From Vision to Reality: The Perfect Big Budget Wedding at Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah”
Every detail matters. Craft the luxurious wedding you’ve always imagined!
A big budget wedding might seem like a monumental task, but it’s an exciting venture. From budgeting and venue selection to coordinating with various vendors, it’s all about creating a memorable experience.
In the UAE, weddings are known for their luxury, with extravagant venues and premium services, making it an ideal location for couples looking to celebrate in style.
This guide offers a thorough breakdown of how to plan a big budget wedding, including how to manage costs, select the perfect venue, and collaborate with vendors.
We will also highlight Charbel and Viktoria’s big budget wedding in the UAE, providing a real-life example of how to pull off a luxury wedding flawlessly.
How Much Does a Big Budget Wedding in the UAE Cost?
The cost of a big budget wedding in the UAE varies widely depending on the venue, guest list, décor, catering, and entertainment. Luxury weddings usually require premium services, with venues offering exclusive packages.
Big Budget Wedding Cost Breakdown by Percentage:
Based on Easy Wedding’s weddings, here’s a typical cost breakdown in percentages.
Venue, Food & Drinks (30%)
The largest portion of the budget is devoted to the venue rental and providing food and beverages for the wedding guests.
Photo and Video Team (20%)
This budget allocation goes toward hiring professional photographers and videographers to capture the wedding’s most precious moments.
MC/Host and DJ (10%)
This covers the fees for hiring the MC or host, and the DJ, who will entertain guests with music during the event.
Agency Fee (10-15%)
Represents the cost of hiring a wedding planning agency, ensuring everything is coordinated and managed smoothly for a stress-free experience.
Decor (15%)
Funds for designing and decorating the venue, including floral arrangements, furniture, and other aesthetic elements to create the perfect atmosphere.
Technical Equipment (10%)
This budget ensures the provision of the necessary technical equipment, such as sound systems, microphones, and lighting to support the event.
MUHA, Cake, and Other (5%)
This small allocation covers makeup, hairstyling, the wedding cake, and any other services or items for the big day.
Case Study: Charbel & Viktoria’s Big Budget Wedding in the UAE with Easy Wedding
The Background
When Charbel and Viktoria decided to marry, they knew they wanted a wedding that was beyond the ordinary, something that would be memorable and luxurious.
They chose the UAE for its world-class venues, scenic views, and exclusivity.
Easy Wedding stepped in to handle the intricate details, making sure everything ran smoothly and their dream budget wedding was flawlessly executed.
The Wedding Planning Process
Charbel and Viktoria had a distinct vision for their wedding. Viktoria longed for an intimate yet lavish sunset ceremony, while Charbel prioritized providing exceptional entertainment for the guests. Their first meeting with Easy Wedding focused on converting this vision into a detailed plan.
They explored luxurious venues, compared vendor prices, and reviewed the total costs. From floral designs to sound quality, no detail was overlooked. With a set budget and a list of non-negotiable items, they were ready to choose the ideal venue.
Choosing the Right Venue
Finding the right venue is one of the most significant decisions in wedding planning. Charbel and Viktoria initially considered the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, attracted by its stunning views and atmosphere. However, it proved too large for the intimate wedding experience they envisioned.
Venue Search
Charbel and Viktoria’s next stop was Mövenpick RAK. Option 1 offered a lovely outdoor setting with elegant tables and string lights, but it didn’t meet their luxury standards. Option 2 had a beach view and a modern design, but it lacked the privacy they desired.
They ultimately decided on The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah. The venue provided the perfect combination of privacy, stunning desert sunset views, and an intimate atmosphere, ideal for their ceremony. With the venue secured, they were ready to continue refining their wedding plans.
Designing Their Wedding Experience
With the venue in place, Charbel and Viktoria began focusing on the design elements of their wedding. They chose a Rustic Charm style for the ceremony, with a wooden floral arch and white flowers that complemented the natural surroundings. The white aisle and candles added a soft, elegant touch, enhancing the intimate and romantic atmosphere they envisioned.
Floral and Design Inspirations for Reception
For the reception, Viktoria considered bold florals and a Stylish Red theme. However, she opted against it due to the overly dramatic feel, which wasn’t the tone they wanted for the celebration.
They briefly considered the Blooming Romance style, which offered playful, colorful florals, but ultimately chose a more structured and sophisticated design that aligned better with their vision.
