What kind of special ambience can I expect at a Fijian Wedding?
At a Fijian wedding there will local amenities such as a canopy of flowers overhead and perhaps a local choir accompanying the ceremony. The voices and harmonies are truly memorable and will make a real impression. The nice thing about doing it in Fiji is that you can be far away from the traditional tourist scene and one doesn't have to be distracted by golf, shopping or tacky amusement parks. I think there's a certain barefoot elegance to getting married in a tropical paradise. For many career minded couples, organizing a wedding takes such enormous effort that the idea of "eloping" can be very seductive, especially when taking place in the romantic setting of one of Fiji's island resorts. You really have the feeling of being completely removed from civilization and it's incredibly romantic.
As far as the ceremony goes, what types of options do we have?
Resorts offer a variety of options for your wedding day. You may choose a simple wedding conducted by a local minister followed by a romantic candlelit dinner or add the choir from a nearby village on the beach. You can also have the private deck of your bure adorned with flowers. Another option is to go the route of the full Fijian ceremony. This entails magnificent Fijian wedding leis, and head garlands. Warriors in traditional garb accompany the bride and groom to the wedding site on the beach or on the deck over the crashing waves while the choir begins the ceremony with hymns. After the wedding, you'll partake in a kava ceremony and a meke (traditional dance) in your honor where the entire village turns out to perform the taralala -- a dance with the bride and groom presiding. Wedding cake follows your dinner whether you choose a table for two or you dine with family and friends you have brought to Fiji as wedding guests.
Where would the Wedding Ceremony be performed?
Weddings are performed almost exclusively at resorts. For example our company uses Turtle Island, Vatulele, Wakaya, Namale and Yasawa Island Lodge. All of the above are 5-star properties and all are a bit different in character. Each resort also has its own offering of wedding options. Prices can vary considerably from one resort to another. I suggest that you consider your budget for your "weddingmoon", by consulting with a Fiji travel professional who has experience with planning weddings and honeymoons to Fiji. Some resorts restrict the number of weddings they will perform on a given day, week or month so planning ahead for a Fijian wedding is a good idea.
Is this a legal ceremony?
Your wedding is a legal union and can take place any day except Sunday. You will need to obtain a wedding license Monday-Friday. If you are going to an outer island you may have to obtain your license from an office on one of the main islands. Licenses can be obtained in Nadi, Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Taveuni.
What do we need to bring along?
Bring your birth certificates. If you have that getting your marriage certificate isnot a hassle. Note that if you have been married previously, you are required to bring a divorce decree with you.
Do you have a ballpark estimate of what a wedding in Fiji would cost?
Prices range from under US$200 to over US$2,000. Each resort offers one or more wedding package options.
OK, so I'll need some help planning this wedding with an agent who does this sort of thing. What kinds of questions should I ask a potentialtravel agent/wedding planner to make they are on top this?
A successful wedding can be planned by just about any agent if they do their job correctly. However, if you're serious about doing it in Fiji, make sure that the agent knows the place so that they can better advise you.
Any tips on how to choose the right hotel for the wedding?
When planning a wedding in Fiji, the client should pre-prepare as follows:
- Review the resort, amenities and prices (of the resort)
- Determine a budget for roundtrip air from their home town/accomodations/meals/wedding
- Choose 2-4 resorts that fit into their general price range (+/-) and are to their liking
- Make a list of things that are important to them at the resort and for their wedding