How to Book Wedding Vendors in the UAE
Wedding vendor booking in the UAE is not as simple as picking someone from a list and sending a WhatsApp. The market is large, standards vary enormously, and a poor choice made under time pressure can be very difficult to reverse once a deposit is paid.
This guide walks through the process from first search to signed contract — methodically, so you do not miss anything important.
Step 1: Start With a Clear Brief
Before you contact a single vendor, write down what you actually need. For each vendor category, note:
- Event date and location
- Approximate guest count
- Style preference (traditional, modern, editorial, etc.)
- Budget range per category
- Non-negotiables (halal catering, female makeup artist, specific hours of coverage)
This brief takes 30 minutes to write and saves hours of back-and-forth during inquiries.
Step 2: Build a Shortlist of 3–5 per Category
Do not contact 20 photographers. Contact five. More choices add confusion, not clarity.
Sources for building your shortlist:
- Shaadi Bazaar — curated vendors with portfolios, pricing, and reviews
- Instagram — search by location tag (e.g., #DubaiWeddingPhotographer) to find active professionals
- Word of mouth — ask recently married couples in your community for honest recommendations
For each vendor, check:
- Portfolio quality and consistency
- Reviews or testimonials from real couples
- Response time (slow to respond pre-booking often means slow to respond post-deposit)
- Starting price range
Step 3: Send a Structured Inquiry
A good inquiry gets a faster, more useful response. Include:
- Wedding date
- Venue (if confirmed)
- Event type (nikkah, baraat, reception, mehendi)
- Approximate guest count
- What you are looking for (coverage, packages, availability check)
- Your budget range (optional but saves time for both parties)
Shaadi Bazaar's inquiry forms pre-fill most of this information, so the vendor receives complete details immediately.
Step 4: Evaluate the Responses
When vendors reply, evaluate not just the price but:
- How quickly they responded — fast response often indicates a professional, organised team
- Whether they answered your actual questions — generic copy-paste replies are a flag
- Clarity of pricing — is everything itemised or is the quote deliberately vague?
- Their questions to you — good vendors ask about your vision, not just confirm availability
Step 5: Meet or Video Call Before Committing
For major vendors (venue, photographer, caterer), always have a call or in-person meeting before paying any deposit. You need to assess:
- Do you communicate well?
- Do they understand what you want?
- Are they calm and professional or disorganised and vague?
Your vendor is going to be present on one of the most important days of your life. Personality fit matters.
Step 6: Read the Contract
Never skip this. Key items to check:
- Deposit amount and refund policy — UAE vendor deposits are typically 30–50% and often non-refundable
- Cancellation terms — what happens if you cancel, or if they cancel
- Deliverables — exactly what is included (hours, images, albums, etc.)
- Payment schedule — when is the balance due?
- Overtime rates — confirmed in writing
- Force majeure clause — what happens if circumstances beyond either party's control affect the event
Step 7: Confirm and Document Everything
Once you book:
- Get a signed contract (not just a verbal agreement)
- Confirm the date in writing via email or WhatsApp
- Create a folder with each vendor's contract, contact details, and booked services
- Set calendar reminders for balance payment deadlines
Use Shaadi Bazaar to Manage the Process
Shaadi Bazaar lets you browse, shortlist, compare, and inquire from one place. Each vendor profile includes their portfolio, pricing, and a direct inquiry form — so your details go straight to the right person without intermediary delays.