✅ Free Planning Tools

Dubai Event
Planning Checklists

Everything you need to plan your perfect Dubai event — from venue booking to final-day logistics. Free, downloadable, and built for UAE events.

12 Checklists
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UAE Specific
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Ready-to-Use Event Planning Checklists

Each checklist is built specifically for Dubai events — accounting for UAE regulations, vendor booking lead times, and local logistics.

Most Popular
💍
Wedding

Ultimate Dubai Wedding Checklist

Every task from 12 months out to your wedding day. Includes venue deposit deadlines, visa guest considerations, DTCM permits, and post-wedding checklist.

185 tasks 12–18 month timeline 4 guests recommended
🏢
Corporate

Corporate Event Checklist Dubai

For conferences, product launches, annual galas, and team events. Includes DTCM event permit checklist, AV tech requirements, and delegate management.

124 tasks 3–6 month timeline Scalable 50–2,000 guests
🌙
Ramadan

Ramadan Iftar Event Checklist

Corporate and private iftar planning — from tent permits and prayer space setup to halal certification checks and date timings during the holy month.

67 tasks 4–8 weeks timeline Halal certified vendors
🎂
Birthday & Private

Luxury Birthday Party Checklist

From intimate villa dinners to grand ballroom surprises. Includes entertainment booking, cake design briefs, surprise logistics, and villa hire permits.

82 tasks 6–12 weeks timeline Any size event
Yacht Party

Dubai Yacht Party Checklist

Everything for a flawless Marina or Palm Jumeirah yacht event — licensing, safety briefings, catering logistics on water, and guest boarding coordination.

54 tasks 2–4 weeks timeline Up to 60 guests
🌅
Outdoor Events

Outdoor & Desert Event Checklist

Desert safaris, garden parties, rooftop events, and beach weddings. Covers DCD permits, generator requirements, weather contingencies, and sunset timing.

91 tasks 6–12 weeks timeline Oct–Apr season guide
💼
Vendor Management

Vendor Coordination Checklist

Track every vendor confirmation, contract, insurance certificate, access pass, and payment milestone in one place. Never miss a deadline again.

73 tasks Any event size All event types
🎤
Entertainment

Entertainment & AV Checklist

Booking live bands, DJs, and performers in Dubai. Covers Music Royalty Board requirements, sound permits, stage specs, and run-of-show templates.

48 tasks 4–12 weeks lead All event types
📋
Day-of Logistics

Day-Of Event Runsheet Template

A minute-by-minute runsheet template for the big day. Designed for Dubai events with vendor arrival slots, prayer break windows, and emergency contact lists.

Minute-by-minute Editable template All event types

Your Dubai Wedding Checklist

Tick off tasks as you complete them. Your progress is saved in your browser. Switch between event types below.

Your Planning Progress 0 / 32 tasks complete
1
12 Months Before — Foundation
First Priority

Set your total wedding budget in AED

Include venue, catering, decor, photography, entertainment, attire, and 10% contingency

Critical

Choose your wedding date and backup date

Avoid UAE public holidays and Ramadan if preferred; check school holidays for international guests

Critical

Draft initial guest list

Determine approximate headcount — this drives every other decision

Critical

Start venue shortlist — book early, Dubai venues fill 12+ months in advance

Consider: Atlantis, Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Address Downtown, JW Marriott Marquis

Critical

Hire a wedding planner (highly recommended for Dubai)

Dubai logistics — permits, vendor coordination, multi-vendor management — are complex

Important

Begin photographer and videographer search

Top Dubai photographers book 12–18 months out — secure early

Important
2
9 Months Before — Key Vendors
High Priority

Sign venue contract and pay deposit (typically 30–50%)

Confirm F&B minimum spend, corkage policy, set-up and breakdown times

Critical

Book photographer and videographer

Confirm: rights ownership, drone permit requirements, second shooter inclusion

Critical

Book live band or DJ — permits required in Dubai

Confirm Music Royalty Board compliance; check if venue has AV restrictions

Important

Begin floral and décor consultations

3–5 quotes recommended; confirm what's included vs. extra

Important

Start wedding dress shopping (allow 6–9 months for delivery)

