Hadi Al Zain Ali (second left), Qatar Expo CEO, and Rashid Hamad Hazza Al Athba (third left), Deputy Chairman of Qatar Chamber, cutting a ribbon to inaugurate the IWED 2018 at Doha Exhibition Convention Center, yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsul
DOHA: The eleventh International Wedding Exhibition and Fashion Show (IWED 2018) opened yesterday at the Doha Exhibition Convention Center (DECC).
Rashid Hamad Hazza Al Athba, Deputy Chairman of Qatar Chamber (QC) and Hadi Al Zain Ali, CEO of Qatar Expo, launched the five-day exhibition in the presence of representatives from various fields.
Covering a total of 5,000sqm, IWED 2018 is featuring the latest wedding services mainly from Qatar, India, Turkey, China, Oman, Kuwait and many more countries. It will attract over 8,000 visitors locally and internationally until September 30.
IWED 2018 has gathered the top names and labels in the wedding planning, hospitality, fashion and related industries under one roof. More than 100 exhibitors, sponsors and partners are participating in a unique showcase of the best that is available in wedding products and services in Qatar.
Talking to The Peninsula Hadi Al Zain Ali, CEO of Qatar Expo said: “This year we are surprised to see 75% increase in Qatari designers and different local outlets participating in IWED 2018. Different sectors participating this year, hotels, event managing companies, wedding planners, designers from different countries and jewelry designers. Every day we will surprise the visitors with new activities and fashion shows. We will have Tajmeel Academy workshop, Skin & Soul live hair and makeup demonstrations and first fashion show by Mohammad Hamada.”
“The increase in local participants shows more interest of Qatari people in such International Wedding Exhibitions. We have five days fashion show and on the last day, we will be conducting a gala dinner at DECC which will be followed by awarding ceremony,” Hadi added.
The exhibition is open for public daily from 10am to 10pm whereas while on Friday exhibition will open its doors at 2pm to 10pm. Second day will showcase four fashion shows with Skin & Soul live demonstration and Tajmeel Academy workshops.
Third day, Moments Wedding & Events will hold bridal image consultation workshop followed by four fashion shows. On the fourth day Moment Image Consultant Show will be held with three fashion shows back to back. On the last day, one show will take place followed by gala dinner and award ceremony.
“Every year IWED gets better than last year’s edition. We mostly buy wedding outfits from here as these dresses come from different countries and are unique in their own way. Amazing jewelry designers are also the center of attraction at the exhibition. We always grasp new ideas of flower decoration from every IWED’s edition,” Ayesha Al Ali, a customer at IWED 2018 told The Peninsula.
Rema, a designer from Turkey at Emy Boutique stall at IWED 2018 said: “It is my first time to participate in such a huge exhibition. IWED has given me an opportunity to exhibit with international designers. I am showcasing the latest wedding dresses I designed this year. I design special jewelry and flower bouquets for brides. It is good to see Qatari customers taking orders from me, I hope to be a part of this exhibition every year.”
