Getting Married in the Seychelles – A Wedding in Paradise
Unique photos & stress-free planning.
The Photographer & Consultant from TV
Why get married in the Seychelles?
I’ve worked as a wedding photographer and consultant for over 300 couples in the Seychelles. That’s why I can say: With their dream beaches, the Seychelles are the perfect destination for a wedding.
The white sand, the pleasant climate, the turquoise ocean, and the impressive granite cliffs create the perfect setting for a romantic ceremony and unique wedding photos. Add to that the laid-back island atmosphere, the incredibly friendly nature of the Seychellois, and the delicious Creole cuisine.
Your photographer and consultant for your dream wedding in the Seychelles
As a photographer, wedding planner, and consultant for weddings in the Seychelles, I’ve been there more than 50 times: I know the islands and their residents, as well as the best and most reliable local service providers, and I now spend almost half the year there.
I know which beaches are best and I know some secret photo spots that aren’t listed in any travel guide.
Whether it’s a wedding, a non-religious ceremony, or a vow renewal—whether it’s just the two of you or with guests—I’d be happy to help you plan every aspect of your wedding and capture unforgettable moments for a lifetime with personalized photos.
Testimonials from my wedding couples
Elisabeth and Sonny from Vienna got married at the end of October 2025 on La Digue and hired me as their wedding photographer for this unique day. From the wonderful…
Nadine and Michael from near Nuremberg got married on March 30, 2025 in the Seychelles and had booked me as their wedding photographer for two days. The wedding ceremony took…
Katrin and Steffen from Hamburg got married in October 2021 on my favorite island La Digue and let me accompany them photographically for two days. After the trip, I sent…
The Benefits of Hiring Me as Your Wedding Photographer and Consultant
- Experience gained from over 50 trips and more than 300 weddings
- A contact person who speaks your native language
- Smooth communication with local authorities
- Collaboration with the best tour operators, wedding planners, and local service providers
- No need to go through expensive agencies
- Insider Tips for an Authentic Island Experience
Answers to all your questions about getting married in the Seychelles
A wedding abroad requires careful planning. In addition to questions about the perfect accommodations, transportation, hair and makeup, and the venue, there are often uncertainties regarding the recognition of the marriage in your home country and the required documents.
I have the right answers to all these questions and plenty of advice for you. After all, I’ve had the privilege of guiding hundreds of couples from German-speaking countries along this path.
- Your marriage is also valid in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and all other EU countries (as well as in nearly every other country in the world) with a marriage certificate bearing an apostille, which you will receive after the ceremony.
- With the right support, the entire planning and organization process takes only a few hours.
- Specialized tour operators and wedding planners offer convenient on-site wedding packages that cover all aspects of wedding planning.
- A wedding in the Seychelles doesn't have to cost a fortune. With the right planning, the costs are very manageable! On the other hand, if you have very specific requests, there's practically no limit to how much it can cost.
Your Wedding Photos in the Seychelles
As an experienced wedding photographer in the Seychelles, I’ll capture your special day at the most beautiful locations—and I’m happy to do so over several days if you’d like. The result will be authentic, stunning wedding photos that show you just as you truly are. No staged poses, no unnatural behavior—just the two of you, completely natural and happy.
I’ve been a professional photographer in Europe since 2005 and have been working as a wedding photographer in the Seychelles since 2009. I now spend more than five months a year in the Seychelles, capturing perfect photos for discerning couples on what is likely the most beautiful trip of their lives. Whether it’s Mahé, Silhouette, Praslin, my favorite island La Digue, or luxury islands like Frégate Island Private—I know nearly every square meter of these paradisiacal locations.
What is the process for planning a wedding in the Seychelles?
When it comes to planning, you can—if you’d like—handle everything entirely on your own. If you book me as your photographer, I’ll be happy to support you with helpful tips and put you in touch with the local civil registry office.
Alternatively, you can just sit back and relax and leave all the planning to experienced local service providers, whom I recommend based on my own experience.
1. Choosing the Island and the Location
During a personal consultation, I’ll advise you on the most beautiful locations for your wedding ceremony and photo shoot and answer any questions you may have. Together, we’ll choose the island and beach where you’ll get married.
2. Flights, Accommodations, and Transfers
Please let me know your preferences regarding accommodations and the number of guests. I’d be happy to recommend a suitable tour operator who will handle all the logistics—that is, the flights, transfers (ferry, domestic flight, taxi, or rental car), and accommodations.
