Make your wedding night your own with live music that feels like you. At Angham Al Oud, we accompany the couple and their families with live Arabic music from the zaffa entrance to the end of the evening, led by Wael Salah, an Egyptian oud player and singer and the founder of the Rouh Dubai Choir (Dubai Opera). Our band brings together oud, qanun, nay, percussion and vocals, and we design the programme to suit wedding halls, hotels and homes in Dubai and across the UAE.
Watch us live
Live oriental music at one of our events, a graduation celebration.
Live Music for Every Moment of the Night
Each part of a wedding night has its own feeling, so we shape the music around the stages of the celebration:
- Welcoming guests: calm solo oud, or an oud and tabla duo, as guests arrive.
- The zaffa: the couple's entrance to a live band, with songs you choose.
- Dinner: instrumental music or light tarab that accompanies conversation without rising above it.
- The evening: songs your guests know and sing along to, from classic tarab to Egyptian, Levantine and Khaleeji favourites.
- The close: a farewell song chosen by the couple to stay in the memory of the night.
Zaffa with a Live Arabic Band
For us, the zaffa is not a ready-made segment repeated at every wedding; it is live music prepared around the couple's and family's taste. We agree with you on the style of the zaffa, whether Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf or tarab, or a blend that brings together two families from different countries. Then we choose the songs, the order and the starting point together with the venue and the wedding planner. Wael Salah can also walk with the couple during the entrance with his oud and voice, then return to the band in its place. After the zaffa, the same band continues playing through the evening, so the atmosphere flows from the start of the celebration. Read more about our zaffa with a live Arabic band in Dubai.
Takht Sharqi on Your Wedding Night
For those who love tarab, a takht sharqi gives the wedding night an authentic character: oud, qanun, nay, violin and percussion with a voice singing classic tarab and the songs your family loves. A takht suits dinners, family evenings and weddings where the hosts want guests to listen to and enjoy the music, not just hear it in the background.
Line-ups to Suit Your Celebration
- Solo oud, or oud with vocals: for engagements, katb al-kitab ceremonies and small family weddings.
- Duo (oud and tabla): for receptions and dinners in medium-sized venues.
- Trio: oud and tabla at the core, with nay, qanun or a singer as the third member, depending on the event. Wael often plays oud and sings at the same time.
- Takht sharqi or full band with vocals: for the zaffa and a full evening in halls and hotels.
Line-ups can also be combined, for example solo oud during the reception, then the full band for the zaffa and the evening.
Songs That Feel Like You and Your Family
Before the wedding, we ask you about the songs you love and any songs that hold special memories for your parents or grandparents, so that every generation finds something to enjoy. If your guests come from different backgrounds, we balance the programme between Egyptian, Levantine and Khaleeji songs and classic tarab, with touches of Emirati heritage if you wish.
Coordination with the Venue and Wedding Planner
We know a wedding night is full of details, so we coordinate directly with the venue, hotel or wedding planner on the band's position, the timing of the entrance and zaffa, and the sound system, which the venue usually provides (for small homes and villas we can provide it for a modest extra fee), so you don't have to think about them on the day. We arrive at the agreed time so that everything is ready before your guests arrive.
How We Plan Your Wedding Music With You
- First contact: send the date, venue and approximate number of guests on WhatsApp, and tell us about the atmosphere you imagine.
- Proposed programme: we suggest a suitable line-up and how the music will flow across the reception, zaffa, dinner and evening.
- Choosing the songs: we go through the zaffa and evening songs with you, in person or by phone, including songs that matter to your family.
- Coordination before the day: we confirm timings and the band's position with the venue and the wedding planner.
- On the wedding night: we arrive early and play the agreed programme, staying flexible if the timing of any segment changes.
From Our Weddings
Since 2019, we have played at weddings and family celebrations in Dubai and across the UAE, and we also have a presence in Kuwait and Egypt. Read about a wedding we performed at in a Dubai hotel, and browse photos and videos from our performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parts of the wedding can you play for?
We can play through the reception, the zaffa, dinner and the evening party, and we plan the music around each part together with the venue and your planner.
Which line-up suits a wedding?
For engagements, katb el-kitab and small family weddings, solo oud or oud with vocals works well. For halls, an oud and tabla duo, or a trio with nay, qanun or a singer as the third member. Larger line-ups with qanun, nay and violin are available on request. We'll suggest a line-up based on your guest count and venue.
Can we choose the zaffa and party songs?
Yes. We take requests where possible, including songs that mean something special to your family, and agree on them before the wedding. You'll find a list of songs on the Contact page.
How long do you play on the wedding night?
Sets run up to 2 hours, spread across the parts of the evening to fit your schedule.
How early should we book, and how is the booking confirmed?
You can book as little as one day before, but weekend and peak-season dates tend to fill up early, so getting in touch early helps. A deposit of up to 50% confirms the booking.
Do you play weddings outside Dubai or outside the UAE?
We're based in Dubai and serve all Emirates. There's no transport fee, except for far locations such as Liwa. We can also perform anywhere in the world by arrangement, with travel and accommodation covered by the client. The price depends on the type of event, its length and the venue. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp at +971 54 344 6440.
Book the music for your wedding night. Tell us the date and venue, and we will suggest a programme that suits you, from the zaffa to the end of the evening.