The Blog

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the enchanting experience of Hannah and Geoff’s wedding at the picturesque Shangri La Resort in Fiji. From the scenic backdrop to the heartfelt moments, our interviewee shares insights, tips, and cherished memories from their special day.

Why did you choose the Shangri La? How was your experience with the resort?

We chose the Shangri La as we found it offered the best accommodation for the mixture of family and friends that we were inviting. Being such a large resort, it had a bit of everything, and we definitely made the most of the adults-only side!

We also really loved the Chapel and the amazing outlook from inside with the large glass windows.

Having never been to Fiji before, we relied a lot on photos and reviews from other people. Although communication with the resort was on Fiji time, we felt looked after, and all our questions were always answered. Once we arrived at the resort and met with the wedding coordinator, everything fell into place, and we were overall very happy with how it was all organized and how the wedding went.

Any tips to give future brides about getting married in Fiji?

I think the best tip would be to trust the wedding coordinator. If you have very set ideas about how your wedding day should be, then maybe a Fiji wedding isn’t for you. But if you are happy to trust the process and let the Coordinators work their magic, then you will end up with a wonderful unforgettable day. Also, at the end of the night, take anything that you have brought along for the tables, etc., if you want to keep them as keepsakes, as we found this all gets cleaned up quickly and disappears.

How did you enjoy the day?

We really enjoyed our day.

In the morning, we actually went Parasailing together, which started our day off with some excitement.

Then we went our separate ways to get ready for the wedding. As Geoff’s parents were in the Bure next to ours, it made it very easy for family coming and going between the 2 spots. After our initial nerves had calmed down and we had the ceremony, we were able to both relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. A real highlight for us was walking out of the Chapel after the ceremony to the Fijian serenaders singing with their guitars.

Where did your flowers come from?

These were organized by the Shangri La and part of the package; we opted not to get any extra flowers. The frangipani bouquet and boutonniere we chose looked amazing and fresh, and although we did have a bit of a wait for them to arrive to us whilst getting ready, we were happy with them.

What about hair and makeup?

Hair and Makeup were done by Lesh at Balance Fiji at the Shangri La Resort. I had a trial run the previous day and then went back to their salon on the day. I am not usually a makeup wearer, so it was nice to be able to just get something light. Unfortunately, the curls in my half-up half-down hairstyle didn’t stay in for long, but this was more due to my type of hair and the humidity, but I wasn’t too worried about this and still liked the way my hair was styled.

Your dress? Your shoes? And Geoff’s suit? The rings?

My dress was from Sally Eagle Bridal, and shoes from Vybe – as I am quite tall, it was really hard to find shoes that were flat and suitable for the beach/lawn wedding. Geoff’s suit was from Barkers, and we purchased the rings from Michael Hill Jewellers.

How was your experience with the photographer?

Our experience with Anaïs was fantastic. She really made us feel at ease from the start, and we had a great time taking photos with her after the ceremony. She is creative and has great ideas for the photographs she is capturing. Her communication is superb, quick, and precise, and we are really happy with the full service that she has provided.

Anything you would like to add?

We planned a destination wedding in Fiji as we didn’t want a huge wedding at home in New Zealand. For us, it worked out perfectly with 25 guests, and even though some family members weren’t able to come, Anaïs captured magnificent photos of the day that we are able to share with them and make them feel a part of it too.

Enjoy the viewing and contact me for your own wedding photography!  Anaïs