Dubai boutiques: White Room, Studio Zahira, imported designers via Dubai Mall

Important
3
6 Months Before — Details
Steady Progress

Send save-the-dates to all international guests

Include UAE visa guidance for non-GCC nationals attending

Important

Book catering — confirm per-head pricing and menu

Confirm: halal certification, dietary options, AED per head (typically AED 180–450)

Critical

Arrange hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests

Negotiate group rates — typically 10–15% discount for 10+ rooms

Important

Plan transportation — buses, transfers, valet

Confirm parking availability; arrange shuttle from hotels if venue requires

Nice to Have

Book hair and make-up artists

Book both bridal and bridesmaid slots; confirm venue access times

Important
4
Final Month — Last Details
Final Sprint

Send final RSVP reminder; confirm final headcount with venue

Most venues require final numbers 7–14 days before the event

Critical

Create and distribute detailed run-of-show to all vendors

Include: contact numbers, setup times, access details, prayer break windows

Critical

Confirm all vendor payments are settled

Many Dubai vendors require full payment 1–2 weeks before the event

Critical

Do final venue walk-through with planner and decorator

Check: loading dock access, power points, lighting controls, emergency exits

Important

Prepare wedding day emergency kit

Include: safety pins, tape, pain relief, stain remover, phone charger, spare cash in AED

Nice to Have

Confirm honeymoon arrangements and check all documents

Passports, visas, hotel confirmations — keep copies in phone and printed

Important
1
12+ Weeks Before — Strategy & Venue
First Priority

Define event objectives and KPIs

Attendance targets, lead generation goals, media coverage requirements

Critical

Set budget and get internal approvals

Include: venue, AV, catering, branding, staffing, contingency (15%)

Critical

Apply for DTCM event permit if required

Events over 200 pax or with ticketing typically require DTCM licensing

Critical

Source and book venue

Consider: DIFC Gate Village, ADNEC, Dubai World Trade Centre, hotel ballrooms

Critical

Brief and book AV production company

Confirm: screen sizes, PA system, streaming capability, brand guidelines

Important
2
4–8 Weeks — Vendors & Content
Build Phase

Confirm speakers and arrange green room, rehearsal time

Allow 20–30 min per speaker for tech check

Critical

Finalise catering menu and dietary requirements

Ensure halal certification; confirm prayer break timing in schedule

Important

Brief event photographer and confirm deliverables

Specify: key shots, timing, delivery format, usage rights

Important

Send invitations and set up registration system

Include venue, dress code (business formal is standard in Dubai), parking info

Critical
1
6–8 Weeks Before — Booking
First Priority

Set guest list and budget

Per-head budget: AED 200–800 depending on venue type

Critical

Choose theme and colour palette

Browse Eventify Dubai inspiration gallery for ideas

Important

Book venue — villa, restaurant, hotel or rooftop

Private villa hire in Palm area: from AED 8,000. Rooftop: from AED 15,000

Critical

Order custom birthday cake — allow 2–4 weeks for custom designs

Top Dubai bakers: Sugar Pocket, The Artisan Cake Company, Jones the Grocer

Critical

Book entertainment: DJ, live artist, or activity

Options: DJ from AED 2,500, caricaturist from AED 1,200, fire show from AED 3,500

Important
1
4–6 Weeks Before
First Priority

Confirm exact iftar start time for your date

Sunset varies throughout Ramadan — build schedule around confirmed Maghrib prayer time

Critical

Confirm all catering is halal certified

Request ESMA halal certificate from all food vendors

Critical

Arrange prayer space (wudu facilities and prayer mats)

Allow 20–30 min break for Maghrib prayer in your event schedule

Critical

Plan date, juice, and water breaking-fast station

Traditional: dates and laban. Add: water, fresh juices before hot food

Important

Confirm tent or venue permit for outdoor iftar

Temporary tent structures in Dubai require DM permit; allow 3+ weeks

Critical

Dubai Event Budget Calculator

Get an estimated budget breakdown for your Dubai event in seconds. Adjust inputs to see how costs change.

Budget Estimator

Based on average Dubai market rates. Use as a starting point — actual quotes may vary.

🏛 VenueAED 75,000
🍽 CateringAED 67,500
📸 PhotographyAED 12,000
🌸 Décor & FloralsAED 35,000
🎵 EntertainmentAED 18,000
📋 PlanningAED 15,000
🔊 AV & TechAED 8,000
⚡ Contingency (10%)AED 23,050
Estimated Total AED 253,550

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