Seychelles Wedding – Africa A-Z

The Seychelles Islands have proven to be a dream wedding destination for lovers worldwide, celebrity or not. It welcomes travelers from all corners of the globe and is especially honored to host those who choose to start a thrilling new chapter of their lives on its shores. Regardless of your background or religion, Seychelles as a melting pot of cultures will unquestionably be able to cater to your needs.

Get married on one of the breathtaking Seychelles islands. Whether in the beautiful grounds of your hotel, beneath swaying palms by the beach, on a yacht heading into a magical sunset, or on one of the enchanting islands, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to venues of heart-stopping beauty.

Share your celebration with your family and friends by having them present to witness your union. Or, if you prefer total intimacy, then say ‘I do’ in splendid solitude just the two of you. Either way, you will be swept off your feet by the attention of the dedicated team of professionals. There to ensure that your wedding is organized to the very last detail of your dreams. Leaving you free to savor the moment and cherish the memories for a lifetime.

Very few places on earth possess the same charm and natural allure as sensual Seychelles when it comes to choosing an idyllic venue for a romantic beach wedding.

The enormous diversity of Seychelles’ islands presents the idyllic backdrop for a tropical wedding amid surrounds of stunning natural beauty, the welcoming smiles of the friendly Seychellois people, and a romantic ambiance whose memories will live with you forever.

And what’s more… taking your vows in Seychelles is easy and hassle-free!

Seychelles Wedding Planning

When planning your wedding in Seychelles, there are certain legal requirements that need to be adhered to.

Why marry in the Seychelles Islands?

Your marriage certificate will be valid worldwide from the Seychelles Islands.

The marriage certificate issued by the Civil Status Office of Seychelles is a legal document and is valid worldwide, but before leaving the country, please ensure that the marriage certificates are apostille by the Seychelles Supreme Court and further issued with a Letter of Authentication by the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Beach wedding in the Seychelles — North Island beach wedding

Legal Requirements for Marrying in Seychelles

If you are a couple planning to marry in Seychelles, it is always best to have someone like us to guide you through these requirements before you travel.

The couple must be present in Seychelles at least 3 working days prior to the civil ceremony.

The following documents should be received a minimum of 24 days prior to the wedding date. This is in order to process the marriage with the Seychelles Civil Status office to post the banns*, as well as coordinate with the relevant Embassy/Consulate where applicable.

*The Civil Status Office must be notified of the wedding date at least eleven calendar days in advance. However, this eleven-day period may be exempted by applying for a Special License, normally issued within two days from the date of application at an additional cost.

Documents needed to get married in the Seychelles

Birth certificate or certified copy thereof
If either party is divorced, the decree of divorce must be produced
If either of the parties is a widow or widower; the previous marriage and death certificate of the former spouse must be produced
Legal proof in the case of a name having been changed
A copy of the first or last 6 pages of each passport, including the inside cover, showing the party’s personal details
Document to show that there is no impediment or lawful hindrance to the intended marriage (If this cannot be obtained, an affidavit has to be signed in Seychelles after a solemn declaration has been made to that effect)
The couple (each individual) Occupation(s) / Job title details.
The ‘Seychelles Civil Status – Wedding Form‘ has to be completed with the requested details of the couple.
All the above documents must be originals or copies duly certified before departure from one’s home country and must be translated into either English or French if the translation has not already been made.

It is advisable that the wedding is planned at least two months in advance to allow for the processing of documentation.

Civil Ceremonies

Civil ceremonies may be conducted around the hotel property with permission from both the hotel and the Civil Registrar. Weddings outside the hotel property can only be performed in private and authorized places. The authorization needs to be obtained from the Civil Registrar.
Weddings can also be performed in the Civil Status Office on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 am and 11 am. In the presence of two witnesses provided by the parties themselves.
Couples wishing to marry outside the Civil Status Office will be required to pay a fee. This fee applies to ceremonies held on any weekday on Mahé or one of the Inner Islands*. The couple will be required to cover the transportation cost for the Registrar officer to travel to these islands.

