The Blog

Planning a wedding is a journey filled with countless decisions, but for those seeking an intimate and unique experience, the destination can make all the difference. I had the pleasure of interviewing Hannah and Andreas who chose the enchanting Barefoot Manta Island Resort for their special day. From the breathtaking natural setting to the personalized touches that made their wedding truly unforgettable, they share their reasons for choosing this hidden gem and offer invaluable tips for future brides dreaming of a Fijian wedding.

Join us as they recount their beautiful adventure, the challenges they overcame, and the extraordinary moments that made their day magical.

Why did you choose Barefoot Manta? How was your experience with the resort?

We chose the Barefoot Manta Island Resort because it looked best to us in the pictures and suited us perfectly. Unlike the classic wedding resorts, weddings on this island are quite rare. We wanted a wedding in a beautiful setting with just the two of us. The resort also had to fit our travel style as backpackers. We don’t like staying in expensive 5-star resorts with pools and too much luxury. What is more important to us is a closeness to nature, secluded beaches, and an authentic experience.

The Barefoot Manta exceeded all our expectations in these aspects. It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever been. All buildings, accommodations, and paths are so beautifully integrated into nature without disturbing it. The beach where we got married was incredibly beautiful and it felt like we were alone on the island. The employees were extremely friendly and made us feel like part of the family. Since weddings are rare here, the staff shared our excitement. The location was set up incredibly beautifully, and everyone contributed so much to make our day wonderful.

Any tips for future brides about getting married in Fiji?

While at usual wedding resorts a wedding coordinator takes care of everything, at Barefoot Manta we had to handle the paperwork ourselves. This was possible thanks to the internet and communication with various offices in Germany and Fiji. However, I recommend that any bride-to-be plan ahead for this process for a few months. There isn’t too much to do, but responses from all authorities can take a while, which can be a bit nerve-wracking. But it is doable!

What you can’t find much about on the internet is the process of apostilling after the wedding. This is done through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Suva, and you should also allow some time on site for this.

And the most important tip: don’t stress and enjoy your day!

How did you enjoy the day?

We absolutely enjoyed our day. We started the morning with the drums announcing the presence of manta rays on the island, which distracted us from our nervousness with spontaneous and unique snorkeling. And hey—who else starts their wedding day with a manta ray?

We felt in great hands throughout the day with the staff, who were enthusiastic with us. The ceremony was exactly as we wanted and was accompanied by a great guitar player. Our bridesmaid and best man, also employees, were happy and celebrated with us. In the breathtaking location, it was simply fantastic and much better than we could have dreamed of.

In the evening, the Barefoot Manta team surprised us with a decorated table and dinner in a private location on the beach.

Where did your flowers come from?

The bouquet, boutonniere, and decorations were organized by the resort. It was a surprise package for us, but it 100% met our expectations. We picked the flower for the bridal hairstyle on the island that day itself.

What about hair and make-up?

We like it simple and wanted to stay natural and ourselves. I did my hair and make-up myself, using only the essentials that I had in my backpack for the day. We practiced the hairstyle at home so my husband could help with a few steps.

Where did you get your dress from? Your shoes? And Andreas’s gown? The rings?

We brought the dress, gown, and rings with us from Germany, packed well and waterproof in our backpacks. We made sure to stay true to ourselves and not wear a costume. We also wanted light clothing that fits the location. To support this natural light beach look, we went without shoes and enjoyed the feeling of the sand under our feet.

How was your experience with the photographer?

Anais was great. Even before the big day, communication was excellent and she responded to all our ideas and wishes. When we met in person, a friendly and very personable woman stood before us. We barely noticed Anais during the ceremony, yet she captured wonderful pictures of every moment.

During the photo shoot, she did a great job giving us tips and instructions. She motivated us to behave naturally and conjured up so many beautiful images that didn’t seem staged, which was very important to us. We shared so much natural laughter and never felt uncomfortable for a second. Anais had so many great ideas for pictures!

In general, Anais was very nice, and we laughed a lot with her and had a great time. The finished pictures arrived super quickly, and we are more than happy with each one.

Anything you would like to add?

We always wanted a wedding in our own personal style, just for the two of us, without too many frills. The island and the resort team were just perfect, and it was even more beautiful than we could have hoped for. Anais enriched everything even more with her great manner and fantastic pictures.

No matter what your style, how, or where you get married—go with Anais, she’s amazing.

Enjoy the viewing (please note that they were given many more pictures) and contact me for your own photography project!