My style has definitely evolved over the years, but when I look back on the outfits from my Maldives honeymoon, I think I’d probably pack many of the same things today. Maybe not the exact same items, but I’d at least follow the same formula: a couple of dresses, a pair of shorts with a few tops, and plenty of beachwear. This set of items saw me through our Maldives honeymoon and left me with plenty of pictures I still love to look back on today.
If you’re heading for a beachy destination for your honeymoon, continue reading to see my favorite honeymoon looks & some items I’d be buying if I were doing it all over again today.
My Maldives Honeymoon Lookbook
Sean and I spent a week in the Maldives after our English country garden wedding in Henley. In order to make the absolute most of our honeymoon, we splurged for a weeklong stay at Kandolhu Maldives. It was easily the most beautiful places I’ve been, with the perfect mix of white sand, blue water, and green vegetation. It was honestly the perfect backdrop for all of my honeymoon looks!
I kept all of my clothes looking fresh using my travel steamer. We actually put the travel steamer on our wedding registry, but bought it early as soon as we saw that someone had pledged to buy it for us. It was a total life saver on our honeymoon and our travels since; instead of spending our vacation time in front of the ironing board, we quickly steam and go! I can’t speak highly enough of the steamer (and it’s SO cheap!).
Now, onto the honeymoon essentials (& my looks!)…
White Jumpsuit
I traveled to the Maldives in what might just be the comfiest white jumpsuit ever! Although it was a risk traveling in white (I spill on everything), I truly felt like a newlywed…in pajamas. A white jumpsuit is a great way to be comfy, stylish, and feminine while on a long haul flight.
Unfortunately, the jumpsuit I wore (from Topshop) is from 2017 and no longer available, but I’ve rounded up some white, flowy jumpsuits & rompers that look equally as comfortable – and a few glam options as well.
Pair your white jumpsuit with a denim jacket and sandals for a chic but effortless travel look. Then, throw on a hat when you arrive for instant sun protection! Find my Out of Office hat on Etsy.
Shop White Jumpsuits
Midi Dresses
Midi dresses are perfect for island honeymoons because they are stylish and romantic, but provide the perfect coverage for even the breeziest of island days. I found it so easy to transition from wandering around the island to sitting at dinner to lounging outside for a nightcap in my midi dresses. For my honeymoon in the Maldives, I packed one white midi dress and one striped midi dress.
Read Next: A Review of Kandolhu
I chose midi length over maxi for my Maldives honeymoon because the dresses allowed for plenty of evening walks on the beach and ankle-deep dips in the ocean. I paired my midi dresses with either wedges or sandals, depending on our evening plans.
Shop Midi Dresses
Short White Dresses
Short, white dresses are probably the only thing I didn’t go out and purchase specifically for my honeymoon. Over my year of wedding planning, I had stocked up on various white dresses for wedding-related events, and I was desperate to give them another wear while still in ‘bridal mode’. These dresses felt a bit more ‘evening’, so I saved them for our nicer dinners – our private dinner on the beach, and dinner on our last day (when my tan was at its peak!).
Short, white dresses are perfect for a summer honeymoon anywhere in the world. They’re summery, they’re bridal, and they show off a great tan. I definitely recommend packing at least one white mini dress for your honeymoon!
Shop White Dresses
Read Next: What to do in the Maldives
Casual Outfits
During the day & the more laid back evenings, I pretty much lived in denim shorts while honeymooning in the Maldives. I packed a couple of summery tops to pair with denim shorts, but spent most of the day in my swimsuits, with a pair of shorts thrown over them for lunch. I also packed a pair of white jeans for cooler nights. My go to shoes during these days were my gold Jack Rogers sandals.
Looking back, my high waisted denim shorts were probably the most worn item on our honeymoon in the Maldives. They went perfectly over swimsuits, so were thrown on daily. If I were to plan my Maldives honeymoon lookbook all over again, I’d probably only pack those, with some blouses that pair nicely with high waisted shorts!
Shop Summer Blouses
Shop High Waisted Denim Shorts
Swimsuits & Cover Ups
Is there anything better than arriving on holiday with a brand new swimsuit in your bag? I used my honeymoon as an excuse to buy a new white bathing suit and packed some of my longtime favorites for the trip, as well. Nowadays, I have no doubt I’d be packing a Hunza G one piece and my favorite blue swimsuit from Stay Wild Swim.
After all, I lived in my one pieces at Kandolhu. It was so nice to go to breakfast in my one piece + shorts combo, then jump in the pool, then dry off in the sun while reading until lunch. It just made everything seem so easy. I also think that the hunt for the perfect one-piece is one of the most fun things about shopping; they’re so trendy these days that brands are always coming up with something new.
Shop Swimsuits
In terms of cover ups, I packed a sheer white kaftan (the Seafolly kaftans are my favorite) and a sheer pink playsuit. Similar to one pieces, there’s always something new in the cover up world – most of them look like normal day dresses! When it comes to me, I’m all for the easiest thing to throw on, whether that’s a dress or a sarong or a pair of cute shorts.
Shop Coverups
My Maldives Honeymoon Outfits
If you’re curious about what I wore each day/for which activities, here’s a quick outline of my week in the Maldives:
- Day 1– Arrival: White Jumpsuit // Casual Dinner: Denim Shorts & White Top
- Day 2 – Cooking Class: Denim Shorts & Crop Top // Hibachi Dinner: Striped Midi Dress
- Day 3 – Day: Scalloped Bikini // Sunset Cruise: White Midi Dress
- Day 4 – Day: Black One Piece & Shorts // Room Service Dinner: Bathrobe
- Day 5 – Day: Green One Piece // Private Beach Dinner: Short White Dress
- Day 6 – Day: White Swimsuit & Kaftan Cover Up // Seafood Dinner: Blouse & White Jeans
- Day 7 – Day: Green One Piece // Italian Dinner: Short White Dress
And we can’t forget accessories! I kept it super simple on my honeymoon (as I do on most trips) and stuck to basics. A hat and sunglasses are the obvious essentials. And don’t forget the most important accessory – SPF!
Shop Honeymoon Accessories
As I’ve said before, I am no fashion expert. However, I had so much fun preparing for my honeymoon in the Maldives (and getting dressed while there!) that I just had to share my honeymoon looks. Hopefully it’s given you some inspiration on what you can wear on your honeymoon or trip to the Maldives!
Looking for more bridal fashion inspiration? Check out my roundup of the best dresses for bridal events!