It’s our extreme pleasure to introduce to you two lovely, and extremely talented, wedding planners Leena Alsulaiman and Zainab Alsalih. These two stylish dynamos (where do they get their energy?) own Carousel Girls, the leading luxury wedding planning boutique in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We thought we’d take a few moments, ask them some questions,and get to know the how, who and why behind Carousel. Enjoy!

{THE BRIDAL CIRCLE}:  GIVE US AN INTRODUCTION INTO YOUR BACKGROUNDS.

{CAROUSEL GIRLS}: 

Zainab – I am married with three sons and have called Dubai home for the past 25 years. I have a degree in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University. I started my career as a banker working for the National Bank of Dubai and Al Alahli Bank of Kuwait. I then found “my calling” and started Carousel with my friend and business partner Leena.

Leena – Also a mother of three, I have been in Dubai since 1999. I have a degree in Jewelry Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. I worked for a while in Saudi helping to design a line of semi-precious pieces, until fate brought me to Dubai where I met Zainab and we started an amazing friendship, and an amazing business, Carousel.

TELL US ABOUT CAROUSEL.

Carousel is all about creating dream weddings. It is our mission to help a bride enjoy the most important day of her life. We are a boutique wedding design, planning and event management firm.

Our services include planning and event management, where we are both always available to help identify a bride’s thoughts and bring to reality her vision of the perfect wedding. We also help her select and create the dream theme, which could be a Beach Fantasy, a Midnight Rendezvous, or even a traditional Middle Eastern affair – from the largest elements to the smallest details. Our team will also be involved on the day, from the moment the first guests arrive, to the final farewells, discreetly working behind the scenes to ensure a seamless flow of events – leaving the bride and groom, and their families, free to focus on the affair, and to relish every moment.

In addition to planning and event management, Carousel’s services include design and execution. Once the concepts and themes are properly developed, the design team will put together renders and floor plans to help conceptualize the entire wedding, and this also assists us and our technical teams in planning the logistics around the event. Carousel is also able to design and build the unique statement pieces and key elements such as stages, platforms, and catwalks, and we also work with leading light designer to help create the right mood and ambience, which changes throughout the event.

Carousel – Behind the Scenes – Return to Andalusia from Filmatography

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME EVENT PLANNERS?

We both have a passion for life, love, and beauty; we also have a deep desire to make people happy and to help brides create their perfect wedding. We started five years ago as corporate event planners, until we planned our first wedding, and once we saw how we could bring genuine happiness to a bride, it was destiny. The experience was so emotionally rewarding, we knew we had found our calling. The rest, as they say, is history – but a very beautiful and elegant history.

WHAT EXPERIENCE CAN A BRIDE EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH CAROUSEL?

Passion, and an obsessive attention to detail. We pride ourselves in giving our clients a very personalized treatment. We make every bride feel like she is our one and only bride. We are always there, making sure she can rely on us to be there whenever she needs us. Finally, a bride can always know that we are creating a one-of-a-kind unique experience tailor-made for her. Our weddings are all beautiful, but no two are alike.

TELL US ABOUT THE MIDDLE EASTERN BRIDE.

In the Middle East, family ties are still very strong, and a Middle Eastern bride has a lot of social and cultural considerations that she must take into account when planning her wedding. Typically, she will have to consult with her mother, grandmother, aunt and mother in law about the finer details and involve them in the planning process. This can make it challenging to work with wedding in the Middle East, as there are often many “gates” to go through before a design or element is agreed and approved. For us, while we always try and focus on the bride, and recognize that in the end, it is her wedding, we still have to exercise great diplomacy to ensure no family member ever feels marginalized or offended.

We have also seen a lot of brides in this part of the world starting to be more assertive when it comes to what they envision their big day to be, and wanting to make sure that it reflects who they are and not necessarily what their families want. The family dynamics are changing, and women are becoming more and more empowered in the Middle East – we love seeing this, and we want to be part of this revolution.

TELL US ABOUT THE MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE.

In the Arab world, weddings are more of a family affair, where everyone is involved in some way. It’s also governed by traditions and customs that a lot of young couples want to break out of. Weddings in this part of the world are elaborate and only come in one size – large. In addition, wedding planners are a fairly new concept to the region. Convincing the couple and their family to surrender control and sit back and relax is no easy feat. While our clients always have total trust in us, they still feel that they need to do more, so we are constantly having to reassure them that all is in order and going as planned. In addition, planning a wedding is a very personal and emotional experience, so we have to be able to deal with emotional ups and downs, and the drama that is a part of every wedding.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 QUESTIONS A BRIDE OR COUPLE, SHOULD ASK DURING HER/THEIR RESEARCH FOR THE PERFECT PLANNER?

When looking to hire the perfect planner one of the most important things to consider is chemistry! Just like any other relationship, it’s all about the chemistry. Experience, talent, energy and creativity are fundamental, but without the right chemistry, the experience lacks personality and intimacy, and becomes too work like and regimented, instead of a pleasant, fun, and exciting journey. The wedding planning process is very long and the bride ends up spending many many hours with her planner, so it’s very important for the bride to like and trust her planner. In addition, it is important that they are passionate about what they do. Last but not least, take a look at their portfolio, credentials and testimonials from their previous brides.

