Desert Meets Luxury At Stunning Omani Royal Wedding!
Join us as we take you through this incredible royal wedding at the Ritz Carlton Al Bustan in Muscat, Oman. We were lucky enough to be invited to collaborate on this amazing Ladies only event in March 2020. It was nothing short of opulence and absolute Luxury at its best and everything you would want to see from a Royal Wedding and more. Some of the standout features were the 1000 Kilos of chandeliers stunningly lighting up the ballroom, the bride, Juman had personally designed fragrance for gifts for each guest and she wore the heaviest couture gown we have ever seen.
First, our heartfelt thanks go out to Matthew Oliver Weddings and the incredible Matthew for inviting me to come and be a part of this amazing Royal celebration. Matthew and I met 4 years ago at the Destination Wedding Planners Congress in Phuket Thailand where we were both guest speakers, I thought he was super cool and was far too shy to talk to him. It was not until the next year at the DWP Congress in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico we bonded over vegan cheese. Thanks to our wonderful colleagues who introduced us as we were the weird ones always searching for something to eat! This started the most wonderful friendship with so much support, laughter, dancing, love and an incredible connection, leading us to be able to learn from each other and then being able to work together, which was a dream.
We chat all things weddings quite often and one evening we were discussing outfits for our upcoming Dubai trip - we were heading there in a few weeks time for another Wedding conference. We have already visited 5 countries together, although have never seen each other in our home countries as Matthew always loves to point out. (Although Bali is my second home and Matthew and his lovely partner Bertie visited for 2 amazing weeks late last year) Matthew told me he was planning a few days in Oman straight after our Dubai trip to do some planning for his Royal Wedding, I thought in my head, oh I want to come – and his next message was - why don’t you join me. I may need you to help our team on the huge ladies’ event with 450 females - as Danny (one of the other Matthew Oliver planners) and I can’t be on the floor. Straight away I was like an excited little schoolgirl, pick me, Pick me!
So, a few weeks later off we headed to Dubai and then Oman for pre wedding styling, vendor meetings and venue inspection trip. I am always so excited to be heading to a new Country - being in the travel industry for over 33 years and doing most of our business in Asia, I love opportunities to see new places and visit some of the wonderful venues that have been on my Radar. We stayed at the Chedi Muscat, which I have to say is my favourite resort in Oman. It matches the Global Weddings brand with its understated luxury and the same architect as some of my favourite places in Bali - walking around I could see the similarities. I cannot wait to do a wedding here.
Oman was breathtaking, I was overcome with how civilised, safe and clean it was and is now certainly my favourite country of the middle east. The people were so wonderful and friendly and their history and culture is just fascinating.
On our last day of our inspections Matthew and I visited Prestige events who styled the Ladies Event. It was so much fun choosing everything from tables, to chairs, candle holders’ vases, plates, cutlery and the overall look and feel. We worked so well together. That evening I was lucky enough to meet the wonderful groom Maan, unfortunately Juman the bride was in London at the time. Both Maan and Juman are from Royal Families in Oman however it was like having Dinner with a long lost friend. Everywhere we went on the trip, all of the vendors and Maan where all asking where Danny was. I could clearly see how charming Danny and Matthew were as a fantastic team. And how fondly the groom Maan spoke of them. Later that evening Matthew, Maan and I enjoyed dinner at the seafood restaurant at the Chedi. A wonderful way to end our few days of planning.
After a fantastic week we returned to our home countries excited to be re united again in March and for Matthew and Danny to sink their teeth into the planning.
Leaving Melbourne Australia on the 3rd March, it was very uncertain times with COVID-19 starting to effect worldwide travel. I was shocked and surprised to see Singapore airport the quietest I have ever seen. I pass through Singapore quite often especially at midnight and it was like a ghost town , I just couldn’t believe it.
Arriving in Oman to a super modern and very upmarket airport, I was met by my driver and after a short 20 minutes reunited with Matthew and met his incredible team, Danny, Milly and Ceri who I felt like I already knew.
My arrival was late in the evening, Matthew and I gossiped for a few hours before heading to bed.
The next morning the team gathered for a site Visit of the Incredible Ritz Carlton Al Bustan, the first wedding venue for the 450 ladies only event to go through pre-set up and plans for the Wedding the next day. We were joined by Dee and Tracy the Australian Photographers from 37 Frames based out of Tokyo What an incredible pair of ladies – we just cannot wait to get them to work on one of Global Weddings Destination weddings. And …. from HD moments the fantastic Videography team.
Prestige Weddings were well under way with the Luxe set up of the ballroom – they had been working most of the evening prior to make sure everything was ready.
Later that afternoon Hannah joined us from Couture Weddings Worldwide based in Dubai. Matthew and I had met Hannah a few times in Dubai and India on various trips and she had experience with ladies only events, her experience on the day was invaluable and she was an absolute delight to work with.
The styling was a real highlight of this event, so much work had been put in to create the right setting and atmosphere.
The room was set up with a stage and luxurious couch for the bride to be the feature of the room. Circular tables running the length of the cat walk for the immediate family. Lounge style seating in the centre of the room for the younger guests and square tables surround the remaining part of the ballroom.
The end result was nothing short of spectacular, the brief was to have a cool, ice blue theme making sure it had a warm and intimate feel. Matthew and Danny worked on quite a few different styling drawings to make sure everything was going to look spectacular. The tables featured Chinoiserie blue and white plates with matching vases and ice blue napkins. The mirrored table tops matched the Cathedral Styled mirrored features at each end of the Ballroom. We had the capacity to hang up to 2000 kilos off the roof truss and used most of the allowance to ensure the lighting gave the room a warm feel, so different to a normal ballroom setting. The florals were full and abundant, using white hydrangeas, white roses and lisianthus accented by greenery.
