Choose a Zanzibar wedding if you are looking for a tropical island wedding with crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches, and absolutely gorgeous scenery!

Beach Elopement at Nungwi Dreams, Zanzibar

Where is Zanzibar?

Zanzibar lies just off the coast of Tanzania and is actually an archipelago made up of several islands. The largest and most well-known is Unguja, commonly called “Zanzibar Island.”

Map of Zanzibar Island (creator unknown) and an image of the surrounding islands

As a destination photographer, I absolutely love heading to the northern tip of Zanzibar… it’s one of my favourite places to explore! The reefs are stunning, and I find myself falling in love with them more and more every time I visit. Additionally, the recent airport upgrade has made arriving in Stone Town a much smoother and more enjoyable experience. From there, you’ll be able to head out to your destination using a private taxi or hotel transfer.

The People of The Spice Island

When you visit Zanzibar, you’ll hear the phrase “hakuna matata” more times than you can count! More than just a saying, it’s a way of life. Meaning “no problems” or “no worries,” this expression reflects the island’s laid-back and welcoming spirit.

The people of Zanzibar are warm, kind, and incredibly hospitable. Despite many locals living at or below the poverty line, and the island being predominantly Muslim, they remain gracious and tolerant of the tourists who visit. As you travel to your hotel, the contrast between rural villages and the luxury of resorts will be striking.

Yet, no matter the disparity, the Swahili locals greet everyone with smiles and friendly waves, embodying the true spirit of hakuna matata.

Why Choose a Zanzibar Wedding?

Zanzibar is a breathtaking island rich in culture, offering a stunning selection of beaches. With countless luxury hotels, planning an all-inclusive wedding or elopement in Zanzibar is effortless. Most packages include everything – from the ceremony and flowers to music, hair, and makeup – so you can arrive stress-free, knowing you’ll be well cared for.

Compared to other island wedding destinations, Zanzibar remains surprisingly affordable. Your budget stretches further, allowing access to more luxurious options. Many hotels also enhance wedding packages with unforgettable experiences, such as sunset dhow cruises, Stone Town tours, snorkeling trips to Mnemba Island, relaxing massages, or inclusive meals.

Wedding at Hotel Meliá Zanzibar

Let’s not forget how easily you can transition from your wedding or elopement to your honeymoon. Explore the island together or hop on over to the mainland, Tanzania, for an incredible safari experience!

Beautiful Zanzibar Wedding Locations

Nungwi

Nungwi, located at the northern tip of Zanzibar, is one of my absolute favorite places – a true island gem! This stunning area offers breathtaking views, but its tides can be extreme. At low tide, the reef becomes exposed, which is something to keep in mind if you’re planning a beach wedding in Zanzibar. To ensure a picture-perfect ceremony on soft, white sand, be sure to time it around the tides.

Nungwi Dreams, Nungwi Zanzibar

Kendwa

A little further down the coast is Kendwa which has a busy but exceptionally beautiful stretch of beach. White sand for kilometres and minimal tidal variances make Kendwa a really gorgeous spot!

Kendwa Beach, Zanzibar

Stone Town

Stone Town is the heart of Zanzibar: charming, vibrant, and perfectly located with easy airport access. This historic town blends character-filled architecture with stunning oceanfront luxury hotels.

Some of my favorite memories here involve long, leisurely afternoons at the Park Hyatt, sipping fresh orange juice, whilst watching dhows glide across the water and locals somersault into the sea. It’s a place where history, culture, and breathtaking views come together effortlessly.

Stone Town, Zanzibar

Park Hyatt Hotel, Stone Town, Zanzibar

Jambiani

Jambiani’s lush vegetation meets an exquisite white-sand beach, creating a peaceful and rustic escape. This side of Zanzibar offers a laid-back village atmosphere, perfect for those looking to unwind away from the crowds. However, like other parts of the island, Jambiani experiences extreme tides.

Pongwe

Pongwe, one of Zanzibar’s finest beaches on the eastern coast, is all about breathtaking sunrises and postcard-perfect views. This serene destination is also home to The Island, a famous restaurant that offers a unique dining experience surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

The Private Islands of Zanzibar

For ultimate luxury, there are a number of private island locations available. The locations often require full-buyout (that you book the whole venue out) for weddings or events. They are ideal for smaller, high-end weddings and for people who want total privacy.

Choosing a Date for Your Wedding in Zanzibar

June through to October: The ‘cooler dry season’ months. This is the optimal time to visit and is considered high tourist season. This period coincides with Tanzania’s high season for Safari trips.

November and December: ‘Short Rains’ are common in these months. Clouds typically start building in the morning with a short storm in the afternoon. The end of December is considered peak tourist season with loaded pricing on accommodation, food and experiences.

