“A Day in the Life” allows you to step into the shoes of a UAE resident to experience a typical 24 hours in their work and home life
For most people, a wedding happens once in a lifetime. But for Zainab Alsalih, love is in the air every single day.
The founder and lead planner of Dubai’s Carousel Weddings has organised hundreds of extravagant weddings at venues such as Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Dubai Opera and Four Seasons Resort Dubai.
The former banker, from Iraq, was inspired to set up her business in 2008, turning her back on number crunching to focus on tulle, table plans and toasts.
Today, the mother-of-three welcomes couples from around the world looking for lavish ceremonies, including everything from desert escapes to seaside soirees.
Here, The National follows Ms Alsalih, 48, on a typical day juggling confetti, cakes and wedding crashers.
5am: All you need is love
Ms Alsalih starts the day by answering queries from brides-to-be looking for a special touch to their big day.
Over the last 15 years, she has organised hundreds of weddings – a far cry from her former career in finance.
“I didn't plan to be a wedding planner. I started my career as a banker, so it was the furthest thing from romance. But I've always had a creative flair,” she says.
“After I got married and had children, I decided to take a break but when the time came to go back to work, I couldn’t bear the thought of restructuring loans and dealing with bad debts.”
Instead, Ms Alsalih drew on her creativity to set up a corporate events company, which evolved into planning elaborate nuptials as Dubai took off as a destination wedding hotspot.
“I decided that weddings were my calling,” she says. “I thought it was such a fulfilling experience and I loved bringing joy and happiness to couples.”
Noon: Museums, deserts and foodie feasts
In recent years, Ms Alsalih has seen demand for UAE weddings soar as couples seek out sun, sand and spectacular experiences.
“Previously people used to care more about appearances, but now there's a lot more focus on creating a memorable experience,” she says.
“Food is becoming a very big trend and there's more focus on wedding menus than ever before.”
In the afternoon, Ms Alsalih often visits potential venues, which are increasingly varied and exotic.
“We get a lot of requests for interesting locations like remote islands or in the desert,” she says. “We’ve done weddings at Dubai Opera and the Museum of the Future is also an option.
“Dubai is pushing the envelope as to what kinds of venues are on offer.”
4pm: The big day
On wedding days, Ms Alsalih is on site long before the bride and groom, setting up for three days before vows are exchanged.
“We do a lot of big weddings in exciting locations for hundreds of guests, so we need plenty of time to get everything perfect,” she says.
“Our last wedding at Dubai Opera was one of the most elaborate I've planned, though in 2011 we built massive tents for 2,000 people facing Burj Al Arab, which was incredible.
“I also did a VIP wedding in Abu Dhabi at Emirates Palace in 2022, where we projected a video on to the hotel façade.”
With big events, however, come big challenges. Wedding crashers and social media slip-ups have caused chaos at events over the years.
“We’ve had plenty of wedding crashers in the past, usually hotel guests that stumble across the ceremony. Their curiosity is piqued and they decide to stay and eat.
“In the past people have also arrived uninvited or shown up with extra guests in tow, which is clearly unacceptable.
“Sometimes it's hard to tell someone to leave but usually security takes care of it.”
Overzealous social posting has also caused problems in recent years, with many brides taking drastic measures to prevent unauthorised leaks.
“A lot of people are very private and they don't want their entire wedding live-streamed on social media,” says Ms Alsalih.
“Sometimes we get asked to take people's phones on arrival or ask them to cover the cameras.
“We’ve even had security step in to stop people from taking a lot of photos and videos during the ceremony. It’s probably our biggest challenge.”
3am: Happily ever after
Ms Alsalih remains at the wedding venue until every guest has left to prevent any late-night hiccups.
“Weddings usually end at 3am and by the time I get home it’s four or five in the morning,” she says.
“It’s tiring but I like to make sure everything goes smoothly. Crafting those lasting memories makes my job so rewarding.”
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
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MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Dunki
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
%3Cp%3E%0DIf%20Catherine%20Richards%20debuts%20for%20Wales%20in%20the%20Six%20Nations%2C%20she%20will%20be%20the%20latest%20to%20have%20made%20it%20from%20the%20UAE%20to%20the%20top%20tier%20of%20the%20international%20game%20in%20the%20oval%20ball%20codes.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESeren%20Gough-Walters%20(Wales%20rugby%20league)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Dubai%2C%20raised%20in%20Sharjah%2C%20and%20once%20an%20immigration%20officer%20at%20the%20British%20Embassy%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20she%20debuted%20for%20Wales%20in%20rugby%20league%20in%202021.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%20sevens)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWith%20an%20Emirati%20father%20and%20English%20mother%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20at%20school%20in%20Dubai%2C%20and%20went%20on%20to%20represent%20England%20on%20the%20sevens%20circuit.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFiona%20Reidy%20(Ireland)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMade%20her%20Test%20rugby%20bow%20for%20Ireland%20against%20England%20in%202015%2C%20having%20played%20for%20four%20years%20in%20the%20capital%20with%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20previously.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
