It’s officially Wedding Season 2018 (we’re off to our first wedding of the year this weekend!), which means there are plenty of brides out there preparing for their honeymoon. I had so much fun browsing the Internet for the perfect bridal holiday looks and absolutely loved getting dressed each day in the Maldives during my honeymoon. So, in case other brides need some inspiration, I’m sharing my Maldives honeymoon lookbook. If you’re heading for a beachy destination, scroll for my favorite honeymoon looks & current similar finds.
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 that look equally as comfortable.
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! Mine is from 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 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 short, white 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 white blouses to pair with denim shorts, but spend 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 to pair with my colored tops. 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 Shorts
Swimsuits & Cover Ups
Is there anything better than arriving on holiday with a brand new swimsuit in your bag? I am typically not a bikini person, but found the most perfect high-waisted, scalloped combination that I couldn’t resist. And, as I was stocking up on white items in every other area of my wardrobe, I also purchased this white crocheted one piece from ASOS. I already had a black one shoulder one piece and a green number with retro vibes (center above) that don’t get nearly enough use, so I packed those as well (I’m a total sucker for retro-inspired swimwear, and love the look of this J. Crew gingham set for 2018!).
I’m not going to lie, I lived in my one pieces at Kandolhu. As much as I loved the scalloped bikini I purchased, 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 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. Minimal effort = maximum satisfaction in the swimsuit coverup world!
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
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!