The Boho Gypsy Chic style, with its earthy and free-spirited elements, was another possibility. Though they loved the natural look of pampas grass, they decided on a more cohesive and polished design for their wedding day.
For the ceremony, Viktoria incorporated elements from the Airy Elegance theme, opting for soft white flowers like baby’s breath to maintain an ethereal and airy aesthetic, perfectly complementing the vast desert surroundings.
They were introduced to the Farm Classic style for the seating and decor. While the rustic wood tones and greenery were charming, it wasn’t quite the right fit for the sophisticated wedding atmosphere they envisioned.
Each design choice was made to ensure a cohesive look, maintaining the balance between elegance and natural beauty while staying true to their personal style.
Viktoria’s dream was to have luxurious floral arrangements that seamlessly blended with the desert backdrop. The soft pastels and whites they selected beautifully complemented the golden desert tones. They ultimately chose option 1, as it fit perfectly with their wedding theme.
Entertainment as the Heart of the Celebration
Entertainment was a key part of setting the atmosphere for Charbel and Viktoria’s wedding. A live saxophonist serenaded guests during the ceremony, bringing a touch of romance to the proceedings. At the reception, a professional DJ kept the energy high and the guests on the dance floor. To conclude the evening spectacularly, a fireworks display lit up the desert sky, leaving guests mesmerized.
The dining experience was equally extraordinary. Charbel and Viktoria selected a five-course gourmet menu, created by top chefs, offering a range of international dishes paired with premium wines. Champagne flowed freely, and the grand wedding cake was the ideal finishing touch to the meal.
Late-night snacks and dessert stations provided the perfect opportunity for guests to indulge and keep the party going long after the formalities had ended.
Guest Dress Code
Charbel and Viktoria chose a soft, neutral color palette for the attire of their guests, including light beige, muted green, and soft gray. These colors were carefully selected to align with the Airy Elegance theme, ensuring a cohesive, sophisticated look that matched the tone of the event.
Elevated Guest Experience at the Wedding
A big-budget wedding isn’t just about the couple—it’s about creating an experience that makes every guest feel special.
Easy Wedding took on the logistics, ensuring luxury transportation and personalized concierge services were available for each guest. Every guest was welcomed with a gift filled with keepsakes, each reflecting Charbel and Viktoria’s shared journey as a couple.
The wedding timeline was planned with precision. As guests arrived, they were greeted with bubbles and soft background music, setting a calm yet celebratory mood. Viktoria’s entrance through a draped archway was a showstopper, followed by a procession of bridesmaids, enhancing the fairytale-like atmosphere of the event.
An Unforgettable Wedding Day
Charbel and Viktoria’s wedding was flawlessly planned and executed. The Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah provided the exclusive setting and natural beauty that the couple sought for their special day.
The event was both personal and grand, and the couple experienced it all stress-free, thanks to careful planning and a team that knew exactly how to bring their vision to life. They were able to savor every moment without worrying about the logistics.
A Wedding Planner’s Day: Managing Every Detail of a Big Budget Wedding in UAE
Take a closer look at the event timeline for Charbel and Viktoria’s big-budget wedding at the Ritz Carlton Al Wadi Desert. This timeline includes detailed moments such as makeup, photoshoots, ceremony, speeches, dinner, and entertainment, covering guest arrivals, music, vows, couple’s photos, speeches, first dance, games, cake cutting, bouquet toss, and DJ performances.
Morning Preparations (11:00-14:00)
- Bride and groom’s styling, hair, and makeup.
- Finalizing venue setup, floral decorations, and arranging last-minute touches.
- Bride and groom’s preparation video shoot.
Afternoon & Ceremony Management (15:00-17:00)
- Coordinating guest arrivals and seating arrangements.
- Supervising the photo and video teams capturing candid moments.
- Ensuring a smooth transition between the ceremony and reception.
Evening Reception & After-Party Management (17:00-23:00)
- Coordinating the dinner service and overseeing the couple’s entrance song.
- Speeches from Stu and Sergey, followed by engaging games and entertainment.
- Coordinating the couple’s first dance, ensuring smooth transitions throughout the evening.
- Managing transportation and guest comfort throughout the event.
- Overseeing event closure, tear-down, and final logistics.
- Closure, wrap-up, and decor dismantling were the responsibility of the planner.