Veranda Resorts in Mauritius: An Interview with a Wedding Co-ordinator

A Dream Come True: Three Romantic Veranda Resorts for a Wedding in Mauritius

The Veranda name brings together five resorts in Mauritius, each with its own character. Three stand out as particularly romantic settings for a wedding by the sea and a honeymoon to remember.

Let us introduce three very different places for a romantic escape to Mauritius.

To find out what makes these resorts special, and what they can offer couples who dream of saying “I do” on a sandy beach with slender palms and the ocean stretching into the distance, we spoke to wedding co-ordinator Veronique Boldrini.

Veronique has extensive experience of organising weddings not only in Mauritius but also in the Seychelles.

With three distinct settings to choose from, couples can find a resort that suits the celebration they have in mind.

Could you introduce yourself and tell us what matters most to you in your role as a wedding co-ordinator?

My name is Veronique, and I am a wedding specialist at Veranda Resorts in Mauritius. I have been organising celebrations for our guests for seven years, drawing on my previous experience in the Seychelles, where I arranged weddings and special events for couples from all over the world.

I love my work. My main motivation is to make sure every wedding runs smoothly, from beginning to end. I know just how unique and unforgettable this occasion is for our guests, and I want them to enjoy it without any stress.

What do you love most about being a wedding co-ordinator?

Very often, it is the little things that make a romantic occasion special, both for our guests and for the hotel teams looking after them. What moves me most is seeing the happiness in a couple’s eyes during their ceremony. It is an indescribable joy. You feel rather like the conductor of an orchestra!

Another reason I love my job is that, to me, couples are more than clients. They can become friends. We often develop a close relationship, and we stay in touch even after they have returned home.

Veranda has five resorts. Are they all ideal for a romantic wedding, or are there particular ones you would recommend?

There are five resorts in the Veranda collection, but I would like to introduce just three that I find especially romantic. For celebrations such as a beach wedding or a renewal of vows, I would certainly recommend Veranda Pointe aux Biches, Veranda Paul et Virginie, and Veranda Belle Mare (formerly Veranda Palmar Beach).

Let us take them one by one. Starting with Veranda Pointe aux Biches, what makes it so special?

Our resort, Veranda Pointe aux Biches, is on the northern coast of Mauritius, not far from the lively village of Grand Baie. It is a four-star, boutique-style beachfront hotel, with restaurants, bars and a spa.

There are two quite distinct areas. On one side of the resort, our Comfort and Superior rooms are ideal for families. On the other is a separate adults-only wing.

That adults-only area is perfect for a romantic honeymoon or a special occasion when you want to spend time together, just the two of you. It has Privilege rooms, along with a restaurant, bar and swimming pool reserved for adults staying in that part of the hotel.

Wedding ceremonies at Veranda Pointe aux Biches usually take place on the beach or in the gardens. For guests staying in the adults-only wing, we can also arrange a wonderful ceremony in a restaurant overlooking the sea.

The whole celebration has an elegant but relaxed feel. It combines a stylish beach setting with a lively, easy-going atmosphere. It is a lovely way to experience tropical island life: soft sand, warm sunshine and the chance for a little adventure throughout the year.

And what about Veranda Paul et Virginie? What are its particular charms?

Another very romantic resort is Veranda Paul et Virginie, named after a famous local love story — rather like a Mauritian Romeo and Juliet!

This four-star boutique hotel is adults-only and sits in the fishing village of Grand Gaube. What makes the setting so distinctive is the beautiful view across the lagoon towards the small islands north of Mauritius.

The rooms have sea views, and the hotel has two restaurants, bars, two swimming pools, a fully equipped fitness centre and a spa. It is a place where you feel as though time has stood still.

Veranda Paul et Virginie is peaceful and intimate, just right for switching off and enjoying your own little world together.

You mentioned three romantic resorts. What is the third, and what does it offer?

My third recommendation is Veranda Belle Mare, on the eastern coast of Mauritius, an area known for its sandy beaches and beautiful sunrises.

The resort sits beside a lovely sandy beach in the much-loved Belle Mare area. It has two restaurants, bars, a swimming pool and a spa, as well as a wide range of water sports for guests who prefer a more active holiday.

There is also an all-inclusive dining option. For me, though, the greatest attraction is the resort’s charming, relaxed atmosphere. Veranda Belle Mare has a wonderful position by the ocean and a feeling of space that makes it especially appealing to guests who want to enjoy the lagoon and beach at their most beautiful.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “a wedding in Mauritius”?

Every couple I have met at our hotels has had one phrase in common: “A dream come true!”

Couples are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, something that will leave them with happy memories when they look back on their journey together.

I have come to appreciate just how much thought goes into making that dream happen. Couples take time to explore different travel options, plan their trip, arrange time away from work and talk things through with the people close to them. It is a decision they think about very carefully.

Some may have saved for a long time or made other difficult choices before booking a beach wedding or a honeymoon in an exotic destination. That is why it matters so much to me to make their dream come true!

What ceremony settings do you offer, and what makes them special for wedding couples and honeymooners?

Most couples love the idea of a ceremony right on the beach, with their feet in the white sand and the sea behind them. It is also a beautiful setting for wedding photographs and video — memories they can look back on for the rest of their lives.

We often suggest colourful flowers for the wedding arch and the arrangement on the registrar’s table. Mauritius is a tropical destination, and we like using bamboo and greenery as part of the decoration.

