WEDDINGS IN OMAN

“There’s no matching Oman when it comes to unadulterated and natural beauty. Sure, I can get a similar setting in the Bahamas or Mauritius but these places are always – and I mean always – occupied by tourists. It’s not a dream for anyone to get married there, now.”

In reality, she is only one among the many considering Oman as a destination for their weddings.

“The peace and quiet is something I highly regard; privacy matters,” she tells us.

Since 2014, seven big Indian weddings have taken place here, as confirmed by Oman’s tourism ministry.

This has also been beneficial for other industries in the country, especially for food and beverage firms and jewellery makers.

For instance, Sneha is considering buying all her jewellery from various vendors in Oman.

“A big wedding needs a lot of jewellery,” says Sneha, with a chuckle.

“Something I really admire about Omani weddings is the ornaments that the brides wear. I love them.

“Actually, I would love to combine Omani and Indian ornaments to create a mix of flavours. I would also like to do that with the food that will be served at the after-party,” she says.

Of late, Oman – thanks to its safe environment and the welcoming nature of its citizens – is also seeing an influx of honeymooners, who are spending the first weeks of their marriage exploring the country.

“There’s a rustic vibe to the country that you cannot get from many other tourist destinations,” says Abraham, who is in Oman with his wife Riya.

“I remember my brother complaining of having a terrible time in the Caribbean during his honeymoon, in 2015. That was mostly because of the hordes of tourists there at that time.

“Oman during this autumn season gives you what you deserve – the sights you would normally see in Europe; the green valleys, mountain ranges worth scaling and even sinkholes and caves for exploring.

“What more can anyone ever ask for.”