High costs of wedding spoil the joy of those about to get married in UAE

O’hood Al Naqbi, Staff Reporter

A multitude of financial challenges faces those who are preparing for marriage, apart from the costs associated with establishing their dream home. These expenses can vary considerably, depending on various factors, including the location, capacity, and equipment of the selected venue, the cost of catering for the guests, and the fees for professional photography services.

Furthermore, the wedding could also involve costs of hiring a beauty expert for the bride.

The costs for such services ranges from Dhs6,000 to Dhs8,000. This fee is typically paid for the bride to have an attractive "look" for a maximum of three hours. During this time, the beauty expert is responsible for maintaining the bride's makeup and hairstyle, which may have already cost thousands of dirhams.

A number of women said they were unhappy with the service charges of these beauticians. They were shocked at the prices, which ranged between Dhs6,000 and Dhs8,000. They demanded that the Department of Economic Development set a reasonable limit for these prices and that the Consumer Protection Department check such exaggerated prices in the market.

(N.S.) asserted that such expenses place individuals preparing for marriage in a vicious cycle of financial and psychological strain. Moreover, the proprietors of such enterprises should demonstrate heightened awareness, caution, and compassion. The crucial point is not whether the prospective bride or groom is financially secure, but that the costs associated with a wedding ceremony that will last a mere three hours are grossly inflated.

(Sh.T.) says that every beautician requires a down payment of a minimum of Dhs1,000, an amount that is not refundable, even in the most exceptional circumstances. She questioned the rationale behind the decision of the relevant authorities to permit this practice. In return for these substantial sums, the beautician may not have enough time to complete the makeup look for the bride, rushing to finish the job as she has virtually three appointments in a day to attend to.

In response to these grievances, Al Khaleej polled a number of beauticians. One, R.A., asserted that there was no compelling rationale for increasing the fees associated with her services, given her extensive experience in the field, spanning over 15 years.

Furthermore, she posited that even if the prices of beauty tools are expensive, experts will not have to purchase them daily. Additionally, they do not work in a beauty centre that is forced to raise prices to cover the rent of the centre. In any case, she does not consider it reasonable for the prices of services to exceed Dhs4,000. However, the practice of exaggeration has become pervasive, which is unfortunate in the context of awareness programmes that aim to reduce costs and promote savings.

In regard to the financial pressures associated with the costs of renting wedding halls and their inclusions, such as dinner, photography, and equipment, a number of young people who are about to get married have attested to the exorbitant prices they have encountered. He enquired about the cost of renting two halls in the same area. The first hall asked for Dhs60,000 without providing any services, indicating that this price reflects the cost of renting the hall only. In contrast, the second hall offered comprehensive services, including gifts and discounts, for Dhs40,000. This pricing structure was perceived as exploitative by the youth, particularly in light of the numerous awareness initiatives aimed at reducing the costs associated with marriage.

Sharjah has cautioned against the greed that afflicts some individuals, particularly those who exploit those preparing to wed, burdening them with exorbitant prices. This is a significant detriment to young people at the outset of their lives, a harm that any reasonable person can discern.

A bride, one year after her marriage, expressed her profound disquietude regarding spending a considerable sum of money to procure the "look" she had envisioned during her formative years. She had allocated a sum of approximately Dhs25,000 for hiring a wedding dress, in addition to Dhs8,000 for the services of a beautician whose work was not completed in an optimal manner. She highlighted that the financial resources could have been allocated towards more beneficial endeavour with her life partner, such as a honeymoon, buying furniture for the new residence, or saving money for down payment of a vehicle, which remains an unfulfilled aspiration.

She counselled young women preparing to wed to conduct thorough research and avoid hasty decisions, emphasising the multitude of options available and the potential implications of the wedding night on the longevity of the marriage. She cautioned that an expensive and imperfect start may signal the beginning of a troubled life, characterised by financial and familial challenges, and marital discord.