My Love Story with Amanjena (And Why It Should Be Yours Too)
Bonjour mes amis! I’m Simone, and I need to tell you something : after assisting more than 150 weddings in Marrakech, there’s still one place that makes my heart skip a beat every single time. It’s Amanjena.
You know, when couples ask me “Simone, what’s the most beautiful place in Marrakech for our wedding?”, honestly, I have many answers. But when they ask “Where would YOU get married?”, that’s different. That’s Amanjena wedding venue marrakech..
Listen, I discovered this place by accident in 2020. I was supposed to meet a couple at another hotel, but I got lost (yes, even we locals get lost sometimes!). I ended up at Amanjena’s gates, and when I walked in… soupir… it was like walking into a dream.
The receptionist, Hassan, he’s still there, by the way! He saw my confusion and offered me mint tea. We sat by the pool, and he told me stories about the place. How it was built around these ancient olive trees, how they brought craftsmen from Fez to create every single mosaic tile by hand. That’s when I knew, this isn’t just a hotel. It’s magic.
What Makes Amanjena So Special? Let Me Count the Ways…
The Location, Oh My God! You’re in the Palmeraie, which means you’re surrounded by palm trees like in a movie. But here’s the secret: you’re only 15 minutes from Jemaa el-Fnaa! Your guests can explore the medina, buy souvenirs, eat street food, then come back to pure luxury. It’s the best of both worlds, vraiment.
The Architecture Will Make You Cry (Happy Tears) Every time I bring couples here for the first visit, they stop talking. Just… silence. The pink walls, the traditional courtyards, the way the light dances on the water at sunset. My bride Sarah (she’s from London) she actually started crying when she saw the main pool area. “Simone,” she said, “this is exactly what I imagined when I dreamed of Morocco.”
Where to Have Your Ceremony (My Honest Opinion)
Option 1: The Pool Area (My Personal Favorite)
Picture this: your guests sitting on cushions around the pool, the Atlas Mountains in the background, and you walking down between the pavilions. When the sun starts setting, the whole place turns golden. I’ve seen this moment 50 times, and I still get emotional.
Perfect for: 60-80 guests who want that “wow” factor My tip: Book the ceremony for 5pm. Trust me on this one.
Option 2: The Gardens (For Intimate Souls)
Between the olive trees, with jasmine in the air… it’s like a secret garden. I had a couple from Germany, they wanted something private, just 30 people. We put white roses everywhere, and when they said their vows under the old olive tree, even the waiters were crying.
Perfect for: 20-40 guests who want intimacy My tip: Spring is magical here, the orange trees are blooming!
Option 3: Private Pavilion Courtyard (For the Brave Ones)
This is for couples who want something nobody else has done. We can set up everything in one of the big pavilion courtyards. It’s like having your wedding in a private palace.
Perfect for: 15-25 guests who want exclusivity My tip: Only works with small groups, but it’s unforgettable.
The Real Talk About Planning Your Wedding Here
Let’s Talk Money (Because We Have To)
Okay, mes amis, I won’t lie to you. Amanjena is expensive. But here’s what I tell my couples: you’re not just paying for a venue. You’re paying for an experience that your guests will talk about for years.
- Small wedding (20-40 guests): Around 40,000-60,000 euros
- Medium wedding (40-80 guests): 60,000-100,000 euros
- Big celebration (80+ guests): 100,000 euros and up
I know, I know. It’s a lot. But listen, I’ve planned weddings at “cheaper” places that ended up costing the same because of all the problems. Here, everything works. The team knows what they’re doing.
When to Get Married (My Insider Secrets)
October to April: Perfect weather, but everyone wants these dates. Book 18 months ahead, seriously.
May and September: Still beautiful, less crowded, better prices. This is when I got married, actually!
Summer: Too hot for most people, but if you can handle it, you’ll get amazing deals.
What Your Guests Will Remember Forever
I’ll tell you what happened at Leila and James’s wedding last year. They had 70 guests, mix of British and Moroccan family. The British grandmother, she was 85 years old, she told me it was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. She spent the whole weekend taking photos with her phone, sending them to friends back home.
The Moroccan side? They were impressed too, and that’s saying something because we Moroccans, we know luxury! But even they admitted they’d never seen anything like this.
