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Weddings in Reunion Island

Getting married in Reunion Island: venues, budget and paperwork

Beach, Creole estate, lagoon or mountain cirque: six places to say "I do" in Reunion Island, plus the practical side, from paperwork and realistic budgets to a 12-month plan and where to find the dress.

6 venues to choose fromApril-Nov. best season
Why here

Why get married in Reunion Island

Reunion Island has everything for a wedding with a difference: varied tropical backdrops (lagoon, beach, mountain cirques, Creole gardens, wine estates), a food culture blending Creole, Indian, Malbar (Tamil), Chinese and French cooking, and wonderful light for photos. As part of France and the EU, it uses the euro and French law, which makes it especially simple for French couples; if you're coming from elsewhere, the symbolic-ceremony route described below is often the easiest.

This page covers it all: six types of venue with capacities and budgets, realistic budgets by style of wedding, a 12-month plan, advice on vendors (photographer, caterer, DJ, florist), choosing a dress and a detailed FAQ.

For the dress, many brides order online and try it on at home. International specialist JJ's House offers a wide catalogue with delivery to Reunion Island: see their bridesmaid dresses for the wedding party, as well as their occasion dresses catalogue for guests (€200-800 a dress).

Six dream venues

Where to say yes on the island

Six types of venue, each with its capacity, budget and best season.

#VenueTypeCapacityBudgetSeason
01West coast beaches (Boucan-Canot, Roches Noires)Beach / sunset20-60 guests€€April to November
02Wine estates and Creole homes (Maison Rouge, Folio)Colonial garden / Creole house50-150 guests€€€Year-round (indoor option available)
03Luxury spa hotels (LUX Saint-Gilles, Diana Dea Lodge)All-inclusive resort30-200 guests€€€€Year-round
04Cirques and lookout points (Cilaos, Hell-Bourg, Maïdo)Altitude / panoramic view20-50 guests€€April to November
05Hermitage lagoon and southern beaches (Grande Anse)Turquoise lagoon / beach30-80 guests€€April to November
06Themed estates (rum, vanilla, pineapple)Local produce / distillery30-100 guests€€€Year-round

Budget key: € = budget-friendly, €€ = moderate, €€€ = high, €€€€ = premium / luxury. Excludes guests' travel to Reunion Island.

Budget

Four styles, four budgets

From an intimate beach wedding at €5,000 to an all-inclusive spa-hotel wedding at €80,000, the budget depends on the style you choose.

FormatGuestsTotal costCost/guestDetails
Intimate beach wedding20-30 guests€5,000-10,000€200-350 per guestCivil ceremony at the town hall, symbolic beach ceremony, restaurant dinner and photographer. No group accommodation.
Classic estate wedding60-100 guests€20,000-45,000€300-500 per guestExclusive use of an estate, Creole caterer, DJ, professional photographer, florist and wedding car. Guest accommodation booked separately.
Turnkey spa-hotel wedding50-200 guests€30,000-80,000€400-800 per guestHotel package: ceremony, drinks reception, dinner, next-day brunch and the couple's accommodation, often with the resort's own wedding planner.
Premium estate wedding80-150 guests€40,000-70,000€350-700 per guestExclusive Creole estate, top-end vendors and an authentic atmosphere, with multi-day options.
Key steps

Your 12-month wedding plan

Six key steps over 12 months for a classic wedding. Adjust to suit your plans.

  • 12 months before
    Choose the date (ideally in the dry season), the main venue and a wedding planner if needed. Tell overseas guests early so they can book flights well ahead (at least 4-6 months ahead for good fares to Reunion Island)
  • 9 months before
    Choose and book vendors: caterer, photographer, videographer, DJ, florist. Choose the dress and suit. Send save-the-dates by email or post
  • 6 months before
    Book guest accommodation (Saint-Gilles fills up fast in high season; budget €60-90 a night at family-run hotels). Plan the extras (drinks reception, next-day brunch) and flowers
  • 3 months before
    Submit the paperwork to the town hall (at least 30 days before the ceremony). Caterer tasting, draft seating plan, hair and make-up trial. Send the final invitations
  • 1 month before
    Final dress and suit fittings. Brief vendors on the detailed timings. Check the forecast and have an undercover plan B for rain. Confirm numbers with the caterer
  • 1 week before
    Sort out gift envelopes, cash for tips and an emergency kit (plasters, needle and thread, painkillers, tissues, water)
Frequently asked questions

