Top 5 locations for wedding photoshoot in Abu Dhabi

Top 5 legal locations for wedding and love story photography in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is not a city where wedding or love story photography can be done freely in public spaces. Professional photography is regulated, and many locations either require permits or prohibit wedding shoots entirely. This is especially relevant for couples planning a civil wedding at the Abu Dhabi court, who often want to schedule a photoshoot before or after the ceremony.

If you are planning a wedding in Abu Dhabi, there are only a few locations where photography is realistically and legally possible. Below are the top 5 approved options.

1. Your hotel

The most reliable and flexible location for wedding photography in Abu Dhabi is the hotel where you are staying. Hotels generally allow professional photography for their guests within rooms, lobbies, private beaches, gardens, and common areas.

Many couples intentionally choose hotels with strong architecture, refined interiors, or beachfront access. From the perspective of a photographer Abu Dhabi, hotels provide privacy, predictable conditions, and minimal legal risk. In most cases, no external permit is required, though notifying hotel management in advance is recommended.

2. Umm Al Emarat Park

Umm Al Emarat Park is the only public park in Abu Dhabi where wedding and love story photography is realistically permitted. Other parks are either restricted or unsuitable for professional shoots.

The park offers landscaped greenery, palm-lined paths, and modern structures that work well for elegant, understated wedding imagery. Coordination with park administration required, but takes only 5 minutes before shoot. 

Entry fee — 10 aed per persone.

3. Saadiyat Island beach (with permit)

Beach photography in Abu Dhabi is strictly regulated. On Saadiyat Island, only specific beach areas allow professional wedding photography, and an official permit is mandatory.

Permit costs usually start from 900 AED and may vary depending on location and shoot type. Saadiyat is chosen for its white sand, open horizon, and minimal visual clutter, making it one of the most visually refined outdoor options for a wedding in Abu Dhabi.

Without a permit, shooting is not allowed. 

4. Desert location

The desert remains one of the most iconic and legally straightforward locations for wedding and love story photography. Desert areas outside protected zones generally allow photography without complex approvals.

The main consideration is distance: suitable locations are approximately one hour’s drive from Abu Dhabi in one direction. However, the privacy, scale, and visual purity of the desert often justify the logistics, especially for couples combining a civil wedding Abu Dhabi court ceremony with a photoshoot.

5. Restaurant

Some restaurants in Abu Dhabi allow professional photography inside their venues. Permission may be free or paid, depending on the location.

This option works well for intimate, editorial-style wedding photos with controlled lighting and refined interiors. Approval must always be obtained in advance, and policies vary significantly between venues.

Final note

If you are planning a civil wedding at the Abu Dhabi court, your wedding or love story photoshoot must be planned around the city’s regulations. In practice, photography is limited to these five options. Working with an experienced photographer Abu Dhabi ensures legal compliance, efficient planning, and a calm, uninterrupted shooting process.

Abu Dhabi rewards preparation—and restricts improvisation.

For booking wedding photoshoot in Abu Dhabi you can text me in whatsapp