Essque Zalu Zanzibar Hotel, Nungwi

January and February: Mark the ‘hot and humid dry season’. Sunny and hot, with some of the best diving and snorkelling conditions.

Snorkelling at Mnemba Island, Zanzibar

March sees the ‘long rains’ starting, which pick up into the months of April and May. There are usually some clear gaps on days during the rainy months. This is considered low season in Zanzibar.

The Legal Requirements for a Zanzibar Wedding

Hiring a wedding planner is one of my top recommendations for a Zanzibar wedding! A local expert can guide you through every detail, from legal requirements to vendor coordination, ensuring a stress-free experience.

A planner’s knowledge of local language, vendors, and legalities is invaluable. They can often negotiate better rates and effortlessly handle any last-minute challenges that island weddings will bring.

Before booking, contact your registry office or embassy to confirm the legal requirements for a destination wedding in Zanzibar. While many countries accept a Zanzibar Marriage Certificate, others may require additional endorsements, such as authentication from your embassy in Tanzania.

To be legally married in Zanzibar you must:

• Be over 18 years old.
• Not be related by blood, marriage or adoption.
• Have two witnesses over the age of 18 attending your marriage, who are not related to you (they can be locals).

Wedding at Hotel Meliá Zanzibar

Documents You’ll Need To Submit

For a civil wedding, you’ll need to obtain a wedding license by submitting the following to the Regional Commissioner’s Office:

• A notarised application letter indicating that you are both single and free to marry and that you wish to marry in Zanzibar at X location on X date. This letter needs to be sent with the following:
• Notarised copies of passports.
• Notarised copies of birth certificates.
• Notarised certification of domicile.
• Notarised certificate of no impediment.
• Names, birth dates and birth place of parents.
• Names of two witnesses.
• Passport photographs (4 each).
• If you have been previously married you will need to show final divorce papers.
• If you are widowed you will need to provided your previous marriage certificate and death certificate of your previous spouse.

Things to Be Aware of

• Documentation must be submitted to the Registry Office at least 21 days before your wedding so that a notice of marriage can be put up on the municipal notice board, which is a legal requirement.
• You must be in Zanzibar two days prior to your wedding.
• All documentation must be provided in English, with any translations certified.
• You’ll need to check your documents for any time restrictions or expiry dates.

A wedding planner will take care of gathering and submitting all the necessary paperwork, making them truly invaluable in the process! Keep in mind that the information above was accurate at the time of writing, but legal requirements may change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check before moving forward.

If you prefer to skip the legal paperwork in Zanzibar, many couples choose to have a civil ceremony in their home country and then hold a blessing or spiritual ceremony on the island. This way, the legalities of your marriage are handled in your home country, while you still get to celebrate in paradise!

Elopement at Nungwi Dreams in Zanzibar

5 Top Tips for Your Zanzibar Wedding

Arrive on the Island early

Beyond the legal requirements for a civil marriage, I recommend arriving in Zanzibar a few days before your wedding. Taking the time to explore the area and meet with your wedding planner to finalize the details will help ease any nerves and ensure everything runs smoothly on the big day.

Sunset Dhow Cruise in Zanzibar

Avoid the hottest hours of the day for your Zanzibar wedding ceremony

Hold your ceremony later in the day as Zanzibar gets really hot. Temperatures soar between the hours of noon and 3pm… which isn’t ideal if you want happy and comfortable guests.

Don’t forget about the tide

The tide is king when it comes to tropical beach weddings! Whilst your wedding planner will likely monitor the tide schedule, it’s always a good idea to double-check and ensure your ceremony is planned around the tide pattern of the beach you’ve chosen.

Nungwi Reef at Low Tide, Zanzibar

Take full advantage of the Zanzibar golden hour!

You actually can’t go wrong with wedding photos in Zanzibar. An amazing photographer will be able to give you photos featuring gorgeous white sand and azure waters AND all the beauty of golden hour.

Golden Hour in Zanzibar

Zanzibar’s cuisine is incredible, choose it every time!

Fresh seafood and vibrant spice blends truly shine on Zanzibar, earning it the nickname Spice Island. Many hotels also offer a seafood barbecue, which is a perfect addition to your wedding menu.

Fresh Seafood Barbecue in Nungwi, Zanzibar

If you have some extra time, I highly recommend visiting Lukmaan Restaurant in Stone Town for an authentic Zanzibar food experience with the locals!

Lukmaan Restaurant in Stone Town, Zanzibar

And that wraps up the most comprehensive guide to Zanibar Weddings that I could possibly compile 🙂 I hope that it helps you along your own wedding journey and that you follow your heart, choose the adventure, and make your wedding experience unforgettable!

I truly hope our paths cross in the future… you have been guided to my little slice of the internet for a reason after all!

And if you are still dreaming and wedding planning, then check out these amazing links for more wedding inspiration: