2026.11.10 — Hainan & Maldives / Resort weddings
Hainan or the Maldives? Two Resort Weddings, Cliffs and Art or a Turquoise Island
Annāntha, between sea and cliffs on Hainan Island, or Anantara Kihavah, a private island in the Maldives. How the two resorts differ and which may suit you.
Some couples want to say their vows somewhere none of their friends have been, in a place that makes people look at the photographs and ask, “Where on earth is that?” If that sounds like you, take a look at resort weddings on Hainan Island and in the Maldives.
In 2026 BRIDEs SCENE began offering weddings at two new resorts: Annāntha on Hainan Island, China, and Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. Both are by the sea, but they could hardly be more different. One is an art-like space above black-rock shores and cliffs, the other a private island wrapped in turquoise.
Three reasons to look at Hainan and the Maldives
- Scenery found nowhere else: black-rock shores and a mirror-water stage, or pure white sand and turquoise water. The setting becomes the memory.
- Everything within one resort: the ceremony, party and photographs all take place at the resort, so the whole day keeps the feeling of a journey.
- A Japanese-speaking coordinator on hand: both plans include one, so the running of the day is in safe hands, even somewhere new to you.
Annāntha: an art-like resort between sea and cliffs
A luxury resort at Shanqin Bay in Wanning, on Hainan Island. Hainan’s great sea and cliffs, black-rock shores, an endless horizon: here nature and architecture meet, and the space itself feels like a work of art.
Ceremony: choose a circular terrace, a lawn garden, or a mirror-water stage where sea seems to meet sky. Each gives the day a different character, so it is worth deciding together with your planner, alongside your dress and flowers.
Party: fine food in a space where nature and architecture are in harmony, and after dark, a special celebration lit by candles.
Photographs: black-rock shores, endless sand and modern architecture. The whole resort is your studio, and each frame can look entirely different.
Anantara Kihavah: a turquoise private island
In Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this private island is surrounded by endless turquoise water and white sand. Its eighty beach and over-water pool villas sit alongside an undersea restaurant and an over-water observatory, making it one of the great resorts of the Maldives. It is about 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport in Malé, so the journey itself begins the occasion.
Ceremony: vows on white sand, before an endless sea, with nothing between you and the horizon. You can also choose a ceremony in the undersea restaurant.
Party: a special dinner in the undersea restaurant, and the over-water observatory, for a night you will not forget.
Photographs: beach villas, over-water pool villas and turquoise sea. Every frame is a picture.
The two resorts side by side
| Annāntha | Anantara Kihavah | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Hainan Island, China | Baa Atoll, Maldives |
| Scenery | Cliffs, black-rock shores, the horizon | Turquoise sea, white sand |
| Ceremony | Circular terrace, lawn garden, mirror-water stage | White sand, or the undersea restaurant |
| Party | A candlelit evening feast | Dinner in the undersea restaurant |
| Photo backdrops | Black-rock shores, sand, modern architecture | Beach villas, over-water pool villas, sea |
| Mood | Modern, composed, like an art space | A private island, wrapped in the sea |
Both plans include a ceremony set, reception, hair and make-up for the couple, bouquet and boutonnière, a master of ceremonies, photography, videography and a Japanese-speaking coordinator. With both photographs and film, you can share a faraway day with family who could not make the trip.
Which one feels like you?
Annāntha suits couples who love architecture and art: those who want the sea in the background but a more refined mood than the usual tropical look, and who would enjoy a long, candlelit evening.
Anantara Kihavah suits couples who want the colour of the water to be the star: those who see the villa stay as part of the celebration, or who would like to marry quietly, just the two of you or with a few people close to you. To compare other areas, see our page on intimate weddings.
What to check before you plan
| Topic | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Guest count | How many people can join the ceremony and the reception |
| Getting there | Routes and connections from your home city, including the seaplane for the Maldives |
| Accommodation | Where you and your guests will stay, and for how many nights |
| Timing | The weather and the look of the sea in your preferred season |
| Rain plan | Alternatives for an outdoor ceremony |
| Attire | Bringing your own, or arranging it with us |
At a faraway resort, whether you invite guests changes the shape of the whole trip, so start by telling us who you would like to be with and how you would like to spend the time. For travel requirements and legal registration of your marriage, please ask your planner for details.
In short
An art-like stage facing cliffs and horizon, or a private island wrapped in turquoise: each offers a day you could not have anywhere else. See more of Annāntha and Anantara Kihavah, or the whole region on our Hainan and Maldives weddings page.
BRIDEs SCENE planners speak English and Chinese and will suggest the venue and plan that fit your dates and your vision. Tell us a little about your wedding and we will take it from there.
