Stay on track with our complete Dubai wedding planning timeline. From booking venues to sending invites, here’s your month-by-month checklist!
The Ultimate Dubai Wedding Planning Timeline
Planning a destination wedding in Dubai is a dream—but without a timeline, it can become a stressful maze of decisions and deadlines. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate wedding planning timeline, tailored especially for Indian, Pakistani, Emirati, and international couples who want their Dubai celebration to run flawlessly.
Whether you’re planning a Mehendi in the desert, a Nikah on the beach, or a Walima at a skyline-view venue, this guide breaks down exactly what to do and when.
📆 12+ Months Before: Dream, Decide & Design
✅ Choose your wedding date range
✅ Set a guest list estimate
✅ Decide your wedding style (luxury, traditional, boho, fusion)
✅ Research and hire a destination wedding planner in Dubai-UAE
✅ Set your wedding budget
✅ Shortlist Dubai venues (Al Maha, Atlantis, Madinat Jumeirah, etc.)
✅ Book key venues for all events (Nikah, Haldi, Mehendi, Barat, Reception, Walima)
💡 Tip: Dubai’s wedding season is October to April. Book venues early—9-12 months ahead!
📆 9–11 Months Before: The Foundation Phase
✅ Book photographers and videographers
✅ Finalise caterers (in-house or external)
✅ Finalise decorators and lighting teams
✅ Hire your wedding content creator for social media reels
✅ Start dress/sherwani shopping
✅ Apply for passports, visas (if required)
✅ Schedule a pre-wedding visit to Dubai (if possible)
💡 Plan for pre-wedding shoots at iconic spots like Burj Khalifa, Al Seef, or The Dubai Frame.
📆 6–8 Months Before: Build the Details
✅ Book makeup artists, mehendi artists, stylists
✅ Confirm entertainment: DJs, dhol players, Zaffa crew
✅ Confirm priest, imam, or officiant
✅ Plan your ceremony rituals (Mandap layout, Nikah setup, entry concepts)
✅ Create a wedding website or e-invite with RSVP functionality
✅ Book hotel blocks for guests and start arranging transport
✅ Start designing invitation cards
💡 Many couples include trending events in their wedding themes—like cricket or football matches (think: “MI vs LSG” or “Barcelona vs Real Madrid”).
📆 4–5 Months Before: Confirm & Customise
✅ Send invitations and collect RSVPs
✅ Finalise outfits and schedule fittings
✅ Finalise menus for each event
✅ Choose jewellery, accessories, footwear
✅ Confirm decor elements for each day
✅ Start preparing guest welcome kits and mehendi favours
✅ Plan and confirm speeches, dances, or surprise elements
💡 Planning a Desi wedding? Create a colour-coded wardrobe schedule for family and guests!
📆 2–3 Months Before: Final Touches
✅ Confirm all bookings and vendor payments
✅ Visit Dubai for a food tasting & decor review
✅ Send final headcounts to caterers and planners
✅ Get final outfit trials done
✅ Begin packing wedding items
✅ Send final itinerary to guests (via email/WhatsApp group)
✅ Prepare bridal trousseau and gift items
📆 1 Month Before: Countdown Begins
✅ Confirm all travel details for international guests
✅ Share photo and video shot list with your media team
✅ Create a “day-of” schedule for every wedding event
✅ Prepare an emergency kit (safety pins, makeup, mini steamer)
✅ Do a hair & makeup trial
✅ Confirm honeymoon bookings
💡 This is a great time for a pre-wedding wellness retreat or spa session in Dubai!
📆 1 Week Before: Almost There!
✅ Arrival in Dubai
✅ Welcome dinner or family night
✅ Collect outfits and jewellery
✅ Rehearsal or walkthrough with planner
✅ Confirm luggage and welcome kit deliveries
✅ Have final meetings with planner, venue, and vendors
💡 Keep your phone, documents, and day-of schedule with your wedding planner.
📆 Wedding Week: Celebrate Love!
✅ Haldi / Mayun
✅ Mehendi
✅ Sangeet or Dholki
✅ Nikah / Pheras
✅ Reception / Walima
✅ Family brunch or post-wedding celebration
💡 Have a trusted point-person (planner or sibling) to run the show while you enjoy the magic.
📚 Frequently Asked Questions
❓ When should I start planning a Dubai wedding?
Answer: Ideally 12 months in advance. Prime venues and vendors get booked early—especially for Desi weddings with multiple events.
❓ Can I plan a destination wedding in Dubai remotely?
Answer: Yes! With D Unique Events, we handle everything from virtual tours to on-ground coordination. We’ve worked with couples from Canada, the UK, India, and more.
❓ How many days should my Dubai wedding be?
Answer: Most South Asian destination weddings span 3 to 5 days: Haldi, Mehendi, Nikah/Pheras, Reception, and Walima. We help you schedule it all.
❓ What if I have a short timeline—like 3 months?
Answer: No worries! We offer express planning packages for last-minute luxury weddings. We’ll make it happen, beautifully.
📞 Plan Your Wedding Like a Pro with Dubai’s Best Planners
Let D Unique Events guide you through every step, every ritual, and every magical moment.
We specialise in Desi, Arab, and multicultural weddings that honour tradition and elevate luxury.
👉 Book Your Free Planning Consultation Today
Your love story is timeless. Let’s plan it perfectly—step by step.
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