Weddings in the Maldives | A Tropical Ceremony Like No Other
On your beach wedding in the Maldives, picture going down the aisle on a powder white beach surrounded by a turquoise lagoon. It is beyond a doubt that a wedding in the Maldives would be spectacular, from sunset boat weddings to exchanging vows directly on the beach.
Depending on your budget, options range from pink sunset weddings on the beach to luxurious yacht weddings. Most resorts in the Maldives will provide some premier packages to help you enjoy your ideal wedding and honeymoon all at once.
However, what exactly are the requirements for getting married in the Maldives? Will the ceremony even be legally binding? And how much will this all cost?
Have no fear. In this guide, you will learn the ins and outs of planning a wedding in the Maldives to ensure your special day is perfect.
Tip: Here’s a guide to the best islands in the Maldives for couples to help you decide where your ceremony will take place.
Is a Wedding in the Maldives Legally Binding?
The Maldives has a thriving wedding industry that caters to foreigners who wish to get married on a stunning beach on a tropical island. Most wedding packages offered by resorts include both the honeymoon and wedding.
However, as the country’s government does not recognize marriage of non-residents, the destination weddings there are only significant ceremonially. The day will not be recognized as legal when you arrive home, although it includes a ceremony and the ideal beach wedding atmosphere.
Most people who marry in the Maldives combine a religious service at home with a lavish event on the island archipelago. There is no other way to get married in the Maldives, but it doesn’t make it any less fantastic. Muslims, in particular, arrange a symbolic ceremony in the Maldives for the beautiful photography before heading off to their honeymoon resort.
Even a symbolic ceremony still counts as a formal event. You will still have a celebrant who declares your marriage; you will still swear to stay together for the rest of your lives; you will still have lovely decorations, and you will still have a romantic celebration. Most importantly, you still have the stunning Maldives ocean backdrop and images you’ll treasure forever.
It is considerably simpler to complete “the papers” after returning home or even before your ceremony. Your wedding day in the Maldives is the day you get hitched, not the hour you spend in the civil registry office.
The Ceremony
Maldives weddings will involve exchanging vows, rings, and tender glances, but there are additional factors to consider when planning your wedding ceremony. Such as whether you want to incorporate Maldivian culture into it.
The brilliant colors used in Maldivian wedding rituals symbolize the excitement and jubilation surrounding the occasion. This is typically accompanied by 20 Bodu Beru drummers, a lead vocalist wearing a traditional sarong and short-sleeved shirt, and the rhythmic beat of the drums. The lead singer will serenade your ceremony with songs of love and bravery.
The ceremony is conducted entirely in the local Divehi dialect, and the ritual is concluded by the presence of a qazi (judge) from the area. When going the traditional way, some couples also decide to dress in conventional Maldivian attire.
You can, of course, forego the traditional ceremony and have a western wedding, but remembering this destination wedding in the Maldives with its beautifully woven culture and traditions will be a fantastic experience.
Cost of Weddings | Maldives
Let’s face it: weddings are among the most expensive life milestones we must endure. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is roughly $30,000, and in places like New York and Rhode Island, this cost may quadruple.
Couples can save a ton of money by getting married in the Maldives, where weddings are far less expensive. In the Maldives, a wedding package might cost between $550 and $4,000. Even with the flights, it still comes to less than $10,000.
A simple ceremony with less than 10 guests in a chapel usually costs no more than $3,000. However, if you decide to have your wedding on the beach with more than 20 guests, it can cost up to and above $10,000. The price depends on whether you have live music, photography and videography, dinner and the after party.
The best aspect is that the wedding and honeymoon are combined into one package offer, saving you money on both expenses. An inexpensive fantasy wedding can be held in the Maldives for as little as $3,500, including the wedding and honeymoon.
Best Resorts in the Maldives for Wedding Ceremonies
These resorts in the Maldives are the best of the countless that provide wedding packages.
