From Honeymoon Havoc to Paradise: How Our Wedding Trip Kept Changing Destinations
This was in 2021, when the world was still slowly emerging from COVID. So perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised when New Zealand closed its borders. One quick call to Jade later, and we’d rerouted our plans to South Africa, followed by Mauritius. That’s when Madeleine finally confessed her wedding plot.
Once I’d recovered from the shock, we mapped out the perfect trip — safari in South Africa, wedding in Mauritius. Ideal. Until South Africa also closed its borders.
Thankfully, Jade was already one step ahead (I suspect she saw that coming). She reworked everything into a three-centre stay in Mauritius, with the wedding in the middle. A month before departure, South Africa reopened, and the safari was hastily slotted back in.
Jungle Nights and Fruit Bat Fights
We flew into Mauritius via Dubai, starting at Lakaz Chamarel, a peaceful resort hidden in the jungle. Our first dinner was interrupted by a loud thump on the tin roof. Then another. And another.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked our waiter what it was. “Fruit bats,” he explained cheerfully. “They drop the seeds.” These “seeds” were the size of mango pits — no wonder they sounded like cannonballs.
The rest of our stay, we became fascinated by the fruit bats. They’re beautiful in flight, but once they land, they’re hilariously clumsy — like baby giraffes finding their legs. Between bat-spotting, swimming, and lazy afternoons in the sun, it was paradise.
At lunch one day in a nearby restaurant, our peace was shattered by a large monkey strutting across the balcony. He eyed up everyone’s plates, stole a baguette right off a table, and sat eating it while maintaining perfect eye contact with the stunned diners. Confidence level: professional pickpocket.
Cyclone Season and a “Hotel Evacuation”
Next up was Paradise Cove, on the northern edge of Mauritius — a beautiful resort with a calm man-made cove, ideal for relaxing before the big day.
A few days before the wedding, we drove to Port Louis to meet the registrar. When we returned, something felt off: the sunbeds that usually lined the pool were now floating in it. That’s when we heard the news — a cyclone was heading our way.
The next afternoon, while I was in our room, Madeleine burst in: “We have to evacuate — because of the cyclone!”
My military instincts took over. How long are we gone? What do we need? Essentials only? But outside, everyone seemed oddly calm. Some guests were still sunbathing.
When I pointed this out, Madeleine insisted, “Some people just have no sense of urgency.” I kept packing, bracing for an adventure in a community centre. Finally, she couldn’t hold it any longer — she burst out laughing. The “evacuation” simply meant we were being moved to a ground-floor room for safety reasons.
As the winds picked up, we stayed put. Staff braved the storm to deliver food and wine, and I spent hours mesmerised by the water in the cove surging back and forth. Not the worst way to weather a cyclone, all things considered.
A Wedding in the Wind
By Thursday, we were beginning to wonder if the ceremony would go ahead. But on Friday morning, the skies had cleared, and our planner confirmed everything was set. Two couples we’d met agreed to be our witnesses.
Madeleine and I prepared separately, then met on the beach. The ceremony was a little breezy, but beautiful. A local “mariachi” band added a touch of joyful cheesiness, and the hotel staff handled everything flawlessly.
For anyone considering a destination wedding, I can’t recommend Mauritius enough. Beyond the travel itself, the full wedding package at the hotel cost just £1,000 in 2022 — astonishing value for such a stunning setting.
Living Like Rock Stars
After the wedding, we moved to our final stop — and our favourite. We arrived by boat at Île aux Cerfs, a private island off Mauritius that doubles as an 18-hole golf course. Our accommodation was a “bubble” — a vast, air-conditioned dome with butler and chef service.
On our first night, we were told we were the only guests on the island. That meant our own private butler, chef, and 18 security staff. For one glorious night, we truly lived like rock stars — and it was everything we’d dreamed of.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, our “simple” wedding trip became an ever-changing adventure — a masterclass in flexibility, patience, and the value of having an expert Travel Counsellor on your side. What began as a plan for New Zealand ended with us getting married on a beach in Mauritius, surviving a cyclone, and living alone on a private island.
Not quite what we expected — but absolutely unforgettable.
About the Author
Andy Eccles is a Travel Counsellor who specialises in bespoke honeymoons, luxury escapes, and tailor-made adventures. Drawing on real travel experience and a genuine passion for crafting unforgettable journeys, Andy helps couples and explorers alike turn dream trips into reality.