Weddings won't cost $70,000 anymore
United Arab Emirates, Culture, 9/30/1997

The council of ministers in Abu Dhabi on September 29 approved legislation setting the maximum dowry for brides at $5,450 US and limiting wedding parties to one day, the official Emirates News Agency said.

The aim is to reduce high dowry and wedding costs, which have forced some men in the Emirates to seek foreign brides. The legislation also set a $8,220 US limit on divorce settlements.

It must be ratified by the president, Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to go into effect.

The legislation aims at encouraging the Emirates' citizens to forgo exorbitant weddings and lavish parties--that sometimes last for days--in an effort to promote marriage among its nationals.

Dowries and wedding expenses can add up to more than $70,000 US.

A state-run marriage fund was established in 1992 to help local couples tie the knot. The fund contributes $19,000 US to every UAE bachelor bridegroom that marries a UAE woman.

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