In search of a bridal gown in Abu Dhabi? When it comes to finding that dream wedding dress, there’s plenty to take into consideration. Long or short? Full-skirted or body-skimming? Do you have a veil? A train? It’s enough to send even the calmest of brides a little loopy.
Luckily, Abu Dhabi is a treasure trove of bridalwear boutiques offering the best in both traditional and cutting-edge designs, with price tags to suit all budgets. So, whether you’re after a luxury destination where everything from the gown to the customer service is bespoke, or you’re searching for something a little more low-key, take the headache out of hunting with our round-up of the best places to buy a wedding dress in the capital.
Al Daker Couture
If you’ve always dreamed of looking like a Disney princess on your big day, then you’ve come to the right place. Abu Dhabi’s premiere bridal boutique crafts dresses of the highest calibre across its three different curations – aptly named the Royal Collection, Enchanted Collection and Boutique Collection – all of which are true works of art. No dress is the same, but expect plenty of embellishments from Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls to intricate, iridescent beading – wallflowers need not apply.
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Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-11pm. Al Wahda Mall, aldaker.com (02 447 2772).
Dress Come True
If the thought of trawling wedding boutique after wedding boutique in Abu Dhabi in search of the perfect wedding dress sends you into a hot sweat, we have a great alternative for you. Brainchild of Lebanese native Eva Hachem, Dress Come True is the Middle East’s first online wedding dress marketplace, allowing brides-to-be to shop pre-loved gowns without breaking the bank – prices start at just Dhs1,000. While you’ll often find the industry’s biggest names on there (we’re looking at you, Elie Saab), there are also numerous independent designers, if you’re after something a little less traditional. Handy filters make the shopping experience super simple, too.
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dresscometrue.com.
Pronovias
There’s no need to fly to Spain to shop the country’s biggest bridal label (although we wouldn’t blame you if you did) – Pronovias has its very own store in Abu Dhabi Mall. Well known for its contemporary and glamorous designs, this is a bridal boutique that means business, with efficient and knowledgeable stylists who will make great suggestions if you’re not sure where to start. While there’s no denying a dress here will set you back a fair few dirhams, it’s worth it for the beautiful fabrics, stunning embroidery and flattering cuts – not to mention the look on his face when you saunter down the aisle.
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Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri 10am-11pm. Abu Dhabi Mall, pronovias.com (02 677 7848).
The Dress Boutique
With an immaculate white playground of independent wedding dress designers you’ll struggle to find elsewhere in the UAE, Abu Dhabi’s The Dress Boutique is curated with a modern edit of alternative bridal options. From the romantic waist-whittling designs of Love Bridal to La Sposa’s form-fitting mermaid gowns and Cagteks’ voluminous showstoppers, there’s something for everyone at this one-stop-shop, including bridal shoes, tiaras and fancy hair pins to boot. Unlike a lot of boutiques in the capital, The Dress Boutique also offers brides the option to hire a dress for the big day, making it a wallet-friendly option for those who don’t want to drop thousands of dirhams on a dress for one day. Well worth a visit.
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Open Sat-Thu 10am-6pm. M Floor, Office 1, Building 1756, Khalifa Street, thedress.ae (02 626 3332).
Al Boushiya
First established in Kuwait in 1979, this family-owned business prides itself on travelling the world in search of the most exclusive, beautifully-crafted gowns for its ever-growing clientele. While it stocks plenty of high-end RTW, its bridal curations are where Al Boushiya really shines, counting the likes of LMN, Catherine Deane and the minimalist Maticevski amongst its repertoire. While you can shop online, there’s a much bigger selection in store in Abu Dhabi, and the friendly team even offer a home shopping service, too.
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Open Sat-Thu 10am-10-pm, Fri 3pm-11pm. Avenue at Etihad Towers, West Corniche, alboushiya.com (02 681 1311).
Adam Couture
The ideal wedding dress designer for a black-tie wedding, Adam Couture is guaranteed to make your big day unique. If you haven’t already guessed it, couture is the name of the game here, so expect exquisite attention to detail and all those little extras that fairytales are made of, from wafting tulle, delicate lace and meticulous, twinkling embroidery. Fittings are by appointment only at the exclusive atelier in the capital, where you’ll be treated like royalty every step of the way. We defy you not to fall in love at first sight.
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Open Sat-Thu 4pm-10pm. Khalifa Street (02 667 4111).
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