Romantic Side of Life

Getting married is one of the most important events in a person’s life. It is an occasion to be remembered - and a special way to make the occasion memorable is to have the affirmation of marriage and the wedding celebration in the Maldives. Many resorts have been licensed to perform what are termed Symbolic Weddings. Even a couple that has not undergone a civil ceremony beforehand can celebrate a symbolic marriage in Maldivian resorts. A Symbolic Wedding does not impose any legal constraints as it is a ceremonial commitment by a couple to commemorate their romantic bond. Upon completion of the ceremony the couple will be issued a Symbolic Wedding certificate. A resort will arrange everything and, even with the expense of wedding guests also staying at the resort to witness the ceremony, having a wedding reception at a Maldives resort can cost less than in the couple’s home country. It will certainly be more impressive. The ceremony can be performed in the language of the couple’s choice and be held anywhere in the resort: on a resort’s sandbank, sailboat, jetty, or in a special pavilion erected on the beach. Some weddings have even been performed underwater. The occasion can be a fusion of local tradition with the couple dressed in Maldivian costumes with local Bodu Beru drummers providing the music, or follow conventional style. No two weddings in the Maldives are alike; how it’s celebrated is up to the couple. The resort management will make all the arrangements including the engagement of a photographer to cover the ceremony, the preparation and presentation of a wedding album or video, the bouquets, an especially themed wedding banquet and wedding cake, and everything else that is required. The couple’s bedroom can be decorated appropriately with flowers, candles and incense to complete the romance of the occasion. Some resorts have special wedding packages that include such memorable happenings as a tree planting ceremony, special mementoes, and accommodation upgrade. A wedding of tourists in the Maldives is essentially a renewal of the vows previously made by the couple at a civil wedding ceremony in their own country. It has to follow a defined procedure before it can take place. This entails the resort registering with the Ministry responsible for tourism to obtain approval for the holding of Symbolic Weddings. The names of the resort’s general and assistant managers have to be submitted together with the name and designation of the person making the arrangements for the function and the name and designation of the person performing the ceremony. A copy of the speech, advice and vows that this wedding functionary will deliver in uniting the couple must also be submitted for approval. A Maldives wedding is not only an occasion for newly weds. The ceremony is also perfect as a “second wedding” perhaps on a 5th, 10th or 25th wedding anniversary, as a means of expressing and confirming enduring love for your spouse. It’s a unique way for a happily married couple to celebrate the years together – and to have an especially memorable time while on holiday.

Even if you don’t have your wedding in the Maldives, you can add to the memory of the occasion by honeymooning in one of the most romantic resorts in the world. Many resorts have honeymoon packages, including especially designed and furnished honeymoon suites as well as lots of other goodies such as special massage therapy in the resort’s spa for honeymooning couples. The honeymoon holiday does not have to be immediately after the wedding; some resorts allow special rates and complimentary extras for couples on honeymoon up to six months after the day of the wedding. (The wedding certificate should be provided to confirm the date.) Resort staff members respect the desire of those on honeymoon to be alone and room service can be arranged for a couple who are happy to stay in their private honeymoon suite without being disturbed, or having to meet other guests. That is one of the joys of holidaying in the Maldives – guests are left alone to do as they please.

If you want a honeymoon that’s exclusively yours, the Maldives is ideal. These picture-perfect islands are a real-life desert-island fantasy with accommodation that is secluded and guarantees privacy. Each resort is on its own island; there are no strangers, only caring staff and other guests, who value their privacy too. After being met by your resort representative at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport and escorted to board a speedboat or seaplane, you feel romance embracing you as you step ashore on a palm fringed island that’s completely away from it all. Crystal clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs and white-sand beaches come as standard, while candlelit dinners under starry skies, exclusive upgrades and bespoke experiences-for-two make for an extra special start to married life. The splendour of the accommodation lives up to all you expect on a honeymoon. Elegant overwater villas on columns above the lagoon are especially popular with honeymooners because of their romantic location away from it all. Many come with open-to-the-stars bathrooms, private plunge pools and steps directly down into the lagoon. From the balcony, views stretch to the far horizon as the moon bathes you and your partner in its seductive glow. After a few days adjusting to your new surroundings, you’ll want to explore the resort, go swimming or snorkelling or diving, or be pampered in the glamorous spa. You could go night fishing, take a sunset champagne cruise, picnic on a sandbank and even be marooned on a desert island for a day. You could go shopping in the islands’ capital, Male’; go underwater in a whale submarine or take a seaplane photo flight. To help preserve the island’s fragile eco systems, you could join in a coral-planting session or plant a commemorative coconut palm tree. So perhaps 10 days is the minimum time for a honeymoon, more if you plan to learn how to dive or undergo a toning programme in the spa.

There’s a resort somewhere in the Maldives to suit you and your partner. If you want the intimacy of private, elegantly designed accommodation with superlative service, or a larger, all-inclusive resort with lots of camaraderie and entertainment, you’ll find it. Many resorts appeal especially to honeymooners so look for ones that offer privacy as well as fun to make your stay perfect. After all, isn’t a honeymoon the time to fulfil your holiday fantasies and lavish love and generosity on your new spouse?

Babymooners are welcome at resorts too – they are those couples awaiting the arrival of their first baby and who want to enjoy time together before the start of their family. Couples celebrating anniversaries are also given special attention, especially on Valentine’s Day when romance is remembered by every couple on holiday. With lazy moments on the beach, rejuvenating treatments in the spa, and gourmet cuisine with personalised service, a romantic resort in the Maldives is also the dream-come-true holiday destination for mature couples… as well as for young newly weds.