many of the tour operators that offer this service. Dedicated
staff are on hand to assist in all the arrangements, help you
choose your venue, book flights, organize the flowers, photos,
wedding cake, food and drink and put together all the finishing
touches for your special day.
Wedding organizers will research hotels and check for special
group discounts if you are sharing your special day with family
and friends. Weddings are tailor made to your requirements
whilst staff at many of the islands luxury hotels will endeavour
to make your day as special as you deserve.
Before you get swept away by the romance of having a wedding
abroad, you will also need to consider the practicalities of
getting married in Mauritius. UK residents planning to marry in
Mauritius have the choice of a Civil Ceremony or a Religious
Ceremony. The following checklist is designed to act as a guide
to planning your luxury wedding in Mauritius and is by no means
comprehensive.
• Before you fly out you will need to apply for a Certificate
of Non-residence by sending a request to the Registrar of Civil
Status at least one month before your intended wedding date. It
should be sent with copies of both of your full birth
certificates and a copy of the first three pages of your
passports, as well as any relevant divorce/death documentation.
The certificate is then issued by the Prime Minister's Office in
Port Louis, so you need to allow at least 10 days for processing
before your wedding date. It is worth enquiring as to any other
relevant documentation that you may need on application of your
Certificate of Non-residence.
• For a civil ceremony you must be present on the island up to
24hrs before the wedding. However it is advisable you arrive at
least 3 days before to complete formalities. For religious
ceremonies arrive at least 15 days prior to the ceremony and
note that if you decide to have your wedding at one of the
hotels you will normally be required to book a minimum stay of 7
nights.
• When you arrive in Mauritius you will have to visit the Civil
Status Office ensure you have all your original documents with
you otherwise you will not be able to collect your non-residence
certificate. You must swear an affidavit before a judge in
chambers in Port Louis. The Civil wedding may then be celebrated
one day after the publication of your marriage banns, providing
you have confirmed time and location with the Registrar.
Weddings can be held Monday to Friday, excluding Public
Holidays.
• Civil Ceremonies are conducted by a Civil Status Officer
commonly at the local register office or at a location of your
choice from a hotel to a secluded beach. If you opt for a
wedding ceremony at a hotel check whether they guarantee only
one wedding per day at the resort as do Beachcomber Hotels, so
you don't have to share your special day with anyone else.
• Two witnesses are required to be present throughout the
proceedings.
• Expect the ceremony to last between 20-30 minutes after which
you will receive your Wedding Certificate. Clarify with the
Civil Status Office to ensure that your Wedding will be
registered in Mauritius and in doing so will be legal back home
in the UK.
• If you would like a religious ceremony it is possible to have
an Anglican or Catholic wedding in Mauritius. However although
possible Catholic weddings are very difficult to arrange for
non-Mauritians. You must first have a Civil wedding in either
the UK or Mauritius, preferably in the UK. If you or your
partner have been divorced it will not be possible to have a
religious ceremony.
• If your marriage certificate is written in a foreign language
you will need to ensure it is translated on your return to the
UK.
For planning of luxury weddings in Mauritius you should contact
the countries embassy in the UK for further information.
About The Author: For further information on weddings in
Mauritius please visit Beachcomber Tours at
http://www.beachcom
