In short: you can hold a destination wedding celebration in Dubai, but the legal marriage is a separate step. Dubai Courts' civil marriage for non-Muslims requires at least one partner to be a Dubai resident, so two visiting tourists usually marry legally in Abu Dhabi, whose civil marriage court accepts tourists (AED 300 standard, or AED 2,500 for a one-working-day express service), and then celebrate in Dubai.
Last checked against official UAE government pages: 24 September 2026.
A destination wedding in Dubai is a production with a guest list. Some couples arrive already married and want the celebration here; others want the legal ceremony in the UAE too. The two are handled by different offices, and the rules depend on where you live, not only where you celebrate. We produce the celebration and help you plan around the legal appointment; the marriage itself is registered by the courts.
The legal marriage
In Dubai. Dubai Courts offers civil marriage for non-Muslims, but it states that one of the parties must be a resident of Dubai and both must be at least 21. The certificate fee is AED 220, excluding the marriage official's fee, and the UAE government portal says a civil wedding licence can be obtained in 24 hours. Documents from abroad need legal Arabic translation and attestation.
In Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department says tourists "are encouraged to obtain a civil marriage, regardless of where they live". Both partners must be at least 18 and neither can be a UAE national. You must travel to Abu Dhabi to attend the ceremony.
At an embassy or place of worship. The UAE portal notes non-Muslims can also marry at their country's embassy or consulate in the UAE, or at a temple or church. Eligibility for visitors depends on the embassy or institution, so ask them directly.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: the legal route side by side
| Dubai Courts (non-Muslims) | Abu Dhabi civil marriage | |
|---|---|---|
| Tourists without UAE residency | No: one partner must be a Dubai resident | Yes |
| Minimum age | 21 | 18 |
| Official fee | AED 220 certificate, plus the marriage official's fee | AED 300 standard; AED 2,500 express |
| Timing | Licence in 24 hours (UAE government portal) | Up to 10 working days standard; within one working day express |
| Attend in person | Yes, or a representative with power of attorney | Yes, in Abu Dhabi |
Muslim marriages in Dubai are registered by Dubai Courts under a different service, which requires one partner to be a UAE citizen or Dubai resident, a pre-marriage medical certificate and two male witnesses.
Recognition at home
A UAE marriage certificate is attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so recognition abroad goes through attestation rather than an apostille. Ask your own embassy what your home country needs before you book the date.
Permits for the celebration
Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism treats weddings as private activities: once the venue is secured, a private activity permit is applied for, up to 24 hours before the event. Wedding photography and video do not need a filming permit: the Dubai Film and TV Commission exempts weddings and events. Drones are a separate matter; ask before planning aerial shots.
Guest flow
We build a timetable that lets people land, check in, dress and sit down without a two-hour coach between the vows and the first course. For guests flying in, that usually means one hotel as the base, transfers timed to real traffic, and a welcome evening that absorbs late arrivals.
Heat and timing
Outdoor vows in summer need shade, cold water and an honest start time. From late spring to early autumn, ceremonies are kinder after sunset; the cooler months are the classic season for garden and beach weddings. We will tell you plainly if a noon ceremony in August is a bad idea.
Questions
- Can two tourists get legally married in Dubai?
- Not through Dubai Courts' civil marriage, which requires one partner to be a Dubai resident. Tourists can marry in Abu Dhabi's civil marriage court and celebrate in Dubai.
- How much does a civil marriage cost in Abu Dhabi?
- The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department lists AED 300 for the standard service, taking up to 10 working days, and AED 2,500 for the express service, within one working day.
- Is a UAE marriage recognised abroad?
- The certificate is attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The UAE does not use the apostille, so check with your own embassy what your country requires.
- Do we need a permit for a wedding in Dubai?
- Dubai DET treats weddings as private activities and issues a private activity permit once the venue is secured, applied for up to 24 hours before. Wedding photography needs no filming permit.
- Can you book hotels for our guests?
- We coordinate the venue and the day. Hotel room blocks are often booked by the couple directly, and we plan transfers and timings around them.
Plan the wedding from the air.