Island-style ‘I do’

FOR couples looking for an Indian Ocean wedding or honeymoon, World Leisure Holidays operates across several islands and often collaborates with agents who are creating their clients’ dream wedding or honeymoon. “The reason travellers gravitate towards the Indian Ocean Islands is to have a beach wedding experience,” says Brenda Mitchell, Head of Sales for World Leisure Holidays. World Leisure Holidays has a portfolio of properties across Mauritius, Rodrigues, Maldives, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Seychelles, Madagascar and Réunion, all of which are able to cater for couples looking for memorable wedding and honeymoon experiences. Beach vows Mauritius remains a standout destination for couples seeking romantic beachfront celebrations and intimate honeymoon escapes. World Leisure Holidays offers resorts that curate wedding packages and have dedicated wedding coordinators. Many properties limit ceremonies to one wedding per day to ensure exclusivity and personalised service for couples. The group has a variety of Mauritius resorts to choose from, including La Pirogue, Long Beach, Sugar Beach, Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa, Preskil Island Resort and InterContinental Mauritius Resort. Packages Packages range from intimate vow renewals and proposals to larger celebrations featuring live music, photography, romantic beach dinners and including spa treatments, all coordinated by dedicated celebration specialists. At several Sunlife properties, complimentary wedding packages are available for couples staying five nights or more, with inclusions such as ceremony set-ups, sparkling wine, wedding cakes, romantic dinners and in-room breakfasts. In Mauritius, large weddings are typically over 30 people however World Leisure Holiday provides a hands-on approach no matter the size of the wedding party. From small to large weddings, World Leisure Holidays will work with the property to ensure the curation of a memorable celebration. “Thirty people and more means it’s considered a large wedding, however, we will organise a wedding with two guests,” says Mitchell. “Our weddings are tailor-made as per the couple’s requirements.” Honeymoon focus Two popular honeymoon properties are Ambre Mauritius and Veranda Paul et Virginie, both of which are adults-only resorts. At Ambre Mauritius, honeymoon amenities include a sundowner cocktail experience with canapés served on the beach, a bottle of house wine and fruit skewers on arrival, breakfast in-room once during the stay and a four-course candlelit dinner at La Plage restaurant. Honeymooners also receive discounts on premium food and beverage items and selected spa treatments. Veranda Paul et Virginie, on the north coast of Mauritius, offers honeymoon touches such as a fruit platter and sparkling wine upon check-in, as well as a candlelit dinner including water and wine at the Saint Geran restaurant. Support Mitchell says most of the company’s weddings are vow renewals rather than legal ceremonies. However, it is possible to have a legal marriage ceremony in Mauritius and couples wanting this can complete the necessary documentation and follow procedures with guidance provided by the World Leisure Holidays team. “Our wedding department will consult with the travel agent and tailor-make a package accordingly to their clients’ wants and needs, taking into consideration budget,” says Mitchell.