5 Things to Know Before Having a Wedding in the Maldives
CATEGORIES
October 28, 2024
Words by
Photos courtesy of
The Maldives, with its crystal-clear waters and thriving marine life, is the ultimate romantic paradise. However, there are a few things to know before selecting this island nation for your destination wedding. We consulted a real couple, Stephanie and Andrew, who tied the knot in the Maldives to round up a list of five things to keep in mind.
1. It’s Home to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Made up of a number of atolls, ring-shaped coral reefs/ islands that surround a lagoon, the Maldives provide a tropical experience unlike most. Considered a part of the Baa Atoll, much of this island nation is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering opportunities to encounter bountiful wildlife.
“Maldivian coral reefs are home to the richest diversity in the region and are the seventh largest in the world, accounting for 5% of the world’s reef area,” states the UNESCO website.
For Stephanie and Andrew, not only did the diverse wildlife intrigue them, but the Maldives is where they took their first joint holiday. After falling in love with the location’s warm people, unique culture, and mesmerizing lagoons, the couple vowed to return one day. A destination wedding was the perfect reason to do so!
2. Weddings There Are Only Symbolic.
Non-residents cannot legally marry in the Maldives, but symbolic weddings are permitted. Due to the nature of this, many hotels offer elopement packages for two which include the basics like a gazebo, Maldivian drummers, a champagne toast, cake and a certificate. “Fabulous…” Stephanie says, “…if that’s what you’re after, but we wanted a wedding ceremony with a lot more guests.”
Luckily, Stephanie and Andrew located the stellar team at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, who had the capacity to take on a larger wedding and won the couple over with their attention to detail.
“When it came to the contract, I knew I had to see it in person before signing on the dotted line,” the bride says. “Andrew and I arranged a short trip and I’ve never been so well taken care of and shown all the amazing things we could accomplish and enjoy at the venue. They surprised us with a Dolphin trip, photography session with their in-house photographer, a food trial for our wedding meal, canapés and cake, as well as flying in the hair and make-up artist, Amaany. It was an easy ‘yes’ at that point!”
3. There will be additional transportation logistics.
If your resort’s island does not have a landing strip, seaplanes or boats are the alternatives for transfers from the main Velana International Airport (VIA) in the capital city of Malé. As a result, you and your guests will need to factor in the additional transportation costs and possible weight restrictions.
Stephanie and Andrew had to take this into account when booking outside vendors. For example, hiring a full band or events teams for setup and takedown could add up quickly. Luckily, the couple was able to offset costs by sourcing details locally with the help of The Westin’s on-site team.
4. You’ll need to be eco-concious.
“Try and use biodegradable products, especially something like confetti!” the bride says. “To make the most of it, appreciate its beauty and not harm the local environment. The Maldives is a picture postcard so less is more, just show off the natural beauty of your surroundings.”
5. Last-minute runs to the supermarket aren’t a thing.
Finally, the couple emphasizes the importance of planning well in advance and packing essentials that might be difficult to source once you’ve landed.
The bride shipped personalized thank-you gifts via FedEx—despite a stressful delay in customs—and even packed items some might consider unnecessary, like a free-standing mirror (which proved invaluable for the bridal party during hair and makeup preparations). Along with custom fans, candles, and place settings, Stephanie’s “must-have” she advises others bring: a handheld clothes steamer.
After the joy of spotting sting rays, turtles, sharks, a vast array of tropical fish and lots of beautiful healthy coral, Stephanie and Andrew felt assured they made the right choice selecting the Maldives for their wedding away. We hope that, with a bit more insight, you can make the right decision for yourself and your partner too!
Vendors: Photographer: Aidan Dockery; Wedding Venue: The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort; Second Photographer: Mr. Aht Yomyai; Hair and Makeup: Amaany Ahmed; Florist: Ikebana Maldives; Wedding Music: MADAM; Gown Designer: Atelier Wu; Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss; Videographer: Yashrib Ahmed
