Halfway through our meeting with the wedding planner, my fiancé and I stopped and looked at each other. We didn’t care about fancy venues, menu options, and flower arrangements.
What we did care about was travel. In fact, our love of travel had brought us together. That was obvious when it came time to planning our wedding. We wanted our big day to reflect who we really are. That’s when we knew we wanted something different.
Two months later, we were standing on a tiny sandbank in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The clear blue waters of the Maldives lapped along the shoreline as my new husband and I exchanged our vows on the white sand.
The Maldives
The Maldives had long been on our bucket list. Made up of more than 1,190 islands, this tropical nation in the Indian Ocean is known for its clear seas, white sand beaches, and world-class resorts. By eloping to the Maldives, we could have a private wedding ceremony on the beach and an unforgettable honeymoon—all for much less than a traditional wedding.
It turned out to be the perfect choice.
We chose to stay and have the ceremony at the Baros Maldives Resort, which has a reputation as one of the most romantic resorts in the Maldives. Located just 25 minutes by boat from the capital of Male, Baros has a private, intimate feel with 45 beachside villas and 30 over the water.
Our spacious overwater villa had a secluded veranda with an infinity pool and steps that led directly to the sea. From our arrival, the on-call villa host and other staff made us feel like royalty.
