How to Plan the Perfect Maldives Wedding

It is no surprise that Maldives is one of the most sought-after wedding locations. The pearly white sands and bright aquamarine waters give you the idyllic illusion of being wed in paradise. However, planning a destination wedding can be quite rigorous. Here are some things that are important to consider before you start sending out invites to your Maldives wedding.

 

1. Legalities

2. Resort wedding packages

3. Wedding planners in Maldives

4. Choose your venue

5. When to save the date

6. Keepsakes

7. Add some personal flair

8. Maldives wedding walkthrough

 

1. Legalities

As foreigners cannot be legally wed in the Maldives, the ceremonies are symbolic and non-religious. Although you may hold a beautiful wedding ceremony in the Indian Ocean archipelago, it will not be recognised as a legal union.

Usually, couples have a smaller legal wedding at home and travel to the Maldives for their dream celebration. Of course, the couple will be presented with an unofficial marriage certificate to mark their union under the sunny skies.

 

2. Resort wedding packages

Every Maldives resort has a number of wedding packages to choose from. Offering several options for varying budgets, with prices ranging from $560 to $4,000 and beyond.

Common denominators in nearly all the packages is a symbolic, non-religious ceremony, a procession of boduberu drummers, and beautiful floral decorations.

The resort will take your preferences into account, having flowers flown in for your day. However, if you are looking for a charming island feel, think orchids, roses, and bougainvillaea. After the ceremony, you ride away to dinner in a buggy adorned with palm fronds and flowers.

Here is what a guest had to say about their wedding at Paradise Island Resort:

A very big thank from the heart to event agent dear Naveen for organising our wedding, it was such a beautiful ceremony as I’ve ever imagined! He planned everything for us and kept in touch through our whole vacation and after!

Most resort wedding packages deal with the finest of details you may not even have thought of. For instance, your wedding rings can be presented in clamshells to add just a touch of magic to your special day. Many of these packages include spa treatments for the happy couple, celebratory champagne, and a romantic turn-down.

Of course, your assigned wedding coordinator will be handling all the finer details as you pamper yourself for the day. There is no need to stress yourself out as the coordinator will see to everything from the bouquet and the cake to drinks and the photographer.

 

3. Wedding planners in Maldives

If resort wedding packages are not your style, you can find your own wedding planner. You can greatly benefit from enlisting a reputable local wedding planner who knows the ins and outs of a Maldives wedding. They will go above and beyond to bring your every vision to life.

Design stunning archways made entirely out of your preferred flowers, hanging floral decor, and elegant centrepieces. Although most brides travel with their own dresses, you can rent or purchase a custom gown from a local designer.

Moreover, you can have your dream dress shipped to your wedding location, and find a professional tailor to make adjustments if needed. Inquire about our wedding packages here. 

 

4. Choose your venue

As the tropical paradise is known for its islands bordered by pearly white sands and turquoise waters, your Maldives wedding should ideally show off the features that appeal to you most.

While the beach may be the most common venue, it is certainly not the only one. You can choose to hold your ceremony and reception indoors or in an overwater pavilion.

Alternatively, you can take your celebration of love out to sea. Each venue has its perks, adding its own charm. Here are some we believe are worth mentioning.

 

Beach wedding

A wedding on the beach is ideal on bright sunny days with the refreshing ocean breeze. And the best part is, you can say “I do” with the sand between your toes anywhere in the Maldives. You can choose to have your ceremony on your resort’s beach or sail down to a secluded sandbank for your dream wedding.

 

Sunset Yacht Cruise Wedding

At Anantara Kihavah Maldives, you can set sail into your future on a luxurious yacht. Exchange your wedding bands presented in a shell with the warmth of the setting sun as your backdrop. After your ceremony and a curated romantic dinner, retire to your beautifully decorated room. Wake up to the sunrise and enjoy a champagne breakfast in bed, on the deck, or on a secluded sandbank.

