Zanzibar is the ideal place for a beach wedding with it's beautiful coastline and a wide range of accommodation to choose from.

The beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years. A wedding and honeymoon on Zanzibar will leave you and your guests relaxed, and rejuvenated - ready for the exciting adventure that awaits!

Zanzibar weddings can be coordinated for all party sizes whether it is just the 2 of you or a large number of guests. Once we have your requirements, we will find the most suitable venue from a sultan's palace to the beautiful beach.

In order to have a religious wedding in Zanzibar you need to be there for 2 full working days prior (subject to change) to the wedding day.

GETTING MARRIED IN ZANZIBAR
The legal requirements for marriage in Zanzibar are different from mainland Tanzania. The Embassy suggests that you or the resort where the wedding will take place contact the Government of Zanzibar to discuss your upcoming nuptial.

Civil Wedding at Regional Commissioners Office or by Regional Commissioner
Civil ceremonies must be held in the morning and on weekdays only. A Civil Wedding will usually take place on the beach with the Regional Commissioner coming to the hotel to perform the ceremony; however, in the event that this is not possible it will be necessary to go to the Regional Commissioners Office. Upon returning to the hotel, there will be a symbolic ceremony on the beach with a decorated canopy usually. In this event, the couple will have to exchange their own symbolic vows. All out door and beach activities are dependent on tides and weather. All documentation for the wedding must be received within the time frame specified.

Application letter must be in English and signed by both parties indicating that both applicants are single and want to marry in Zanzibar with the intended date of marriage. This letter should be certified by a Public Notary and the following should also be sent:
1) Two photocopies of your passport
2) Birth registration certificates
3) Certification of domicile
4) Two passport photographs.
5) A paper stating you are single (extremely important)
6) Names, birth dates and birth place of parents.
*This document is a sworn affidavit signed by the individual and the notarized indicating the current residence of the individual.

This will need to be verified with the Regional Commissioner’s Office at the time of your booking but generally the above requirements must be met.

Wedding performed by a Minister at your Hotel
Need to provide the following in a document certified by a Public Notary: Application letter (must be in English and signed by both parties) indicating that both applicants are single and want to marry in Zanzibar with the intended date of marriage. This document should include the following information: domicile, birth registration information, names, birth dates and birthplace of parents. Statement that you are single (extremely important).

Please note that you must also send with the letter: Two photocopies of your passport, two passport photographs and Birth registration certificates.

ANGLICAN WEDDING REQUIREMENTS
1. Birth Certificate
2. Certificate of Baptism. (This is essential for all church weddings)
3. A statement that both the bride and groom are single
4. A letter from their parish indicating that the parish has no objection to the marriage

CATHOLIC WEDDING REQUIREMENTS
1. Birth Certificate
2. Letter of consent from the parents (or other family elder if the parents are deceased)
3. Letter from their parish indicating that the guests have fulfilled all requirements for to the marriage within the Catholic Church and that the parish has no objections to the marriage. This should also indicate that they have received their 1st Communion as well as Confirmation.

PLEASE NOTE
Prior to the ceremony, the couple must meet with the Officials to verify all documentation. This can be the same day as the ceremony.

According to Zanzibar Laws, a notice must put on the Municipal Notice Board for the intended marriage twenty-one days prior to the ceremony. There is no waiver available in Zanzibar, so the twenty-one day period is mandatory (you only need arrive a minimum of 2 days prior to wedding day) so it is best that all documentation is received at least 25 days prior to planned wedding date.

Documents must be sent by registered mail or courier in order to ensure delivery. We cannot accept responsibility for any documents sent by other means.
Please note that requirements and processing periods in Zanzibar are subject to change without reason or prior notification. We cannot accept any liability whatsoever for changes which occur.

Please note some resorts only do 'mock weddings' so you need to be aware of this.

Email us and we will tailor-make your Zanzibar Wedding or view our Zanzibar Honeymoon Packages here.

Some of our Zanzibar Wedding packages: