Let's play a game as old as time: we have bad news and good news. The bad news is that non-residents cannot legally get married in the Maldives. But the good news is that you can definitely come to the Maldives and have a legally non-binding symbolic wedding or vow renewal ceremony, Maldivian style, barefoot on the mesmerizing island.
From a romantic cruise on a Dhoni yacht to a traditional coconut tree planting ceremony, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Maldives to celebrate the happiest occasion of your life, if you just decide. Do whatever you want.
With hundreds of couples choosing custom wedding packages from a number of resorts, you can choose the one that's right for you. You will have a wedding right by the sea - after all, who would want to get married not on a snow-white beach, close to crystal clear water in a wonderful romantic setting, if the wedding is in the Maldives! Just perfect to exchange vows or renew them.
So, here is a list of the 10 best resorts (in no particular order) to celebrate this sacred bond between people and make this most important day of your life perfect and memorable.
Kuredu Island Resort and Spa
Azure waters, white sand and indescribable natural beauty are everything you expect from a wedding in the Maldives - Kuredu is ready to provide you with it at its best and at the highest level. They've also carefully crafted their wedding packages so you can choose the one that's right for you.
Kuredu Island Resort and Spa
The basic package includes the ceremony, wedding venue decoration, Maldivian ceremony, your wedding officiant and local Bodu Beru drummers. You can add anything else to suit your taste, for example, order a wedding cake, champagne, a romantic candlelit dinner, wedding hair and makeup, and a wedding photographer. Couples also receive engraved wooden wedding plaques and a Kuredu Wedding certificate as souvenirs.
For your ceremony, you can choose from three options provided by the resort. The first option is a ceremony on the beach, on the softest white sand overlooking the endless ocean; the second option is a ceremony on a luxury sailing yacht against the backdrop of the setting sun; and the final option is a dream island ceremony on a sandbank near Kuredu, which will provide you with a private, romantic ceremony setting.
Estimated cost:
- beach ceremony - MVR 13550;
- Ceremony on the island— MVR 25440;
- Ceremony on a luxury sailing yacht - MVR 38960 per couple.
Location: Kuredu is located in Lhaviyani Atoll. The distance from Male International Airport to the resort is 152 km, which is approximately 40 minutes by seaplane.
Meeru Island Resort and Spa
The Meeru staff will ensure that not a single stone is left lying where it is not needed. They will do everything to make your dream wedding come true. You can plan your own ceremony or allow the hotel to organize a traditional symbolic Maldivian wedding ceremony led by the island's 'chief'.
Meeru Island Resort
The wedding package includes wedding makeup and hairstyle; a beach ceremony that includes reading part of the Book of Good Wishes, exchanging wedding vows, exchanging rings, exchanging kisses and signing a symbolic wedding certificate; transfer from the wedding pavilion to the beach to your Dhoni; as well as decorating the guest room.
The venue is the beach area of Asian Wok Restaurant, which will be beautifully decorated. Locals from neighboring islands, dressed in traditional Maldivian clothing, will form a ceremonial group that will accompany the couple to the meeting place and sing songs to the mesmerizing rhythms of the Bodu Beru drums. You can add additional services to the wedding package: wedding photo shoot, champagne, wedding cake, wedding manicure and pedicure.
Estimated cost: MVR 8,000 per couple. Location: The resort is 36 km from Velana International Airport. The 55-minute speedboat transfer from the airport to the resort is an adventure in itself.
How the ritual is performed
The wedding ceremony is carried out by a special wedding coordinator.
It should be noted right away that in the Maldives only a symbolic ceremony can be held, which does not have legislative registration. There is a big plus here - to hold the celebration there is no need to prepare documents or invite witnesses.
This could be a celebration held after the official wedding at the local registry office. Often such a ceremony is held to celebrate the “round dates” of life together or to refresh one’s feelings and return romance to the relationship.
Depending on individual wishes, the scenario for its implementation may be different. The most popular wedding is in the national Maldivian style; it is this exoticism that attracts couples in love.
In this scenario, the groom goes to the ceremony site first and waits there for the bride, who can arrive at the altar at:
- crew;
- palanquin;
- "dhoni" (small boat).
Having met, the newlyweds walk to the wedding arch to national melodies performed by local musicians - drummers.
Along the way, the bride and groom are sprinkled with rose petals and rice; a fan of palm leaves can also be used.
The leader of the ceremony, having met the couple, makes a sensual speech, calling all the elements of nature as witnesses of eternal love and a beautiful union. The newlyweds take vows of fidelity, exchange rings and seal their vows with a sensual kiss. The whole ceremony ends with the presentation of a symbolic wedding certificate.
Options
In addition to the basic option described, there are many other proposals. The wedding ceremony can be held:
- on the seashore;
- on a secluded island;
- on the hotel premises;
- on board a seaplane;
- at the bottom of the ocean.
The last two sentences are especially unusual. In clean lagoons, the water is so clear that the sun's rays penetrate through the water and their sparkles illuminate numerous rainbow fish. They will be witnesses at the underwater wedding.
The price of a wedding ceremony in the Maldives starts from $650, an underwater wedding – from $1000.
The most basic package includes:
- wedding ceremony;
- services of a wedding coordinator and authorized person;
- decorations for newlyweds and their numbers;
- bridal bouquet;
- champagne and fruits;
- bride's makeup and hairstyle;
- musical arrangement;
- symbolic wedding certificate.
In some packages, for approximately the same amount the following may be included: a romantic dinner, a walk on the Doni. However, in this case, musical accompaniment (from $80) and preparation of the bride for the celebration will have to be ordered separately.
More expensive wedding packages (from $1,200) include all of the above options at the same time, and also provide the services of a photographer.
The subsequent increase in price (up to $3000) is due to:
- increased comfort of the ceremony location;
- a variety of snacks during the procedure;
- number of dishes during dinner;
- quality and quantity of photographs, etc.
Some hotels are ready to provide free wedding planning services to a married couple if they stay in their room for at least 4 days. Almost no packages include videography, which must be ordered separately (from $70).
Baros Maldives
This resort is for adults only. It is ideal for an elaborate traditional Maldivian ceremony and offers an idyllic setting with stunning views in all directions. Their wedding packages are very well thought out and can be customized to suit your requirements.
Baros Maldives
On arrival, your very own butler will provide you with canapés and a bottle of champagne to warm you up, as well as a sarong and polo shirt for the bride and groom. During the ceremony there will be a traditional Maldivian procession with Bodu Beru drums. After the couple signs the wedding certificate, the ceremony will conclude with the traditional palm planting and cutting of the wedding cake. After a romantic champagne dinner, enjoy a 90-minute luxury massage, followed by a sumptuous champagne breakfast in the morning. The resort always gives some gifts to its guests!
You can choose from three wedding venues - a private sand island, a beach or a lighthouse. The Sandbank package includes all of the above, while the beach/lighthouse package only offers one champagne (during the ceremony or wedding night), and does not include massage or breakfast.
Estimated cost:
- Sandbank package: MVR 38,500;
- Island Package (Beach/Lighthouse): MVR 25,420.
Location: Baros Maldives is 15.5 km and just 25 minutes by speedboat from Male International Airport.
Highlights of the wedding ceremony
A wedding in the Maldives is a combination of romance and the beauty of pristine nature. Before the wedding, both the bride and groom are invited to undergo several procedures in the spa salon; in addition, cosmetic procedures, makeup, and hairstyle are provided for the newlywed.
This can be either an option for a general wedding package or services that need to be paid additionally:
- hairstyle – $135;
- makeup – $105;
- manicure – $85.
For a wedding ceremony, a festive arch, a passage to it and places for guests are specially designed.
It is also planned to decorate the newlyweds' room, where they will spend the first night after the ceremony.
Outfits and decorations for the young spouses were carefully thought out. You can bring your own wedding dresses or rent them. When purchasing a dress and suit on the spot, you are offered a choice of traditional models or national outfits of the islanders.
Jewelry for the young is offered:
- Maldivian flower necklaces – from $90;
- boutonnieres for the bride and groom – from $25;
- bridal bouquet – $115;
- flower in hair – from $5.
Refreshments for the newlyweds have also been thought out. In the morning they are offered breakfast, during the ceremony - a bottle of champagne, cake and a basket of fruit. In the evening, a romantic couple will enjoy a light dinner on the ocean shore. Additionally, cocktails, freshly squeezed juices, and exotic treats can be offered.
After the wedding celebration, you can go on a secluded yacht cruise or a walk along the ocean. During the mini-trip, you have the opportunity to admire the ocean, watch dolphins, and listen to the splashing of the waves.
