged to visit the Al Maa'red Weddings in the exhibition hall to find out how their wedding can stand out from the rest and be an event the couple, their family and friends will never forget.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, organized by IIR Middle East, is the only bridal exhibition in the capital of the UAE and takes place daily until Saturday 24 January 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Open to the public from 2:30pm-10:30pm daily, with admission reserved exclusively for women on Thursday 22 January, The Bride Show Abu Dhabi has attracted an international line-up of more than 200 exhibitors who are showcasing wedding gowns, international haute couture fashion, beauty, hair and jewellery ideas, wedding venues and honeymoon destinations.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is followed by The Bride Show Dubai which takes place from 8 to 11 April 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.