When Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani tied the knot on July 3, 2021, at Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch, their wedding was a heartfelt blend of country charm and rock-star flair. The couple, who met on The Voice in 2014 and fell in love against all odds, captivated fans with their undeniable chemistry. But it was their lavish honeymoon in the Maldives—a paradise of turquoise waters and overwater villas—that truly set hearts ablaze. For one magical week in July 2021, Shelton and Stefani retreated to the ultra-exclusive One&Only Reethi Rah resort, a $10,000-per-night haven where privacy, luxury, and romance intertwined. Their story, filled with starlit dinners, adventurous escapades, and tender moments, paints a picture of a love deepened by extravagance and intimacy, proving that even superstars can find new ways to fall in love.

A Destination Fit for Royalty

The Maldives, a chain of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, is synonymous with opulence, attracting A-listers like Beyoncé and George Clooney. Shelton and Stefani chose the One&Only Reethi Rah, a resort renowned for its secluded villas, pristine beaches, and unparalleled service. Their Grand Water Villa, perched on stilts over a crystalline lagoon, cost an estimated $70,000 for the week, offering a private infinity pool, a personal butler, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing endless ocean views. The villa’s design—sleek wood, cream linens, and coral-inspired art—created a serene backdrop for their romantic escape.

The couple’s decision to splurge on the Maldives reflected their desire for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Shelton, a country boy from Ada, Oklahoma, and Stefani, a pop-punk icon from Anaheim, California, had built a life blending their worlds. The Maldives offered a neutral, extravagant setting where they could focus solely on each other, away from the demands of their careers and Stefani’s three sons, Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo. As Shelton later told People in a 2022 interview, “We wanted a place where it was just us, no distractions, just love. The Maldives was like stepping into a dream.”

Arrival in Paradise

The couple arrived in Malé, the Maldives’ capital, via private jet from Los Angeles, a 20-hour journey softened by champagne and anticipation. A speedboat whisked them to Reethi Rah, where they were greeted with flower leis and coconut cocktails. Stefani, radiant in a flowing white maxi dress, and Shelton, sporting a rare non-cowboy-hat look with a linen shirt, were all smiles as staff escorted them to their villa. An insider shared with Us Weekly that the couple was “giddy” upon arrival, holding hands and marveling at the turquoise waters.

Their first evening set the tone for the week. After settling in, they enjoyed a private dinner on the villa’s deck, curated by the resort’s Michelin-starred chef. The menu featured Maldivian lobster, wagyu beef, and passionfruit sorbet, paired with a 2008 Dom Pérignon. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, Shelton strummed an acoustic guitar, serenading Stefani with an impromptu rendition of their duet “Nobody But You.” Stefani, visibly moved, leaned into him, her laughter mingling with the lapping waves. “It was like we were the only two people in the world,” she later told Vogue.

Days of Adventure and Intimacy

The Maldives offered endless opportunities for adventure, and Shelton and Stefani embraced them with enthusiasm. On their second day, they embarked on a private snorkeling tour in the resort’s house reef, a vibrant ecosystem teeming with parrotfish, manta rays, and sea turtles. Shelton, a self-proclaimed “land guy,” was initially hesitant but dove in with Stefani’s encouragement. “Gwen’s fearless,” he told People. “She was swimming with these fish like it was nothing, and I’m over here trying not to freak out.” Their guide, a local marine biologist, noted their playfulness, with Stefani playfully tugging Shelton’s fins as they explored coral gardens.

The couple also took a sunset dolphin cruise on a luxury yacht, spotting spinner dolphins leaping through the waves. Wrapped in a shared blanket, they sipped mojitos and exchanged stories about their childhoods—Shelton’s days fishing in Oklahoma, Stefani’s punk-rock rebellion in Orange County. These moments of vulnerability deepened their connection, with Stefani later sharing on The Drew Barrymore Show that the trip helped them “learn new things about each other, even after years together.”

For a thrill, they tried jet-skiing across the lagoon, with Shelton challenging Stefani to a race. “I let her win,” he joked to Entertainment Tonight, though eyewitnesses said Stefani’s competitive streak outshone his. The day ended with a couples’ massage at the resort’s Chi Spa, where they relaxed with hot stone therapy and frangipani oil, the scent lingering as they fell asleep to the sound of the ocean.

