How you can get that Picture Perfect wedding

22 February 2006

Dubai: Photography has become something of a must at wedding ceremonies on a global scale.

In the UAE couples may spend up to Dh60,000 for a professional wedding service, though the price could be as low as Dh1,000 depending on the clients' specific needs.

Some want graphics and special effects, others wish to keep it simple.

The first Perfect Wedding Show opened at the Sharjah Expo Centre on Tuesday, with exhibitors showcasing the latest trends in everything that goes into making a wedding complete, from catering to gowns, photography and that perfect venue.

Couples today are keen to retain their traditions and culture while also maintaining a modern image of their wedding, according to Saif Mohammad Al Midfa, director general of the Expo Centre.

"The event is a one-stop platform for sourcing the complete requirements of a wedding and is aimed at meeting the growing demands of today's generation," said Al Midfa.

Some photography companies such as Yaqoot Wedding services have experienced a 75 per cent sales increase in 2005.

People have become more adventurous when it comes to weddings, said marlin Banez, sales manager for Yaqoot.

"Arabic and western cultures have taken the best of both worlds to create something a little different, even cranes are more in demand," added Banez.

Yaqoot Wedding Services, based in Sharjah, handles approximately 70 weddings per month, and could reach up to 5 or 6 a day with 15 photographers ready to roll.

Another photography company that has seen a rapid rise in business is Picture Perfect, a Jacky's Group Company that covered at least 400 weddings in 2005 more than 60 of which took place in December alone.

The company also saw a 40 per cent increase in sales last year.

"Because business is growing so fast here, we are looking to expand studios around the UAE, also to appeal to local customers," said Kevin Shadwell, marketing manager for Picture Perfect.

Picture Perfect will charge anything between Dh1,000 to more than Dh60,000.

At the moment 80 per cent of their clients are Asian and 20 per cent are local nationals.