Marriage marks an important event for any couple. You might have the reasons that brought you here, ranging from difficulties in documentation, a long waiting period or just trying to find a quick way to be with your partner. If you are an expat in GCC, you must be aware that a live-in relationship is generally frowned upon in society. The only way you can be with your partner is generally through a legally recognized marriage.

A grand wedding though might not be a feasible option for everyone. Maybe your partner and you are residing poles apart or you have incomplete documentation to satisfy the requirements of GCC laws. This should not hold you back from being with your loved one, starting a family and having an easy wedding. An online wedding followed by a beautiful ceremony in Seychelles is all you need to make your day memorable!

Why is an easy wedding not an option for GCC expats?

If you are an interracial or interfaith couple, it is nearly impossible for you to have a romantic wedding in the Gulf. Generally, your only option is to register your marriage at your respective embassies. Even if you belong to the same religion, the process of wedding in the Middle East is definitely not easy. The law generally requires you to provide a ton of documents. These documents need to be attested and verified, which can stretch the wedding preparation time to almost what feels like forever. Once you do manage to get your documents in place, the next hurdle is to secure a decent wedding venue. This can be very daunting and draining. Since most GCC countries operate under Sharia law, it also prohibits a Muslim woman to marry out of religion. All these problems can take a serious toll on expat couples looking for an easy wedding. 

Easy wedding options available to GCC expats

An online wedding can be the best option for you as an expat in any of the GCC countries. The documentation needed for an online wedding differs depending on your or your partner’s country of residency. If one of you lives in a country with flexible marriage laws, this process will be a breeze. After the virtual ceremony, you can register your marriage in your particular GCC state by following the regular registration process.

Another option for an easy and smooth wedding is to have a destination wedding in a country like Seychelles. Seychelles offers you convenient wedding laws with minimal paperwork requirements. It has beautiful beaches and luxuriant jungles in the midst of clear blue waters. Perfect for your wedding shoot backdrop at an affordable cost.

Final verdict on an easy wedding: Seychelles vs Online

If you want to speed up the process of being with your spouse, a virtual wedding is an amazing option. Waiting may be difficult when you are in love, as we all know. Once you have legally been married, you can take your celebration to the beautiful beaches of Seychelles. Getting married online or a beautiful destination wedding is a convenient option for GCC expats. The final decision is entirely dependent on your needs as a couple.

Interested in discussing your options for an easy online wedding or a wedding in Seychelles? We’re here to help! Contact our team now.

The infamous Coronavirus outbreak has affected almost every single person around the world in some way but for the residents of the GCC region the impact was slightly stronger than for citizens of many other countries of the world. Simply because in any of the GCC countries you have to obey the strict laws to have a sustainable lifestyle and it isn’t easy when the quarantine is in place.

The answer is: having a baby outside a wedlock is now no longer a taboo.

PAST UNEXPECTED PREGNANCY AND MARRIAGE LAWS IN THE UAE

Until recent times, having a child outside a wedlock was considered to be illegal and individual could be sentenced to some serious consequences.

Previous laws of Nov 2020, loosening the restriction on consumption of alcohol and allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate despite being an Islamic country. The reason for this big change is to lend a secure and safe environment for expats who live in the UAE, adapt to their sense of personal freedom and come to an understanding that individuals have very different cultural values.

Dubai for a long time is known to be the hub for western businessmen, working professionals and tourists who were quite outraged with the rising number of court cases leading to an outrage in their home countries against family laws that were previously criminalized individuals.

NEW LAWS ABOUT UNMARRIED EXPECTANT MOTHERS WOMEN IN DUBAI

According to times.co.uk, the minister of presidential affairs, Mr. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed who is also the Deputy Minister signed the legal order.

The legal order is now states that all unmarried couples that are expecting a child need not leave the UAE but can apply for the birth certificate of their babies. A marital certificate will no longer be needed for that either. The new laws also allows kids to have education and healthcare services like any other child being born in the UAE.

Basically, the act of consensual sex or pregnancy out of wedlock is no longer a crime as per the amended law and according to Federal Decree 15 of 2020

Lovin Dubai, 2020

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KEEP IN MIND REGARDING THE LATEST UAE FAMILY LAWS

While the new legal order has definitely transformed for the better; abortion or homosexuality are certainly not allowed. With the increasing number of expats living in the UAE, the new law is only to provide a peaceful and nurturing environment for unmarried couples in UAE who wish to have babies without wedlock.

Presently the unmarried ladies living in the UAE can likewise get pregnant. and to add to it, it’s not the legitimate prerequisite to have a conjugal endorsement to apply for the birth testament of any child who is conceived illegitimately.