Many of these services are included directly in the wedding package or are available for an additional fee. Some of them require prior confirmation.
Throughout the entire wedding day, the newlyweds will feel in the center of attention and enjoy every minute of this holiday. The wedding night can take place in a festively decorated hotel room or in a secluded bungalow, where lovers will feel complete privacy.
Mirihi Island Resort
As if the captivating white sand and azure waters were not enough for the perfect beach wedding, the tranquility and tranquility of the island, as well as the staff who take care of all the organizational aspects, will allow you to go from nervous wedding planning to complete relaxation!
The wedding packages offered by the resort include almost everything, from a traditional ceremony and wedding cake of your choice to a romantic dinner on the beach with a bottle of wine. Framed wedding certificates, as well as a traditional gift from the resort - a miniature wooden Dhonis with the couple's name engraved on it, as well as a CD with wedding photographs and a palm leaf album, which will always remind the couple of the most important day of their lives.
Mirihi Island Resort
Estimated cost:
- Mirihi Thundi wedding package: MVR 25,400 all inclusive;
- Magooma Wedding Package (excursions included (sunset cruise, 1x spa massage for couple, champagne breakfast in room): MVR 40,800 all inclusive.
Location: On the southern Ari Atoll, the resort is 104 km and 51 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport.
Reethi Beach Resort
Looking into your partner's eyes, exchanging vows and standing barefoot on soft white sand against a romantic blue sky is an incredible feeling that will be remembered for a long time. The Reethi Beach Resort team will make sure that your wedding in the Maldives becomes the best event of your lives! Upon arrival you will be greeted with a fruit basket and special honeymoon t-shirts before being introduced to your officiant who will take care of your every whim.
Reethi Beach Resort
The wedding package also includes a sparkling wine breakfast, beach wedding ceremony, traditional palm planting, wedding cake, post-ceremony wedding reception with drinks, Bodu Beru drum performance, a very romantic sunset swim at Dhonis, certificate, and an exclusive BBQ dinner.
Estimated cost: MVR 23,115 per couple.
Location: Reethi Beach Resort is located on Baa Atoll, 125 km from Male International Airport. (20 minutes by plane + 15 minutes by boat).
Organizing a wedding in the Maldives
The wedding is usually hosted by the hotel where the loving couple is staying. As a rule, future newlyweds are offered ready-made celebration scenarios, and even a wedding suit and dress in the traditional style of the islands. So the only thing you need to do to organize a wedding in the Maldives is to book a date at your favorite hotel and buy plane tickets.
To organize a wedding tour to the Maldives, you can contact GoMaldives. We will create a luxurious and memorable holiday for you, your family and friends. In addition to the ceremony, if you wish, we will organize for you a tour of the archipelago, arrange an underwater photo shoot or a diving safari with stops in the most picturesque lagoons.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort will provide you with an unforgettable and intimate environment where you can fully immerse yourself in this unique wedding moment. They offer as many as five different wedding packages: the Simplicity Wedding Package; Ocean promise wedding package; Dream Wedding Package; Ocean breeze wedding package; and Love story wedding package.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
Here you can easily find the one you like. The packages include a wide range of services such as party decoration, serving traditional coconut or Kurumba drinks, honey massage, dinner, etc.; and souvenirs such as wedding signs, CD photographs and Maldivian sarongs.
Approximate cost: Wedding packages start from MVR 13,000. Location: The resort is located on Noonu Atoll, 170 km north of the main island of Male and a 45-minute seaplane ride.
Newlyweds images
Lightness and solemnity are the main criteria for wedding dresses for an island wedding. The bride will feel comfortable in a white wedding dress. Style options:
- Classic dress with a fitted bodice, full skirt and open shoulders
- Wedding dress in Greek style made of flowing, weightless materials
- Sundress of a simple silhouette made of linen or cotton
- Original cocktail dress, etc.
The length of the bride's dress can vary from mini to maxi. For a secluded celebration, an extremely open outfit is acceptable. A floor-length dress is unacceptable for a busy and active program.
Color accents that highlight the festiveness of the moment:
- Veil and satin belt in the same color scheme (accessories can be of different shades - blue, pink, cream, etc.)
- Tiara made of stones.
- Floral hair decorations.
