Getting Married in Abu Dhabi
The capital of the UAE, with a more formal and institutional character than Dubai. Abu Dhabi is the capital and the largest emirate of the UAE, and the wealthiest. Its palace hotel on the Corniche, opened in 2005, is built on a palatial scale, and a wedding there sits in a category of its own.
The capital of the UAE, with a more formal and institutional character than Dubai
The city occupies a peninsula and several islands in a sheltered bay of the Arabian Gulf. It is quieter than Dubai, more conservatively run and less tourist-facing. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque lies a short drive from the Corniche and can be visited respectfully as part of a weekend itinerary.
The Corniche is lined with parks, hotels and the blue water of the bay, and Al Maryah Island, a short bridge from the mainland, holds further waterfront hotels.
Where to Get Married in Abu Dhabi
Western Corniche
The palace hotel stands here in extensive grounds, with a private beach and marina and gardens reaching the water on three sides. A ceremony on the lawn or beach with the gold-domed palace behind is an architecturally grand setting.
Al Maryah Island
A purpose-built financial and commercial island joined to the centre by a bridge. Its hotels offer rooftop venues, a pool terrace and ballrooms.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque area
The mosque is not a wedding venue, but a hotel opposite has views of the white domes reflected in the creek.
Eastern Mangroves
The east of the city faces a mangrove national park. A hotel beside it offers kayak access and boardwalk gardens, and suits couples who want a more intimate, nature-facing Abu Dhabi.
When to marry, and what to arrange
The season
When to Get Married
The climate resembles Dubai's but is a little more humid in summer. The wedding season runs from October to April, and November to February is best.
Recommended wedding months
November, December, January, February
Peak season is December, January, and the shoulder months are October, March, April.
Settings, travel and stays
Choosing a Setting
Palace ceremony and ballroom. The palace hotel has ceremony and reception spaces on a scale matched only by real palaces, with lawns and a beach for garden ceremonies. It is the choice when the brief is unapologetically grand.
Rooftop and waterfront terrace. Several hotels have rooftop or upper-floor terraces with views across the bay or skyline.
Mosque-view and heritage venue. A hotel directly opposite the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has event spaces with views of the lit white domes. The backdrop is a major work of Islamic architecture rather than a hotel building or a natural landscape.
Marina and beach venue. The palace hotel's private marina and beach are open for outdoor events, with maintained landscaping that makes a more refined setting than most Dubai beach venues.
Getting There
Abu Dhabi airport is served by Etihad from London and Manchester. Dubai airport is also a viable gateway, with Abu Dhabi a drive away along the main motorway.
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). Etihad flies direct from London Heathrow and Manchester, and British Airways flies from Heathrow. The airport is a short drive from the Corniche, and for groups on Etihad it is the most direct route.
Dubai International Airport (DXB). The alternative gateway for guests on Emirates, British Airways or Virgin from other UK airports. A coordinated coach transfer suits large groups, and the road between the two cities is a fast, well-kept motorway.
Where Guests Stay
The Corniche hotels are packed into a short stretch, so accommodation logistics are simple for most wedding sizes.
Palace hotel. Rooms and suites are spread across the wings of the palace, each with sea or garden views, and the grounds, private beach and pool complex make it a destination in itself.
Al Maryah Island hotel, first property. On the island, linked to the Corniche by a bridge, and well regarded for food and drink.
Al Maryah Island hotel, second property. On the same island, with a strong reputation for events and a slightly younger feel than the palace hotel.
Mosque-side hotel. Near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a short drive from the Corniche cluster, and the choice for couples who want the mosque as a backdrop.
Good to know
Food and Drink
The dining scene is smaller in breadth than Dubai's. The palace hotel's own restaurants cover everything a wedding party needs without leaving the property.
Palace hotel dining. Lebanese, Chinese and Indian restaurants and an afternoon tea mean most groups can eat on the property throughout. The tea, with gold-flake cappuccinos, is among the most photographed food experiences in the UAE.
Island hotel restaurants. The hotels on Al Maryah Island include Japanese and Cantonese restaurants of a high standard, both needing advance booking for groups.
Cultural dining experiences. The mangroves, the desert and the fishing coast supply fresh seafood, slow-cooked Emirati lamb and ouzi rice. A traditional Emirati dinner at a heritage restaurant in the old city suits the weekend programme.
Good to Know
More conservative than Dubai. The rules on alcohol, dress and public behaviour match the rest of the UAE but are applied with less tolerance, especially outside the main hotel zones. Inside licensed hotels they relax to international standards.
Mosque dress code. The code is strictly enforced at the entrance. Women must cover hair, arms and legs, and men need long trousers and covered shoulders. Abayas are available at the entrance, and access is restricted on Fridays.
Legal ceremony. Non-Muslim foreign nationals can marry in the UAE through licensed civil ceremony providers. Most international couples complete the legal marriage in the UK and use the Abu Dhabi event as the celebration.
Ramadan. Hotels keep full service in enclosed areas. Public Ramadan rules are stricter than in Dubai, and eating, drinking and playing music in public during daylight are more actively policed.
Marrying legally and entry rules
The legal requirements for marrying here, and who needs a visa, are being checked and are not published yet. Confirm both with the official authority that will marry you before you book.
Planners, photographers, florists and musicians who work in Abu Dhabi
Is the palace hotel a government palace or a hotel?
It is a commercial hotel, built by the Abu Dhabi government as a symbol of the emirate's ambition and now run by an international operator.
Can the wedding weekend include a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
Yes. The mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors, with restricted access on Fridays, so opening hours should be confirmed. Abayas and head coverings can be borrowed at the entrance.
How does Abu Dhabi compare with Dubai for wedding guests?
It is quieter, less densely built and more cultural. Guests who want malls and nightlife find less of it. Guests who prefer architecture, the mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat, good dining and a calmer pace find it more rewarding.
What is the position on alcohol in Abu Dhabi?
The main hotel venues are all licensed and serve alcohol in their restaurants and event spaces. It cannot be bought outside licensed premises, and the rules in public areas are enforced more strictly than in Dubai.
When is the best time of year for a wedding in Abu Dhabi?
The climate resembles Dubai's but is a little more humid in summer. The wedding season runs from October to April, and November to February is best. Peak season is December and January, and the shoulder months are October, March and April.
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How We Compiled This Guide
This guide draws on the venues' own published details, official sources and the knowledge of our editors. Entry and legal information can change, so confirm it with the authority that will marry you before you book.