‘Dubai Weddings’ initiative supports establishment of 1,411 Emirati families that welcomed 418 newborns

The ‘Dubai Weddings’ initiative continues to expand as a comprehensive and sustainable community model supporting the stability of Emirati families.

Since its launch in early 2024 as a service facilitating wedding celebrations for Emirati citizens, the initiative has evolved into a broad and integrated institutional programme delivered through the efforts of partner entities across Dubai.

Social and developmental indicators achieved through the initiative reflect the direct guidance and constant follow-up of Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

The Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Family Programme serves as the overarching framework through which the initiative connects wedding support with pre-marital awareness and training, financial and housing support, and ongoing family counselling schemes.

The initiative translates into reality the strategic vision of making Dubai a family-friendly city, while directly supporting the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and strategic priorities of the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai to support family formation, stability and resilience.

The Programme helps ease the financial burden on young Emiratis preparing for marriage, promotes more balanced and sustainable wedding practices, and encourages marriage at an appropriate age, contributing to social cohesion and optimal population growth in the emirate.

Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority, affirmed that the generous support and guidance of Sheikha Hind have been instrumental in transforming the initiative into a comprehensive and sustainable service that places Emirati families at the heart of sustainable development.

She said, "The success of ‘Dubai Weddings’ reflects the guidance of Sheikha Hind and her continued commitment to creating a supportive environment for young Emiratis to build stable and cohesive families.

"The initiative has evolved beyond facilitating wedding celebrations into an integrated model that brings together the efforts of institutions and entities across Dubai to provide social and educational support before and after marriage, contributing to the long-term stability and wellbeing of Emirati families and advancing the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33.”

According to the latest data from the CDA, as of August 2026, the support and training programmes accompanying the initiative have recorded strong engagement and delivered notable outcomes, with the beneficiary satisfaction rate soaring to 99.3%.

The initiative helped forge 1,411 new Emirati families. Families covered by the initiative welcomed 418 newborns. Awareness and guidance programmes conducted as part of the initiative drew 3,519 beneficiaries. A total of 2,898 weddings were held under the initiative, including 1,411 for women and 1,487 for men.

The ‘Start It Right’ programme helped 2,591 beneficiaries by offering intensive preparatory sessions to guide their path into married life. Courses designed to strengthen financial stability among young families benefited 677 participants. ‘How to Build Your Home’ workshops held as part of the initiative reached 251 beneficiaries, as of the end of March.

The initiative’s innovative approaches and social impact have earned it wide recognition in the form of five local and international awards.

The ‘Nawat Dubai’ initiative builds on the success of Dubai Weddings by providing sustained support and constructive engagement with newly married couples over a five-year period. It particularly focuses on helping couples navigate challenges during the early years of marriage, especially the first two years, by identifying and addressing issues early to support long-term family stability and continuity. This initiative has benefited 120 families.

Dr Ahmed Al Hashemi, CEO of the Social Regulation and Services Sector at the CDA, noted that the initiative’s application process and service journey are aligned with Dubai’s seamless digital transformation, enabling Emirati citizens preparing for marriage to access and track services directly and conveniently through the DubaiNow app.

Al Hashemi said, "We have ensured that applicants can access the initiative directly through the DubaiNow app, making the process easier and providing young Emiratis with a seamless and efficient digital experience. Beneficiaries can also access the CDA’s fully equipped wedding venues in Al Barsha, Al Twar, Al Lisaili and Hatta, alongside 27 supporting initiatives covering training, counselling, housing and financial solutions.”

The CDA expressed its appreciation to all government entities and national institutions across Dubai that contribute to the success of the initiative and its long-term objectives.

The CDA highlighted that this integrated model of collaboration across government entities reflects a shared commitment to providing citizens with high-quality support and services, while ensuring that the initiative remains a practical and sustainable pathway that combines institutional support and training to accompany Emirati families through different stages of their development.