Starlit Nights and Private Vows

The nights were where the honeymoon’s magic truly unfolded. On their fourth evening, the resort arranged a private beach dinner under a canopy of fairy lights. A bonfire crackled as they dined on grilled octopus, truffle risotto, and chocolate lava cake, served on a table adorned with orchids. A Maldivian musician played soft bossa nova, but Shelton, ever the romantic, requested a country classic, Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” He pulled Stefani to her feet for a slow dance, their silhouettes swaying against the firelight. “Blake’s got this way of making everything feel like a movie,” Stefani told Vogue. “That night, I felt like I was living in one.”

Midway through the week, they renewed their vows in an impromptu ceremony on a secluded sandbank, accessible only by boat. Dressed simply—she in a white sarong, he in a linen suit—they stood barefoot as a local officiant blessed their union with a Maldivian prayer. They exchanged handwritten vows, with Shelton promising to “always be your safe place, no matter where we are,” and Stefani vowing to “love you through every melody and every storm.” The moment, witnessed only by their butler and a photographer, was captured in a single black-and-white photo later shared on Stefani’s Instagram, captioned, “Forever starts here 💍🌊.”

A Balance of Extravagance and Simplicity

Despite the lavish setting, Shelton and Stefani infused their honeymoon with down-to-earth moments. One morning, they joined a Maldivian cooking class, learning to make mas huni, a traditional tuna and coconut dish. Shelton’s attempt at grating coconut was a comedic flop, prompting Stefani to tease, “Stick to singing, babe!” They laughed through the lesson, feeding each other bites of their creation. The resort’s chef praised their teamwork, noting, “They were like kids in love, joking and stealing glances.”

They also spent quiet afternoons in their villa, lounging by the pool with books—Stefani reading a memoir, Shelton flipping through a fishing magazine. These low-key moments were vital for Shelton, who told People in 2022, “Gwen and I needed time to just be us, no schedules, no cameras.” Their ability to balance the resort’s extravagance with simple pleasures—like watching the stars from their deck, naming constellations—made the trip uniquely theirs.

The Impact on Their Love

The Maldives honeymoon was a turning point for Shelton and Stefani, solidifying their bond after a whirlwind romance. Having weathered public scrutiny and personal challenges—Shelton’s 2015 divorce from Miranda Lambert, Stefani’s from Gavin Rossdale—they emerged stronger. The week gave them space to dream about their future, from raising Stefani’s sons to blending their musical worlds. Their 2021 duet “Happy Anywhere,” inspired by their early days, took on new meaning in the Maldives, with lyrics like “I’m happy anywhere with you” echoing their villa’s tranquility.

Fans caught glimpses of the trip through Stefani’s social media, where she posted cryptic beach photos with captions like “Paradise found 🌴💕.” X users went wild, with posts like “Blake and Gwen’s Maldives honeymoon is giving me LIFE 😍” and “These two in paradise? Goals 🏝️💑.” Us Weekly reported that the couple was “closer than ever” post-honeymoon, with an insider saying, “They came back glowing, like they’d rediscovered each other.”

A Return to Reality

The honeymoon ended on July 11, 2021, with a bittersweet departure. As their speedboat sped back to Malé, Shelton and Stefani held hands, watching Reethi Rah fade into the horizon. They returned to Los Angeles, where Shelton resumed touring and Stefani prepared for her Las Vegas residency. But the Maldives left a lasting imprint. In a 2023 Extra interview, Shelton reflected, “That week was like hitting pause on the world. It reminded me what matters—her, us, love.”

The One&Only Reethi Rah staff later shared with Travel + Leisure that the couple was “incredibly warm” and left a generous tip, along with a note thanking the team for “making our love story shine.” Their stay, costing upwards of $80,000 including activities, was a small price for a week that became a cornerstone of their marriage.

Conclusion: A Love That Soars

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s Maldives honeymoon was more than a lavish getaway; it was a celebration of their unlikely, unbreakable love. From starlit dances to vow renewals on a sandbank, their week at One&Only Reethi Rah was a tapestry of extravagance and intimacy. As they navigate life as a blended family and music power couple, the memories of that turquoise paradise continue to fuel their romance. In the words of a fan on X, “Blake and Gwen in the Maldives is proof love can be a fairy tale 🌊💖.” For one week in July 2021, they lived that tale, and the world can’t stop swooning.