The Hindu Business Line : Omani brides hire special planners

Salma al Harthy and Sabra al Mughairi go through the fantastic rituals of an Omani wedding practically every week. But before you think otherwise, these two women will tell you that they are actually part of a growing tribe of female wedding planners in Oman. Catering to those who want to add a dash of glamour and plenty of creativity to their wedding day - even though this may mean deep pockets - Salma and Sabra import fairy lights, build stages, adapt European trends, coordinate themes and use the magic of silk and fresh flowers to cast a spell on wedding guests.

Salma has been in the business for nine years. A multi-faceted individual, her hands-on experience at dress and abaya (Arabian `burqas') designing, and her job as handicrafts instructor at the Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, have added to her appeal as a wedding planner. "The bride and her parents usually visit me two to three months prior to the wedding; sometimes, the bride and groom come together as well," she says.

In Oman, where segregated wedding functions - men and women sit separately - is a norm, Salma largely interacts with the brides, helping them realise their dreams. "The bride and I discuss what she would personally like. I also show her images from the previous weddings I have designed to help her decide," says Salma, gesturing towards stacks of photographs documenting her earlier assignments.

However, in cases where the bride has her own ideas, Salma goes right back to the drawing board and sketches out the requirements. Some brides prefer a more minimalist, or what is known as a European look; others are interested in a traditional Omani/Arab style presentation," she explains. However, integral to every kind of d‚cor are fresh flowers. "I love working with roses, lilies and orchids," she says, adding that artificial flowers simply cannot produce the effect that real flowers evoke, although some of them have to be specially imported. In fact, flowers can often be so central to the d‚cor that a bride coordinates the colour of her attire to the blooms.

Salma is a true artist, working with a variety of fabrics, such as satins, velvets and silks, to create mesmerising patterns. But her talent isn't restricted to cloth. She conjures up the wedding d‚cor, working with wood, foam and even steel to create furniture and a stage that is perfect for the theme. Once she made an arrangement of glossy green leaves and strings of fairy lights cascading down silky ecru-hued curtains. Says Salma, "This may appear simple but the lights contain crystal and cost RO 1000 (Rs 1.3 lakh). I had to especially source them from Italy."

This wedding planner leaves no stone unturned. This could mean that if a bride desires an Omani/Arabic feel, replete with metal and wooden trellis-work lanterns, richly-hued fabrics and tapering Omani-style mud pots, Salma will obtain antique mother-of-pearl inlaid chairs to complete the look.

Facilitating her work is a team of helpers and carpenters. She also rents storage space where she keeps various chairs, couches and other items. One day she even hopes to retail her items from her own establishment and liaise directly with clients.

Running a solo show is not easy, especially if one has to manage as many as two weddings a week, with a bare minimum charge of RO 500 (Rs 65,000) each. She is also considering working out an even less expensive package, which is a challenge considering the high cost of every detail.

Sabra, whose stage designs are a rage, says "You have to take account of every aspect of the wedding d‚cor; for example, the floral centrepieces on the tables alone can start from RO 1.50 (Rs 180) and can go up to RO 20 (Rs 2,600)." Sabra, who actually started out by helping friends and family in 1990, turned professional a decade later and then joined hands with a florist in 2004. "My mum, aunt, and sisters are all design-oriented people. In fact, it was my sister who made me do my first stage for her wedding. Later, she helped me get my first wedding stage contract," she recalls.

Sabra explains that earlier Omani weddings were simple and traditional with much emphasis on the ritual. Now most weddings last between three and four days, although the duration varies depending on regions and communities within Oman. Sabra's d‚cor borders on the fantastical. She has designed Bedouin tents, Omani-styled forts, and other building-related designs, in addition to nature-inspired themes.

But like Salma, Sabra is sometimes also approached to create the European feel, devoid of excessive frills. But, as she is quick to explain, the subdued look does not mean the common look. Says Sabra, "It may appear simple but the materials used to create that effect are often very costly." Her support team includes her three daughters, her brother, her nieces and a dedicated team of workers.

A stickler for detail, Sabra personally supervises her work and prefers to create a unique design each time. One of her more memorable stage designs comprised an intricate pattern using apples, grapes and orchids for a stage setting.

June and December are the preferred months for weddings in Oman. Both Sabra and Salma are keen to work overtime to make bridal fantasies come true.

(Women's Feature Service)