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British couple swims down the aisle for underwater wedding at Bandos Island Resort

Published

11 years ago

March 20, 2014

Maldives.net.mv – Bandos Island Resort is only a few minutes away from the capital island by Speedboat. Surrounded by one of the best house reef in the atoll, Bandos is a major snorkeling attraction in Maldives, famous for the unique array of fish and corals that make appearances during all seasons.

British couple Kate and Andy have been visiting the Maldives for many years. This years visit would make it their 17th visit to the resort.

The day started off with Kate getting dressed as any other bride. Dressed in white, smiles from ear to ear, and looking absolutely stunning, she walked towards her husband – Andy. Both of them are keen divers and have described that they are ‘the happiest when we are underwater’.

I was on Dive boat with Kate and Andy. Though it would be the second time the couple would say ‘I do’ to each other, the Kate and Andy seemed as excited as a couple of teenagers, giggling, and laughing at their own private jokes. To be in the presence of true love, to be part of this beautiful union was like magic.

“ we wanted to celebrate our wedding with all our friends here in Bandos. Ramune (from the dive centre) flew to the UK to be my bridesmaid at our UK wedding, but we wanted to do something here as well. As diving is our passion it seemed right that we should have our wedding at underwater. After all that is one of the main reasons why we come to the Maldives so often to dive. underwater is where we are most relaxed. Our family and close friends celebrated with us in the UK, but we have close friends here in Bandos who joined us underwater to celebrate”
But the dress, the exquisite, gorgeous white dress. Any other bride would not be willing to get her dress wet.

“ I am not worried about not getting my dress wet. I purchased the dress especially for that reason- it has to be easy to swim in and relatively light weight and not to bulky so that my dive gear would go over the top. Being underwater is where we are both very happy, so it seemed a natural thing for us to do.”

And so under the water they went, along with the minister, and a small group of their closest friends from the resort.

When the wedding was done with, they slowly came aboard once again, to head back to the island, for the cake-cutting ceremony. The couple were greeted at the beach by traditional Bodu Beru group, and a drink of Kurumba. Taking pictures, and laughing gaily, the couple walked to where the cake was set up.

Turquoise drapes made a beautiful tent where the cake and champagne were set up, and guests, and the staff of the resort clapped and cheered on loudly as they kissed once again, and fed each other cake. The sun shone brightly over head, and the sky azure, and the crystal clear lagoon made the perfect setting for a beach wedding celebration.
The staff of the resort seem to have a very special bond with this couple. I noticed little things like their way of communicating with Kate and Andy, the connection, the bond they had with the staff.

“ We have been coming to Bandos since 2006. This is our 17th visit here and we love the simple charm that Bandos offers. We have seen many changes over the years – the removal of the concrete path outside the standard rooms, the changes within the rooms themselves. we love that Bandos tries to remain true to its roots but offers a great service, that is not pretentious. Our favorite aspects of the island has to be the dive center, and also Sundowners.
Initially we came to Bandos in 2006 s the island we were normally staying in had closed for refurbishment. We do visit other resorts, but keep returning to Bandos for several reasons:
-The dive centre and house reef. The dive centre makes it easy straight forward diving. It has a very relaxed atmosphere and the associates there are very friendly and knowledgeable. The house reef is easily accessible and lovely to dive. You can see all sorts of fish, corals, and the reef changes from one dive to the next.
-the associates are always friendly – always smiling and nothing is too much trouble. We consider Bandos to be our second home. “

The resort don’t normally hold underwater weddings, but thanks to Kate and Andy, this would be the first of many underwater wedding celebrations to take place at the beautiful resort. And to Kate and Andy, I would like to wish them eternal happiness in their wedded bliss.

Related Topics:Bandos Dive diving Featured maldives snorkeling Underwater Underwater wedding Wedding

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Dive into conservation: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi introduces snorkelling with a purpose

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3 days ago

December 21, 2024

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Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has introduced an exciting new activity for ocean enthusiasts: Conservation Snorkelling. Led by the resort’s resident marine biologist, Mohamed Shah, this immersive experience allows participants to contribute to marine conservation efforts while exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystem of the Maldives. Combining education, exploration, and action, the initiative offers an enriching opportunity for visitors of all ages.

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This activity is a key component of Sun Siyam Cares, the resort’s initiative focused on environmental protection and community support. Families, young couples, and other guests can participate in global conservation efforts through the Coral Watch citizen science project. The activity is open to strong swimmers aged eight and above who feel comfortable snorkelling.

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Game, set, paradise: Petra Kvitová and Hideaway Beach Resort elevate luxury sports experiences

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Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa recently hosted legendary tennis player Petra Kvitová, captivating guests with her remarkable presence and inspiring passion for tennis. During her stay, the two-time Wimbledon champion conducted exclusive tennis classes, giving guests a rare opportunity to learn from one of the world’s top athletes.

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Nestled in the pristine beauty of the Maldives, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is renowned for its exceptional service, luxurious villas, and world-class amenities. Boasting immaculate beaches and exclusive experiences, the resort provides an idyllic escape for discerning travellers. With professional tennis courts and wellness facilities, including a Bali-inspired spa and in-house yoga instruction, Hideaway offers tennis enthusiasts the perfect setting to refine their game while enjoying the serene paradise.

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The Active Escapes Maldives Festival 2025 is all about having fun and attracting people from all around the world. It’s not solely for fitness enthusiasts; on the contrary, it offers a welcoming environment where the goal is for participants to leave a bit fitter than when they arrived in the Maldives, although the ultimate decision on participation level is up to them. There are varying degrees of difficulty in the program to ensure that those seeking a more intense workout feel challenged, while those needing a less intense workout are well catered for.

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