Travel Zone - MOVE INTO THE ZONE

“Marriage is not a ritual or an end – it is a long, intricate dance together.” – Amy Bloom.

Having considered all the options of getting married and the possibilities of a large traditional wedding, or perhaps a slightly smaller country wedding and still not coming to any conclusion, they decided to do the wedding route for ideas.
They visited bridal fairs and expos and went on wedding meanders, and decided that they wanted “a laid back, no pressure wedding”, says the groom! “We wanted the wedding to be for us… rather than stressing about everyone and everything else,” they commented. Melissa and Danie were introduced to each other

by friends about seven years ago. Two years back the couple went on an island holiday to the Maldives, and Danie planned to ask Melissa, the woman of his dreams, to become his wife. This he did one romantic evening on the beach.
The Island magic held such wonderful memories for the couple, that they decided this would be the ideal solution – marrying the Holiday, Wedding, and Honeymoon into one, an out-of-this-world experience…
The Travel Agent and co-coordinator who came highly recommended was Travel Zone, and Melissa and Danie earnestly set to work! They considered the

guest list and knew they really wanted a few of their close friends, family and colleagues to be present when they pledged to be together for always.
Melissa contacted Travel Zone and immediately felt at ease. They needed to feel comfortable that they were choosing the right hotel, as well as feeling assured that all their needs and those of their guests were taken care of, amongst other things.
“Travel Zone thought of things even before we could, and ultimately arranged the holiday, wedding and honeymoon we had always dreamt of without us having to lift a finger,” Melissa said.

The couple took into consideration all aspects before choosing their hotel. They wanted convenient access to the villages, shopping and sightseeing for their guests as well as a vibey hotel with a good ambience and excellent land and water sports facilities, a good selection of dining venues to choose from and evening entertainment after a romantic candle-lit dinner.
They settled on the Beachcomber Hotel, the four- star Superior Le Victoria in Mauritius, a favourite with South African leisure travellers, honeymooners and couples wanting to get married on the Island.

for their wedding, and proceeded to have a wonderful few day's holiday whilst awaiting the arrival of their guest.

   Le Victoria is situated on the northwest coast of Mauritius, half way between the capital Port Louis and the trendy tourist centre of Grand Bay – with its long, white beach and magnificent sea views of the azure-blue ocean lapping softly on its powdery sand, with visions of palms rustling softly in the breeze… They instantly fell under the Island’s spell.
   All documents (copies of passports, birth certificates, wedding certificates and divorce decrees, if you are divorced) need to be forwarded by your travel agent and tour operator to the authorities in Mauritius, a minimum of eight weeks before the wedding.
   As all hotels in Mauritius only allow one wedding ceremony per day at each hotel, the couple decided on 24 September as their wedding date, which then set the wheels in motion.
   The couple needs to be in the country three to four days before the ceremony, so Danie and Melissa departed a few days before their guests, who would be staying for five nights only. The guests were to depart the day after the wedding, giving the couple the pleasure and privacy to enjoy the rest of the holiday and honeymoon. Danie and Melissa opted to move on after the wedding to another superb Beachcomber Hotel, the five-star Shandrani, for their honeymoon.
   Melissa then set about

planning her dress, wanting to wear something appropriate for the tropical beach surround, yet combining elegance with distinct bridal appeal. She chose to leave her request in the talented hands of Zela Design House in Nelspruit. Focusing on the intimacy and the romantic backdrop of an exquisite venue, the dress was designed to perfection!
   Danie chose elegant yet casual white cotton attire to match the mood of an island-style wedding.
   The photographer, Shaun Mallet of Legacy Pictures in Johannesburg, was commissioned by Travel Zone for the photography of this article, and having had such high recommendations, the couple decided that Legacy Pictures would also photograph the wedding for them.
   They met with Sean and instantly felt comfortable, leaving this very important and special part of the wedding in his capable hands. Should a specific photographer not be commissioned by the bridal couple, excellent photographers are available at all hotels for these special occasions.
   The couple looked forward in anticipation to their holiday with their friends and family, as well as their wedding and honeymoon.
   Eventually the day of departure arrived. The four-hour flight was comfortable