Tip: To be able to work out the details on site and have enough time to relax before the big day, you should arrive on your “wedding island” 2 to 3 days before the ceremony.
3. Contact the registry office or a wedding planner
I’d be happy to put you in touch with the registry office, which can help you organize the ceremony and handle the paperwork.
If you’d rather leave all the paperwork and detailed planning to a professional, I can also put you in touch with my trusted wedding planner. All you need to do is let them know where and when you’d like to get married. They’ll take care of the rest of the planning and, of course, take all your wishes into account.
4. Documents and Regulations
There’s a bit of red tape involved in the Seychelles, too. But it’s not all that complicated. The important thing is to make sure you have all the necessary documents ready in time.
What do you need to get married in the Seychelles?
For a wedding in the Seychelles (a civil ceremony), you will generally need the following documents:
- Copy of passport (must be valid for at least six months after the departure date)
- Birth Certificates
- A completed Marriage Application Form (a form for collecting personal information, which you will receive from the wedding planner)
- a divorce decree (if one spouse is divorced) or a death certificate (if one spouse is widowed)
- a certificate of no impediment to marriage
Important: You will need a certified translation of the documents into English or French.
Tip: Email a digital copy of all documents to the wedding planner or the registry office for preliminary review. You’ll then need to bring the originals (including the certified translation) with you to the island and present them there.
You’ll also need a digital entry permit for your trip. You can easily apply for this before your trip on the Seychelles government’s website. You do not need a visa to enter the country.
How does the marriage become legally valid in the home country?
With my assistance, you’ll usually receive your marriage certificate with an apostille—which makes your marriage legally valid in Germany and all other European countries—as early as one business day after the ceremony. You can then take this document to the civil registry office in your place of residence to have your marriage registered.
We will address special cases and other questions during a personal meeting.
5. On-site Detailed Planning
If you’re planning the wedding yourselves, with my help you’ll have already worked out most of the details and booked the most important services beforehand.
When you hire a wedding planner, the detailed planning on-site goes very smoothly:
- One to three days before the wedding ceremony, you’ll meet with me and the wedding planner. Of course, you can also start working on the detailed planning from home and well in advance.
- You’ll work with the wedding planner to finalize all the other details for the wedding ceremony on-site: for example, the desired decorations, bridal bouquet, cake, preferred beverages, wedding barbecue, and much more.
- You can view the beach where the wedding ceremony will take place in real time and even decide on a different location at the last minute, even the day before the ceremony.
The Most Beautiful Wedding Venues in the Seychelles
1. La Digue
La Digue is known as the “Wedding Island.” It doesn’t get any better than this! It boasts the most beautiful beaches, the most spectacular rock formations, and especially sunny weather—because La Digue receives only one-third of the rainfall that falls on the mountainous main island of Mahé.
At just 9.81 square kilometers, La Digue is wonderfully compact. This means you can quickly reach the best photo spots and the especially beautiful beaches. The best way to cover these short distances is by bike or on foot. On our wedding day, however, we’ll of course treat ourselves to a taxi so we don’t waste any time and can take as many different photos as possible.
The most beautiful beaches and photo locations: Anse Source d’Argent and my favorite beach, Grand Anse, as well as many other spots on the northern tip and eastern coast of La Digue. Depending on the season and the prevailing wind direction, I’ll take you to the perfect photo spots.
On the neighboring island of Grande Soeur, you can watch the giant Aldabra tortoises roaming freely.
2. Mahé
While La Digue dazzles with its stunning beaches and picturesque granite formations, Mahé impresses with its majestic mountains and vibrant culture. Home to one of the world’s smallest capital cities, Victoria, the island offers the perfect blend of tropical rainforest, Creole charm, and idyllic bays.
With an area of about 155 square kilometers, Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and offers plenty of opportunities for exploration. The imposing granite mountains and lush, deep-green vegetation create stunning panoramic views. However, some of the trails on Mahé are quite long, so you’ll lose time getting from point A to point B while taking photos.
3. Praslin
Some consider Praslin to be the archipelago’s “insider’s tip.” The island is the perfect compromise for anyone who finds La Digue too small and Mahé too bustling. It is world-famous above all for its unique flora: it is home to the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and an ancient palm forest often referred to as the “Garden of Eden.”
When is the best time to travel to the Seychelles?
