Rachelle Ann Tuazon Bondad is the CEO of Dubai-based D’Vows Weddings and Events. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

When couples dream of saying “I do” in Dubai’s picture-perfect venues, one name often appears behind the scenes: Rachelle Ann Tuazon Bondad, the woman who makes fairy tale weddings come to life. But behind the glamour of designer gowns, floral arches, and luxury venues is a story of grit and resilience: one that started in the Philippines, and took her across the world to build a business from the ground up. “I’ve helped more than 1,000 couples have their dream wedding in the UAE,” the CEO of D’Vows Weddings and Events says with quiet pride. “But before I could create magic for others, I had to rebuild my own life.”

A single mom’s leap of faith

Rachelle was only 21 when she became a single mother. Determined to give her daughter a better future, she left home for Dubai in 2013 with the help of her sister. Her first job? A café attendant at Dubai Marina Mall — juggling roles as cashier, kitchen staff, and children’s party assistant. It was exhausting work, but it gave her a glimpse of what she would later call her “true passion.” “Those little parties were my first taste of event planning,” she laughs. “I didn’t know then that it would become my life’s calling.” Three months later, she joined Emirates Group’s Dnata as a Customer Service Agent, where she worked for nearly eight years. “When you deal with people from all over the world, you learn patience — and that’s something I carry into every wedding I plan,” she says. In 2019, while working in Dubai, Rachelle saved enough to start her first business in the Philippines — a small printing press that produced shirts and souvenirs for community events. It was her first taste of entrepreneurship, and it thrived — until the pandemic struck. “Overnight, I lost everything,” she recalls. “The business collapsed, I had loans to pay, and I remember just crying.” The experience, though painful, became a turning point. In 2022, Rachelle joined a Dubai-based wedding company, where her talent shone. She was quickly promoted to Junior Wedding Planner, and later to Wedding Planner, handling everything from intimate ceremonies to grand multicultural weddings. “I fell in love with the job,” she says. “Every love story I helped curate reminded me why I started.” Workplace politics, however, caused her to lose her job in 2023, but she didn’t let it destroy her sense of self-worth. Rachelle took another leap of faith. By November 2024, before turning 33, Rachelle launched her own company, D’Vows Weddings and Events UAE, managed by Yalla and Co, fulfilling her dream of setting up her own business before she turned 35.

D’Vows Weddings and Events: Business born out of love

Today, Rachelle oversees every detail herself, from client relations and design to accounting and operations. “It’s not easy, but it’s fulfilling. D’Vows is my heart in business form.” What sets D’Vows apart isn’t just its flair for elegant celebrations, but Rachelle’s deep understanding of the legal side of love. “I’m not only designing dream weddings,” she explains. “I also help couples navigate the legal process — from civil marriages to Islamic ceremonies — across different emirates.” With her expertise, she has guided hundreds of multicultural couples through the complex paperwork, ensuring that their big day is both beautiful and legally recognized. “Many people don’t know the marriage requirements in the UAE,” she adds. “I make sure the process is smooth and stress-free because couples should focus on celebrating, not worrying about documents.” Rachelle’s journey wasn’t just professional, it was deeply personal. “I left my daughter when she was only four months old,” she shares. “It was the hardest decision of my life. I missed birthdays, school events, and milestones, but I reminded myself that every sacrifice was for her.” Her daughter, now 12, remains her biggest inspiration. “Every success of D’Vows is really for her,” Rachelle says. And while Rachelle spends her days orchestrating love stories for others, she still believes in her own. “I always believe in love,” she smiles. “When I see a groom tear up or a bride walk down the aisle, I’m reminded that love still wins. One day, I’ll plan my own wedding — maybe something intimate, by the beach.” Today, Rachelle has handled over 1,000 weddings — from modest ceremonies to lavish Dh190,000 affairs. Her signature? Personalization. “For me, every couple’s story matters,” she says. “If I don’t understand their love story, I can’t give them their dream event.” Her latest venture, Dubai Experience by D’Vows, goes beyond weddings, offering destination couples a premium cultural experience of Dubai. “It’s not just about the big day,” she explains. “It’s about making them fall in love with Dubai, too.” As she looks back on her decade-long journey from café attendant to CEO, Rachelle says one thing with certainty: “Dreams take time. But if you keep the faith, work hard, and believe in your purpose — your time will come.” ICA/Expat Media

Quick fire

First thing you do when you wake up on a wedding day I always begin the day with a prayer. Most unforgettable wedding blooper There was a power cut. Go-to emergency kit item. I must have pins. Song that instantly says “wedding” Perfect by Ed Sheeran. Favourite wedding movie I love "Mamma Mia!" Favourite wedding destination in the UAE The Maha Desert. Dream destination abroad Italy. Most underrated pre-wedding photo spot The Al Qudra Lakes. Celebrity you’d love to plan a wedding for Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey. If your love life were a movie, what would it be called? It would be called "Moments". Dream honeymoon destination If I had to pick just one... Maldives! What’s harder — raising a daughter or planning a last-minute wedding? Raising a daughter! Most romantic wedding theme A Beach wedding. Best wedding gift Creating memories is always the best gift! Advice to your daughter if she becomes an event planner Have patience. Always. This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine. Contact D’Vows Weddings and Events via info@dvowsweddings.com. You can also visit IFZA A1 Building, Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis, Dubai
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