and the service and meals were excellent. After the transfer from the airport to Le Victoria, the couple were warmly welcomed with exotic fruit cocktails by hotel staff and management.
   Welcome extras like flowers, a fruit basket and a bottle of champagne as well as T-shirts that will always remind you of your special memories, await you in your spacious ocean-view room.
    The wedding co-coordinator met with the couple the next morning so as to choose their wedding location, and they decided on the Beach in front of La Casa Restaurant, where the wedding reception and dinner was to be held. They discussed the bouquets for Melissa and her bridesmaid, as well as the button-hole for the groom, mothers, fathers and groomsmen, as well as the menu for the dinner and their choice of cake. Melissa once again felt that they were in such capable hands. Although a wedding official performs the ceremony as part of your compulsory admin and proceedings fees, for the legal and civil side of the ceremoney Danie and Melissa choose to have a religious minister to conduct the ceremoney as well.
   They were taken into Port Louis for the legal proceedings and returned to the Hotel feeling totally relaxed. They were now ready

A happy and bubbly group of family and guests met at Johannesburg International Airport, and were soon on their way, arriving to a warm welcome by both the couple and hotel management and staff. Traditional fruit cocktails were once again eagerly served and accepted.
They all had a fabulous active few days together, shopping, sightseeing, water skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, fishing – and all the amazing activities that make a holiday so very special, like enjoying leisurely breakfasts or settling under a cool thatch umbrella with a good book to get that warm and sunny glow that you don’t often get the time for, or rounding off the days with romantic candle-lit dinners or awesome buffets, or dining al fresco under the stars at L’Horizon restaurant at the edge of the sea…
The dinner highlight for the wedding group was the Seafood Buffet served at L’Horizon, as well as the theme buffet dinners, which varied every night.
Danie and Melissa say the hotel was above expectations. Staff were friendly, helpful and discreet, yet always available when needed.
Finally the big day arrived! Melissa was exceptionally pleased with the hair and beauty salon,

finding it to be very well equipped with efficient staff that followed her instructions to the “t”.
   The wedding co-coordinators were so helpful, ensuring that Melissa’s mom and sister felt part of the proceedings.
   The hotel offers ironing and pressing services, as well as a separate room in which to dress, depending on availability. A guitarist, harpist, violinist, music trio or traditional sega group can be chosen to escort the bridal procession. Melissa and Danie chose the traditional sega group, and once dressed, Melissa, her father and bridal assistants were escorted from her room to meet Danie and the guests.
   Once again, Melissa felt so special, as she glided gracefully across the soft white sand towards her groom who stood in awe of his beautiful bride.
   The location they had chosen was exquisitely decorated and at exactly 5pm “Lady Luck” decided to grace everyone with her presence with a few light drops of rain.
   Melissa, Danie and their guest were unperturbed and the ceremony, complete with beautiful vows and a shell containing the wedding rings, went ahead with Mr and Mrs Pretorius smiling happily.
Canapés and cocktails were enjoyed by the guests whilst the photographs were taken, followed by an awesome dinner, with some energetic dancing

following the meal. Delene and Heidi from Travel Zone caught up with the bridal couple the morning after, and here is what they had to say: “The warm, friendly service, the way the staff pampered us to our every whim and need, made us feel not only special on our wedding day, but for the entire stay at the resort. The professional, knowledgeable advice and service we received from the travel agents, wedding co-coordinators, hotel staff and photographer was above expectation and we have lasting memories of fun.”
   Melissa and Danie were transferred to the Shandrani Hotel to round off their ideal wedding with a superb honeymoon.
   Although couples like Melissa and Danie choose to have parents, guests and friends to share the beginning of their journey of eternal love, others choose to go “solo” and likewise the weddings are arranged to be romantic and special, with many couples returning to the Islands for their first anniversary.
   Mauritius has succeeded in creating all the trappings of a mystery wonderland, so all you have to do is “get there” to ensure that you are a part of that awesome experience.

Delene Brown