The best time to visit the Seychelles—and thus also the best time for a beach wedding—is in February, March, October, and November—even though, according to many travel guides, these months mark the beginning or end of the rainy season, and the guides often recommend the period from May through October. However, the weather in the Seychelles has also changed noticeably in recent years. Generally speaking, the vast majority of rainfall occurs at night. During the day, the weather is often gorgeous, with blue skies and white clouds—perfect for our photos. Swimming conditions are also usually ideal, especially in February and March.
The weather in the Seychelles can be described as follows:
- With temperatures around 28 degrees, it’s always warm and summery—it never gets cool, even at night.
- Wind conditions, swimming conditions, precipitation levels, and beach width vary greatly throughout the year.
- UV radiation at the equator is extremely strong. Even on cloudy days, sunscreen with SPF 50+ is an absolute must.
- Heavy downpours are a common occurrence and contribute to the lush vegetation. However, prolonged rain is unusual. Most often, there are short, heavy downpours, which occur mainly at night.
How much does a wedding in the Seychelles cost?
A 14-day honeymoon, including the wedding ceremony, is possible for less than €3,000 per person. Of course, the price depends on the level of luxury you desire. Contrary to popular belief, a dream wedding with a honeymoon in the Seychelles doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Tip: If you work directly with a local wedding planner and avoid expensive intermediary agencies, you can sometimes save several hundred euros. And if you book a well-maintained guesthouse from my list of recommendations instead of a luxury hotel, you can save several thousand euros.
Overview of Cost Factors
Post | Estimated Costs | Information |
Flight (round trip) | Starting at approximately 900 € per person | From Germany (e.g., with Emirates or Condor) |
Accommodations | from €40 to €2,500+ | From simple guesthouses to luxury resorts |
Standard Wedding Package | Starting at about 710 € | Ceremony, Decorations, Formalities & Apostille |
Wedding Package with Extras | approx. 1,000–1,500 € | Ceremony, Decorations, Formalities & Apostille Extras: Cake, champagne, dinner, transportation, and styling |
Meals | Starting at about 6 euros per person | Main meal at popular takeout restaurants |
Photographer | depending on the scope | You can book me separately |
Everything You Need to Know About the Seychelles and Your Beach Wedding
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Married in the Seychelles
Is a wedding in the Seychelles recognized in Germany?
A marriage entered into in the Seychelles is legally valid in Germany if:
- The wedding ceremony took place before a registrar (as is, of course, always the case)
- The marriage certificate has an apostille (which is always the case)
- Spouses who meet the requirements for marriage under the law of their home country (e.g., are not currently married to another partner).
In what language will the wedding ceremony be conducted?
The ceremony is conducted in English by default. Since the very short wedding vows are simply repeated after the officiant, a basic understanding of the language is sufficient. If you feel unsure, you can book an interpreter for a small additional fee.
Can same-sex marriages be performed in the Seychelles?
As of May 2026, same-sex couples cannot enter into a legally binding marriage in the Seychelles.
Do you need witnesses for a wedding in the Seychelles?
What kind of clothing is appropriate for a beach wedding?
For a beach wedding, I recommend light, airy attire. Flowing, natural fabrics are ideal for the summer temperatures and high humidity. Brides should ideally avoid heavy layers of tulle and long trains, as these tend to collect sand. Of course, this is just a recommendation based on my experience from over 300 beach weddings I’ve photographed. Wear whatever you like! For the groom, I recommend bringing a spare shirt due to the heat. For the photos, it’s best if the shades of the dress and the shirt complement each other. Snow white and eggshell white—or “ivory”—are very different shades that don’t harmonize as well in photos.
Do you only take wedding photos in the Seychelles or can we also book you for other photo shoots?
Yes, but of course I also take family photos or couple photos of unmarried couples or couples who have been married for a long time. I also regularly do honeymoon photo shoots in the Seychelles with couples who got married in their home country and are now on vacation in the Seychelles. However, the majority of my clients are getting married in the Seychelles and have numerous questions in advance. I would like to answer these below.
Why get married in the Seychelles?
The Seychelles offer fantastic photo backdrops – probably the most photogenic backdrops in the world! What’s more, it’s warm all year round. Even at night, the thermometer never drops below 24 degrees, 365 days a year!
