![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DRQTSAUD3NATBKWA7YCJ6UA2VY.jpg?smart=true&auth=97a5b1ac3932c9af119fd9f049918997797bee896a2612705a9714e1cfba0b72&width=400&height=225)
Ms Alsalih says that over zealous social media posting has caused problems at weddings, so couples ask guests to give up their mobile phones on arrival or cover the camera lenses
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZY5RSV64IBEG7AVJ5JO3DOTKKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=08f7c252399188fa53d1ff520372c26da7fd1a2e0a2d18036d3fc21f57630b61&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih is the founder and lead planner of Dubai's Carousel Weddings. Photos: Daniella Baptista, Shades Production
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BBILFIJ4HFG5ZBBKNEZ5SZJAJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb40bfbfc000c0c2edfb96f3c6fdc8df57223f371f62f03285bbfa31e1a79d23&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih, a former banker from Iraq, set up her business in 2008
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YNTBIXUGVH4FHONES6RKEMU6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=bcb01037ac48a4b16815bd16fdaeead84c6f7def0d6b683134ab575efa3fecfa&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih plans for couples from around the world who go to her looking for lavish ceremonies, including everything from desert escapes to seaside soirees
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KJ4DRURTXFBIXM7VG6CB23F6G4.jpg?smart=true&auth=993c359dd5e328501654f87886b1f88298a45e6430b766696650218e768aa11a&width=400&height=225)
She starts her working days by answering questions from brides-to-be looking for a special touch to their big day
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MV24BAQNABD45FRDAPWXMDPIKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4008dfbe978c5804112b5d965f25df31809fd47d38aebab51aa1880a105fcc01&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih did not set to become a wedding planner, but she said she always had a creative flair that sat well with that business
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RKFX7ODZDZEV7FY6VZZK4SEKWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff8b0fdc358e1be7c76824a12081086f8fc55694da5d3b9fde41cc8257c5c583&width=400&height=225)
In recent years, demand for UAE weddings has soared as couples seek out sun, sand and spectacular experiences
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5MWOKVXRIZHVTCVTL6VDIMU3SA.jpg?smart=true&auth=940df51a89c10a8359fee51f23f782600c70915c0735197babf7712021b49876&width=400&height=225)
Food is a big part of weddings, Ms Alsalih said, and there is more focus on menus today than ever before
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CCZC5QPMVRHZTK76PMYG4WFJRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=305eda807c81f4e1a317028eff78d24b94cbd16760d39e839488ac458a1df3df&width=400&height=225)
In the afternoons, Ms Alsalih visits candidate venues which are increasingly varied and exotic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WIZPRWGCDJCO5BO3JVYYNT4ZOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b578c639cd1d1ffd278f52ae415d5b4b79a1c5f22486d9dff05d64e908f330f3&width=400&height=225)
On wedding days, Ms Alsalih is on site long before the bride and groom, often preparing for three days before the couple exchange vows
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KR6UV5IAOBFTZP2HOP7BYQLDAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a8ada8b5be9c53368912d351f347d2677910721d1f432088c9bff9b7126d077&width=400&height=225)
She organised a VIP wedding in Abu Dhabi at Emirates Palace in 2022, where they projected a video onto the hotel's facade
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QQONNMAZNRG7JJYZ3XXKXSD7UA.jpg?smart=true&auth=306a17d3935ab3164037a8900814f895fca66f30cc27b5d2d75cc649ad08074f&width=400&height=225)
Ms Asalih said there have been plenty of wedding crashers, typically hotel guests who stumble upon the ceremony. Some stay to eat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DRQTSAUD3NATBKWA7YCJ6UA2VY.jpg?smart=true&auth=97a5b1ac3932c9af119fd9f049918997797bee896a2612705a9714e1cfba0b72&width=400&height=225)
Ms Alsalih says that over zealous social media posting has caused problems at weddings, so couples ask guests to give up their mobile phones on arrival or cover the camera lenses
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZY5RSV64IBEG7AVJ5JO3DOTKKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=08f7c252399188fa53d1ff520372c26da7fd1a2e0a2d18036d3fc21f57630b61&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih is the founder and lead planner of Dubai's Carousel Weddings. Photos: Daniella Baptista, Shades Production
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BBILFIJ4HFG5ZBBKNEZ5SZJAJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb40bfbfc000c0c2edfb96f3c6fdc8df57223f371f62f03285bbfa31e1a79d23&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih, a former banker from Iraq, set up her business in 2008
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YNTBIXUGVH4FHONES6RKEMU6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=bcb01037ac48a4b16815bd16fdaeead84c6f7def0d6b683134ab575efa3fecfa&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih plans for couples from around the world who go to her looking for lavish ceremonies, including everything from desert escapes to seaside soirees
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KJ4DRURTXFBIXM7VG6CB23F6G4.jpg?smart=true&auth=993c359dd5e328501654f87886b1f88298a45e6430b766696650218e768aa11a&width=400&height=225)
She starts her working days by answering questions from brides-to-be looking for a special touch to their big day
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MV24BAQNABD45FRDAPWXMDPIKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4008dfbe978c5804112b5d965f25df31809fd47d38aebab51aa1880a105fcc01&width=400&height=225)
Zainab Alsalih did not set to become a wedding planner, but she said she always had a creative flair that sat well with that business
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RKFX7ODZDZEV7FY6VZZK4SEKWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff8b0fdc358e1be7c76824a12081086f8fc55694da5d3b9fde41cc8257c5c583&width=400&height=225)
In recent years, demand for UAE weddings has soared as couples seek out sun, sand and spectacular experiences
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5MWOKVXRIZHVTCVTL6VDIMU3SA.jpg?smart=true&auth=940df51a89c10a8359fee51f23f782600c70915c0735197babf7712021b49876&width=400&height=225)
Food is a big part of weddings, Ms Alsalih said, and there is more focus on menus today than ever before
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CCZC5QPMVRHZTK76PMYG4WFJRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=305eda807c81f4e1a317028eff78d24b94cbd16760d39e839488ac458a1df3df&width=400&height=225)
In the afternoons, Ms Alsalih visits candidate venues which are increasingly varied and exotic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WIZPRWGCDJCO5BO3JVYYNT4ZOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b578c639cd1d1ffd278f52ae415d5b4b79a1c5f22486d9dff05d64e908f330f3&width=400&height=225)
On wedding days, Ms Alsalih is on site long before the bride and groom, often preparing for three days before the couple exchange vows
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KR6UV5IAOBFTZP2HOP7BYQLDAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a8ada8b5be9c53368912d351f347d2677910721d1f432088c9bff9b7126d077&width=400&height=225)
She organised a VIP wedding in Abu Dhabi at Emirates Palace in 2022, where they projected a video onto the hotel's facade
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QQONNMAZNRG7JJYZ3XXKXSD7UA.jpg?smart=true&auth=306a17d3935ab3164037a8900814f895fca66f30cc27b5d2d75cc649ad08074f&width=400&height=225)
Ms Asalih said there have been plenty of wedding crashers, typically hotel guests who stumble upon the ceremony. Some stay to eat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DRQTSAUD3NATBKWA7YCJ6UA2VY.jpg?smart=true&auth=97a5b1ac3932c9af119fd9f049918997797bee896a2612705a9714e1cfba0b72&width=400&height=225)
Ms Alsalih says that over zealous social media posting has caused problems at weddings, so couples ask guests to give up their mobile phones on arrival or cover the camera lenses
Day in the Life: Banker turned Dubai wedding planner trades numbers for nuptials
Zainab Alsalih has organised hundreds of weddings at venues including Dubai Opera and Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Emma Pearson
02 January, 2024
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