With beautiful desert landscapes, five star hotels and sandy shores, the UAE has plenty of choice for those looking for somewhere to tie the knot.

Drama Queen: Not content with just being the focus of attention? Then how about being centre stage… literally? Greet up to 340 guests in the Al Koufa amphitheatre at the One and Only Royal Mirage, for a really dramatic event. 

Say ‘I Dune’: If ballrooms just don’t cut it, and beach weddings are too cliche, then how about a Bedouin style palace in the middle of the desert? If that’s got your attention, take a look at Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, where remote dunes in the middle of the reserve make perfect spots for private parties. 

Lawn Love: If you want your wedding to be a swinging success, the Al Badia Golf Club near the InterContinental Festival City offers a beautiful lawn and a pretty terrace that can seat up to 500 guests. 

Beauty and the Feast: Whether you’re planning a classical, contemporary or casual event, the team at the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, in Abu Dhabi, will help take the stress away. With so many different cuisine options to choose from, this is a must for food lovers. 

An Evening Of Romance: Perhaps intimate and unique settings are more your thing, so try the Fort Island location close to the Souk Madinat area. With beautiful views of the resort, and surrounded by calm waters, Fort Island could is a magical venue when evening comes and the area is lit up by fire lanterns. 

Hassle Free Wedding: If you’re looking for a bright, bold, extravagant wedding and want to leave it all in somebody else’s hands, then Dubai World Trade Centre or ADNEC could be for you.Both have experience in handling weddings with thousands of guests. 

Go Big or Go Home: That should be the motto for the wedding options at the new Ritz-Carlton. The chain’s second location, in DIFC, offers one of the largest ballrooms in the UAE, with high ceilings, a private driveway and access to a pretty rooftop top terrace, making for a spectacular celebration. 

Life’s a Beach: Walk down the white sandy beach towards your beloved with the calm seas and the Burj Al Arab creating a spectacular backdrop. It’s the ultimate in romance and intimacy and, while the weather remains cool, the beach at Jumeirah Beach Hotel is an easy breezy option. 

A Royal Wedding: Want to feel like royalty on your big day? Then head down to the local home of the sport of kings, the polo club, sip champagne on the Palermo terrace and mingle with guests on the lawn, surrounded by the club’s picturesque grounds. 

Ultimate Luxury: If you’ve a penchant for ultimate grandeur (and with a care-free attitude to price tags), Emirates Palace is right up your expensive alley. Have a customised wedding tailored to suit your needs by a world-class venue and catered by award-winning chefs. If nothing is too much, choose the honeymoon suite; there’ll be a Rolls Royce at your disposal and butler service at your request.

Remember… official weddings can only be conducted in a place of worship, and certain nationalities have no choice but to head to their local embassy to get hitched. The options above are for wedding blessings only.