Beachcomber, with eight exquisite beachfront resorts, is the authority on destination weddings in Mauritius. With their policy of 'one wedding per day', all facilities, staff and attention are focused solely on your special day!
Read on to understand the practicalities of getting married on the white sandy beaches of Mauritius, and then chat to your personal Travel Counsellor who will suggest the ideal Beachcomber resort and take care of all the arrangements.
What is the difference between a Destination Wedding and Renewal of Vows Ceremony?
The alternative to being legally married in Mauritius is booking a Renewal of Vows Ceremony. You must be legally married in South Africa prior to travelling to Mauritius (A copy of the marriage certificate must be handed in at check-in).
A Renewal of Vows Ceremony is handled by the resort in the same way as a Destination Wedding and a minimum of 2 days is required prior to the “wedding day” to finalise all the arrangements.
Timeframe
Weddings are performed on weekdays only (excluding public holidays) and you must be in Mauritius for a minimum of 3 working days, prior to the special day, to complete all the legalities.
Renewal of Vows ceremonies are also only performed on weekdays (excluding public holidays), and you'll have to be in Mauritius a minimum of 2 days prior to the special day to finalise all the arrangements.
What you need to get married in Mauritius
The following documents are required by the Civil Status Office:
- 1 copy of the first three pages of the passports
- 1 copy of the birth certificates (Issued not more than 3 months before wedding date)
- 1 copy of the divorce certificate or certificate of death of spouse when applicable
- An application form (supplied by the T.O) duly filled in and signed by the future groom and bride
- French nationals should produce a "Certificat de Capacité de Mariage" and must inform the French Embassy based in Mauritius 3 months prior to wedding date
It is important to note that a divorced bride-to-be getting married within 10 months of the divorce must take a pregnancy test in Mauritius (at her own expense). Should the test be positive, the civil marriage cannot be celebrated in Mauritius.
All documents should be sent to the hotel at least 8 weeks prior to wedding date.
A wedding reception to remember
For a memorable reception dinner, you have the choice of a semi-private dinner in one of the resort's restaurants (included in your package) or a private dinner (at an additional cost). What about a romantic beach BBQ?
The resort provides the essentials for an elegant dinner complete with tablecloth, crockery, cutlery, glassware, and other necessities. There is a choice of events companies in Mauritius that can assist with special touches to make it more 'you', at an additional cost.
Remember to chat to your TC about including a wedding cake.
Dreamy decor
Beachcomber's unique theme for weddings and Renewal of Vows ceremonies is based on traditional Mauritian touches, such as the fishing pirogue and the Nautilus shell, combined with elegant white drapery and rustic chic furniture, creating a dreamlike experience. Seasonal flower arrangements are also available upon request, although at an additional charge.
The Ceremony
The ceremony typically lasts around 20 minutes and usually takes place at 4:00 pm. Following the ceremony, guests can enjoy drinks (included in the All-Inclusive Package) while the newlyweds have their photos taken. The reception dinner is typically scheduled for 7:00 pm. If you're interested in adding entertainment, such as a musical trio, Sega dancers, or DJ, please note that this is only available for private dinners.
Plan B
The weather doesn't play along and for that reason you may want to have a back-up plan. The resorts are happy to help but this may be at an extra cost.
Those little extras
To get ready for the most memorable day of your life, services like a hairdresser, beauty treatments, a make-up artist and even steaming of your wedding dress can be arranged.
Your personal Travel Counsellor can recommend the perfect Beachcomber resort and will take care of all the arrangements for you but keep in mind that there are terms and conditions that apply, some of the services listed may be at an additional cost, and all the above is subject to change.
