Birute and Stefan from Nuremberg got married on La Digue at the beginning of November 2021 and booked me as their wedding photographer for two days.
As is typical for November, the weather cooperated perfectly on both photo days and provided us with wonderful lighting conditions. Unfortunately, I’m only now getting around to showing you a small selection of the almost 300 pictures that the two of them received from me.
We wanted to have a private, relaxed but also an unforgettable wedding, away from everyday life and the usual traditions. Simply put, we wanted to do something for us, not for others and to conform to the usual expectations. We wanted a special and stress-free experience in a place that would touch us emotionally. With its paradisiacal nature, secluded beaches and romantic atmosphere, the Seychelles offered us exactly what we were looking for.
Our preparation took exactly 1 day (driving to the beaches, clarifying details such as decorations) with dinner beforehand with Torsten and the wedding planner. Back home, we would probably have had to organize a big celebration, which would have meant a lot of effort and expectations. On La Digue, on the other hand, we were able to concentrate entirely on ourselves and enjoy a private ceremony with very little stress.
We traveled with Emirates, as the airline is known for its excellent service and offers a flexible connection to the Seychelles. The wedding dress was carefully stowed in our hand luggage during the entire flight. It was in a special garment bag that we could easily store in the cabin. The crew were very helpful and made extra space for us.
We visited the classics Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Each island has its own charm and character:
- Mahé: The main island was our starting point, with beautiful beaches like Beau Vallon and great restaurants.
- Praslin: We were particularly impressed by Anse Lazio, the Vallée de Mai with the Coco de Mer, and the island reserve on Curieuse with the giant tortoises.
- La Digue: Our favorite! We loved the relaxed atmosphere, Anse Source d’Argent and the cycling.
The relaxed island atmosphere was exactly what we had imagined.
Organizing the wedding in the Seychelles was surprisingly easy, as the authorities there are well organized and there are many service providers who specialize in weddings. Thanks again to Torsten’s wedding planner, who we can highly recommend.
We needed:
- A certified copy of the birth certificates
- Our passports
- A certificate of no impediment to marriage
- If applicable, proof of previous divorces or death certificates of previous spouses.
The documents had to be translated into English and notarized. Birute was not born in Germany, but as her documents were already internationally valid, it was ultimately uncomplicated. A good wedding planner and the local registrar can help you with this. You should also clarify the modalities in advance with the local registry office in the Seychelles, your respective national consulate/registry office in your home country; a back translation into the respective local official language may also be necessary, as was the case with us.
Recommendations:
- Use the services of a local wedding planner to arrange formalities and details stress-free.
- Plan enough time for the trip and explore several islands to enjoy the beauty of the Seychelles at your leisure.
- Rely on professionals for make-up, hair and photography – the tropical conditions can be challenging. For this we have chosen a local make-up artist from Mahé.
- Plan the wedding either early in the morning or later in the afternoon to get the best lighting conditions. In our case, the ceremony took place at 9am.
We would advise against this:
- Plan the wedding in the high season, as it is fuller and more expensive then.
- Inviting too many guests – the beauty of the Seychelles is better appreciated in a small, private group.
- Don’t take any heavy or elaborate decorations with you – nature already provides the perfect backdrop.
Wedding attire: Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics that can withstand the tropical heat. A light and airy wedding dress style is ideal.
Bridal hairstyle: Go for an updo or braided versions – they last longer and defy the humidity.
Make-up: Waterproof make-up is a must as the humidity is high. An experienced local make-up artist knows the best products for these conditions.
Sunscreen: if your bride-to-be is taking more time in the morning, I speak from experience.
Yes, absolutely! We were particularly impressed:
- Naturally Grand Anse on La Digue: our wedding beach
- “Fels de Torsten” on La Digue – the view of Grand Anse (our wedding beach) is stunning, with a touch of jungle romance thrown in for good measure
- Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue – the rocks and the turquoise water provide a fantastic backdrop for successful pictures, especially for sunsets
- Grande Soeur accessible by boat from La Digue: snow-white sand with one of our most beautiful wedding pictures
Of course, there are other places that we can recommend or that Torsten can head for:
- Anse Lazio on Praslin – the perfect beach for romantic photos.
- The granite rocks and palm trees on Mahé – they are unique and typical of the Seychelles.
We spent a long time looking for a photographer who understood our ideas and was familiar with the Seychelles as a wedding location.
Social media and your media presence have of course helped here.
Your website and your impressive work also convinced us immediately.
We particularly liked your ability to capture emotions, the natural beauty of the surroundings and the vastness. We read from other bridal couples that you are reliable and creative and we really wanted to work with you.
You have an exceptional talent for capturing special moments and capturing them in timeless images. You also know the best photo spots and understand the challenges of weddings in the Seychelles.
Your professionalism, flexibility and the balanced way in which you work make you the perfect choice for any wedding in the Seychelles.
Your or our pictures are spread all over the house and let us relive these wonderful memories and special moments every day.
So if you want unforgettable memories in a relaxed atmosphere, you’ve come to the right place!