THE WED 2025 Trend Guide

Vendors

Venues

Magazine

Guides

Home

Magazine

Real Weddings

An Ethereal & Otherworldly Wedding in the Arabian Desert

An Ethereal & Otherworldly Wedding in the Arabian Desert

Enveloped by sandy dunes, a romantic and ambient celebration unfolds into the starry night

In the vast dunes of the Arabian desert, Elena and Shukhrat tied the knot in a wedding that represented the full-circle moment of their love story. Their journey began in the very same landscape, where the two photographers experienced an unexpected car breakdown that sparked the beginning of something deeper. Wanting an intimate and unconventional setting, they chose a desert retreat as the perfect backdrop for their vows. The guests wore varying shades of neutrals and natural fabrics—seamlessly blending into the organic décor and sandy dunes. The celebration felt like a natural extension of Elena and Shukhrat themselves—intentional, unhurried, and deeply connected to the landscape that brought them together, with every detail harmonizing seamlessly with the Arabian desert’s quiet beauty.

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

It was a hot October day, right after COVID restrictions had been eased. A few months earlier, I had arrived in the UAE as a tourist and decided not to return home to Russia but to start a new chapter of my life in a foreign country. Shukhrat and I met through shared interests and work—we were both photographers. He had been living and working in Dubai for a long time. Our first meeting had a light, friendly vibe. We talked about projects, famous photographers, and work in general. I asked a lot of questions, and we covered all sorts of common topics. Flirting never even crossed our minds. As Shukhrat later recalled, he felt like he was at a job interview with a very beautiful woman. It wasn’t love at first sight, but over time, our friendship grew into something deeper and more meaningful.

^{The Proposal}

Shukhrat proposed in the mountains of Georgia, just a couple of days before New Year's in 2024. We were having a snowball fight, laughing, and enjoying the moment. My mom was there with us, holding the drone that Shukhrat had set up to film his surprise. She had no idea what was about to happen just a few minutes later. And then, out of nowhere, Shukhrat got down on one knee and held out a small box with a ring. It was so unexpected that I got flustered and blurted out, “Not here, Mom is watching!” To this day, I have no idea why I said that, but I think Shukhrat will remember it forever. It was really funny. Of course, I said "Yes." My mom gave us her blessing, and we stepped into the New Year already engaged. It was one of the happiest moments of my life—celebrating the start of a new chapter with the two most important people to me.

^{The Engagement Ring}

Shukhrat gave me a beautiful, classic ring with a delicate diamond band and a round-cut diamond in the center. It was the perfect choice—exactly what I had always imagined. It was clear that he had some expert guidance in picking it out. As it turned out, the owner of Kamni Jewelry had helped him, ensuring he made the best choice.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

Our wedding design was a seamless fusion of untouched nature and minimalist elegance, where every element harmonized effortlessly with the desert landscape.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

We were incredibly lucky to create our dream wedding with the most amazing team from Russia. From concept to execution, it was entirely their achievement. All I had to do was trust the professionals. A special thank you to our decorator, Anastasia Nefedova. I could never have imagined that such breathtaking beauty could be created within a limited budget. She has a unique artistic vision—truly an artist. She thought through every little detail and gave her all to bring this project to life. Even the weather was on our side—both days of the ceremony were perfectly warm. Just the week before, it had been pouring rain with strong winds and cold temperatures, and the week after our wedding, Dubai was completely flooded by heavy rains.

A huge thank you to the creative mastermind and talented photographer Alexandra—the person who brought the team together and helped make this wedding one of the most recognizable in the UAE and beyond. It is largely thanks to Sasha that I am sharing our story with you today. A special thanks to stylist Catherine Bonne and designer Nesty Odina for creating the breathtaking dress that later became one of the most talked-about and desired gowns on the internet. A unique piece that perfectly reflected my individuality and character. And a heartfelt thank you to our planner, Ekaterina, for her dedication, perseverance, and incredible effort in planning and ensuring the best possible results for this ceremony.

^{The Location}

We chose the desert as the venue for our ceremony for two reasons. Firstly, our love story began in the desert. During one of our photo shoots, our car broke down in the middle of the sand dunes under the scorching Arabian sun. That moment became the starting point of a deep connection between us, a feeling that only grew stronger with each passing day. Second, we wanted something unique and unconventional. A beach or hotel wedding felt too traditional, and hosting a ceremony by the bay in Dubai is astronomically expensive—something we ultimately felt wasn’t worth it. So, we chose Platinum Heritage, an eco-luxury desert safari, as the perfect setting for our special day.