As for shoes, theoretically, the bride has access to any model in which she will feel comfortable. A good option is to have a change of shoes - flip-flops or clogs are suitable for walking on the beach; in bright sandals with floral decorations, you can appear on the hotel grounds, board a yacht, or a pleasure boat. You can decorate shoes with fresh, knitted and wicker flowers.
In the classic version, the groom will choose a white shirt with a discreet print, white trousers, and light moccasins. Add some playfulness to a traditional look with a bright neckerchief. For fans of informal style, a decidedly beachy set of a bright top, white cropped trousers and flip-flops is suitable. When choosing a jacket with long sleeves as an element of your look, pay close attention to the composition of the fabric - it should not contain synthetics. Otherwise, the groom will feel uncomfortable.
Komandoo Island Resort and Spa
Komandoo is one of the top-rated romantic resorts in the Maldives, and its enchanting beauty and serenity provide the perfect backdrop for exchanging vows with the love of your life.
Komandoo Island Resort
Wedding planners at Komandoo have carefully crafted a wedding package that offers Maldivian ceremonies on the beach, hair and makeup styling, Bodu Beru drummers, two-tier wedding cake, romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, romantic villa turndown, 75-minute massage for... couples at Duniye Spa, a wedding certificate and a personalized wooden wedding sign to always remind you of the most special day of your life. A wedding in the Maldives in Team is an incredible thing.
Estimated cost: MVR 13,500 per couple.
Location: The resort is located on Lhaviyani Atoll, 145 km from Male International Airport.
Popular custom ceremonies
Newlyweds are the main visitors to the resort islands, so each hotel tries to attract them with something special that is not available on the neighboring island. In such a competitive struggle for lovers, a typical ceremony is often decorated with some unusual details. Mostly, lovers are lured away either by the delicious festive dishes served during dinner for two, or by the opportunity to take a romantic trip on a yacht immediately after the wedding. Some hotels can afford to send newlyweds to a nearby island to spend their wedding night in complete privacy.
Such a famous five-star hotel as Sheraton Maldives Full Moon, realizing that the islands are visited mainly by divers and lovers, has developed two types of ceremonies that can satisfy both groups at once. For divers in love, the hotel organizes a special underwater wedding, and the cost of a wedding in the Maldives is not much higher for them; the price is almost the same as a regular ceremony, which includes the joint planting of a coconut tree, which is a symbol of eternal love.
Another modernization of the standard ceremony is to meet the bride in front of a floral arch. Usually the groom waits for his beloved on the shore, where she is brought from the lagoon on a beautifully decorated boat. There are also options for getting married in the middle of the ocean on board a seaplane or right by the sea in the sunset. In some cases, a couple can sail on a yacht on a honeymoon straight towards the setting sun, or share their joy with friends on a desert island.
So, although the ceremonies in each hotel are standardized, they are all very diverse, which gives every couple in love the opportunity to choose their own wedding in the Maldives.
LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort
The wedding experts at LUX* Resorts and Hotels pride themselves on offering an incomparable romantic and intimate tropical wedding experience to their guests. They will offer you a wide choice from many different variations of the ceremony. Their ability to use traditional local artifacts and crafts, such as antique sun-bleached sailing boats, old surfboards or colorful sarongs hung between palm trees, is sometimes simply astounding, and is a huge plus in their favor.
LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort
They have a policy of only one ceremony per day so you can enjoy all the attention without anyone stealing your moment! It is also, by far, the only resort in the Maldives that organizes wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples. Gay couples can now exchange vows against the paradise backdrop of the Maldives.
Their Renewal of Vows wedding package includes everything you need for an unforgettable ceremony: a tropical garden on the beach, a bouquet of flowers, a traditional live drummer performance, a symbolic wedding certificate, sparkling wine with wedding cake, traditional palm planting, and you will be welcomed into your villa expect Maldivian flowers and romantic bed decorations. On top of all this, the Island Dream wedding package includes a romantic sunset cruise on Dhonis, an exclusive dinner and a 30-minute Balinese massage.
Estimated cost:
- Renewal of Vows package costs 19,700 MVR
- Island Dream wedding package costs MVR 50,800 per couple.
Location: LUX* Resorts and Hotels is located 104 km and 50 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport.
Honeymoon trip to the Maldives
Many newlyweds go on their honeymoon to the Maldives immediately after the wedding ceremony in their homeland. Here, surrounded by untouched nature, they spend their very first days of life together in a romantic setting. The opportunity for such a secluded holiday on truly paradise islands is not given very often in life, so you need to spend this time as interesting as possible.