AS WEDDING PLANNERS, WHAT’S YOUR BACK UP PLAN FOR AN EVENT THAT GOES WRONG?

The best cure is prevention, and at Carousel we go to extreme lengths to make sure that there are no surprises. When they do arise, creativity, energy and a positive attitude get us through them. This is also where partnering with the best suppliers pays off.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO COUPLES PLANNING THEIR WEDDINGS?

Have fun, and enjoy the moment. This should be the happiest time of your life. You have us here to worry and obsess about the details.

ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO BRIDES OUTSIDE OF DUBAI?

Currently we are only catering to brides within the UAE. Fortunately for Carousel, Dubai has become a hub for destination weddings from all over the region, giving us an opportunity to serve brides from across the region, and even beyond. We are also looking into expanding into the Gulf, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon. Aspiring young and passionate entrepreneurs throughout the Middle East are loving what we do, and we are flattered by numerous invitations to set–up Carousel in other countries. When the time is right, we will. For the time being, we do have an invitation line that we can distribute in the region.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU COMING ACROSS WITH BRIDES GETTING MARRIED IN 2013?

2013 is the year of personalization. Everything from the dress, to invite, to the wedding décor and entertainment is tailored to fit the couple’s unique interests, hobbies and style. We also see the resurgence of garden flowers such as the garden rose and ranunculus as are wild flowers and succulents. Phalaenopsis orchids are also making a comeback as the undisputed flower of elegance. Brides in 2013 will be a lot more adventurous when it comes to adding that ‘pop’ of color into their floral selection.

HOW DO YOU SELECT THE EVENT PARTNERS (VENDORS) YOU WORK WITH?

There are three elements we look at when we selecting vendors to work with. They must be commercially sensible, be the best at what they do, and they have to share our vision and passion. They have to understand that “good enough” is simply not good enough.

WHERE DO YOU BOTH GET YOUR INSPIRATIONAL IDEAS?

Each and every single one of our brides has been a source of inspiration. Once we get to know them and learn more about who they are and what makes them unique and beautiful individuals.

WHAT IS, OR ARE, YOUR FAVORITE ELEMENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING A WEDDING?

The flowers. No matter how much detail goes into a wedding, it is the flowers that bring it to life. Our most exciting moment when setting up is the moment the flowers arrive.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE WEDDING MOVIES, AND WHY?

Zainab~Father of the Bride. I love how it takes you through the emotional roller coaster that the family of the bride goes through especially the father that is giving his little girl away. We see it all the time and at the end of the day this is what it all comes down to, weddings are such an emotional time for the couple and their families – and often times for us as well.

Leena ~ The Wedding Planner. While it is funny because we get asked all the time if our job is like Jennifer Lopez’ in the movie, there is also a very important message beneath all the humor, and that is to always enter marriage with a clear mind, don’t ever expect to change the other person. Do you accept all their quirks and flaws? And are you being realistic about your expectations of love? My favorite quote from the movie sums it all up: “ Love can’t always be perfect. Love is just Love.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST UNFORGETTABLE WEDDING MOMENT?

The moment the bride walks into the ballroom and sees it for the first time. We love seeing how our brides react to seeing their dream wedding before their eyes; it’s what makes it all worthwhile.

WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEWLY ENGAGED BRIDE?

Focus on the journey to the big day and do not be afraid to ask for help of those closest to you – especially us.

WHAT BRIDAL TRENDS CAN BRIDES EXPECT TO SEE FROM CAROUSEL?

Expect a lot of color in Carousel weddings this upcoming season, introducing jewel and sherbet tones in floral and linens. There will be a shift from traditional and glamorous to more rustic and whimsical themes with a lot of focus on personalized elements.

GIVE US EACH YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU LIVE BY.

Zainab ~ “Do small things with great love.” Mother Theresa

Leena ~ “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.” Oprah Winfrey

WHAT IS IN THE PIPELINE FOR CAROUSEL?

A lot of exciting new plans! All will be revealed in good time 😉

IF NOT IN YOUR EXISTING PROFESSION, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

Zainab~ I love baking and have always dreamed of owning a bakery.
Leena~ Designing Jewelry.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT NOBODY WOULD EVER GUESS. {We’ll keep it a secret. Promise.}

Zainab~ I can be a tough Mom! Just ask my 3 boys 😉
Leena~ When I was younger before I went to college I wanted to be a Geologist.

WHERE ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL?

Zainab ~ Maldives, heaven on Earth!
Leena~ San Francisco

WHAT IS YOUR ONE FAVOURITE INDULGENCE?

Zainab ~ Sleeping in
Leena ~ Laduree macaroons

ARE YOU PRADA, GUCCI, CHANEL, FENDI, CHRISTIAN DIOR, FERRAGAMO, LOUIS VUITTON, CELINE, VALENTINO OR HERMES GALS?

Zainab ~ Chanel
Leena ~ Valentino

GOOD TASTE, LADIES!  THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR THE INTERVIEW AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THE COMING MONTHS! 

For more information on Leena and Zainab, and their services at Carousel, please visit their website or click here for more about them on The Bridal Circle.