Wedding
Weddings in Mauritius
The wedding day is considered as the “best day of your life”, so everybody demands high standards of this day. It should be something really special, a memorable place and a unique ambience. Mauritius offers the ocean, brilliant sunshine, lush palm trees and white sand beaches- the perfect setting for a wedding! So it is hardly surprising, that Mauritius became a major destination for couples, who want to tie the knot in a special way.
Not only because of the tropical image of the island Mauritius is considered as the perfect place to exchange the vows. Another big adavantage is that marrying in Mauritius is very unbureaucratic. Furthermore you can directly combine the wedding with the honeymoon.
Mauritius lives up to its reputation as “island of weddings”. More than 12 000 tourist couples are breathing “I will” on the remote tropical island. As a foreigner you can be legally effecitve married by registrar as well as by the katholic church. When it comes to the ceremony almost everthing is possible. You can let your imagination run free. The beach, the ocean, the mountains or even underseas- every place has the potential to be your special wedding spot! It only depends on your budget, what can be organised. The registrar and also the priest are marrying you in almost every place.
In Mauritius hotels and agencys are prepared for the wedding tourism. They are offering special wedding packages, which consist of the organization of the whole ceremony. From the wedding cake up to the flower decoration everything is arranged for the special day. Also the organization of the legal part can be part of the packages.
If you made the decision to marry on the exotic island, you should start to plan at an early stage. At least six months in advance you should begin with the necessary arrangements.
Not later than ten days before the marriage all the necessary documents have to be handed in at the registrar office. Here you find the address:
Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Emmanuel Anquetil Building (7th level)
Sir S. Ramgoolam Street
Port Louis
Tel: 2012313/2011727
Fax: 2112420
Email: [email protected]
The following documents are necessary for a marriage in Mauritius:
– „Non Residence Certificate”: certificate, which proves that the future married couple are not citizens of Mauritius and do not have their permanent residence in Mauritius (you get this certificate at the Mauritian registrar office)
– 2 copys of: birth certificates of both partners, the first three pages of the valid passport (has to be at least 6 more months valid!), certificate of nubility
– certificate of baptism (if you plan a church marriage)
– maybe divorce papers or death certificates of former spouses
Contact address for catholic church marriages:
Episcopate of Port Louis
Monsigneur Gonin Street
Tel: 2083068
Fax: 2086607
In case all your documents are not drawn up in English, they should be submitted in authorized translation
When you are back home, the wedding has to be adjuged. For this you get a so called “Apostille”, which acts as the official Mauritian marriage certification. You can submit it at the authority, which is in charge of marriages in your country.
Wedding Ceremonies on Isla Mauritia
To marry in Mauritius is something very special. As not everybody want to have a wedding on the beach, a lot of couples decide themselves to tie the knot on the high sea. Unfortunately most of the boats and ships can not provide the atmosphere you wish for “the best day of your life”, quite in contrary to the historic schooner Isla Maurita.
Isla Mauritia, which was built in 1852, is a truly magnificent example of the world´s nautical history. It is the last vessel of its category in the world, which is still active. Thanks to some modifications, the vessel is offered for day sailing cruises so that everyone gets the opportunity to set his clock backwards and experience the old age romance. The crew members are professional sailors with more than 7 years experience on ocean sailing boats. They are versatile and funtion as stewards, entertainers, animators to create a very pleasant atmosphere on board. Every Wednesday and Saturday you can take a cruise on Isla Mauritia and experience the unique atmosphere on the historic schooner.
If you want to celebrate a wedding, which is one of a kind than you can tie the knot on Isla Mauritia! The wedding ceremony can be held according to the wishes of the couple. Depending on your financial budget almost everything can be organized. Marketing manager Valérie is the person in charge of weddings. She can tell you which of your ideas can be realized on Isla Mauritia. The ceremony can just bring together the groom, the bride, a legal representative and a photographer (for example) or, of course, other relatives and guests. All in all 70 people can be on board of the ship.
The program should be excactly defined in advance with Yacht Charters Ltd. The following one is only a possibility among others:
In the afternoon you arrive in Grand Bay at the jetty of Yacht Charters. Afterwards you embark on small boats to get on board of Isla Mauritia. You are welcomed on the ship and get a short briefing by the crew and the skipper. The talented band on bord of the ship will play your favorite music, while your stay on the schooner. The wedding ceremony will be hold in accordance with the wishes of the couple (time and place). Drinks and snacks are served accompanied with music. Isla Mauritia sets sail in the direction of Grand Bay again. After having dropped the anchor, more drinks are served and the band plays music live. The ceremony ends with the slow disembarkation at the jetty of Grand Bay.
The length of this programm would be around one or one and a half hours. The departure time in Grand Bay can be previously discussed.
Concerning the drinks there will be served South African white and rosé wine, “pirate delight” (punch), beer, nonalcoholic drinks (coca cola, sprite, mineral water). Sparkling wine is served after the ceremony. For the snacks seven different varieties can be chosen.
Additionally you can book for example Séga dancers and a Dj. If you would like to have main dishes instead of snacks, you can choose between a menu and a barbecue. Both are available in three categories: standard (700 Rs), quality (900 Rs) and superior (1500 Rs).
Yacht Charters offers a special wedding package for 26 250 Rupees (ca. 625 €). In this price is included:
– The sailing boat “Isla Mauritia” exclusively with departure and return in Grand Baie
– Eight members crew for manoeuvers, service and animation
– All drinks and snacks
– Free transfer from/to hotel for the couple
– 1 free bottle of sparkling wine for the couple and 2 certificates with their names
The offer is valid for four people (the couple and two guests). In case of additional guests an extra charge of 630 Rs must be added.
Half of the price must be paid when you confirm your wedding date. The total price must be paid to Yacht Charters one week prior to your wedding.
At least one and a half month before your wedding you should contact Yacht Charters, so that everything for the “best day in your life” can be organized.
Contact:
Yacht Chartes Ltd.
Grand Bay
Tel. (+230) 263 83 95 / 6
Fax. (+230) 263 78 14
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.isla-mauritia.com