Fay and Eric got married in Mauritius this summer, swapping the Mancunian weather and city centre buildings to sandy beaches and tropical villas on a private island… On board the plane and private boat with the couple was an Atelier 5 bespoke dress, proud to be part of this exciting trip! Here’s the couple’s story:
“We got married a year ago at the Heron house in Manchester but our parents and close family were not there to witness our marriage. One year later, we decided to have a wedding ceremony to include them, and it was fitting that it should be in Mauritius as it is where we met each other for the first time.”
Organising a wedding 6,210 miles away was not an easy task, particularly with a very short notice! “We told everyone of our plans only three months in advance of our chosen date. Our knowledge of wedding organisation was almost non-existent at the time. Suddenly there was a whole new world to navigate through in a short space of time! The organisation was chaotic.”
Among the chaos, was also the challenge of finding a dress in time. “After a couple of visits to a bridal shop, Fay knew that an off-the-shelf wedding dress just wouldn’t do. A bespoke bridal gown beckoned and in our good friend, Sharon at Atelier 5, we knew the perfect designer to answer our prayers.” Most of the couple’s other wedding requirements were supplied locally in Mauritius. Having found their perfect photographer in Tristan Chaillet, the rest of the wedding organisation was done via a wedding coordinator from their chosen venue.
“Most weddings in Mauritius are held in hotels. We had quotes from a few but then stumbled across a venue and it was love at first sight. Île des Deux Cocos (island of two coconuts) is a small private island with its own secluded beach and surrounded by a turquoise sea. It was the perfect location for the small and intimate wedding ceremony we both dreamt of.”
The couple arrived in Mauritius a few days before the wedding date, to sort out the final arrangements. “The day itself was magical and blessed with sunny blue sky.” It was also a lovely fusion of Mauritian and Chinese culture. “After a short five-minute boat trip from the mainland, a welcoming party of ‘sega’ (Mauritian folklore music) dancers and musicians playing the ‘ravanne’ started off the proceedings. It was special for us to renew our vows which we both prepared the night before and to perform the traditional Chinese tea ceremony – the parental acceptance of new family member into their clan.”
“For our first dance, we wanted to do something special for our guests, so we performed the whole routine of ‘The Time of my Life’ from the film Dirty Dancing. It took us two months to learn and practice from watching YouTube!” The evening ended with everyone dancing the sega on the beach around a bonfire – a traditional Mauritian ending to any good party.
We asked Fay and Eric for their advice to any newly engaged couples, and this is what they had to say: “Embrace the wedding ceremony experience, make it your own first and foremost and enjoy the day, come rain or shine.”
Our warmest congratulations to our newly re-wed couple, and with many thanks for sharing their special day with us, and enabling us to use their wonderful photos.