An engagement party on a private island, pre-wedding revelry at a water park, a dreamy wedding on a beach overlooking the azure waters of Bahrain, a grand reception at a venue that can accommodate thousands! Whatever it is that your heart desires for your picture-perfect wedding venue- Bahrain has it all.
JUMEIRAH GULF OF BAHRAIN RESORT
Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa, the kingdom’s newest luxury beach resort, has the privacy that high-end weddings covet. Set against the backdrop of the pristine azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, the resort harmonises Jumeirah’s promise of unparalleled hospitality with the wonder of the destination.
“We have had a great deal of interest from the Indian and KSA markets”, Hala S Elboos, Jumeirah’s Director of Sales and Marketing, told Life N Style Magazine. In their mere seven months of operations, the resort has played host to two complete buyouts (for perfect privacy and exclusivity) for Indian weddings, apart from hosting several local ones.
“As a wedding venue, the resort offers a range of versatile indoor and outdoor venues of different sizes. The Ulfa Ballroom is the largest indoor venue, accommodating up to 300 guests. For those who prefer an outdoor celebration, the resort boasts breathtaking gardens, a pristine beach, and a private peninsula, providing the perfect backdrop for a romantic and whimsical wedding under the stars.
“The resort also offers a dedicated events team who can assist with all aspects of event planning. 207 luxurious accommodation units, world-class dining, an award-winning Talise Spa, and exceptional service make Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa the perfect destination for your wedding”, explains Hala.
At full capacity, the Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain can host up to 1000 guests for private events including an exclusive island nestled next to the hotel’s private beach. They also offer up to 420 guest accommodations using the hotel’s maximum capacity of 207 rooms and suites.
THE RITZ CARLTON BAHRAIN
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, with some of the most breathtaking locations for different functions, has hosted 15 destination weddings this year, mostly from neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
Surrounded by turquoise waters and immaculately manicured gardens, the tranquil private island is located at the farthest end of the property and can cater for an outdoor reception. It is also for those wanting an intimate beach affair. What could be better than your own private island set within this 20-acre resort?
The Masaya Gazebo, on the other hand, offers an expansive indoor space with floor-to-ceiling windows and picturesque views of the Arabian Gulf. This event venue provides a dramatic location for receptions and banqueting, whilst accommodating guests in comfort and luxury. “Every wedding at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, is designed by the bride and groom, in consultation with a dedicated Ritz-Carlton wedding sales manager.
The team acts as a guide through each stage of the preparation, assisting with protocol, invitations, flowers, decoration, music and menu tastings. Together, the dedicated team brings to life the fairytale vision and ensures each occasion is immaculately tailored to exceed the guests’ expectations”, says Angela d’Silva, wedding sales manager, The Ritz Carlton, Bahrain.
“Bahrain lives up to its reputation of being a liberal and modern country, while still preserving its traditional and cultural heritage. Vibrant historical sites combined with warm Bahraini hospitality welcome couples and their families to savour the essence of Arabia.
Known for its diverse population, Bahrain also prides itself on world-class facilities – from dazzling ballrooms to outdoor venues by the sea, making the small island the ideal location of pure wedded bliss”, says Angela.
The hotel offers over 3,750 square meters of banqueting facilities including a 1,195 square meter ballroom, a second 858 square meter ballroom, and outdoor venues to create an unforgettable occasion that perfectly meets the scale of any celebration.
This includes:
Private Island – 350 guests | Masaya Gazebo – 80 guests | Al Noor Ballroom – 500 guests | Al Ghazal Ballroom – 450 guests
SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA
Perched on the pristine beaches of Zallaq overlooking the Arabian Gulf on Bahrain’s west coast, this 5-star luxury hotel in Bahrain is one of the most sought-after locations for weddings in Bahrain. Having hosted the lion’s share of stellar Indian weddings on the island, the Sofitel has held a total of 18 weddings in the last 12 months with an average of 500 to 700 invites per event.
Emre Kirazci, Sofitel’s Director of Operations credits their success to a dedicated team of 350 professionals which combines some of the best Indian chefs, and a wonderful culinary team that together with the operations and events team ensures that a dream wedding moves forward without hitches.
