Atlantis Palm Jumeirah is expecting to book at least 25 weddings within the next year as a result of its participation in The Bride Show Dubai this week, said a top official.

Participating in the largest bridal event in the Middle East for the first time, Heba Rumheim, senior consultant to the Dubai landmark hotel, said she has been inundated with enquiries from Emirati, Western, Iranian and Indian women planning their weddings, one of the most important and lucrative celebrations for the hospitality industry.

Speaking from their stand at The Bride Show Dubai,  Rumheim said, "Weddings are big business for hotels and especially so for Atlantis Palm Jumeirah because, with six beaches, a grand ballroom and a number of banquet areas we can cater for intimate family events and large scale celebrations."

And while the wedding industry has survived through the global economic downturn, with the average cost of a wedding in this region staying at Dh300,000 ($81,677) for the last three years, the tastes of Middle Eastern brides has evolved. 

Rumheim pointed out that there had been a definite shift in the last four years in terms of the styles of weddings requested in this region.

"We have seen huge Western influences and a bigger focus on the theme and decorations of a wedding rather than the food.  Brides want classic designs and elegance; the exhibition has allowed us to raise awareness of the ballroom at Atlantis Palm Jumeirah which can cater for up to 1,500 people," she remarked.

Another debutant to the expo who has also reported a good level of interest this week is celebrity make up artist Nina Ubhi from the UK.

Nina, who is also the beauty editor of UK magazine 'Asian Woman,' said she has booked four weddings which will take place within the next three weeks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi at the expo, which offers a one-stop shop for brides planning their weddings.

Nina, who has been running a successful make up company, now plans to set up a studio in Dubai owing to the demand in this region for her services.

“I was determined not to adapt my style to slot into this region and offer what is already available; I provide something different to women here – Asian, Middle Eastern and Western – and the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive,” Nina added.-TradeArabia News Service