Guide to Selling Weddings in Seychelles
Table of Contents Welcome to Seychelles Destination Overview Planning Weddings in Paradise The Mason s Travel Touch What you need to know about Seychelles Fast Facts The different islands to choose from Getting here How to get around Why sell Weddings in Seychelles Accommodation options Taking care of the logistics Choosing the right location for your wedding The makings of the perfect ceremony Important Documents and Legal Requirements Seychelles: A honeymoon and wedding destination all-in-one What we do Our Services Why Choose Mason s Travel Contact us and start selling weddings today! 2
Where is Seychelles? Fast Facts: Climate: Seychelles is out of the cyclone belt and enjoys a stable weather system. Temperatures range from 26 31 degrees Celsius year round. l Welcome to Seychelles, the world's most prestigious island getaway. 115 Breathtakingly beautiful islands, each with their own unique charm, float situated in the Indian Ocean far from the cyclone belt and even Diseases and Immunisation: Seychelles is Malaria and Yellow fever free and no immunisations are necessary. l further from any continent Seychelles remains a paradise, an oasis, an exclusive destination where the rich and famous play undisturbed and the Visa requirements: Pre-arranged visas are not necessary as all travellers will be granted a visa on entry provided they hold a valid passport and can provide proof of return/transit flight books, accommodation in Seychelles and sufficient finances for the duration of their stay. discerning traveller finds the island getaway of their l dreams, no matter what their budget. From the luxury deserted island getaways to the allure of the rich cultural heritage inherent in the country's inner islands, Seychelles is the perfect location for your dream wedding! East Coast of Africa l Currency: Seychelles Rupee (SCR) Language: English, French and Creole are spoken in the Seychelles. l Inner & Outer Islands Main Islands 3
Islands of Choice Mahé, the largest and 'main' island of Seychelles is home to the country's largest concentration hotels, resorts and tourist facilities. Offering beautiful beaches, breath-taking mountain views and lush tropical forests. Praslin, the second largest island, offers a similar topography to Mahé, with beautiful beaches, mountains and lush forests. Less populated, the island offers a more laid-back experience, yet with all the amenities and facilities enjoyed on Mahé. La Digue, the third most popular island in Seychelles is considerably smaller with less amenities than the other two. Here you can enjoy a true island experience, where time stands almost at a standstill on this sleepy, yet idyllic, island. Other islands, many of which house a single hotel or resort, offer a more unique and exclusive alternative the ultimate castaway island wedding experience! These include Denis Private Island, St. Anne Resort, Desroches and Silhouette, among others. 4
How To Get Here There are daily flights in and outbound to and from most major cities around the globe and many airlines make regular stops to our sunny shores. Seychelles International Airport also includes all the facilities for Private Jets and a full service VIP Lounge. Airlines that operate to and from Seychelles include Air Seychelles, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Kenyan Airways, Condor, Mihin Lanka, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Austral. Ask us now about our Special Welcome Packages 5
How to get around in Seychelles? Land: Car Hire, Taxi and Private car are the most practical ways of getting around on the main islands of Mahé and Praslin Sea: Local Ferries run between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Private boat/charters offer a more exclusive means to travel between these islands, Air: Domestic flights run between Mahé and Praslin, as well as select other islands. Charter helicopter / plane flights can be arranged accordingly. With the largest land fleet in Seychelles, as well as our own catamarans of various sizes and trusted partnerships with the leading service providers in the country, Mason's Travel can assist in organising all your transfer and transportation needs. 6
Planning Weddings in Paradise Self-Catering Accommodation Options Small Hotels Luxury Resorts From affordable self-catering chalets, small hotels through to luxury private islands, Seychelles has an abundance of accommodation options to suit any budget. From seaside resorts to mountaintop retreats, there is something for everyone in Seychelles. Mason's Travel can assist you in finding the perfect accommodation for your client's needs. Exclusive Island Escapes 7 Why sell weddings in Seychelles l Regular flights l Malaria/Yellow Fever Free. No vaccinations required to come to Seychelles l No Visas Required l Safe and Tourist friendly country l Relatively little paperwork involved l An abundance of locations to choose from l Large selection of private island destinations l Large array of accommodation options to suit any budget l All-in-one wedding and honeymoon destination
Choosing the right location for the wedding ceremonies Seaside Mountain Top Forest Heritage Please Note: Certain requirements for various religions are set by the respective bodies in Seychelles, and couples wanting to get married will need to have these pre-arranged before securing a religious wedding in Seychelles. Reception Venue Seaside Beach Ceremonies: The ultimate paradise island wedding right on the beach at one of the many breath-taking and secluded settings Seychelles has to offer. Mountain-Top Vow Exchanges: Exchange your vows high up on one of Mahé or Praslin's magnificent mountain peaks, with a breath-taking view to match the magic of the occasion. Heritage Sites: Say I do at one of Seychelles beautifully restored traditional heritage sites for a backdrop that represents the island lifestyle of a bygone era. Forest weddings: Get married amidst the trees in one of Seychelles' lush tropical forests, for the beautiful forest ceremony of your dreams. Church / Mosque / Temple Ceremonies: Get married the traditional way in one of Seychelles' religious facilities. There are many Catholic, Protestant and Anglican churches across Seychelles, and Mahé is home to several Mosques and a Hindu Temple. Many restaurants, hotels and resorts offer stunning venues for your wedding reception. There are also a host of other great venues than can cater for you and your wedding party, regardless of size. These simply offer suggestions, and Mason's Travel is on hand to assist you in planning your perfect wedding, whatever the requirements for your special day. 8
