Ebraheem Al Samadi is a much-loved and celebrated member of the popular Netflix series Dubai Bling, and guess what, he just got married… Well not just that, he also spent 2 Million Dirhams on his royal wedding!

Ebraheem is also a Businessman and Kuwaiti millionaire, who has been honing his entrepreneurial flair since the age of 14, ultimately building a flourishing floral firm. Take a deep dive into his journey below. You might recognise him from those sneaky little video previews on Netflix for Dubai Bling.

Masala: How has married life been treating you so far?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: It’s been wonderful! I won’t hide it, I’ve had reservations about getting married for a long time — mainly due to my brother’s negative perspective on married life. However, I’ve come to realise that everyone’s experience is unique and different in its nature. In my case, marriage has been truly fantastic, and I couldn’t be happier. My wife is my perfect match, and together we create a beautiful partnership that brings me immense joy.

Masala: You are known for your extravagant lifestyle – did you spare any expense when it came to your wedding?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: I was absolutely committed to sparing no expense for this wedding. I gave my team one instruction: to create the most beautiful wedding possible for my wife. We envisioned it as a fairytale, blooming with roses in a sketchbook-like black and white concept – the Forever Rose team definitely demonstrated exceptional design capabilities. I also insisted on securing the most high-end lighting and camera professionals money can buy. After all, I wanted this to be the wedding we both dreamt of.

Masala: Can you tell us a little bit about the planning process for your wedding? When did you and your family start preparing for it?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: My wife, bless her heart, tends to get anxious, so I decided to keep her away from the whirlwind of design and setup planning. My goal was to keep her stress-free during the run-up to the wedding and for her to focus solely on herself! Her dress, her accessories and the things that were about her. She trusted me blindly and handed the reins over to me. So, my team and I took charge, handling everything from start to finish.

I vividly remember spending the entire night before the wedding in the ballroom, meticulously ensuring everything was in place. All I wanted was for my wife to be overjoyed on our special day. I knew that every tiny detail mattered and I wanted it all to be a heartfelt tribute to our love.

We were fortunate to have the support of the White Seasons event planning team. Together with them and my own team from Forever Rose, we pulled off the whole affair. I had complete faith in White Seasons – they are renowned for their experience in the industry so I had no qualms about our collaboration. What’s incredible is that we managed to plan the entire event in just three weeks. It was intense, but certainly worth it!

Masala: You are a successful entrepreneur as well as a social media influencer – how do you balance your personal and professional life?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: Striking a balance between my different roles can be quite challenging at times. There are certain expectations and restrictions in each role, and it’s crucial to navigate them effectively.

You see, I’m a person who loves to have fun, joke around, and laugh. I take joy in brightening up someone’s day and it’s tough for me to see anyone feeling down. This can be difficult to reconcile with the often serious and calculated world of professional work, where there are many rules to follow.

As a professional, it’s important to maintain a composed and intelligent demeanour, and to approach situations with a certain level of seriousness. However, my personality often yearns to express itself in more vibrant and light-hearted ways. Finding a balance between these two sides of me is a constant endeavour, but one that’s worth every effort.

Masala: Your wedding photos and videos went viral on social media – how did you handle that level of attention?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: I was genuinely taken aback — I woke up in the morning only to discover that our wedding had made headlines on every news outlet! I had no inkling that such a media frenzy was going to unfold. My primary concern was ensuring that none of the photos featuring my wife were circulated, as she comes from a rather conservative family and prefers to avoid media attention.

Nevertheless, there was a silver lining. The publicity brought a deluge of compliments about our wedding, which was truly heartwarming. Our special day became the talk of the town and continues to be a hot topic of discussion even now.

Masala: If you had to choose to work with an Indian fashion designer for you and your wife on your wedding day, who would you pick?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: Wow, the world of Indian fashion is truly a treasure trove of incredible talent and breathtaking designs. It’s awe-inspiring to witness the immense beauty and creativity that Indian designers bring to the table. Among the multitude of exceptional designers, one name that stands out for me is Sabyasachi Mukherjee. His creations are nothing short of extraordinary, capturing the essence of timeless elegance combined with rich cultural heritage. Sabyasachi’s attention to detail, exquisite craftsmanship, and ability to blend traditional elements with modern aesthetics is truly commendable. His ensembles have the power to transform anyone into a vision of grace and charm. From intricate embroideries to opulent fabrics, each piece reflects a story of its own.

Masala: You have been making headlines lately for your philanthropic work – can you tell us about some of the causes you are most passionate about?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: I’m currently heavily involved with an organisation named ‘Serve the City’, which is dedicated to supporting those in need within our city. Serve the City plays a crucial role in addressing the gaps that often go unnoticed by larger charitable organisations. In every city, there are numerous causes that tend to fall through the cracks, leaving certain individuals in dire situations. These individuals, such as struggling maids or those facing domestic problems, often find it challenging to make ends meet or access the necessary support systems. Similarly, there are people who encounter difficulties with their employers but lack the resources to seek legal assistance. These are the individuals and causes that Serve the City aims to support. The importance of identifying and reaching out to these individuals cannot be overstated. Many people in our city live below the means, and they may not be aware of the available help or know how to access it.

In my opinion, the happiness and well-being of a city reflects on a global scale. Therefore, our focus should be on assisting those closest to us. By doing so, we can ensure that the help we provide is direct and effective.

Masala: Arab weddings are known for their elaborate celebrations and traditions – what are some of the customs that you incorporated into your wedding?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: Arab weddings, particularly Gulf weddings, are typically segregated by gender, where men and women have separate celebrations. This means that the women have their own distinct wedding, while the men have their own separate reception. One iconic element in Arabic weddings is the ‘kosha,’ which is where the bride sits. During the wedding, the groom typically makes a brief appearance for about an hour so that everyone gets a chance to see him.

We also had an amazing Emirati DJ entertaining the guests. Essentially, we included all the traditional customs common to Arabic weddings in our own celebration.

Masala: How do Arab weddings differ from Indian weddings, in your experience?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: I find Indian weddings to be on a grander scale. One notable difference from Arab weddings is the presence of more varied rituals and customs, which often include the changing of alphabets or letters as part of the ceremony. On the other hand, Middle Eastern weddings, particularly in the Gulf region, tend to be more focused on simplicity. The groom typically wears a kandura, a traditional garment, along with a bisht, while the bride adorns her dress. One specific element that stands out in Middle Eastern weddings is the gold ring exchange, which holds symbolic significance in the union of the couple. Both Indian and Middle Eastern weddings possess their own unique charm and cultural significance, providing an opportunity for couples to celebrate their love in distinct yet beautiful ways.

Masala: Can you tell us approximately how much the wedding cost?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: It amounted to nearly 2 Million Dirhams.

Masala: Can you reveal a few things about your wife, and why she’s the perfect partner for you?

Ebraheem Al Samadi: My wife and I are somewhat opposite in nature. While I tend to be more outgoing, she leans towards privacy and discretion. However, I truly believe in the saying, ‘opposites attract’. Despite our differences, we share many similarities, one of which is our sense of humour. We spend the majority of our time together laughing and simply enjoying each other’s company. This aspect is incredibly important to me because I firmly believe that before being a husband, I should be a friend. I believe in the importance of continually maintaining a strong friendship with my wife. This friendship is what sets our relationship apart and makes it truly special. We can openly communicate with each other, without any boundaries or hesitations. There is a deep level of comfort and trust between us, allowing us to be completely ourselves. We cherish this openness and the fact that we can share anything with each other.

In all sincerity, she is a tremendous blessing in my life!