An Ethereal & Otherworldly Wedding in the Arabian Desert

^{The Ceremony}

On the way to the altar, guests were welcomed by sand imprints bearing the name of our wedding, Oasis of Loving Hearts, along with delicate fans with handwritten notes—an introduction to our story. The altar was a play of textures: light, flowing fabrics gently rose above the golden sand, their movement animated by the wind, mirroring the curves of the dunes and the soft forms of the seating. Instead of a traditional ring box, we chose a quartz geode, symbolizing the beauty shaped by time. A delicate bouquet echoed the airy elegance of my look and blended seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

^{The Reception}

"Oasis of Loving Hearts." As the sun set over the dunes, our reception unfolded in a secluded desert oasis. A long, elegantly set table stretched beneath the open sky, glowing with candlelight and gold-rimmed glassware. The décor blended seamlessly with nature—soft linens, organic textures, and transparent chairs created a refined yet effortless ambiance. Surrounded by our closest friends and family, we shared laughter, toasts, and stories under the full moon, making this night feel like a timeless desert dream.

The “white-on-white” concept created a symphony of textures, where depth and tactility took center stage over color. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen to evoke a sensory experience—porous stones, textured ceramics, rippled glassware, and softly draped table linens mimicking the undulating patterns of the sand. The warm glow of candlelight accentuated the sculptural quality of the décor, while transparent chairs dissolved into the setting, allowing the desert to remain the true backdrop of the evening. Every element was designed to cultivate an atmosphere of effortless elegance, quiet intention, and the poetic beauty of the desert.

^{The Special Touches}

Our wedding was filled with thoughtful details that made the experience even more personal and intimate. Handmade fans were provided for the ceremony, blending beautifully with the desert setting. A special sand print bore the name of our wedding, marking the ground with a meaningful inscription. At the reception, each guest found a personalized note at their seat—a heartfelt message expressing our gratitude and a small story about why they were invited. It was our way of making every person feel truly cherished, honoring the unique connection we share with them on this unforgettable day.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

For me, the most precious moment was seeing my husband’s tears as he watched me walk toward him in my wedding dress. It was a moment of pure emotion, a reflection of everything we had been through together. Our close friend Paul, who was also our officiant, was so moved during his speech that he couldn’t hold back his tears. It was incredibly touching, and I found myself barely able to hold back my own. Even our guests were wiping their eyes—everyone was crying. But these were tears of pure joy, making it the most heartfelt moment of the entire ceremony. For Shukhrat, "The most unforgettable moment for me was watching my love walk toward me. With each step she took in her breathtaking, stunning dress, it became harder to hold back my tears—tears of happiness, of the beauty before me, and of the beauty within this moment itself."

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

A modern fairytale. This dress was created especially for me by Nesty Odina, under the careful guidance of Catherine Bonne. We wanted a design that would reflect my personality, taste, and lifestyle while seamlessly blending into the vast desert landscape. It became the embodiment of femininity, ethereal elegance, and timeless artistry. At first, I was a bit concerned about the sheer fabric, as we live in a Muslim country. But we found the perfect balance—delicate transparency that remained graceful rather than revealing. The soft, weightless fabric draped effortlessly, creating a silhouette that felt as if it had been sculpted by the wind itself. The asymmetrical cut and flowing train gave my movements a dreamlike fluidity, making every step feel like part of a magical moment. But the look wouldn’t have been complete without the handcrafted accessories from Reso. The shell-inspired earrings, with their subtle elven references, became the final, exquisite touch. Wearing them, I felt like a being from another world—otherworldly, timeless, and free.

^{The Groom Looks}

With men, things are always simpler. A month before the wedding, we went to the mall, and in the very first store, we found the perfect Hugo Boss suit in the ideal shade of sand. The only custom-made piece was a silk shirt, tailored specifically to complement the suit. And just like that, the groom’s look was complete—effortless, refined, and perfectly suited to our desert ceremony.

^{Our Guests' Looks}

We asked all our guests, including the bridesmaids, to dress in light, natural fabrics—soft shades of sand, ivory, and pastel tones in linen, cotton, and silk. The girls chose silk, adding a touch of flowing elegance that perfectly matched the ethereal atmosphere of the desert ceremony.

Our Advice

^{For The Planning Process}

Don’t hesitate to share your vision with your team early on—bring your ideas, thoughts, and references to the table. This is your celebration, and your voice matters. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your intuition and speak up. At the same time, be open to your planners’ advice. They bring experience, creativity, and expertise to refine your vision and make it even more beautiful. Trust the professionals. And remember—budgets almost always exceed initial estimates. It’s a common reality. Focus on what truly matters to you, and don’t be afraid to let go of the unnecessary.

^{For On The Day}

There is only one piece of advice: relax and enjoy every second. No matter how perfectly you plan, something will always go slightly off track—even at the most high-end weddings. And that’s okay. Let go of the small things and focus on what truly matters—being present with your loved ones. These are the moments you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.

^{For Post-Wedding}

Take time to celebrate again with your closest family and friends, especially your parents. Weddings can be overwhelming, and there’s never enough time to give everyone the attention they deserve. A post-wedding gathering is a beautiful way to cherish these moments together. And then—take the longest honeymoon possible! Love, celebrate, and savor this new chapter in the most beautiful way.