 

The Marquee

The Marquee adds a traditional Maldivian touch to every event. You are treated to uninterrupted views of the stunning Emboodhoo Lagoon and the salty sea breeze at this event hall. If you have an extensive guest list in mind, the Marquee is the crème de la crème of island-inspired resort venues. Crossroads has over 12 restaurants and bars, so you have plenty of catering options.

 

Overwater Wedding Pavilion

At Four Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru, they have a variety of romantic outdoor venues to choose from. Each one captures the Maldivian island spirit. However, the Overwater Wedding Pavilion is a truly unique experience. Walk down a glass-bottomed aisle, over a kaleidoscope of marine life. As the resort is located in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, there is an abundance of colourful tropical fish, reef sharks, and turtles. Accessible exclusively by boat, this wedding pavilion elevated beach nuptials with everlasting views.

 

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali is the world’s only undersea chapel. It offers an extraordinary backdrop for your celebrations with the vibrant coral reef. And of course, bearing witness to your ceremony will be the surrounding exotic marine life.

 

5. When to save the date

Due to its close proximity to the equator, this archipelagic state has a warm, tropical climate all year round. The two distinct seasons are the southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon.

The southwest monsoon is the wet season, extending from around mid-May to November. The season brings cloudy skies, torrential rain and strong winds with potential storms. Prices are generally much lower during this period, but this may not be ideal for a wedding.

The northwest monsoon is the dry season and occurs from January to March. This is the best time to visit the Maldives as you get to best experience the sunny side of life. This would be the best time for your tropical island wedding. It is important to keep in mind the temperature and humidity when choosing your dress.

 

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Maldives and Resorts

 

6. Keepsakes

You have the option to have your big day captured by a photographer of the resort’s choosing, or fly out your own. There are a number of experienced local photographers and videographers to help you preserve the memory of your big day.

Jade on her amazing beach wedding at Centara Ras Fushi:

Our photographer and videographer were so good and captured every special moment and also sorted out more albums for our families.

You may opt for digital copies of your photos or an album of prints. Discuss with your photographer which option you prefer, and whether you would like an album of photos.

A guest on their spontaneous beach wedding at Coco Bodu Hithi:

…an incredible and unforgettable wedding-ceremony! It was so much fun for us, we really enjoyed it. We even planted a Palmtree on the next day to perpetuate us for ever.

Some resorts also offer the option to plant a sapling that will grow into a tree, a fitting metaphor for love.

 

7. Add some personal flair

Although ceremonies are symbolic and non-religious, you can add some personal or cultural flair to your Maldives wedding. Add some minor details, or throw a full-on themed wedding bash.

Many guests choose to have a traditional Maldivian wedding. This calls for a pompous boduberu procession and traditional clothing. Brides don the ‘kasabu libaas’, a deep red dress adorned with gold, and flowers in their hair. The groom will wear a ‘feyli’, a Maldivian traditional sarong.

For a more personal ceremony, you can incorporate elements of your own culture. Indian personalities Priyank Sharma and Shaza Morani threw a grand Indian wedding at Ozen Life Maadhoo. Their entire family came down to Maldives for the function.

 

8. Maldives wedding walkthrough

Here is a rundown of an island wedding ceremony; First, the bride and groom are picked up for a massage, or spa treatment of their choosing before their special moment. Then come the dress, makeup and hair. Once the bride and groom are ready, it is time to walk down the aisle.

More often than not, the bride walks down the aisle with a traditional boduberu procession. The officiant, clad in a traditional Maldivian sarong, conducts the ceremony.

A bride shares her experience at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa:

The wedding was beautiful, the best island wedding, with all the details. I felt like a Maldivian queen on that day. We can’t wait to come back to celebrate anniversaries with our future babies.

Then, the couple exchanges their vows before the ringbearer presents their rings. You may find them artfully placed on a branch of coral, or in clamshells.

Once the bride and groom kiss, they are showered with flowers, or rice, taking into account their cultural norms. After the ceremony, the couple can pose for photographs before heading to a romantic candlelit dinner.

 

Have you ever had a wedding in Maldives? We would love to hear from you! Share your experience with us, and let us know if there is anything we may have missed. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.