Top Reasons Why You Should Plan Destination Wedding in Maldives

Today, destination weddings are highly trending, especially in some foreign land. Couples are ready to spend time and money for their once-in-a-life-time event. There are many International locations, where couples these days prefer to say “I do” to their partners. And, Maldives is one such heavenly location on earth to get hitched. Maldives is considered by most couples looking for tropical beach destination. Just imagine your wedding amidst deep blue seas with beautiful reefs, white sandy beaches with warm shallow waters and palm trees. All these will make a perfect backdrop for your wedding. A perfect destination wedding in “Paradise on Earth.”

Maldives

Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It has an area of about 298 square km with approximately 4 lakh population. The Maldives is an extensive group of 1,192 coral islands, grouped into 26 atolls. The official language of the Maldives is Maldivian (Dhivehi). However, English is used as second language and Islam is main religion in Maldives.

Mostly islands are pristine white just above the sea level, surrounded by the picturesque of blue, clear Indian Ocean waters. The majority of islands here are uninhabited makes this place a great location for getting wed-locked. The country is swamped with many luxury private resorts, budget resorts and hotels for wedding ceremonies. The currency used here is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).

Male is the capital city and most populated place in the Maldives. Malé is a hub of Maldivian culture, one has a lot to do in here such as to visit local market, visit Malés mosques, or take advantage of some of the Maldives’ museums.

Atolls of Maldives

The 1192 coral islands of Maldives are grouped into 26 atolls, a ring-shaped coral reef including a coral rim encircling a lagoon partially or completely. The islands or cays of the Maldives are mostly found on top of the coral rims of each atoll. Each atoll is unique in its own ways and comprised of wonderful and exciting possibilities for your destination wedding in the place.

Here are top reasons why you should plan your destination wedding in Maldives

Most heavenly resorts available

Maldives is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and the place is full of amazingly beautiful resorts to get hitched. One can book any kind of place here from a luxury private resort to budget resorts. Couples can easily book a place in their budget.

Natural beauty

Place is famous for its beautiful beaches, blue water, white sand surrounded by palm trees. What else one would ask for in his/her wedding than such an enchanting natural backdrop for a beachy ceremony.

Beaches for beachy wedding

The white sand beaches of the Maldives are some of the most beautiful and sought after beaches in the world. The grandeur of Maldivian beaches make Maldives such a perfect location for a wedding ceremony.

Your guests will automatically be engaged

In Maldives almost all the islands lie in close proximity, and your guests will have enough reason to hop from one island to another by local “Dhoni” and Ferries. Also, Maldives is home to exotic species and world’s best diving spots. Your guests can engage themselves in exploring the unexplored.

Perfect place for relaxation

After going through a hectic wedding planning journey, you would surely seek some time for relaxation. And, most of the atolls in Maldives offer wide range of excellent venues with spas, modern amenities, and ocean front views. You can relax for a while here in Maldives and de-stress yourself completely before the D-Day.

A perfect honeymoon destination

Maldives has always been a first choice of honeymooners. If you are lucky to get wed-locked in Maldives and you never had a chance to visit Maldives, then you have a wonderful reason now. You can simply extend your days and honeymoon in Maldives and explore the island. Scuba certified couples will surely love the idea.

ENJOYABLE THINGS FOR WEDDING COUPLES

Enjoy the beaches – The beaches of Maldives are ranked among the best in the world. While honeymooning here you can spend time soaking in the equatorial sun, or take sunset strolls, or you can opt to take a seaplane or a motor boat to the outlying atolls hop one island to another or go for a romantic dining and drinking. Options are endless. If you think you are peace seeking couple, then Maldives is the place for you.
Restaurants & Spas – You can enjoy local cuisine here, which is primarily vegetables served with seafood platters, uniquely prepared with tropical flavors ranging from sweet to spicy. Also, there are wide range of spas, you two can relieve all your wedding stress and relax and enjoy.
Underwater adventures – Place has few wonderful underwater restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island or you can get a massage at the Huvafen Fushi, world’s only undersea treatment rooms.

I hope these reasons are enough to get hitched here in Maldives, here are some wedding related details which you will have to consider while choosing Maldives as your wedding destination. Here we go…

Legal Requirements for Marrying in the Maldives

Before planning your wedding in the Maldives it is recommended to contact the Maldivian embassy in your home country or your country’s embassy in the Maldives to understand up-to-date legal requirements.

However, Maldives have a large wedding industry but the destination weddings only have ceremonial significance as non-residents’ marriage legally here is not approved by the government. You can celebrate your wedding functions here and do the legal part of your wedding ceremony in your home country.

