Our Wedding Budget

MrsMGtobe

Honeymoon

Now, this was a bargain! We managed to get ten nights, all inclusive, in the Maldives in a highly rated resort for £3382.00 including sea plane transfers. The guy who sorted out this package is marvellous and if anyone is looking at a honeymoon, I would really recommend this gentleman so feel free to ask for his contact details.

fkgs

We are thinking of the Maldives so would love some more info please! When you going?

MrsMGtobe

Sure. We booked Kuredu Island Resort (lots of good reviews -especially from honeymooners!) through a very good company. They were fantastic for us. We are going on the 14th September and we fly back on the 25th. They also included sea plane transfers in the price. We are more northern so are flying from Manchester, with Emirates, via Dubai.

Weather is supposed to be rainier in September but with us going to the more northern area, it shouldn't be too bad and past reports have been good. Plus, a little rain in the hotter climates really helps.

The resort has a house reef which is awesome for snorkelling and lots of choice of restaurant. The island is a larger island which we though was good, more to explore!

I highly rate our travel agent and would thoroughly recommend him so far. Really good, friendly and knowledgable. The company we booked with have one of the British a Travel awards too for weddings and honeymoons, which suggests we would be in safe hands!

If you are still interested I can private message you with our travel agents details. If you have any questions I would be happy to try and answer them - I love travel.

jtr2803

Hiya,

Have you been to the Maldives before?

There are a few things I just wanted you to know and I will be upfront and say I haven't been to Kuredu (only Reethi beach twice and VIlamendhoo) but I know from my own research that the house reef is some distance from shore, it's not easily swimmable from the beach so if you want to snorkel lots that might be difficult (but there are some sea grass areas you are likely to see turtles).

There is also a very bizarre wrist band system on the island that means you can't use all bars/restaurants unless you have a high grade room category. It's not something I've ever come across elsewhere in the Maldives and it's very poorly thought of in the TA forums.

I would hate to think you have been sold something that is not quite 100% what you were hoping it would be. I'll also say now to ignore any and all weather forecasts before you go, they won't be accurate for Lhaviyani atoll and it is rainy season so you expect some rain as you mentioned! The Maldives really is paradise but unfortunately I am well aware that unsuitable islands are recommended sometimes because an agent has a high quantity to sell.

Regardless of the above, it is paradise whatever island you go to, you always love your first island and Emirates are a great airline. I assume you are on a flight that gets in to Male before 3pm?

MrsMGtobe

Hi JTR

Thank you for your comments. We haven't been to the Maldives before, but are we have done lots of travelling.

With regards to the house reef, we have done lots of research and aren't too bothered about the distance. Some of the reviews say that if you walk along the jetty you'll be at the right distance for the house reef, but we will be happy to test the waters when we are there.

Regarding the wrist band system, we have seen this but have also read so many reviews stating that all of the restaurants are really good, I won't mind which one we end up with or if we lack some choice.

Thank you for the heads up, we really appreciate it.

We understand the weather can be unpredictable and actually really enjoy the rain in the hotter climates. When we were in Thailand, we hit a tropical rainstorm, and onto have ten-fifteen minutes rain every now and then really cleared the air.

Sounds like you're in love with the Maldives! Do you have a favourite island?

TA is such a useful tool. Our flight lands at 3pm but we have been assured that this won't be an issue with the transfer. The company we have booked with, and particularly the agent, are highly reputable and we are grateful for all the help they have given us.

Are you due to go back to the Maldives any time soon?

Thanks again for the food for thought - it really is appreciated!

jtr2803

I'm glad you were aware and took my comments in the vain they were intended. I really debated whether to post or not because I sound picky but honeymoons are important and if it wasn't what you wanted then there would be time to change.

The only thing I would add is that you might want to see if you can get in on the earlier flight. Seaplane transfers stop at dusk but immigration can take about 90 minutes once you land, so if you get delayed either here or in Dubai for an hour then you might have to stay in Male overnight, there isn't normally a price difference so I thought I would mention it.

Reethi beach is our favourite so far. We are currently booked to go to Athuruga at the end of April but we are moving now so having to postpone for a few months to June, not sure if we will still go there or choose another island now (Reethi is tempting us back for a third time).

MrsMGtobe

jtr2803 wrote: »

I'm glad you were aware and took my comments in the vain they were intended. I really debated whether to post or not because I sound picky but honeymoons are important and if it wasn't what you wanted then there would be time to change.

The only thing I would add is that you might want to see if you can get in on the earlier flight. Seaplane transfers stop at dusk but immigration can take about 90 minutes once you land, so if you get delayed either here or in Dubai for an hour then you might have to stay in Male overnight, there isn't normally a price difference so I thought I would mention it.

Reethi beach is our favourite so far. We are currently booked to go to Athuruga at the end of April but we are moving now so having to postpone for a few months to June, not sure if we will still go there or choose another island now (Reethi is tempting us back for a third time).

I really appreciate your comments, it's always useful getting tips and hints from people who have been there before.

Thanks, I will mention the flight times to my OH (he is in charge of speaking to the travel agents) I am sure he will organise something.

After having a quick google of Reethi, I think I can safely say it looks amazing! I am a tad bit envious that you have already been there twice. :rotfl: I really hope your move goes well.

boyofdarovers

ellesbellesxxx wrote: »

Hi and congratulations!
Just saw what you said about your ring - do you have any Tesc0 clubcard vouchers? We had been saving ours - I wanted a 2mm plain white gold ring and from G0ldsmiths this was 119 - with 30 pounds of tesco vouchers = free!!!!
Worth looking into x

Hi, this is good advice if you have Tesco vouchers. If not then the answer is the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. Rings for all budgets and seriously discounted from High St prices (I'm looking to create a separate piece on this because if you go pre-armed with where to go it's far and away the best value where you will get most for your money). Understand that everyone has different priorities from the wedding budget but the rings will be with you every day after so worth a bit of effort getting the best you can for what you allocate to these.