The beaches of the Seychelles are quite rightly considered the most beautiful in the world. The white sand, the turquoise ocean, the world-famous, bizarre granite formations (especially on the dream island of La Digue!), the relaxed atmosphere, the pleasant and extremely peaceful mentality of the Seychellois, the delicious cuisine, the tasty rum and the palatable beer, the uncomplicated journey and, last but not least, the simplicity of a marriage on the islands, where bureaucracy is almost a foreign word, make the Seychelles a paradise for a romantic wedding for two or with guests.
Is the wedding in the Seychelles recognized in Germany, Austria and other countries?
Yes, of course! Your wedding in the Seychelles will be recognized worldwide. You will receive your international marriage certificate in the Seychelles on the working day after your wedding, complete with the necessary apostille. You will then take this to the registry office in your home country, where the marriage will be registered in the Seychelles. That’s all there is to it!
What documents do we need?
Passports, international birth certificates, divorce decree or death certificate of previous partners – depending on the situation. Please read my extensive article on this carefully: https://hochzeit-seychellen.de/wissenswertes/hochzeit-seychellen-anerkennung-in-deutschland/
Do we need to apply for a visa?
No. You will receive a Visitor’s Permit free of charge when you enter the country. To enter the Seychelles, however, you must apply for a digital travel permit in advance – the so-called “Seychelles Electronic Travel Authorization” (Seychelles ETA). Here is the most important information:
Where do I submit the application?
You must submit the application online via the official platform:
Website: https://seychelles.govtas.com
Or via the official app: “Seychelles ETA” in the App Store or Google Play
When should I submit the application?
At the earliest 30 days before departure and at the latest 24 hours before departure (but then more expensive). The earlier, the better. I always do it 3-4 weeks before my departure. You get the permit within 24 hours.
What do I need for the application?
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Return ticket
- Confirmation of your accommodation booking
- Credit card to pay the processing fee (approx. 10-15 EUR)
Do I have to print anything?
After approval, you will receive a PDF document with a QR code. You can show this digitally on your cell phone or print it out when boarding and entering the country.
Where does our wedding ceremony take place?
You can choose the exact location! As a wedding expert for the Seychelles, I will of course be happy to advise you in advance. Almost all couples want to get married on one of the many dream beaches. The dream island of La Digue is a particularly good choice. However, you can also get married away from the beaches if you prefer. We would be happy to discuss this in person. The registrar will then come to the location of your choice.
How does the ceremony work?
Once you have both arrived at the wedding venue – together or one after the other, whichever you prefer – the registrar will greet you and begin the short, unbureaucratic and beautiful ceremony. The ceremony in the Seychelles usually only lasts around eight to ten minutes. The registrar reads out the short, bureaucratically necessary part with your personal details. And then it’s time for the wedding vows.
Of course, you are also welcome to say personal words in your own language! Whether this is a short sentence or three full DIN A4 pages is entirely up to you. After the ring presentation and the first wedding kiss, you can seal your marriage in writing with your signatures. Then the two witnesses sign (don’t worry, you don’t have to bring your own witnesses, but you are of course welcome to do so!) and finally the registrar signs. This seals your marriage, which is recognized worldwide. I will be happy to photograph your big day from getting ready to sunset.
When is the best time to travel to the Seychelles?
Opinions differ when it comes to naming the best months to visit the Seychelles. Having now taken 56 trips to the Seychelles (as of May 2026), I could easily write a book on the subject. Nevertheless, I’ll try to keep this reasonably brief:
In many articles on this topic, you will read that the months from May to September are particularly suitable for a trip to the Seychelles. Personally, I see this completely differently!
It is true that in the months just mentioned, the total amount of precipitation is lower than during the German fall, winter and spring months. However, it is also a fact that rainfall in the Seychelles usually occurs at night, i.e. between sunset and sunrise on the following day. Very few tourists are likely to be bothered if it rains at night.
However, it is worth mentioning that the months from May to September are very windy on most days and the sea gets choppy as a result. Swimming is therefore only recommended on the few beaches with an offshore reef at this time of year. However, as many tourists also travel to the Seychelles for swimming, I consider the less windy months to be a much more suitable time to visit. Boating is also much more pleasant in these calmer months.
If you want to get married in the Seychelles, I would particularly recommend the following months: February, March, the first half of April, the second half of September, October and November.
During these travel times, you have fantastic Seychelles weather most days with blue skies, photogenic white clouds, good bathing conditions and little wind. My absolute favorite month in the Seychelles is March.
