Our wedding! 17/6/16

We have been in the Maldives for 3 days, had 2x 10 minute chats with the wedding organiser, viewed where the ceremony was taking place, and all was well. We were both so very, very pleased and excited that Michael (Tina’s brother and his partner Jo), had turned up unexpectedly for the occasion that our nerves had almost disappeared.
The day of the wedding appeared to be a very long day indeed leading up to 3.30pm, however Michael and Jo had done a marvellous job keeping us both occupied as we had been snorkelling most of the morning off one of the many beaches Paradise Island has to offer. It was a perfect day weather wise, the sun had been shining on and off bouncing off the white sandy beaches there was a breeze in the air and the humidity had dropped considerably. We watched the staff prepare the beach where the ceremony was taking place, bringing tables, chairs etc out and arranging them. The ceremony was booked for 4.30pm local time and at 1pm the island was hit by a heavy storm very quickly. The sky turned black, the wind picked up to what must have been a gale, and it poured down. OMG we watched in horror as our deck quickly flooded and we lost sight of the ceremony area due to the haze from the rain. To say we both panicked is an understatement, such a glorious venue ruined by today’s weather. The first rain as such in our stay here on the island. At 2pm, still raining heavily, we got a call from the wedding organiser asking if he could come to our villa for a “chat”. Again we panicked as we were sure he was going to cancel it. He arrived and stated due to the weather, and the forecast was that it wasn’t going to stop raining today, he asked us to postpone the ceremony until tomorrow!!!!!! No we both shouted in amazement as we explained Tina’s brother who had flown in from the UK was leaving the island at 6.30am in the morning. We told them to set up indoors somewhere if the rain continued. After a few moments thoughts he nodded and said the Spa area would be ideal. We agreed. We also stated that that decision would be a last resort and if it stopped raining we still wanted it to carry on on the beach, he agreed.
At 3pm the rain stopped, however the sky was still as black as ever, and M&J showed up at our villa, asking if we had an update. At 3.20pm our wedding organiser turned up to escort us to the Spa, (as Tina was having make up done prior to the ceremony). Suddenly the skies cleared and there was a single ray of light breaking through the clouds striking the sand over our venue area. We both looked awesome of course and itching to get out there.
At 4.15pm we were ready and escorted around the resorts Spa area for a few photos by their photographer. Jo and Michael met us there ready to record the ceremony, Jo looked amazing. ((t) she said it was the first wedding she cried at whereas it was the first one i didn’t cry at!!) It was so great to have them share this time with us. Suddenly there were beats from 2 drums and so the ceremony began.
We walked together hand in hand, as we followed the drummers bare foot to the beach through a palm tree Avenue with the sun shining ever so slightly above our heads, as we breathed in the most amazing aromas from the various tropical flowers. We were certainly in paradise, our faces beaming the biggest smiles from ear to ear – the atmosphere was electric. We turned a corner and finally we were on the beach, and proceeded along a marked out area on the sand with palm leaf arches and flower petals in a variety of colours and shapes. It was so beautiful and romantic. We came to a halt and we’re each given a fresh coconut to drink from – lovely, cold and refreshing. We then walked a few steps further and into a pergola covered with white lace and sat on a beautifully decorated bench where we met the Islands Chief who conducted the ceremony in traditional attire. Suddenly dozens of random holiday makers rushed up and were everywhere taking photos of the 2 of us(!!). We made our vows, I gave Tina a dowry, (tradition in a Maldivian wedding ceremony) then exchanged rings, before we were given our certificate of marriage. Oh how we laughed as we noticed my surname had been spelt incorrectly, oops.
Straight afterwards we were taken to an area of sand that we had not noticed before. There the staff had made the impression of a huge heart in the sand and decorated it again with palm leaves and flowers. In this area I opened a bottle of champers, and we were toasted by the official as we cut the wedding cake. Again we laughed out loud as they had misspelt my name again on top of it.
Then the photographer escorted us around the immediate vicinity as he took many photos of us, in and around the edge of the Indian Ocean in the most stunning scenery we have ever seen, and the sun had come out, how amazing it was. As soon as the ceremony had ended we went back to our villa, and what an amazing sight we were greeted too. Our bed had been transformed into a magical picture, made up of even more flowers and palm leaves, it was stunning. We relaxed with M&J in the room sipping champagne.
At 7.15pm we were picked up and escorted to one of the restaurants on the resort for our wedding dinner. The table had been decorated and adorned with flowers and soft lighting. Very romantic. We sat and ate a gastronomical feast of ceaser salad then an amazing cream of mushroom soup, followed by a beautiful palet cleansing pomegranate sorbet, then the best ever lobster and king prawns dish, and finally rich chocolate cake with a really decadent chocolate Ganash icing. Yeah we were pretty stuffed as we walked back to the main entertainment area. Once there we had a brilliant live Maldivian Culture Show, followed by a disco. Great evening with Michael and Jo as we tossed the cocktails back in quick succession and danced the night away, perfect entertainment we didn’t have to pay for! A perfect ending to a perfect day.
The following morning we were up at 6am to see M&J off as they head off to Singapore En route back to the UK. Cant tell you how chuffed to bits it was to have them here.
After breakfast we met with the photographer who showed us the 140 pictures he’d taken, of which we had to choose 15 for an album, 2 for a double picture frame and 1 for a single picture frame. So difficult to choose as he had made a grand job of taking the photographs. As we scrolled through the vast amount we both were bawling, our emotions finally caught up with us we we’re as happy as☺
A huge shout out to each and everyone of you who kept in touch with us pre and post wedding, your messages, words and thoughts were wonderful and lovely to read. To family and friends a special thank you for sending wedding cards with Michael and Jo, these added an extra special surprise on the day. Also to friends who fb wedding cards again a wonderful surprise. We have appreciated each and every one and will cherish these for ever.