Part II: My Wedding Ceremony By The Beach

"Forever is not a word...rather a place where two lovers go when true love takes them there.

At last, after hours and hours of waiting, have finally seen my man - my love and my future. A million dollar smiles... "Love is a hard rock between two people and can't be torn apart"... While we were walking going down to the beach, love songs and wedding songs were beautifully playing, it was very romantic though... The moment I saw all our guests with big smiles on their faces and the non-stop flashes from their cameras, I started crying... The venue was lovely, we were surrounded by with fresh flowers. Anyway, we only had a 30 minutes ceremony done by the Head of Civil Registrar in Mauritius (as shown on top right).

Exchanging of our VOWS...

Blessing and exchanging of our RINGS...
"A ring is round, it turns forever and that's how long we'll be together!"
We were both in tears here, was very romantic though.
“Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop.”

My father and Mr. Giff Bishop (our Chief Engineer here at work), signed our marriage license as our 2 witnesses.

As soon as the ceremony was finished, the Civil Head had pronounced us as "Husband & Wife"... at last and finally!! "Forever is not today, not tomorrow or a century that will come, but a lifetime."
Our both parents...

One thing that I forgot to tell my husband to "bless" ("mano po" in Tagalog) to my parents - to take their both hands and put in his forehead - one of the Filipino cultures, which basically a sign of respect! After here, I'm gonna be taking you to our 2 hours photo shoots - we went around the resort, around the beach, taking the gorgeous sunset.

"Love is like a river, never ending as it flows, but gets greater with time!"

My Wedding Day Part I: Procession Going to the Beach

IT WAS A VERY SUNNY DAY, gorgeous. The most awaited moment, that everyone was looking forward to, that everybody was excited about to experience, there I was, to have had finally been able to put smile on my face after the long hours of preparation.

We didn't know that our photographers and the video man were already waiting for us at the reception area where we were going to start, then down to the beach, while my hubby's family and the rest of our guests were already at the ceremony venue waiting for us to come. We were rushing and laughing while feeling nervous! At least we all managed to laugh...

My both beloved parents.

That's the reception area of the Le Canonnier Hotel. They were all my ladies - my sister Joy standing right next to me - she was my Maid of Honor; my Bridesmaids - Ashley and Zaira as Junior Bridesmaid, on my left side is Claire (my sis-in-law), and Dee (my bestfriend), and my brother as my Ring Bearer. My Bible Bearer Jake wasn't there at that very moment as he was the one was running around to see my hubby to confirm the missing rings.

Going down to the beach, I felt wonderful though, people were looking and taking photographs. Can't really help myself but to smile at them!!!
Was taken beside the swimming pool with loads of people. I can't really wait to see my man waiting for me!
We were passing the historical tower with children's playground inside, and the massage center made up of native materials.

More to come....am almost there...

The Day I Got Married - Chaotic!!

Here it comes, the day that everybody looked forward to, that everyone was excited about... first time that most of our guests had ever attended - OUR BEACH WEDDING!!

While everyone was busy preparing on the first hours in the morning, I was busy finalizing all the bits and pieces, like things to be put inside my pouch bag, etc... and my hubby was busy moving his suit, shoes and things he needed out next door where his parents stayed. The very reason was, he'd never seen my wedding gown as yet so he didn't want to see me dressing up and preparing. In short, it was just myself and the rest of my ladies (including my in-laws), helping me out ironing all the bridesmaids' dresses and to hang mine inside the bathroom with hot shower water running just enough to get rid of all the crinkles.

I had an appointment for my hair to get done by 1pm (the wedding ceremony was scheduled at 5pm), and it was almost 1 pm already that I hadn't had my shower yet! I started to stress out and panicking... thanks God that my family from other resorts arrived to help me out of what I've had been doing that time and rushing to the bathroom, had my quick shower. Just about 5 minutes after I finished, the phone rang - my hairdresser looking for me, because I was 20 minutes late already...