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Stars in the Maldives
- The famous Russian hockey player Alexander Ovechkin and his young wife Anastasia Shubskaya, One&Only for their honeymoon and went there on a direct Aeroflot flight in mid-July. Read our article about why we decided not to fly with this airline anymore.
- A graduate of the Star Factory on Channel One and a former member of the Factory group, and now the popular singer Sati Casanova , at the end of 2021 married Italian photographer Stefano Tiozzo and the two of them went on a honeymoon to the paradise Maldives, choosing a luxurious 5* villa in hotel Amilla Fushi .
Here is a video of Sati Casanova’s trip to the Maldives with her husband:
Romantic walks along the Maldivian beaches
Long, romantic walks along the velvety beaches of the Maldives may seem like a cliché at first. However, this is completely unusual for a honeymoon trip to the Maldives. The incredibly pristine white sand beaches have been formed here over thousands of years. They literally invite bare feet to walk on them and enjoy the rustling of the surf. Here you will surely feel so comfortable and relaxed that you will remember your honeymoon for a long time.
Beach in the Maldives
Hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities, the Maldives is the ideal destination for couples who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A wedding in the Maldives or an unforgettable romantic trip means that lovers will have a great time and relax in stunning seaside resorts, away from all problems, before returning to their hometown.
As we ourselves saw during our trip, the Maldivian beaches are small strips of land, untouched by the hands of modern civilization, which invite you to spend your wonderful day admiring the night landscape and the starry sky right on the shores of the gentle sea. This is the most romantic part of the day and helps not only new families, but also those who have been living together for a long time to establish relationships.
During our romantic trip, we spent unforgettable days in solitude, enjoying each other to the sounds of the unique sea and enchanted by the beauty of the island. So we can say for sure that the Maldivian beaches are an ideal place for wedding ceremonies, outdoor games, picnics and even for a relaxing holiday in the sun.
Honeymoon in the Maldives
It is best to spend your honeymoon in the Maldives in one of the luxurious 5* hotels where most newlyweds love to stay immediately after the wedding. You can immediately plan any events with the help of responsible hotel managers and helpful staff at the best resorts for newlyweds, finding and booking which in the Maldives on your own is not at all a problem (see here ).
Good hotel in the Maldives for honeymooners
I also recommend good 5* hotels in the Maldives for newlyweds and romantic getaways:
- JA Manafaru – a resort with a romantic atmosphere and attentive staff
- Coco Bodu Hithi is a perfect island paradise 40 min. from Male by boat
- LUX* South Ari Atoll – a luxury hotel for beautiful Instagram photos
- Baros Maldives - a romantic island with private villas and a beautiful reef
I advise you to stay in one of the cozy cottages or a luxurious villa for a more secluded holiday away from other travelers. In the best hotels you can rent a holiday villa on an island with a private beach and pool, or a delightful bungalow right over the water away from your neighbors. You can think through all the wedding events down to the smallest detail and plan them individually at your convenience.
In any case, there is no other better place for a romantic honeymoon than the Maldives, because the beauty of these unearthly islands will not leave anyone indifferent. And all the newlyweds who returned from a tour to the Maldives speak of their trip as one of the best moments in their lives. The impressions they have of the snow-white islands with velvet sandy beaches, clear seas and a stunning atmosphere are extremely positive.
Lily Beach Resort
Close your eyes and imagine your dream wedding in the Maldives. Can you imagine yourself standing in front of your loved one, in complete silence, broken only by the sound of the soft waves and the wind gently swaying the palm trees? The staff at Lily Beach Resort will make sure that this dream becomes a reality. They have endless options for their guests and focus on what their guests want.
Lily Beach Resort
Their two most popular packages are Essential Memories, which is simple but romantic and offers fresh floral decor, buggy transportation to the venue, traditional Maldivian dancing and drummers, canapés and cakes - all captured by a professional photographer.
The other is Everlasting Memories, which includes everything the Essential Memories package offers, plus spa massage, a spectacular sunset cruise, wedding dinner, breakfast and a private picnic on Sun Lily. You can even come up with your own wish list and customize the packages according to your wishes.
Estimated cost:
- Essential Memories package: 14,630 MVR;
- Everlasting Memories Pack: MVR 26,100.
Location: Lily Beach Resort, South Ari Atoll, 87 km and 25 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport.