The morning of the wedding we all headed back to the Incredible Venue, The Ritz Carlton Al Bustan, this resort just oozed the Royal touch, The high ceilings and palace like Reception area which become our second home during our trip. Many Soy Latte’s and Ice Coffees were consumed over the 2 days and the staff were incredible, remembered our names and orders. A very special touch.
As the guests entered the reception they were greeted with the most opulent Perfume stand. Juman spent hours in a London perfumery choosing her own special scents for the evening as well as the luxurious bottles the perfumes were housed in. All of the guests were lucky enough to take home a sample of the perfumes she had chosen.
A Ladies only event meant that Matthew and Danny or any male for that matter were only allowed behind the scenes. All of the waiters, food and beverage staff or anyone else on the floor were all females. Any of the males involved in the wedding had to be in the green room and not into the ballroom at all – The only time Matthew and Danny were in the ballroom was for set up and later that evening when the groom and his men entered which was around midnight. This generally signals the coming together of the bride and groom and they are married at this point. The vows are actually done days before with the Groom and the Bride’s Father ! Certainly a little different to the weddings we have planned in the past. As the evening continued and the guests arrived they were greeted by the 2 mothers and other family members at the door to the opulent ballroom. Myself, Hannah and Millie and Ceri from Matthew Oliver Weddings were the only ones allowed in the function area. Poor Matthew and Danny could only peer through holes in the lovely wooden carved partition that joined the green room to the ballroom. It would have been so hard for Matthew and Danny to not be on the floor of the most incredible wedding they created. They didn’t need to worry though the wedding was in safe hands. At one stage during the evening, I needed to head back into the green room and found matthew just standing staring through a small hole in the partition at this incredible set up- I could tell he just wanted to be in there to make sure everything was okay.
One of Matthew’s amazing team Ceri had one of the hardest the jobs assisting the 14 policewomen guarding the door. As this was a Royal Wedding the couple knew people would try and gain entry with fake invites – it was certainly the wedding everyone wanted to be at. The Invites were all monogramed on the back with a small silver sticker so the people that had fakes were able to be identified - there were quite a few on the evening and Ceri did a marvellous job of ensure no one was admitted without their special invitation.
After the groom made his entrance ( quickly followed by Matthew and Danny ) the majority of guests left and we were all able to be together and enjoy some down time with Juman and Maan. We took some photos with them and then of the amazing team and ended up leaving around 3.00am back to the hotel for some celebratory champagne and toast this incredible event and all of us working so well together. A huge success.
The team from left to right
Top - Justina & Greg ( HD Moments ) Ceri, Dani & Millie (Matthew Oliver weddings), Narelle (Global Weddings) Juman and Maan ( bride and groom ) Hannah ( couture events worldwide ) Tracy and Dee from 37 frames
Lower - Akmed (Sound & Production ) and the Amazing Matthew Oliver
SECOND EVENT : I had to head back to Australia the next day and the Matthew Oliver team and all of the suppliers stayed on in Oman and spent some time in the Desert. It was such a shame I couldn’t stay on for the second event which was a more traditional Western Wedding that took place at the Shangrila Al Husan. This time with the groom in attendance.
The architecture of the Shangrila definitely let you know you were in Oman . Omani architecture is one of the most unique in the Middle east reflecting the Omani culture and its ancient heritage. A Perfect setting for spectacular wedding photos in the ornate arches and Desert Cliff tops with ocean views.
The Shangri-la has 3 resorts and an expansive events area which is an Amphitheatre built in the side of the Cliff. This space was incredible for design as there are so many options or lay outs and the best thing being away from the rooms at the resort a later curfew for music so Juman and Maan and guests could dance the night away.
The reception set up feature was a large White melamine circular dance floor set in the middle of the mix of Long and Round tables. The long tables had Wooden structures decorated with Chiffon and overhead greenery and florals with feature chandeliers dangling in the middle. The round tables featured a tall floral arrangements and candles. The pinks, purple and burgundy florals matched the already amphitheatre garden basically extending the look of the reception set up. The blue theme was also included with the glassware and Napkins although this time a darker blue to match the darker tones in the flowers.
I returned home to a very different setting than what I left with the COVID-19 restrictions really taking effect a few days after my return. The Matthew Oliver team and the suppliers were able to stay in their little Omani bubble for a few days longer and literally left 2 days before lock downs and mandatory quarantine in most countries took place.
I feel very grateful we were able to have this experience and one of a kind in so many ways. At this stage we are uncertain if we will have any more weddings in 2020 however grateful for the postponement of the majority of weddings to 2021. The team at Global Weddings sends out their love to this incredible team that allowed us to be part of this very special Royal Wedding and love and safety to everyone in the world.
Be Kind, be safe and stay home xo
Event Suppliers
Weddings Planners: https://www.globalweddings.com.au
https://www.matthewoliverweddings.com/ http://coutureevents.ae/
Photographer: https://www.37framesphotography.com/
Videographer: https://hdmoments.co.uk/
Catering: https://www.instagram.com/prestigeweddings_om/?hl=en
Hair Stylist: https://www.instagram.com/lechic_om/?hl=en
Make Up Artist: https://www.instagram.com/kimmy_girl_kimmy/?hl=en
Bobonbonnier: https://www.penhaligons.com/us/en
Reception Venue: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/oman/al-bustan
