At some point in the planning of every large wedding in Dubai, someone asks: what do we give the groomsmen? And at some point after that, someone else asks: what do we do with the hour between dinner and dancing?
Premium cigars answer both questions. A cigar favour is a gift the groomsmen will actually use, and a cigar moment after dinner gives the wedding a scene that guests remember. Not the speeches. Not the first dance. The half hour on the terrace with a good cigar and a glass of something dark, the city behind them, the pressure of the evening finally gone.
This is not a new idea. Cigars at weddings have a history that runs from Havana society to English country estates to the rooftop receptions of modern Dubai. What is relatively new is the availability of curated, branded cigar programmes designed specifically for the occasion rather than sourced last-minute from a hotel concierge desk.
Cigars as Wedding Favours
A cigar favour replaces the miniature bottle of perfume, the monogrammed candle, or the box of dragées. It costs roughly the same. It looks better on the table. And it serves an immediate purpose: the guest can step outside and smoke it during the reception.
For Dubai weddings, cigar favours work particularly well because most premium venues have outdoor terraces, gardens, or designated smoking areas. The Bulgari, One&Only, Atlantis, Address Downtown, and Jumeirah properties all accommodate cigar service. The favour gives the guest permission to use the space.
Cházaro offers individual cigars from the Black and Habana lines for wedding favour use, available with custom cigar bands printed with the couple's names, date, and monogram. Minimum orders apply, and lead times for custom bands are typically ten to fourteen days. For weddings of 50 to 200 guests, the Black Cházaro is the most commonly selected option: its mild-to-medium profile works for both experienced smokers and guests trying a cigar for the first time.
Groom Gifts and Groomsmen Sets
The groomsmen gift is a different object with a different job. It needs to feel personal, not mass-produced. It needs to signal that the groom chose it with care. And it needs to survive the morning-after assessment, when the groomsman looks at it sober and still thinks it was a good gift.
A three-cigar or five-cigar set from the Cházaro range, presented in the brand's lacquered box, clears that bar. The Trilogía gift set (AED 600) is the natural fit: it includes cigars from all three lines, which gives each groomsman a private tasting experience rather than a single smoke.
For the best man or a particularly close member of the wedding party, the Selección (AED 900) or Reserva (AED 1,750) adds weight appropriate to the relationship.
The Cigar Moment
Beyond favours and gifts, the most memorable use of cigars at a wedding is the cigar moment itself: a dedicated twenty to forty minutes during the reception when the cigars come out, the bar shifts to whisky or cognac, and the evening changes gear.
This works best when it is planned rather than improvised. The key elements:
Timing. After dinner, before the late-night set. The transition between the formal programme and the party. Usually 10:00 to 10:30 PM at a Dubai evening wedding.
Location. An outdoor terrace or garden with seating. The Bulgari Resort's garden terrace and the One&Only Royal Mirage's lawns are two venues where cigar moments happen regularly.
Service. A table with a curated selection, a cutter, lighters, and ashtrays. For larger weddings (100+ guests), an on-site cigar consultant who can guide guests through the selection and offer a proper cut and light elevates the experience from a self-service table to a hosted moment.
Selection. Offer two options rather than one. A mild cigar (Black Cházaro) and a medium cigar (Habana Cházaro) give guests a choice without overwhelming them with a full humidor.
Cházaro provides complete cigar-moment packages for Dubai weddings, including curated selections, accessories, custom bands, and optional on-site consultation. Enquiries can be made through cigarsbychazaro.com.
Planning Timeline
Three months before: Confirm cigar selection and quantities. Order custom cigar bands if desired.
One month before: Confirm delivery logistics with the venue. Some hotels require advance notification for cigar service on their property.
One week before: Final count confirmation. Cházaro adjusts orders up to seven days before delivery without penalty.
Day of: Delivery to the venue, setup of the cigar station, and briefing of any on-site consultant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cigars should I order for a wedding? A reasonable estimate is one cigar per male guest plus 15% for women who smoke and a small buffer for seconds. For a wedding of 150 guests, 80 to 100 cigars is a typical order.
Can I get custom cigar bands with our names and wedding date? Yes. Cházaro offers custom-printed cigar bands with the couple's names, date, and monogram. Minimum orders apply, and production lead time is ten to fourteen days.
What cigar strength is best for a wedding? The Black Cházaro (mild to medium) is the most popular choice for weddings because it works for both regular cigar smokers and first-time guests. For the cigar moment table, pairing the Black with the Habana (medium) gives experienced smokers a fuller option.
Do Dubai wedding venues allow cigars? Most premium Dubai venues with outdoor spaces accommodate cigar service. Confirm with the venue's events team during planning, as some properties require advance notice or designate specific smoking areas.
Can Cházaro provide a cigar consultant for my wedding? Yes. For larger weddings and events, Cházaro offers on-site cigar consultants who guide guests through the selection, provide proper cuts and lights, and manage the cigar moment. Enquire through cigarsbychazaro.com.