I rushed going to the shop...I tell you what? It took more than 3 hours for them to finish my hair, and look what they have done? GORGEOUS.... It was half passed four already, and only my hair was done, still have to do my make up... so I rushed in back to my room, I saw all my bridesmaids putting their make-ups on, helping each other to get done...

Here they are, look at them while preparing....they look gorgeous, aren't they?


























The moment we finished and ready to march going to the reception area I went to our safe to get our WEDDING RINGS, I forgot the codes. So had to ask my bible bearer (son of my best friend Dee) to run to the venue to ask my hubby the safe codes, and he came back with the codes, we tried and managed to open but the rings were gone! Oh my God, the stresses were filing up and everybody were panicking. Then had to ask him again to confirm with my hubby if he got them!! Geezzzz, we ran out of time.. we were way late already... imagine 30 minutes late... so we had to go and march...

I had a mixed emotions that time, wanted to cry and full of excitement. When I realized that my man was been waiting for almost an hour, I finally managed to put smile on my face.

Legal Requirements of Getting Married in Mauritius

We arrived 3 days before our big day. It is strictly required for both non-citizens to arrive at least three days prior to your wedding, mainly because, to give time to process all the legal documentations needed. If you don't get a wedding & honeymoon package in a certain hotel, you have to apply yourselves, call the Civil Registrar, going backwards and forwards to the Supreme Court, etc...

However, you can eliminate all these sorts of things, to be able to have a hustle-free wedding, just obtain the wedding & honeymoon package, which the hotel takes care of all your documentations, again you pay for the legal fees (read my article "Planning A Destination Wedding"), which obviously is very common to all other countries around the world. You have your choice, to pay the legal fees and they ensure all the documentations ready or you apply and process yourself.

Take note: Both couple are still required to visit the Civil Registrar's Office for the signatures from both of you.

But when we finalized our wedding @ Le Canonnier, it was 1 month before our wedding, we were asked to forward the 2 photocopies or scanned copies of each our passports (first 3 pages) and also 2 copies birth certificates, for wedding application purposes.

Reasons why we chose Le Canonnier Hotel

Le Canonnier Hotel is located up north of Mauritius, as you can see on the map, it is located on top. It is one of the Beachcomber Hotels. I WAS THERE MYSELF. The hotel is beautiful, though you have to travel 45 minutes to 1 hour from the airport. Bordered by three sandy beaches and set in acres of well-tended tropical gardens. It has a breathtaking view of Port Louis mountain range and faces a small string of islets.


Blending comfortably with their tropical surroundings, an ancient lighthouse, the ruins of a fortress and several old cannons are to be found. In fact, Le Canonnier is the only hotel in Mauritius to be situated on such an historical site.

The hotel is close to the fashionable and bustling Grand Baie which is popular for shopping and lively night life. Le Canonnier is a friendly and relaxed resort offering lots of choice. Simply all the ingredients for a fabulous holiday. Guests can also dine at Le Mauricia sister hotel in Grand Baie.



These areas were I was exactly marching down going to beach, to meet my man. Also, their idea of the rooms, which we both love. If you sit outside, you can see the horizon, the beautiful sea. All the rooms have a private terrace or balcony overlooking the lush tropical gardens or towards the glittering turquoise of the Indian Ocean.

A once in a lifetime experience, that could happen again in 5 to 10 years time maybe, or maybe not. I am not saying that we don't want to go back there, we only wanted to experience in other place. What a stunning place!!!

Getting Married in Mauritius

Getting married in Mauritius was like a heaven for me! You know what I mean? I actually felt, that I was one of the most luckiest women in the world - of having this wonderful beach wedding in a stunning place.

Knowing that Mauritius is one of the few places left that understands and cherishes the magic of romance. To be in love and to be in this place is to be as close as to heaven as it is possible to get. Whether you've sealed it with a kiss or vows, do it all over again. A beach wedding which gave us a romantic way to begin and continue a life of wedded bliss.