Steph & Andrew | The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort Wedding

Steph and Andrew married at the incredible Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort in The Maldives. Originating from Scotland, they are now based in sunny Dubai, and chose the Maldives paradise for their wedding. They brought their family and friends from both countries, as well as Thailand where Steph grew up.

Arriving at Male airport, we transferred to seaplanes for our short exciting trip to Westin Maldives Miriandhoo. The Trans Maldivian Airways planes dropped us right at the resorts jetty! That evening, the welcome party was at Island Kitchen, a beautiful open-air restaurant overlooking the pool and ocean.

Their wedding day was elegant yet relaxed against the backdrop of Hulhudhoo Island. Steph looked stunning in her Atelier Wu dress and Andrew kept cool in a lightweight Hugo Boss suit.

The Pearl Restaurant

After their ceremony, the wedding party continued to the Sunset Bar for cocktails, with a short stop in the resort’s wine cellar to cool themselves down!

There was a spectacular sunset before the evening activities took place in The Pearl Restaurant. Set out over the ocean, this private setting was the perfect place to party the night away.

The wonderful make-up artist Amaany Artistry and the videographer were from the Maldives. But, the incredible singers Adam and Miriam came all the way from Dubai. As well as Miriam playing the violin at their wedding ceremony, they had the dance floor rocking at The Pearl till the end of the evening!

Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Photographer

As a wedding photographer at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, it was an extraordinary experience. From the moment we arrived by seaplane, we experienced unparalleled luxury. Miriandhoo sits on the water in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

The villas offer uninterrupted ocean views and a private deck with a pool. Perfect for flying a drone and capturing some stunning overview photos. The dining experiences at their restaurants were superb every time.

The Westin Maldives luxury resort offers a beachfront pool, an overwater spa, and three restaurants. The staff were incredible, some of the best I’ve ever seen, and they ensured our stay was flawless.

Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The Baa Atoll in the Maldives is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its ecological richness and diverse species. It lies on a 40 km-wide reef that forms part of the Maldives archipelago with a large lagoon enclosing 75 smaller atolls and islets.

Designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in June 2011, the atoll has only 5.5 km2 of land consisting of micro-atolls, faros, patch reefs, and knolls. The reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) is a notable species found here and The NGO Manta Trust protect these animals.

“Atoll” originates from Dhivehi, the local language blending Malayalam, Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic. The atoll’s shallow, warm waters foster diverse habitats like coral, sea grass beds, and mangroves, 250 coral species and 1,200 fish species.

Baa Atoll boasts vibrant reefs, making it a top destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its ecological diversity, it became the Maldives’ first Biosphere Reserve in 2011.

Efforts to conserve the atoll intensified in the early 2000s due to threats from fishing and tourism. Today, sustainable projects address tourism management, reef conservation, and pollution control. Baa Atoll is a model for marine conservation in the Indian Ocean.

Baa Atoll experiences a tropical monsoonal climate with a dry monsoon from January to April and a wet monsoon from May to November. The latter season coincides with the manta ray and whale sharks in Hanifaru Bay.