The Little Things That Make Me Love This Place
- Ahmed at the spa, he gives the best traditional hammam for stressed brides
- The kitchen team will make your grandmother’s secret recipe if you ask nicely
- They have a florist who understands both European and Moroccan styles
- The general manager, Khadija, she remembers every couple’s anniversary
My Honest Advice About Working with Amanjena
The Good:
- Service is incredible (I mean, INCREDIBLE)
- Every photo looks like it belongs in a magazine
- Your guests will be treated like royalty
- The food… oh, the food is art
The Things to Know:
- They have rules (no loud music after 11pm in residential areas)
- Everything needs to be planned in advance
- Some traditions might need explanation to the international staff
- It’s not the place for a wild party, it’s for elegant celebration
The Questions Everyone Asks Me About Amanjena (And My Honest Answers)
“Simone, what exactly am I paying for?”
Okay, let me break this down because I know it’s confusing. The rental fee includes the venue space, basic tables and chairs, and their amazing staff coordination. But here’s what’s extra: flowers, music, photographer, special lighting, decorations. Think of it like renting a beautiful apartment, you get the space, but you furnish it yourself.
“How long can we party at Amanjena?”
This is important! You get the space for 8 hours usually. Music must stop at 11pm sharp, they’re very strict about this because it’s a residential area. But honestly? By 11pm, after a full day of celebration, even the young people are tired! I always plan the timeline so the party peaks around 9-10pm.
“Can we bring our own caterer?”
Non non non! Amanjena only works with their own kitchen team. But listen, this is actually good news! Their chef, Mehdi, he’s incredible. He can do everything from traditional Moroccan tajines to international cuisine. The menu costs around 150-200 euros per person, but the quality… chef’s kiss… it’s restaurant-level food.
“How many people can we actually fit at Amanjena ?”
For seated dinner: 80 people maximum (and that’s pushing it a bit). For cocktail style: up to 120 people. But my advice? Keep it under 100 for cocktails so people can actually move around and enjoy themselves.
“Where will our guests sleep at Amanjena ?”
This is one of the best parts! Amanjena has 32 pavilions on-site. Your guests stay right where the party is, no drunk driving, no taxis, no problems! But they fill up fast, so I always tell couples to book guest rooms at the same time as the wedding. They also have partnerships with other luxury hotels nearby if needed.
“What if we need to cancel?”
Soupir… this is the hard part. You pay a deposit (usually 30-50%) to secure the date, and it’s non-refundable after 6 months before the wedding. I always tell couples to get wedding insurance, seriously, it’s worth it. The full payment is due 30 days before the wedding.
“What happens if it rains?”
Okay, this is Morocco, it rarely rains! But when it does… Amanjena has covered areas and they can set up elegant tents. I’ve only had to use Plan B twice in 8 years. But yes, they have backup options. The pavilion courtyards are partially covered too.
“Can we bring our own team?”
You can bring your own wedding planner (hello, that’s me!), photographer, and decorator. But for DJ and music, they prefer their approved list, it’s about noise control and equipment compatibility. Their sound guy, Youssef, he’s really good though. I work with him all the time.
“What about sound and lighting at Amanjena?”
Basic sound system is included, but if you want special lighting or a proper DJ setup, that’s extra. The good news? Amanjena has excellent power capacity (no blackouts during your first dance!). They have all the tech connections you need for modern equipment.
The Real Scoop on Working with Amanjena
Let me tell you what I learned after 4 years: Amanjena is not flexible on their rules, but they’re VERY good at what they do. Some venues say “yes” to everything then create problems later. Amanjena tells you exactly what’s possible from the beginning.
My Insider Tips for Success:
- Book your photographer early, the best ones get booked 12 months ahead
- Ask for Aicha as your event coordinator, she’s the best
- Don’t fight the 11pm music rule, plan your timeline around it
- The spa treatments for your wedding party are amazing, book them!
- Their pastry chef makes incredible wedding cakes (and I’m picky about desserts!)
Why International Couples Choose Amanjena (And Why You Should Too)
Last month, I had a couple from New York. They looked at the top 10 venues in Marrakech, yes, fifteen! But when they walked into Amanjena, they didn’t want to see anything else. “Simone,” they said, “we want our wedding to feel like a fairy tale, not just look like one.”
That’s the difference. Other places look beautiful in photos. Amanjena makes you FEEL beautiful when you’re there.
