Emirati women take marriage proposals into their own hands

The UAE can offer some of the world’s most Amazing marriage proposal destinationIn 2022, however, the ladies of the region will be on one knee.

According to wedding and proposal planners, women in the UAE are asking the question more than ever, and think the number will continue to rise.

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Sakeena Karam, 26, had always dreamed of proposing to her in a grand way, but changed her mind after meeting her partner of three years, accountant Adam Dmello, 27. The Dubai-based couple was introduced by mutual friends at university and quickly became inseparable.

“Adam has done so much for me, so I thought it would be nice to do something special for him,” said Karam, senior research analyst.

“I’m the girl who used to dream of a big marriage proposal that would show me how much my man loves me and finds me special. I’m sure men think along the same lines at some point. I I want him to feel appreciated.”

So Karam incorporated scenes from DeMello’s favorite TV show — office, friends and Community —Wearing a peanut shirt and singing his own lyrics in a room full of candles.

“When he walked in, he didn’t know what was going on,” Karam said. “I jumped out of my hiding place and sang the song I wrote for him and kept laughing because I couldn’t believe what was going on.

“We’re getting married later this year and I couldn’t be happier.”

Dubai-based influencer and business coach Nora Achmaoui, 27, had planned to propose to her partner of nine months, influencer and engineer Khalid Alherani, 25, but he stole the show from her on a romantic getaway.

“I kept thinking that I wanted to propose to Khalid,” Achmaoui said. “My plans were ruined when he proposed, but I decided I would continue to do it no matter what.

“Two months later, I got down on one knee, surrounded by his family and friends, and begged him to be my husband.”

Now, Achmaoui is encouraging other women to treat their men with the “attention and magic” they deserve. “I know a lot of women in my circle who say, ‘I hope he proposes to me,’ but for years, they’ve been waiting,” she said.

“If you know you’ve met that person, why not just go and propose? No need for all the drama.”

How do women’s proposals differ?

Liz Nunez, Co-founder easy wedding, that women have more thoughtful ways of proposing than men. “Women tend to organize more adventurous offers in terms of outdoor activities rather than going over the top with flowers and balloons,” she said.

“Often, women choose a fun activity, like paragliding or hot air ballooning, and propose during the event. It’s a more mature and direct way to take the next step.”

In Nunes’ experience, most women who take a knee are over 30 and have been particularly successful in their careers.

“These women have accomplished so much that they are not afraid to move forward,” she said. “in short, they know what they want They are not afraid to make it happen. “

Confidence is the key

“People come to the UAE because of the opportunities it offers, especially for women,” Nunes said. “More and more companies are recruiting women for senior and managerial positions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We have the freedom and opportunity to advance professionally in the region, so this confidence is also manifested in our personal lives, I Not surprised.

“Women are free to marry whoever they want, and they’re doing it.”

Launched to plan the weddings of newlyweds living internationally, Easy Wedding has recently started organising lavish marriage proposals, with most inquiries from women. “It doesn’t surprise me that women are making more proposals,” said Florian Ughetto, Nunez’s husband and company co-founder. “Traditionally, people got married because people expected them to. Now they do it because they want to. this way.

“Currently, 32% of requests are from women, 20% are from men, and the rest are unspecified.”

Caroline Ralston, founder of Proposal Boutique, also reported an increase in the number of women proposing to their boyfriends, especially after the Covid-19 lockdown accelerated many new relationships.

Ralston, who started her proposal-planning business eight years ago, says about 20 percent of her inquiries come from forward-thinking women looking to take the next step in life.

“The UAE is a place where women are empowered and championed every day,” Ralston said. “Our choices are more free than ever, and the days of waiting to be asked are numbered.

“I feel like a lot of people have moved in together during lockdown and now women are ready to accept [relationship forward]. “

Best of both worlds

Ralston believes the influence of social media is a driver of the surge in female-led proposals. “You can’t see luxury proposals that have gone viral on Instagram these days,” she said. “Now that women see the possibilities, they want to incorporate these elements into their proposals.

“It’s not just about weddings – if anything, engagement sets the tone for what’s to come. Who doesn’t want equal marriages?”

Most women who contact the Proposal Boutique will arrange the full scene, but sometimes the groom-to-be can also play a big role.

“We often have women contact us to organize their own proposals, but while she’ll decide all the details, it’s the one who will really ask the question,” Ralston said.

“One of our clients, Nancy, arranged for her partner Elias to get down on one knee on the ornate roof overlooking the Burj Khalifa. It was a great way for her , to get what she wants while maintaining her legacy of recognition.”

The future is women

Both Nunez and Ralston predict that the number of women’s proposals will increase in the coming years and encourage women to take this step.

“I think there’s going to be a huge number of women proposing, and I can’t wait to see it happen,” Ralston said.

“It may seem scary, but for men, it’s also intimidating to propose,” Nunes said. “I say do whatever you want. There are two people in love; why not give him the best day of his life?

“I encourage women to take control of their own narratives. In today’s society, where we are just as independent and financially secure, why not have confidence in all of our life choices?”

Updated: September 16, 2022 8:13pm