Which island is the most beautiful for our wedding in the Seychelles?
La Digue is not only particularly popular with wedding couples and honeymooners: the smallest of the three main islands has probably the most beautiful beaches in the world! Anyone who has been to Grand Anse or Petite Anse on La Digue in February or March knows exactly what I mean. It doesn’t get any better than this!
At just 9.81 square kilometers, La Digue is wonderfully manageable. This means you can quickly reach the most beautiful photo spots and the particularly beautiful beaches. The manageable distances are best covered by bike or on foot. If this is not possible for health reasons, you can call a cab. Fortunately, there are no rental cars on La Digue.
However, the often heard statement that La Digue is “car-free” is not true. Even during my first trip to the Seychelles in 1993, there were already cars on La Digue.
Of course, you can also get married on all the other inhabited islands of the Seychelles: Mahé, Praslin, North Island, Frégate Private Island, Félicité, Desroches, Denis Island – the choice is yours.
Do we need a wedding planner?
A wedding planner is not absolutely necessary, but it makes wedding planning much easier. I also know the best and most reliable local service providers and will be happy to help you with my recommendations if you book me as your photographer.
Can we also "only" make a symbolic marriage vow?
Yes, of course! Many couples opt for a free ceremony without a legal commitment. Many couples who are already married also decide to renew their wedding vows in the Seychelles after a few years (“Wedding Renewal”). This wonderful gesture will be remembered by both spouses forever.
Do you also photograph couples who don't get married on location?
Yes, regularly and with great pleasure! For about a third of my photo shoots, I accompany couples without a formal wedding. These can be beautiful couple or family photos, for example. Often it’s also couples who want beautiful after-wedding photos – even if the wedding was years or decades ago.
How much does a photo shoot with Torsten Dickmann cost?
This varies from person to person and depends, among other things, on the exact date, the booking duration you’d like, the island you’d like to visit, and a few other factors. In any case, I’m not available for a three-digit EUR amount. My photo shoots are meticulously planned from start to finish, down to the smallest detail, to capture THE perfect moment at each of our photo locations, ensuring THE perfect photo is taken at every spot. This simply isn’t possible if you only have 30 minutes available for photography. But I can reassure you: Even the few couples who booked me for the maximum of four full days of photography, spread across several islands in the Seychelles, didn’t have to pay me a five-digit euro amount. So you’ll always be in the four-digit euro range. Exactly where in the four-digit range you’ll end up depends on the parameters mentioned earlier (which island, dates, etc.).
How many pictures will we receive from you?
This is also quite individual. Most wedding couples book me for two days of photography and receive an average of around 250 professionally edited images as output.
When will we get our pictures?
On average, it takes me about eight days to get your pictures optimally edited in full resolution for download via an online gallery. On request, the images can also be provided on a high-quality, personalized USB stick for a small additional charge.
What do we do if it rains?
When it rains in the Seychelles, it is usually short and heavy. After the shower, it often clears up again very quickly. As long as it is not raining, we can take pictures at any time. The pictures with dramatic rain clouds in the background, through which the sun shines, often look particularly good!
If it rains all day (which hardly ever happens in the months I recommend traveling), we will look for an alternative date together on site very soon. Of course, if you are the first couple not to receive photos from me due to the weather, you will automatically be the first couple in my three-decade career as a photographer not to pay me a fee.
Can we talk or meet you in advance?
Oh yes – please do! We will be happy to talk extensively on the phone and clarify all your questions in detail. And if it’s possible for you, we can also meet in person here in North Rhine-Westphalia, where I can of course show you lots of beautiful things about the Seychelles.
How does payment work?
I do not ask for a deposit. The written contract I sign with each couple in advance is sufficient security. You only transfer my fee to my German business account after our photo shoot. It couldn’t be simpler or less risky. No “pig in a poke”. Everything is transparent and fair.
When will you be in the Seychelles?
In total, I spend around six months of the year on La Digue and travel from there to ALL the other islands of the Seychelles as required. You can easily find my exact travel dates by asking Google or the AI of your choice for:
“Travel dates Torsten Dickmann”. Generally speaking, I’m in the Seychelles from mid/end of January until well into March (in some years even into April) and from mid/end of September until the end of November. In most years, one or two more trips to the Seychelles are then added – sometimes at very short notice. In total, I usually spend six months of the year in the Seychelles.