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Ikebana brings first global wedding award to Maldives

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Premier destination wedding specialist Ikebana Events has won an award at the recently concluded Exotic Wedding Planning Conference (EWPC), making it the first international wedding award to the Maldives.

At the Indian edition of EWPC, which was held in Goa from August 3-4, Ikebana won the award for the Best Experimental Wedding. The award, which recognised a wedding hosted at OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, was received by a team from Ikebana, including its founder Abdulla Naashid.

The fourth edition of EWPC brought together more than 130 top notch wedding planners from across India and over 40 wedding specialists from around the world to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the wedding planning industry. The two-day conference included thought leadership sessions, presentation of case studies, expert panels, round-table discussions and networking activities.

Attendees of EWPC India pose for a photo after the two-day conference. PHOTO/ EWPC

At EWPC, awards were presented to seven wedding specialists to recognise creativity and uniqueness behind their best work in the past year.

“There is a huge potential in promoting the Maldives as a wedding destination. We believe that the islands of Maldives, especially the luxury resorts across the archipelago, are the perfect match for destination weddings,” an official from Ikebana told Maldives Insider.

“Events such as the EWPC are attended by world’s leading destination wedding specialists and influencers. By taking part in such events, more interest can be generated in the Maldives as a wedding destination.”

The Chinese celebrity wedding of Zheng Jun and Liu Yun at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa. PHOTO/ IKEBANA

Founded by industry experts specialising in creating innovative, sophisticated and cutting-edge events, Ikebana has over the past decade established itself as the premier wedding planner in the Maldives. From engagement parties and weddings to award functions, conferences and styled ceremonies, the team at Ikebana offers solutions that create unforgettable moments.

The jungle themed wedding at Anantara Veli Resort and Naladhu Private Island Maldives. PHOTO/ IKEBANA

Backed by florists and wedding specialists with over 35 years of experience, Ikebana now has an ever-expanding portfolio of premium destination weddings and beach weddings hosted at several high-end luxury resorts in the Maldives. Some highlights of Ikebana’s portfolio include the Chinese celebrity wedding of Zheng Jun and Liu Yunat at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives, a jungle wedding at Ananatara Veli Maldives and Naladhu Private Island Maldives, and an exclusive island wedding at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.

Floral decorations at the exclusive wedding at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. PHOTO/ IKEBANA

Maldives has won several global and regional accolades for being amongst the most romantic destinations in the world, with the latest being included in an annual list compiled by Brides magazine of the 20 most honeymoon worthy destinations in the world. Surveys and studies analysing travel trends have also shown that a healthy majority of travellers that choose the Maldives are honeymooners.

Travellers often hold ceremonial weddings and renewal of vows ceremonies in the picturesque holiday destination of the Maldives — home to powder soft white sand beaches and turquoise waters that provide the perfect backdrop for your special day.

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.

The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.

During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.

“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.

“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”

The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.

The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.

This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.

The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.

“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.

Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.

On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.

The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.

The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.

At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.

Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.

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