Other couples prefer softer pastel shades or a more formal setting. There are many possibilities, and we always make an effort to understand what each couple has in mind so we can give them the best possible experience.

Our garden settings are popular too. The tropical vegetation is lush, with flowers and glimpses of the sea that make wonderful photographs. A garden is often a better choice if the bride wants to wear heels, or if the couple would prefer a little shade from the sun.

Gardens can also work better for a wedding with more guests. There is room for everyone to mingle, the atmosphere tends to be more sociable and relaxed, and it is easy to enjoy refreshments and something to eat after the ceremony.

And if there is a little drizzle — because, of course, it never rains in Mauritius! 🙂 — we suggest an alternative location on a restaurant terrace or somewhere sheltered from the rain, still close to the beach and with lovely views of the ocean.

Which place is your own favourite, and why?

That is a very difficult question, because I have several favourites!

At Veranda Pointe aux Biches, it would have to be the Sundowner area by the beach, relaxing in a hammock with a rum cocktail. I love listening to the different sounds of nature while the sun sets over the horizon.

But I also love doing absolutely nothing in the infinity pool at Veranda Paul et Virginie, simply looking out towards the islands of Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, Round Island and the other islands while a fisherman passes in his little pirogue. All you hear is the breeze moving through the trees, the birds overhead and the gentle sound of waves along the shore.

And then there is the wonderful experience of an early-morning walk along the beach at Veranda Belle Mare, watching the sunrise. At that hour, the white sandy beach is completely deserted, and you feel as though the world is slowly waking up around you. You watch tiny crabs emerging from their holes in the sand and feel the gentle waves brushing against your toes.

To me, moments like these are priceless.

What can couples expect from their pre-wedding meeting?

A pre-wedding meeting can be arranged well in advance, even before the couple arrives on the island.

At the meeting, we go through all their wishes and requirements, review what they have already booked and talk about anything else that could make their wedding experience even more special, including the additional costs.

For example, some flowers are available only at certain times of year. We may also need to finalise arrangements for the hairdresser and make-up artist, or organise pressing and ironing services for wedding clothes.

It is important to remember that, to preserve the intimacy of the occasion, we hold just one wedding a day. We also avoid organising weddings during the busiest periods, such as Christmas and New Year, when the hotel is full.

Why should couples choose your resort for their wedding and honeymoon?

Whether couples choose a legally valid beach wedding, a symbolic ceremony or a renewal of vows at a Veranda resort, there are plenty of thoughtful little touches that can make their stay particularly special.

They may seem like small things, but they make a real difference to the overall experience. For example, we welcome guests with a bottle of sparkling wine and a plate of seasonal fruit in their room. On the wedding day, there is a cake for four people and another bottle of sparkling wine after the ceremony.

I am available to our guests throughout the day to make sure everything goes smoothly. We can even arrange two witnesses for a civil wedding and help with pressing the bride’s and groom’s wedding clothes.

On their wedding night, we decorate the bed with flower petals and leave honeymoon gifts in the room. We can also arrange a romantic private dinner on the beach for the couple, with a set menu; drinks are not included.

But perhaps the best reason to choose our resorts is what couples who have already celebrated their weddings with us have to say. I would be delighted to share some of their photographs and comments.

Alexandr Vrabie and Liana Mihaliestu — Veranda Pointe aux Biches Stay: November 2019 “An exceptional experience and wonderful memories of our wedding ceremony on the beach! A very elegant hotel, with tropical-style buildings set among lush gardens, giving the whole place a wonderfully relaxed, barefoot feel. We were lucky to have a beautiful ground-floor room, which opened directly onto the wonderful tropical garden. The staff were extremely kind and attentive, always ready to help with anything we needed. A special mention goes to Veronique Boldrini, the resort’s wedding co-ordinator, who organised our beach wedding ceremony perfectly. It exceeded our expectations.”

Practical note: At all Veranda resorts in Mauritius, couples can add legalities — assistance with the formalities for a civil marriage — to a wedding package for an additional charge. A legally valid marriage depends on the relevant official requirements being met, not simply on buying a package. Always confirm exactly which services and extras are included in the hotel’s offer.

What would you most like couples to experience during their stay?

There are so many things I would love couples to try! But let me choose just one special experience for each resort.

At Veranda Pointe aux Biches, couples should definitely try the wedding spa package. It includes a 60-minute relaxing candle massage, followed by a 60-minute personalised facial treatment, manicure and pedicure for the bride and groom, in a spa cabin right on the beach overlooking the lagoon.

At Veranda Paul et Virginie, I would recommend a private trip aboard our Deep into the Blue catamaran. Couples can discover Bernache Island and its mangrove bay — a real escape from everyday life, rather like Robinson Crusoe. There are exotic rum cocktails in the beautiful waters around the island, a barbecue lunch on shore and time in the afternoon to snorkel together in the mangrove bay. It is a wonderful experience to share, and one that can become part of an unforgettable wedding stay.

And at Veranda Belle Mare, I would not miss a special continental breakfast on the beach at sunrise, enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine and the sound of romantic flute music.

Have we tempted you? Can you picture yourselves celebrating your wedding day in one of these three romantic places in Mauritius?

Thank you for speaking with us, Veronique, and we wish you many more happy couples!

Photographs: YachtWedding.com and Veranda Hotels archives.