CONCLUDING THE NEW LAWS FOR COUPLES EXPECTING A BABY OUTSIDE A WEDLOCK

Officials have expressed that these new laws and changes are to ensure that UAE offers a serene and liberal climate to a wide range of ex-pats. In addition to the fact that it is the necessity of the changing times to ensure ex-pats that live in the UAE spend their lives peacefully and focus on what matters to them the most.

“I could not be happier for these new laws that are progressive and proactive,” said Emirati filmmaker Abdallah Al Kaabi, whose art has tackled taboo topics like homosexual love and gender identity.

“2020 has been a tough and transformative year for the UAE,” he added.

New Indian Express, 2020

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Being married is one of the most important experiences in a person’s life, thus it is natural to dream about it and experience a sense of wonder or even concern. Since the first time you laid eyes on your beloved, you have undoubtedly been daydreaming about it. To experience the day you’ve been picturing, you deserve the perfect wedding. If you want to arrange your wedding in a beautiful place on a reasonable budget, Georgia is the right approach. There are ideal wedding sites in Abu Dhabi, and foreigners are cordially welcomed there, but they require a high expense and in extreme climates. Although as an expat it is more suitable to hold an online wedding followed by a ceremony in the gorgeous land of Georgia. To make it easy for you, we have listed some of the packages to plan a dream wedding in Abu Dhabi and Georgia below!

Let’s take a look at packages offered in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has some of the most magnificent venue options available, ranging from modest luxury venues to enormous fantasy wedding sites. Rosewood hotels and four-season hotels provide exceptional wedding event choices for less than 200 people. Whereas the Ritz and other big locations are unquestionably accessible, they may be too expensive. Most of these places, however, only offer indoor wedding alternatives, and doing your ceremony outside is likely to blow your budget. Furthermore, most of the year, the weather in Abu Dhabi is unsuitable for holding an outdoor event. As a result, it is recommended that you check into wedding packages in Georgia.

Package to plan a dream wedding in the city, Georgia                                                               

You have the option of planning a beautiful ceremony in Tbilisi, Georgia’s old and bustling capital city. It stretches out on both banks of the Mtkvari River. Tbilisi is flanked by mountains on three sides. It paints a beautiful picture of a nicely interwoven old and contemporary city that spans centuries.

You can also hold your big day in Mtskheta, one of Georgia’s oldest cities. It is located around 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Tbilisi at the junction of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers. It is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mtskheta was formerly the capital of the early Kingdom of Iberia (today’s Eastern Georgia) and has been inhabited since before 1,000 BC. When opposed to the more frantic pace of Tbilisi, the charming ancient town has a laid-back, rural air. Our team here will handle everything from your wedding arch to the transport to your venue and everything in between.

Package to plan a dream wedding package by the lake, Georgia

Hold your dream wedding at the magical Kvareli Lake Resort. Taking your vows surrounded by mountainous landscapes in the midst of an enchanting lush forest. The resort is distinguished by its one-of-a-kind setting, modern style, superb cuisine, and exceptional service. Situated in the middle of Kakheti, one of Georgia’s most beautiful districts. You have a lot to do in the weeks and months leading up to your wedding, and it shouldn’t be all on your own. You can count on our staff to organize your event and make it magical.

Package to plan a dream wedding package in the mountains, Georgia

If you are looking for a fairytale wedding right out of a dream, we can assist you to plan your event in a culturally aware contemporary hotel and a stunning view. You also have the option to pick Georgia’s Gudauri ski area, situated on a plateau with a southern orientation in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. Both these locations are a complete package of luxury and charm.

What more to look for in Georgia?

While we look for the perfect locations for your wedding, let’s consider the ideal meals. The state has a rich culinary legacy because the eastern regions have regional cuisine with spicy variants. Georgian cuisine, has had a considerable impact on regional cuisines. Georgian wines, on the other hand, are renowned for their great quality and sweet, rich flavor profile. You can rely on our wedding planners to design your wedding ceremony meals.

Verdict

Georgia is the ideal location to plan your enchanted, dreamy wedding if you want it to be more reasonably affordable and in nice weather. Abu Dhabi has a lot to offer in terms of beautiful sights and high structures for a view, even when inclement weather can be a little unpleasant. For our Abu Dhabi expats, Georgia provides the finest and most affordable wedding packages. You always have the option to hold an online marriage, and a beautiful dream wedding on the peaks of Georgia!

Are you looking for additional information on our Packages to plan a dream wedding in Abu Dhabi and Georgia? Get in contact with our advisor; we’re here to help!