One&Only Reethi Rah
One of the best resorts in the Maldives for a destination wedding, according to Vogue magazine, the One&Only offers beachfront soirees and nuptials under a traditional pavilion. Vows are exchanged in the late afternoon or around twilight, followed by a stunning celebration. Even better, you can get married in front of your beachfront property!
The One&Only Reethi Rah will fulfill your wedding fantasies, from the breathtaking ceremony background to the petal shower. The crew and wedding coordinator will take care of every last detail; all you have to do is show up and enjoy being pampered. You will then be driven to the exceptional Reethi restaurant for a romantic candlelit meal in a golf buggy decked with flowers.
The honeymoon will continue the celebrations from the wedding with intimate romantic dinners, spa treatments for two, and strolls down the deserted beach starting right outside your villa. Alternatively, choose a water villa and dive into the lagoon from your private access.
After that, relax on the encircling hammocks that float above the lake while holding hands. On a diving expedition, a whale shark experience, or at one of the resort’s main pools where you can spend time alone.
Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa
In the magnificent Four Seasons Maldives Resort at Kuda Huraa, exchange your vows in the garden, on a pristine beach, or beside the pool. Your wedding planner will handle every last detail, from the invites to a soothing massage before the big day.
The ceremony, the bouquet and boutonniere, as well as the bridal hair and makeup are included in the package. You also get the photographer, the wedding cake, and the celebration as part of the wedding bundle at this opulent resort. A 3-course romantic dinner, a floral bath, breakfast in bed, and a 30-minute private yoga session are all included. You also get to design the ideal menu for you and your visitors.
The honeymoon will be even more blissful because the resort offers customized packages to meet the demands of every couple. Your luxurious Sunrise Villa with Pool at this 5-star resort in the Maldives will give you privacy and seclusion when you wake up to the ocean breeze and sip coffee directly over the lagoon each morning.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Have you ever imagined exchanging vows underwater? That is possible at the famed Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, one of the best restaurants in the Maldives. They may also set up a Maldives wedding directly on the beach if you prefer a barefoot ceremony. A spa treatment for the couple is included in wedding packages to ease pre-wedding anxieties.
A ceremony at the venue of your choice follows this. The ceremony includes a three-tier cake, sparkling champagne, photographs, and decorations. With its in-villa amenities, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island will guarantee that your wedding memories will endure forever.
At this top-notch luxury resort in the Maldives, there are ten different drinking and dining establishments. From a Japanese restaurant, a wine cellar, a cheese bar, and an award-winning open-air over-water restaurant, the choices are limitless. The magnificent Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is another option. All of the accommodations at this stunning resort have a direct water view, a private balcony, a pool, and steps down into a turquoise lagoon.
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
Your Maldives wedding fantasies may come true at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort. Whether you want to be on a private island with up to 100 of your closest friends and family. Or standing beneath a flower arch as the sun sets, feeling the ocean breeze in your hair.
Get a 60-minute massage to ease your pre-wedding jitters before the big occasion. Then exchange vows in a picturesque setting as you stroll down a beachfront aisle to the beat of drums. Everything you need for a spectacular wedding day is included in wedding packages, including photographs, a flower bouquet, and a floral bath ritual for your wedding night. Enjoy a private beach meal or a party under a tent on the beach with your guests after the wedding.
After the ceremony, you can spend your honeymoon in one of the stunning bungalows at the resort, each of which is situated above the water. At Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, every bungalow has a sundeck with daybeds and access to the lagoon; some have a tub for two that looks out over the water, while others have a private plunge pool. The resort’s other amenities, such as its exquisite restaurants and serene spa, are excellent.
Plan Your Spectacular Maldives Wedding
Now that you have learned everything you need to know about having a wedding in the Maldives, it’s time to set your plans into motion. You will forever remember the moment you said I do in front of the sparkling blue ocean. Now go forth and enjoy your honeymoon by visiting these amazing Maldives attractions.
