Somewhere Only We Know

When the destination becomes part of a life journey

“I am SO happy to meet you. In 14 years, you are my first Americans!”

Manie’s infectious enthusiasm is mixed with calm in a way that assures every future detail will be attended to. With cocoa skin and a melodic accent, she embodies the cultural melting pot that is Mauritius. 

It’s why we chose this island in the Indian Ocean to be married. One of Africa’s 54 countries, Mauritius blends influences from India, Europe and Southeast Asia. You taste it in the food, sip it in the wine, and see it in the people.

We have wanderlust for the world. When you can choose only one place to be married, Mauritius seems the perfect solution. 

There were also other advantages—marriage reciprocity for U.S. citizens, and the fact that we couldn’t name another American who had visited. 

Then there’s the meaning of the name Mauritius. It’s derived from the Latin word Maurus, which meant “dark-skinned” or “Moorish.”

We choose to call it Morris Island.

Manie is the wedding planner at LUX Le Morne. A boutique resort on Mauritius’ tiny southwest peninsula, it is casual and quiet elegance. Mauritian architect Jean-Marc Tang is behind its design, a haven at the foot of Le Morne mountain that harmonizes with its natural surroundings and scatters thoughtful touches everywhere.

There’s a London-themed red phone booth encouraging guests to make one free phone call anywhere in the world (remember when we didn’t have WhatsApp?)

There’s a secret bar, an honor bar found by opening a wardrobe you stumble upon in the forest. It invites you to pause what you are doing (like walking back from scuba diving) to enjoy a sip while under the shade of palm trees. We love the surprise so much that we bring the idea to our future wedding celebration in California.

Chic, casual, thoughtful, surprise-filled, intimate and simple—these were the adjectives I wanted for our wedding. 

I didn’t want to host. I wanted to be hosted.

I knew two things—we would exchange our vows while barefoot on a beach, and I’d wear a flowing light strapless off-white dress purchased from Nordstrom online.

Manie is the genius on the other side of the world we trust to create magic. 

Manie guides us through a wedding checklist—spa visits, photographer and videographer and flowers. The floral choices are A, B or C. I choose C—Birds of Paradise, symbolizing freedom, joyfulness and new possibilities. 

An hour later, we break for a rum-based cocktail.

The next day, we drive one hour to Mauritius capital Port Louis to obtain our marriage license. It’s an Amazing Race-style administrative obstacle course. We make it to the finish line with Manie’s guidance and my attention to detail (I was this close to my last name being Morris, Jr.).

Our onsite wedding the following day was flawless—the beach, the sunset catamaran ride with a rainbow backdrop, the candlelight dinner on the beach that looks like a scene from The Bachelor and ends with beach-combing European revelers with a guitar singing a French (I think) wedding song. 

It’s the type of event that you look back on and think…

There’s not a thing we’d change.

We always said we’d go back to Mauritius for a 10 year anniversary. 

The COVID pandemic mutes our plans.

Meanwhile, LUX Le Morne employees scramble to put food on the table in a suddenly shut-down world. 

They come up with a brilliant idea—utilize the resort’s multi-skilled team as part of a needed nine-month refresh renovation during the COVID closure. 

Every person plays a role. The resident manager Isabel cleans the grout on the entry front stairs. At the project’s end, she proudly hosts the CEO for a walk-through.

The whole story is a case study in sustainable refurbishment. 

Then in early 2025, I receive an invitation to join African Leadership University’s 10 year anniversary celebration on their Mauritius campus.

I immediately accept. Afterward, I reserve several nights at LUX Le Morne—a delayed celebration of our own anniversary.

I search my email inbox. I couldn’t imagine Manie would still be working at the resort 13 years later. But it was worth a try. I attach the above wedding photo to my email—“Dear Manie, it is very unlikely that you will remember us, but…”

Overnight I received Manie’s reply.

“What a wonderful surprise to hear from you! Of course I remember you and Mr. Morris. How could I forget my stunning first American wedding couple.”

When you return to a place that holds a deep place in your heart, you do so with trepidation. Things are never what you remember them to be.

Thinking about our Mauritius wedding, it can feel like it was a dream.

Returning to Mauritius reminds me it was, in fact, very real.

Manie appears at check-in to personally welcome us. Same crisp scarf. Same melodic voice. After 27 years in her role, we remain the only Americans she’s hosted for an onsite wedding.

“Tomorrow, please come to see me—just you.”

Manie speaks to me. I know what it’s about. We’ve been conspiring via email to plan a special beachside dinner. That twinkle in her eye tells me surprises are in store.

Isabel sends a bottle of sparkling wine to our dinner. Manie sends a decadent chocolate cake to our room the last night.

The property is as charming as we remember it, with an added lightness. New surprises included a tree of wishes, an oceanfront treehouse, and a pop-up fire pit with skewered marshmallows.

On our final day, we are taken to our airport taxi only when Manie, Isabel and team are assembled to give us a heartfelt send-off. 

Manie will likely retire in the next few years. “But not until you visit us again.”

Getting married on the other side of the world might be a bit unconventional. By generously excluding family and friends, we gave ourselves the biggest gift.

Here’s to Mauritius. Or Morris Island. 

It feels like somewhere only we know.

I love sharing the story of our wedding. It’s not something I get to do every day. What I DO get to do daily is connect people and ideas so that we each maximize our impact. Sharing stories of special people like Manie is pure joy. Find more on www.JodiMorris.co and my Substack.