The culture and etiquette

A handshake is the most common form of greeting in Maldives when you meet a local for the first time, accompanied by the Arabic expression – Assalamualaikum. However, a simple nod or a slight bow will also work as most people here usually do not engage in physical contact. When meeting a local women here, make sure you let her offer her hand first before attempting to shake hand with her.

The majority of the local people who are not involved in the tourist trade, don’t mix with the tourist visitors. They like to live in isolated island communities maintaining absolute privacy.

The resort islands are very relaxed and wearing casual dress is the norm. However beachwear is not allowed in the restaurants on resort islands or even away from the resorts. Guests will immediately be asked to cover up their bodies if they enter a restaurant in swimwear, sarongs made from sheer fabric or see-through cover ups. Also, topless sunbathing is against the law here.

When visiting the capital city of the island or and other local island your attire should be modest, at least covering your shoulders and thighs. If visiting any mosque make sure your entire body till your legs is covered leaving your neck and face.

Importing alcohol, pork or porn in Maldives is forbidden and all your luggage will be X-rayed upon arrival. Don’t to export sand, seashells or coral you will be in trouble as that is also forbidden in Maldives.

Food and Drinks

A traditional Maldivian cuisine comprise of rice, a clear fish broth called garudhiya and other side dishes of lime, chilli and onions. Curries, known as riha are also very popular. Usually rice is supplemented with roshi, an unleavened bread just like Indian roti, and papadhu, similar to crispy Indian poppadums.

Being an Island nation, Fish plays an important role here in Maldivian cuisine, especially tuna (kandu mas), which is a staple. Usually, cuisine is hot, spicy and coconut flavored. Also, most important pork is banned in the Maldives as mostly Maldivians are Muslims. Alcohol for local population is banned, however resorts have permits to serve alcohol that too with a steep markup. Besides, the only place near Male where people can drink alcohol is at the Hulhule Island Hotel, most commonly known as HIH or the airport hotel. Also, do not film or photograph Maldivians if you see them drinking alcohol.

Tap water in resorts are usually not drinkable (you can check with the management). And bottled water is excessively priced, with USD 5 a bottle normally. Also, 10% of service charge is added to everything.

Wedding costs and currency

The local currency here is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), which is divided into 100 Laari. The price charged by the resorts here are in US dollars and the mode of payment is hard currency or via credit card. Hence, you don’t need to change currency especially if you’re going to spend all your time at the resorts.

So, there isn’t any need to change if you are going to spend all the time in the resort. Due to limited budget accommodation and transport facilities, Maldives is comparatively an expensive destinations. The prices which resorts normally charge are around $1000 per week per couple for meals, drinks and excursions, air fare, accommodation, 10% service charge and tips are all excluded.

Everybody is entitles for a free 30-day visa on arrival, if they possess a valid travel document, which includes a ticket out and proof of sufficient funds, a confirmed reservation in any resort or US$100 + $50/day in cash. Moreover, the tenure can be extended up to 90 days in Male, but you’ll have to indicate where you will be staying for that long.

Weather and Climate

Maldives has two distinct seasons; the dry season (northeast monsoon) and the wet season (southwest monsoon). The dry season extends from the month of January to March and the wet extends from mid-May to November end. April and December are tend to be transitional periods between the two seasons.

Temperature here is almost constant 30°C throughout the year, the Rainy season here is from June to August and increases significantly during the southwest monsoon. If you are planning to get hitched in Maldives than accept for a rainy season all the other months are good to go for because the temperature is a kind of constant and weather seems to pleasant all year.

How to reach

There are many flights available from almost all the countries of the world to reach Maldives. If you think your wedding is already planned for this place only, then you can book tickets well in advance and if you are lucky you may get some great discounts also on your air fare. Locally there are ferry services and motor boats to travel.

To conclude…

There’s no doubt that Maldives makes a perfect destination for all those who are looking for an exotic beach wedding. Couples have a lot to explore and make their wedding a perfect fairy-tale wedding for the years to come. Even you will have chance to get the best wedding pictures of your wedding amidst beautiful beaches, sand, corals, and palm trees.

Maldives is a great destination for an intimate destination wedding. Even your loved ones who will make time for your wedding will love the idea of getting hitched there. You never know when you will be leaving trail for others to follow your footprints.

Maldives is a perfect picturesque location for your beachy wedding. Give it a shot. Make your wedding a memorable one to cherish it all your life… Clock is ticking, just plan you wedding and enjoy it to the fullest.