Planning an international wedding in Morocco means working out precisely how many days to set aside for the administrative formalities, the ceremonies and the festivities. This guide helps you estimate the ideal length of your stay so you can enjoy the event without stress.
Why allow enough days for an international wedding in Morocco?
An international wedding in Morocco involves specific procedures that can take several days. Foreign couples often have to travel for the legal formalities, attend local traditions and organise the reception. Not allowing enough time can lead to stress and last-minute complications.
Civil marriage: what to know before setting your dates
For most foreign couples, the civil marriage does not take place in Morocco. Moroccan law does not provide for two foreigners to marry before the local authorities (French Senate, ministerial answer, in French), and a marriage before the Moroccan authorities requires one of the partners to be Moroccan (German Embassy in Morocco, in French).
- Two French nationals: they can marry at the French consulate if one of them is domiciled in the consular district; the wedding takes place after 10 days of publication of the banns, and the consulate advises allowing several weeks (La France au Maroc, in French).
- A French national and a Moroccan national: marriage before the Moroccan authorities, after obtaining a certificate of capacity to marry from the consulate, which takes at least 3 months from submission of the complete file (La France au Maroc, in French).
- Other cases: couples marry civilly in their home country, then celebrate in Morocco; only the days of celebration then need to be planned on site.
How many days should you allow for a destination wedding in Morocco?
A destination wedding is more than the ceremony: it covers your guests’ arrival, the preparations, the party and often a few excursions. If the civil marriage has taken place before you leave, most programmes fit into 5 to 7 days on site; the points below help you set the length. If you are not there yet, our guide to the engagement party in Marrakech covers the step before.
- The number of guests: for a small group of 20 to 30 people, 5 days are often enough; above 50 guests, a week leaves time for group activities without rushing. For an intimate micro-wedding in Morocco, the logistics are lighter.
- Side activities: an excursion to the desert, the mountains or the sea, a hammam: allow 2 to 3 extra days if you want to offer them.
- Traditions: if you include a henna night or an entrance in the amaria, add an evening to the programme.
- The location: in Marrakech, 5 to 7 days leave time to enjoy the medina and the gardens; in Essaouira, many couples combine the ceremony with a few days of rest; a wedding in the Sahara desert takes longer, because the drive from Marrakech or Ouarzazate takes up a good part of a day on its own. Agafay, less than an hour from Marrakech, does not lengthen the stay.
For guests, a typical 7-day programme looks like this: days 1-2, arrivals and an informal welcome evening; day 3, fittings, rehearsal, rest; day 4, henna or rehearsal dinner; day 5, the wedding; days 6-7, the day-after brunch, free time and staggered departures. To help them pack, share our guide on what to wear to a Moroccan wedding.
How long the traditional festivities last
Moroccan weddings are renowned for celebrations that sometimes stretch over several days. Depending on family and regional traditions, here is a typical schedule:
Day 1: the henna ceremony
On the eve of the wedding, the bride’s family often organises a henna evening. This tradition can last from half a day to a whole day.
Day 2: the wedding ceremony
The big day usually includes the signing of the marriage contract (in the morning), the religious ceremony (depending on the religion) and the reception (in the evening). Allow a full day, from 10 am to midnight.
Day 3: the day-after meal
In some families, a lunch or dinner is organised the next day to thank the guests. This can take half a day.
In total, for the festivities alone, allow between 3 and 4 days.
Recommended schedule for an international wedding in Morocco
Taking into account the formalities and the festivities, here is a typical schedule for an international wedding in Morocco:
- Day 1: arrival in Morocco and settling in.
- Days 2–3: last-minute preparations, fittings, decoration.
- Day 4: henna ceremony (if planned).
- Day 5: ceremony and reception.
- Day 6: day-after meal and free time.
- Day 7: departure.
That makes about a week on site when the civil marriage has taken place before you leave; add the timescales given above if you marry at the consulate or before the Moroccan authorities.
Factors that can lengthen or shorten the stay
Several elements affect the number of days to set aside:
- The tourist season: in high season (March–May and September–November), venues, suppliers and accommodation book up earlier and schedules are tighter. See our comparison of the best month to get married to plan better.
- Religious holidays: during Ramadan or Islamic holidays, government offices close earlier. Avoid these periods or allow more time.
- The number of guests: a large wedding with 200+ guests may need a more spread-out organisation.
Tips for making the most of your time in Morocco
- Hire a local wedding planner: follow our advice on choosing a wedding planner in Marrakech. A professional knows how the administration works and can speed up the procedures.
- Have your documents translated and apostilled (or legalised) before you leave: this saves you days of waiting on site.
- Mind working days: government offices and consulates are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you have formalities on site, schedule them on weekdays.
- Build in buffer days: for the unexpected, add 2 to 3 extra days to your schedule.
To stay connected during your stay, consider Pocket WiFi Morocco to share your moments with your loved ones.
FAQ: how long does an international wedding in Morocco take?
How many days before the wedding should I arrive in Morocco?
If the civil marriage took place before you left, arriving two to three days before the ceremony is enough for the preparations. Allow more if you are marrying at the French consulate (at least 10 days of publication of the banns).
Can you have a civil wedding in Morocco in a single day?
No. At the French consulate, the marriage of two French nationals takes place after 10 days of publication of the banns, and the consulate advises allowing several weeks.
Do you need a visa to get married in Morocco?
Depending on your nationality, a visa may be required. Check with the Moroccan embassy in your country. Allow extra time to obtain the visa.
What is the best month for a wedding in Morocco?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer a pleasant climate; this is high season, so book early. Summer is very hot in Marrakech and inland, and winter evenings are cool.
Do mixed French-Moroccan marriages involve specific procedures?
Yes: the French consulate issues a certificate of capacity to marry, which takes at least 3 months from submission of the complete file.
Conclusion
In short, for an international wedding in Morocco, allow 5 to 7 days on site, about a week with henna and excursions, if the civil marriage takes place before you leave, and longer if the formalities are done in Morocco. A well-thought-out schedule will let you enjoy this unique moment without stress.
Don’t forget to check with the relevant authorities (embassy, consulate) for up-to-date information.
For more information on wedding formalities in Morocco, see the marriage page of the French consulate in Morocco (in French). To plan the celebration in Marrakech with us, ask Saphyyr Events for a free quote.