Married in Mauritius

'I do'

However, the fact is that if you are going to get married to the light of your life, an island wedding, far from the madding crowd, is great way to go - and Mauritius is, comparatively speaking, on our doorstep.

On the plane to Mauritius when we flew over to the island recently was at least one couple going over to get married - I know that because we chatted to them, but I am sure there were many more. In fact, while we were there, we saw (I almost said witnessed) another two... one Indian and another possibly UK or SA.

Mauritius is a prime wedding and honeymoon destination for couples from South African, but also the UK, Europe, India, increasingly Bangladesh, and other parts of the world.

Your wedding can be simple and just for the two of you, plus a witness or two and – of course – the officiating officer. This wedding took place at La Pirogue. (Image: Rod Baker)

So it's no surprise Ambre, and the other hotels in the Sun Resorts portfolio on the island - La Pirogue, Sugar Beach, Long Beach and Le Touessrok - are eager to improve their reputation and desirability as wedding venues and honeymoon destinations - couples from India like it. (I took a few 'couple' shots for some newlyweds from India.) The hotel is also keen to encourage Indian couples from KZN to stage their weddings at the hotel. Guptas eat your hearts out!

So I thought I would do you a favour and, courtesy of the Sun Resorts website and the article dealing with weddings, give some 'do's' (and a couple of 'don'ts) to go with your very own "I do's"...So...

How to choose, what to choose - and will the new Mother-in-law be happy? - Mauritius is a beautiful island full of gorgeous scenery and vibrant culture, and the people - not least those at Ambre - also know a thing or two about weddings. As a bonus, the civil marriage procedure in Mauritius is pretty simple.

The staff will do their utmost to make sure your special day really IS a day to remember, but to help them ensure that everything goes smoothly and just as planned, you need to do your part, such as ensure that the administrative side of things is followed, and then take into consideration some practical hints and tips.

Wedding packages in Mauritius - Once you have decided to get married in Mauritius, take a look at the World Leisure Travel resorts on the island and check out what is on offer. And feel free with emails and calls to ensure you have as complete a picture as possible of what each wedding package covers - and what the venue itself offers.

Sometimes it’s well worth uttering the longest sentence… (Image: Ambre website)

For example, Ambre is a stylish 4-star resort with facilities that fall within a reasonable budget. The rooms are chic and modern, the bars and restaurants are top notch and all rooms have sea views, so if you are having guests in attendance, hell - they will have as great a time as you will. What's more, any of the spas and other amenities are still available to you at neighbouring resorts for you and your guests to enjoy.

Wedding coordinators in Mauritius - a coordinator will help you organise your wedding, give you invaluable advice, find you the right location, and set your special event at the most opportune time of day. Leaving the wedding coordinator to handle most of the organisation leaves you free to focus on your holiday, calm those nerves and generally look forward to the big day.

When? - Mauritius enjoys average yearly temperatures of 23ºC, with winters averaging about 22ºC degrees in coastal areas to averages of around 32ºC at the height of summer. Coastal regions tend to be approximately 5ºC hotter than inland areas.

October is one of the best months of the year to get married on the island. It has the lowest rainfall figures and pretty near perfect. May is also an attractive option. It is a pleasant month at the tail end a hot summer season and the beginning of the Mauritian winter. Although temperatures are beginning to cool, it is still a warm time of year for tourists.

I didn’t see an underwater marriage, but I reckon some sort of breathing apparatus is necessary - snorkel? Scuba?. After all, you don’t want your first kiss as a married couple to be an exercise in which you wish you’d paid more attention to the CPR lesson in your first-aid course.

But who says you have to get married on dry land? If you wish, you can try a boat on the water or - OK, the wedding dress will get a trifle damp - you can even say your vows underneath the sea.

The Sun Resorts website says the north and west of Mauritius are less windy than the south and east where the trade winds are stronger, lowering temperatures especially in July and August, but you should pay close attention to the cyclone season that occurs between January to April, which is also comfortably mid-summer. Let's face it you don't want your wedding photographs showing you hair standing out like an airfield windsock, right?

Sun resorts on the west coast are La Pirogue and Sugar Beach.

The Sun Resorts website says summertime is also the wet season so beware of the humidity factor and choose cotton and silk garments. Stay away from lace because sand and lace do not mix.

