These dreamy sand dunes may be the next desert wedding destination...

Chic Elopement in the Arabian Desert – Effleurer Photo 5

The Moroccan Sahara, the rugged Southwest, the iconic White Sand Dunes of New Mexico…deserts have always made the dreamiest backdrops for weddings & elopements. And the Arabian Desert may be our next coveted locale for wild & gorgeous destination weddings…

Why do we find ourselves so fixated on desert weddings? Well, as a photographer who’s covered many Moroccan weddings, I can tell you those peach-colored sands, epic sunsets, neutral tones & lack of busy backdrops create a photographer’s dream.

Located in the United Arab Emirates, the Arabian desert is uniquely situated to provide both wild, gorgeous, desert expanses with nearby luxury convenience. “Dubai is known for its luxury and ultramodern architecture, but only an hour away from the bustling city center lies the majestic red sand desert with its golden dunes and the rugged hills in the distance,” says Dubai & Amsterdam based planner, Lovely & Planned.

Planning your wedding in the deserts outside of Dubai would be a pinch thanks to the many talented vendors available in the city center – particularly those who participated in this editorial. Not to mention, all of the luxury tent stays & hotels within the dunes available to couples & their guests (one of our favorites, Al Maha, was recently listed in our Luxury Honeymoons Worth the Wait guide).

From Lovely & Planned

With this shoot, we were striving for an elopement setting that chic, modern couples with a penchant for vintage details can identify with. To create this modern yet classic and feminine aesthetic, we combined geometric forms with delicate fabrics and a soft, elegant color palette with amber hues and blush pink accents.

Equally important to creating a breathtaking ambiance was highlighting the possibilities Dubai has to offer for small, intimate weddings. Dubai is known for its luxury and ultramodern architecture, but only an hour away from the bustling city center lies the majestic red sand desert with its golden dunes and the rugged hills in the distance.

Our modern, yet romantic bride was dressed in a delicate dress with a beaded train. The makeup artist created a makeup look with natural, dewy skin, warm cheeks, and a light bronzy smokey eye with a touch of gold that matched the handmade statement headpiece perfectly. The blush pink shoes with their pearl embroidery and the organza bow were also carefully chosen to complement the feminine bridal look, which was topped off with minimalistic rose quartz earrings.

Not only our bride got all dressed up, but also the groom’s attire was an equal eyecatcher with its handmade Italian linen suit, lightweight pants, and luxurious soft yellow jacket.

Chic Elopement in the Arabian Desert – Effleurer Photo 1

For the styling, we blended contemporary statement elements with classic décor details. A chiffon table runner softened the edgy, modern look that was created by using mirror tables and striking black and white plates. Golden candle holders, amber and blush pink taper candles, and an exquisite floral centerpiece created a one-of-a-kind ambiance.

Also, the cake design combined modern geometric forms with a dreamy, feminine edible bow. And the stationery added yet another piece to the design puzzle by merging a clean, understated invitation collection with romantic wax seals and delicate silk ribbons.