An exclusive private island with unparalleled sunset views, indoor and outdoor venues with over 1080 sqm surface area and the determination to cater to the guests’ every whim is the secret to their success.
“At Sofitel Bahrain, we strive to make the impossible, possible especially when it comes to unusual requests. Last year one of our grooms wanted to bring a special guest for ‘Baraat’ (an Indian ceremony where the groom and his relatives make their way to the bride and her family), a tiger. The Kingdom’s local authorities tried to make it happen, but alas! the permissions did not come through”, recounts Emre.
“Apart from that one isolated incident, the BTEA (Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority) has always supported us by offering various added values such as vintage luxury cars, visas for the wedding guests free-of-charge, souq bazaar experiences inside the property, meet & greet services at the airport and even drones to capture each moment of the vibrant weddings”, says Emre.
He added that the easy accessibility of the country with direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi makes Bahrain an ideal destination for grand Indian weddings. “We can accommodate 600 guests at our resort, including rooms and event spaces and host 3000 guests in venues when it comes to event space and 1000 people in our grand ballroom”.
FOUR SEASONS BAHRAIN BAY
Nestled in the heart of Manama on its private island bearing the prestigious ‘Four Seasons’ name, the luxury hotel manages to capture the very essence of Bahrain and still have its privacy. The Four Seasons Bahrain Bay kickstarted the journey of destination weddings in Bahrain and has played host to several high-profile nuptials over the years.
Being one of the most sought-after locations for weddings in Bahrain, Meryem Rodriguez
Director of Catering, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay says, “Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay has proven to be a greatly popular destination, with a ‘Wedding every weekend’. Our hotel is the perfect address for dream weddings offering exclusivity, elegant event spaces including two elegant ballrooms, lush gardens, a scenic outdoor terrace, and most importantly, the Four Seasons service, creating unforgettable memories for our guests.
From intimate ceremonies or among family and friends to grandiose celebrations, we host a large array of weddings. We have two ballrooms, and depending on the couple’s dream wedding, we can offer one or both of them. Al Bahrain Ballroom, also offering a terrace boasting the view of our lush gardens and Bahrain Bay, is in high demand.
A unique Four Seasons touch, the tastefully designed Bridal Suite, featuring multiple changing rooms and its own photo studio, is designed to enjoy the pre-wedding hours ensconced in luxury with family members or close friends. Located next to the Al Bahrain Ballroom, the Bridal Suite offers special access to the event venue allowing the bride to make an awe-inspiring first appearance. This ballroom also offers an exclusive entrance for a memorable Baraat procession, an important part of Indian weddings.
The Four Seasons Bahrain Bay is famous for its superb culinary expertise. Meryem tells us her culinary and banquet team plan and flawlessly executes all the steps of the wedding together with our guests. Always prioritizing quality, taste, and authenticity, Our Executive Chef Leonardo Di Clemente and his team create inspiring menus that take the guests on a culinary journey, offering the best of local and international cuisines upon the couple’s preference.”
From the intimate to the grand – the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay can handle it all. “The magnificent Al Bahrain Ballroom, with high ceilings and sparkling chandeliers, offers seating up to 500 people for wedding celebrations. The ballroom’s terrace, boasting views of enchanting gardens and the sea, provides seating for 220 guests, while Al Manama, the second ballroom, hosts 300 people in banquet style. The two pillar-free ballrooms allow for the building of magnificent decors, and the extended wedding runway lets the bride enjoy every single moment of her long-dreamed walk.
In addition to weddings from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, our hotel is also the perfect address for glamorous Indian weddings with its private island and enchanting facilities. The Four Seasons culinary creativity shines forth in an extensive array of customized menus for weddings worldwide. Our property has hosted three buy-out Indian weddings, and one of these glamorous weddings was even covered in a popular show on a major streaming platform”, elaborates Meryem.
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay offers the best of both worlds – the serenity of an island resort and the energetic pulse of the city. With its private island and perfect location at the heart of Bahrain, the hotel is a destination on its own that marries the feeling of exclusivity with a sought-after urban oasis.