The making of the perfect Ceremony Important Documents and Legal Requirements Various legal documents are required to be filed 21 days prior to your wedding date, before you will be allowed to get married in Seychelles. What documents you require and where you need to submit them will depend on what country you are a citizen of, and will need to be in either English or French, or a certified translation of either. Now that you have the perfect venue for your wedding and the reception, there are some important services and requirements that will complete your dream occasion. Live musical entertainment, hair and make-up artists, video/photographers, caterers and decorators will all add that special touch to your special day. Also a licensed wedding officiator, a witness and certain legal prerequisites are necessary in order for your marriage in Seychelles to be legally recognised and binding. Mason's Travel can assist you every step of the way, from registering your required documents in advance, to providing you with your final marriage certificate (the Apostille, the local Judiciary's authentication of the Seychelles Wedding Certificate, is included in all our wedding packages). 9
Seychelles: A Wedding and Honeymoon destination in one The great thing about Seychelles is that it is a wedding and honeymoon destination all rolled up into one. Enjoy your dream wedding and spend time with your guests, but then why not head out on your own and enjoy some intimate time as just the two of you. Even better, why not discover a different island, and escape to your unforgettable Seychelles honeymoon, and enjoy the first days of your new adventure together, in paradise! Mason's Travel can do so much more than plan your perfect wedding, we can plan and organise your entire stay in Seychelles taking care of every detail, so that you can focus on what's important: Each Other! 10
What we can do for you However simple or elaborate you wish your wedding to be, you can place confidence in our dedicated wedding coordinators, there are no limits to what we can provide for your special event. Feel free to contact us for a quote; you may be surprised how affordable such a lavish event can be. Intimate Weddings Exclusive wedding events Getting Married at Sea Let Masons organise your intimate tropical wedding day. For a couple only wedding in Seychelles. Mason's Travel can take care of all the preparations. Let us help you select which island and location you want for your perfect day, and then leave the rest to us. We'll take your wedding dreams and turn them into a reality. All you will need to do is turn up at the beautifully decorated venue, with that special person, and say "I do". Let us bring your entire wedding celebration to Seychelles where we can coordinate weddings of any size. Spend quality time with all your guests and leave the stress and strain to Mason's Travel's dedicated staff. Our co-ordinators can manage the entire itinerary, down to the smallest detail. We organise hotel accommodation, transfers and exclusive group tours and activities. For the big day we can plan your entire celebration from the menu to the decorations and the entertainment. For something a little different, why not take to the seas and say I do aboard one of our catamarans. Imagine the stunning scenery and idyllic setting as we guide you and your wedding party into a secluded bay, where you can spend the day bathed in the magic of the occasion. That little bit extra Our dedicated wedding coordinators are experts in adding that special touch to your special day, well beyond the logistics of planning your wedding; we can surprise your guests with flower garlands at the airport, a catamaran champagne cruise after your ceremony, island gifts and private beach barbeques the possibilities are endless as to how we can assist in making your dream wedding in paradise all that more special! 11
Our Service includes: What we can do for you Additional services: A dedicated Wedding Coordinator for your Package Scouting the perfect location base on your request Booking of transfers and handling Accommodation bookings Suggested activities & itineraries for you and your clients Notary and witnesses Special Gift Upon Arrival Live entertainment Catering for any outdoor locations Décor & Event set-up Hair & Make-up Photography and Video We submit all the legal documents on your behalf and arrange your marriage certificate Absolutely anything that will make your special day perfect Why Choose Mason s Travel With over forty years in the industry, we are the Seychelles Wedding Specialists! Dedicated weddings department with expert knowledge and local network. With a Wedding Coordinator designated to your portfolio, she will be your representative for any of your wedding needs. Did you know? We also handle marriage proposals, renewal of vows and honeymoons too! Affiliated with most hotels, Mason's Travel offers wholesale prices at most establishments. There is no need for direct bookings as our rates are just as reasonable. We have the resources and know-how to help you grow and nurture your business interest in Seychelles. 12
The Mason s Travel Touch Whether you're a Travel Agent, Tour Operator or Destination Wedding Specialist, our dedicated weddings department will work for you to ensure we provide you with nothing but the best, so that you can rest assured that you are giving your clients the Start planning your Seychelles wedding TODAY! CLICK HERE And speak to your dedicated wedding coordinator opportunity to make their wedding dreams a reality. 13 My husband and I just got back from Seychelles 2 days ago; we got married there and turned to Mason's Travel for the organizing of the entire thing! It was an amazing experience and definitely the most memorable moment for us! I'd like to thank everyone involved so very much and especially Jeanette Violette who's been in touch with us throughout the whole process and has organized the best wedding for us! I strongly recommend this company! - Oleksandra Khashchyna, TripAdvisor Review, 2 July 2014