10 things you need to know about getting married in Mauritius

• Check to make sure you are the only wedding happening on your resort on that day. This is your big day, remember.
• Do not rush the process. You need at least six weeks to organise a wedding in Mauritius. The best advice is to allow six months to prepare for every eventuality.
• Before getting married in Mauritius the authorities require couples to have their birth certificates re-issued and dated within three months of your wedding date, saving you precious time processing documents with the Supreme High Court.
• All weddings in Mauritius will be conducted in English, unless previously requested.
• Your wedding will of course be legal back home in SA, UK or wherever, but it is as well to confirm with your local authorities in your country of residence that your Mauritian wedding will be recognised at home; you might have to register it locally, for instance.
• If you have been divorced longer than 10 months, you will need a copy of your decree absolute.
• Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required by law and can be arranged for you upon request.
• Always arrange travel and medical insurance to cope with life's unexpected occurrences. Do not leave anything to chance.
• October is the best month of the year in Mauritius because it has the lowest rainfall figures and pretty near perfect temperatures. Avoid July to August, which is when the southeasterly trade winds blow strongest, lowering temperatures and playing havoc with wedding photography.
• You can, of course, but you do not need to get married on the beach. You can be married in a church as well as by civil registrar. Remember that your resort will also have several specific locations on hand from you can choose ... from manicured green lawns in botanical gardens to a sumptuous interior location within the hotel, and all points between.

Sugar Beach for your day to remember? (Image: Sugar Beach website)

Some useful wedding contacts in Mauritius:

South African High Commission
4th Floor
British American Insurance Building
25 Pope Hennessy Street
Port Louis

Postal Address:
P O Box 908
Port Louis
Tel: + 230 212 6925 + 230 212 6925 FREE
Tel: + 230 212 6926 + 230 212 6926 FREE
Tel: + 230 212 6928 + 230 212 6928 FREE
Tel: + 230 212 6929 + 230 212 6929 FREE
Tel: + 230 212 6930 + 230 212 6930 FREE

Fax: + 230 213 1171
Fax: + 230 212 6936
Fax: + 230 212 9346 (Economic)

E-mail:
um.tentni@chas (General)
um.tentni@mdachas (Admin & Consular)

British High Commission Mauritius
7th Floor
Les Cascades Building
Edith Cavell Street
Port Louis
Tel: (230) 202 9400
Email: um.tentni.wob@chb
Website: www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high-commission-port-louis

The Registrar of Civil Status
Civil Status Division
7th Level
Emmanuel Anquetil Building
Port Louis
Mauritius
Tel: 00 230 2013203
Email address: um.vog.liam@tatsvic
Website: www.csd.pmo.gov.mu

Mauritius legal requirements

• Two copies of the following documents are required from you two months before you depart:
• Copies of birth certificates dated within three months of your wedding date
• Copies of passports
• Decree absolute (if divorced)
• Deed Poll (if a change of name has occurred)
• Death Certificate and previous marriage certificate if widowed
• Non-English documentation must be translated into English and duly stamped.
• You will also need to take two passport photos each with you to Mauritius.

Finally, enjoy your preparations for your dream wedding in Mauritius. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will provide you with wonderful memories you will never forget.

For more information go to the official Ambre website and/or email um.erbma@ofni.

Main religions of Mauritius

According to Discover Mauritius, "Mauritian culture is based on the diversity of the population, that's why there is no 'official religion' in Mauritius. Hindus, Tamils, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and others from all over the globe live in harmony and respect the free practice of all religions in Mauritius."

Overview of religions of Mauritius

Contact details

For Catholic Church marriages
Episcopate of Port Louis
Monsigneur Gonin Street
Tel: 2083068
Fax: 2086607
Email: um.tentni@ehceve
Website: Web Site: [[www.dioceseportlouis.org/

Hindu
Hindu House Mauritius
Cassis, Port Louis
Tel: 212 8255 / 211 1835
Fax: 210 6788
(Satya-Tyag-Shakti)
Regd. No: 4327
Email: um.esuohudnih@ofni
Website: www.hinduhouse.mu

Ganga Talao (also known as Grand Bassin) is a crater lake. It is considered the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius.

Hindu Temple Triolet. The Hindu temple Maheswarath is one of the largest temple complexes in Mauritius.

Tamil
Shri Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen (also known as Cailaisson Tamil Temple) in Abercrombie.

Islam
The Jummah Mosque, Port Louis
Contact the Jummah Mosque authorities here

Buddhist
Buddhist Temple at Vacoas, Plaines Wilhems, Mauritius
Shiv Shakti Mandir
Solferino No 5, Solferino, Vacoas, Mauritius

Shri Mariammen Kovil Camp Fouquereaux
Hermitage road, Camp Fouquereaux, Vacoas, Mauritius

*I'm kidding... Promise!