However, the Civil Status Office also has officers on both Praslin and La Digue.
Couples wishing to marry on one of the Outer Islands, including Alphonse or Desroches, will be required to pay a different fee plus the transportation cost to these islands for the Registrar officer.
A fee is charged for ceremonies held after 5pm on a weekday or at any time on a Saturday and Sunday.
Legally conducted marriages in Seychelles are recognized under European laws.
There are no nationality requirements that need to be fulfilled.
A special stamp (apostille) is required to validate the marriage certificate obtained after the civil ceremony for all nationalities except for British nationals. This stamp is available at the Registrar’s office located at the Supreme Court for a fee.

*Inner Islands include:

Anonyme, Bird, Cerf, Cousine, Denis, Frégate, La Digue, Moyenne, North, Praslin, Round, Ste Anne, and Silhouette islands.

Wedding Costs

For details of the different fees mentioned please contact the Seychelles Civil Status Office directly.
For clients from Russia & CIS countries Apostile and stamps are required. Additionally the wedding certificate is validated, certified and translated by the Russian Consult in the Seychelles. As it takes about a week to complete this formality the translated wedding certificates are often not ready by the time the couple leaves Seychelles. The documents are then sent by courier service to the couple (needs to provide the couple’s postal address). Note the legal marriage certificate issued in Seychelles will be valid in Russia however note that no stamps will be put in the wedding couple’s passport.
French law requires that French nationals wishing to get married abroad follow certain specific procedures. For information concerning these, contact either your local municipality or the Seychelles Civil Status Office or the French Embassy in Seychelles. The following are their respective contact details.
Seychelles Civil Status Office
PO Box 430, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 4 29 36 13 / 4 29 36 04
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8 am – 11.30 am & 1 pm – 3 pm
Closed on weekends and public holidays.
French Embassy of Seychelles
1st Floor, La Ciotat Building
Mont Fleuri, Mahé
Tel: +248 4 38 25 00
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 5 pm

Religious Weddings in Seychelles

Your dream of a romantic religious wedding in paradise can become reality in Seychelles.

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in the country, however, there are also Anglican and other Protestant churches, as well as smaller Muslim, Hindu and Bahá’i communities.

In order to organize a religious wedding ceremony you will have to contact the relevant religious body. It is important to note however, that a religious wedding without first conducting a civil ceremony is not recognized under Seychelles law. It will therefore be necessary to conduct a civil ceremony prior to the religious ceremony.

The contact details for certain religious bodies in Seychelles, along with that of the Civil Status Office are listed below.

The Catholic Church
Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 32 26 52
Fax: +248 32 14 64
Email: [email protected]

The Anglican Church
St. Paul’s Cathedral Office
PO Box 44, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 32 25 08
Fax: +248 22 42 96
Email: [email protected]

The Hindu Kovil Sangam (Hindu Temple)
Quincy Street, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 32 47 01 / 51 51 75

Seychelles Civil Status Office
PO Box 430, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 29 36 13
Email: [email protected]

Best time to have a Seychelles wedding

While Seychelles is blessed with a warm tropical climate all year round, try to plan your wedding for spring. As April and May are the best months to avoid the peak wind and monsoon seasons. You could also aim for October or November, another quiet moment in the islands’ weather system, for temperatures that are a little cooler.

Contact us now to assist you to plan your dream Seychelles wedding giving us your expected number of guests, where you are traveling from, and your expected budget so we can confirm all costs.

Some of our Seychelles wedding packages include:

Hotels on Mahe

Allamanda Beach Resort,
Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas,
Banyan Tree Seychelles,
Berjaya Bearu Vallon Bay,
Chalets D’anse Forbans,
Constance Ephelia Resort,
Coral Strand Smart Choice Hotel,
Four Seasons Resort,
Hilton Northolme Seychelles,
Kempinski Seychelles,
Le Meridien Barbarons,
Le Meridien Fishermans Cove,
Sunset Beach Hotel,
Valmer Resort.

HOTELS ON PRASLIN

Acajou Hotel,
Berjaya Praslin Beach Hotel,
Castello Beach Hotel,
Coco De Mer & Black Parrot Suites,
Constance Lemuria Resort & Spa,
Indian Ocean Lodge,
L’Archipel Hotel,
La Reserve Hotel,
Le Duc De Praslin,
Palm Beach Hotel,
Paradise Sun Hotel,
Raffles Praslin Seychelles,
Village Du Pecheur.