Finding Mr. Right is a common challenge which ladies across the world battle with. When he shows up, focus shifts to the bigger topic, the wedding, most glorified by celebrities around the world.
In Nigeria and probably elsewhere — apart from the exchange of vows and rings — weddings are a show-off and a battle for supreme bragging rights. These days, the easiest way to get on the ‘Weddings of the Year’ list is to get married in Dubai.
While it is difficult to say who belled the cat in Nigeria as far as getting married in Dubai is concerned, Nigeria’s music superstar, TuFace Idibia was the first to have his wedding nationally debated as many fans felt he was either trying to keep his numerous ‘baby mamas’ away from his wedding to Annie Macaulay — or, if he was tactfully reducing the number of people that would eventually see him exchange marital vows with the lady that coincidentally appeared in the music video of his hit song “African Queen.”
“Dubai is exotic and beautiful,” said Titi Ayo, a regular Dubai traveler. According to her, every Nigerian lady at one point or another in her life will desire to visit Dubai for shopping, holidaying, wedding or honeymoon.
“Even before celebrities started getting married in Dubai, it had been playing crucial roles in our weddings — even those that are done in Nigeria. You’ll hear brides proudly say stuff like, ‘My wedding dress and shoes were from Dubai’. It is not about the dress or shoes, it is about Dubai. Dubai means class and high taste,” she said.
Why Dubai?
In spite of the controversies associated with Nigerian celebrity nuptials — like supporting business on the continent and sharing ceremonies with fans — the list of Dubai weddings continues to grow. The latest superstar to get hooked is America returnee, Tiwa Savage – the First Lady of Mavin Records.
In April 2014, Tiwa married Tee Billz at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Almost immediately after the wedding, another celebrity, Dr. Sid, announced he would also be getting married to his girlfriend of many years in Dubai next month (July).
According to Ayo, most of the conceptions about the United Arab Emirates’ Mecca of tourism are true.
“Dubai has the best hotels in the world; the skyline is beautiful and elegant. The best brands in the world are all in Dubai which makes it very possible for busy couples such as the celebs to get all they want for the wedding within 24 hours of arrival in the city,” Ayo added.
Dr. Mary Alao, a pediatrician who is engaged, said she would also like to get married in Dubai.
“The wedding day is the happiest day in the life of a Nigerian lady and I would love to have it in the best place in the world, which we have been made to know is Dubai. I’m jealous of Tiwa and Annie, every single and married Nigerian lady is,” she said.
Local content and bringing the message home
Even though the weddings are taking place in Dubai, they are always Nigerian in nature because they are mostly put together by popular event organizers, wedding planners and staff. They usually liaise with an airline to offer plane charter services at discounted prices. This allows everyone — from the cake designer to the makeup artist, photographers, bodyguards and gossip bloggers — to make the trip and take selfies on the streets of Dubai to be posted on Instagram using an official hashtag.
It is therefore not a surprise to see Nigerian meals served at the reception.
Aware of the growing interest in getting married in Dubai from Nigeria, hotels in Dubai, especially the Burj Al Arab is sponsoring Nigeria-targeted ads on social media, notably Facebook, where it said it is taking romance to new heights. The hotel is offering couples opportunity to hold their weddings in the sky – at 696 feet above the azure Arabian Gulf on the hotel’s famous helipad. A good number of comments on the post were by Nigerians.
Taking over the Competition
Bunmi Olatunji, a travel agent said it is easier to organize weddings for Nigerians in Dubai than any other place in the world.
“In spite of the large turnouts at the weddings, you will never hear that someone was denied a visa at the UAE embassy because it is easier for Nigerians who have the money to go to Dubai than even some African countries,” he said.
According to him, London used to be competing with Dubai before a law made it more difficult for citizens of some countries including Nigeria to visit England.
“Even before they made the law, Nigerians had already fallen in love with Dubai because it satisfies the yearning for shopping, tall buildings, real estate, desert, sparkling waters and impressive architectural masterpieces in one place,” he said.
He added that security is another major reason why the celebrities are heading to Dubai.
“Even though they may not publicly admit it, Nigerian celebs are security-conscious and are aware of the spate of violence, bombings, kidnapping and unrests in the country. They also know that if they hold their weddings in Nigeria, it would attract attention – even from the perpetrators of the dastard acts who may have scores to settle with the celebs or just interested in the publicity they would get if for instance their bombs go off at the wedding service or reception,” he said.
“No celebrity would want — not if they can afford to hold it somewhere that is safer. Dubai is very safe, kidnapping and violence are not popular in the city.”
Trend, choice and taste are not permanent, they are bound to evolve. Currently, what is in vogue is getting married in Dubai; Monaco or Milan could be the next destination. Celebs may all decide to come back home as long as the destination is exotic, classy, accessible, elegant and most importantly, safe.