Your questions answered

Can you legally get married in Reunion Island?
Reunion Island is part of France, so a legal wedding is a French civil ceremony at the town hall, with the file submitted at least 30 days before the date. The paperwork is the same as anywhere in France (ID, proof of address for the town hall, a sworn statement that neither of you is already married, and more), and couples who aren't French need extra documents from their consulate. Eligibility rules apply, so check with the town hall and your own consulate before you plan. Many couples find it simpler to marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony on the island.
How much does a wedding in Reunion Island cost?
It varies hugely depending on the style of wedding. For an intimate wedding of 20-30 guests on the beach with a restaurant dinner, budget €5,000-10,000. For a classic wedding of 60-100 people at an estate, more like €20,000-45,000, not counting travel. Spa hotels offer all-inclusive packages from €30,000 to €80,000. Don't forget guest accommodation: in Saint-Gilles in high season, expect €60-200 a night depending on the standard. For a premium wedding of 80-150 people at a prestige estate, budget €40,000-70,000.
When should you get married in Reunion Island?
The dry season from April to November is by far the best choice, peaking in July-September (French school holidays, so flights and hotels are busier). The cyclone season from December to March can seriously disrupt a wedding with heavy rain, closed trails and delayed or cancelled flights. If you have to marry then, aim for early December or late March, and an undercover plan B (a hall or a wind-resistant marquee) is a must. For the best weather for the money, go for May-June or September-October.
Where can you find a wedding dress in Reunion Island?
Several bridal boutiques in Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre and Saint-Gilles offer fittings and made-to-measure creations. For a wider choice, many brides order online and have alterations done locally. International specialists such as JJ's House have a wide range of wedding and bridesmaid dresses and ship to Reunion Island. Budget €200-800 for an online dress, €800-3,000 for a local creation, up to €5,000 for haute couture.
Should you hire a local wedding planner?
For an intimate wedding of 20-30 people, you can organise it yourself by choosing a hotel or estate that handles the logistics. For a wedding of 60-100 people with multiple vendors (caterer, florist, DJ, photographer, guest transport, group accommodation), a local wedding planner is almost essential, especially if you're organising from abroad. Budget €1,500-4,000 for the full service. A planner knows the reliable vendors, negotiates prices, runs the day and deals with the unexpected (weather, delays, technical problems).
Which vendors should you choose in Reunion Island?
Four essentials. Photographer: €1,500-4,000 for full coverage (getting ready, ceremony, drinks reception, dinner). Creole caterer: €60-120 per person, excluding drinks, for a full menu (canapés, starter, main, dessert). DJ: €800-2,000 for the evening with sound and lighting. Florist: €800-3,000 depending on what you need (bouquet, buttonholes, table centrepieces, ceremony decor). Local professionals are very active on Instagram and on regional wedding platforms.
Where should overseas guests stay?
There are three options. Group accommodation at an estate or residence (good value but often far from the venue): €50-80 per person a night. Hotels in Saint-Gilles, Saint-Pierre or Saint-Leu (comfortable and near the beaches): €80-200 a night per room. Airbnb villas with a pool for 8-15 people, ideal for families: €300-800 a night. Book 4-6 months ahead for the July-August high season. Some couples set up a wedding website listing recommended places to stay and negotiated discount codes.
Can you take photos at iconic sites (Maïdo, the volcano)?
Yes, as long as you follow Reunion Island National Park rules: no big set-ups (furniture, structures), no fires, stay on marked trails, and keep it small (the couple and photographer, 5-10 people at most). Photos at Maïdo, Plaine des Sables, Trou de Fer (from the lookout, not the slippery trail), or the Bras Rouge or Grand Galet waterfalls: excellent iconic spots. Go at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for the best light, and plan around the weather (fog is common in the afternoon at altitude).
What paperwork do you need for a civil wedding in Reunion Island?
The same file as for a civil wedding anywhere in France. For each partner: a valid ID, a birth certificate less than 3 months old (to request from the town hall of birth), proof of address, a sworn statement of no impediment (no prior marriage, no family relationship with the partner). For witnesses (2 minimum, 4 maximum): an ID document. If either of you isn't French: a certificate of custom and a certificate of capacity to marry from your consulate (check with the town hall whether translations are needed). The file must reach the town hall at least 30 days before the date, and the banns must be posted at least 10 days before the ceremony.
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