By Evan Harrington, Cluster General Manager for Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island and Pullman Hotels & Resorts Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah
Over two decades in hospitality, I have witnessed weddings grow from intimate gatherings into grand, multi-day affairs. Indian weddings, always rich in scale and emotion, saw families often cross borders to find that perfect blend of grandeur, emotion and experience.
Why the UAE Appeals Destination Weddings Segment
India’s wedding industry is currently valued at close to USD 130 billion and rapidly growing. Recent reports suggest that almost one in three premium weddings now involves travel outside the couple’s home city, with international locations gaining momentum year on year. The UAE leads the trend, offering easy access, world-class hospitality and stunning backdrops. Within it, Ras Al Khaimah shines with its mix of beaches, mountains and desert a fresh, exclusive alternative to conventional wedding hubs.
A Natural Canvas for Romance
At Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, we have seen this trend up close. Since opening three years ago, we have hosted over 20 Indian weddings, each one unique, but all bound by the same desire: to create memories that feel personal yet grand.
At Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, the magic begins with the landscape itself. Imagine walking down an aisle where the horizon melts into the Arabian Gulf, or saying your vows as the sun dips into the sea, painting the sky with gold and crimson. Our setting is not just a backdrop it becomes part of the couple’s story, shaping moments that feel timeless.
Our resort is designed to bring that vision to life. With 418 rooms, suites and beachfront chalets with private pools, including family-friendly layouts, we ensure comfort for every guest. A 300-metre beachfront and landscaped gardens provide nature-forward backdrops, while our 530 square metre ballrooms with terrace and pre-function space is ideal for sangeets, receptions and traditional banquets.
Intimacy Meets Grandeur
Flexibility is the key. Couples often want a mehndi by the water, a sunset ceremony on the beach and a grand indoor reception, all within a single itinerary. Our venues are built to transition seamlessly between indoor and outdoor, casual and formal, intimate and expansive. This allows us to host both intimate gatherings and grand multi-day Indian weddings with equal ease, be it 30 or 300 guests.
For families seeking privacy, partial or full resort buyouts are available, creating a bubble where every detail is personalised. And to ease the burden of planning, our dedicated wedding concierge coordinates logistics, guest arrivals, AV rehearsals and more leaving couples free to enjoy their moment.
Gastronomy as memory
Food is another cornerstone. With specialist Indian chefs and bespoke menus, we create dining experiences that honour tradition while adding a touch of international flair. Our culinary and events teams supported by specialist Indian chefs and bespoke menu options work closely with families and planners to personalise ceremonies.
More Than a Wedding
Today’s couples also want the celebration to extend beyond the ceremony. At Mövenpick, that means spa rituals for the bridal party, water adventures for guests, boho-chic brunches at Ula, relaxing at the adults-only Ula beach club pool, outdoor beach bar and beach areas, starlit cocktails at Neo Skybar, or even a honeymoon that begins right where the vows were exchanged. The wedding doesn’t end with the last dance, it flows effortlessly into a new chapter.
The destination wedding trend shows no signs of slowing. Couples are seeking venues that blend cultural authenticity with international standards, intimacy with scale and spectacle with sincerity.
And Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island offers couples more than a venue; it offers a canvas for love stories that deserve nothing less than unforgettable.
Evan Harrington, Cluster General Manager, Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island & Pullman Hotels and Resorts Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah is a seasoned hospitality leader with over 24 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa. Evan plays a pivotal role in shaping the property’s performance and guest experience.
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