The Blog

There’s something magical about tying the knot in a place steeped in family history. For this couple, their wedding venue was more than just a beautiful location; it was a cornerstone of their family’s story, dating back to the late 1860s. Surrounded by the lush beauty of Fiji and the warmth of loved ones, their special day was a heartfelt celebration of love, heritage, and cherished memories.

In this exclusive interview, the bride shares intimate details about the history of their venue, the incredible vendors, and the little touches that made their wedding unforgettable. From locally sourced flowers to a heartfelt performance by a village choir, every moment was carefully curated to reflect their unique journey.

« Can you share a little bit of history about the venue for your wedding?

Our venue is very special to us as it holds a lot of history for my family. My grandma’s grandparents migrated to Fiji in the late 1860s. They settled on the same piece of land where we celebrated our special day. The land is called Balaga, which comes from the phrase « Bale yanga ni nga, » meaning « flight path of the duck. »

My grandma spent most of her youth on this land and returned to it later in life. We even celebrated her 100th birthday there in 2022. Today, my parents have retired and now reside there. For me, Balaga is a home away from home, as I’m based in New Zealand.

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

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to find vendors, especially if you’re not booking through a resort or a wedding planner. Getting all your paperwork done ahead of time is also key—we did, and it made the entire process smooth once we arrived in Fiji.

How did you enjoy the day?

We made sure not to worry about any external factors. Instead, we were fully present and took in every single moment. For us, having our loved ones there was the most important thing, and everything else was just a bonus.

Where did your flowers come from?

Our flowers were organized by our dear family friend, Mela, who lives in the local village. She sourced all the flowers and made all the arrangements herself. She did an incredible job!

What about hair and makeup?

I did my own makeup, and my mum styled my hair for me.

Who were the entertainers (singers)? What do you think about them?

We had initially planned to use our own playlist. However, once we arrived in Fiji, the local village choir offered to sing for us on our special day, and of course, we said yes! We couldn’t pass up such a wonderful offer.

They were incredible! They made the day even more magical, especially when they sang a song in memory of my late grandma.

Where was your dress from (brand)? Your shoes? And Tony’s outfit? The rings?

My dress was from Hazel and Folk, an online store. I was quite the barefoot bride!

Tony’s linen shirt was from Country Road, and his shorts were ordered online. He paired them with black jandals.

How was your experience with the photographer?

Our photographer was absolutely amazing! We couldn’t have asked for a better album of photos.

Seriously, thank you so much for capturing everything exactly the way we saw it. It’s truly an art to capture such a special day in such a meaningful way.

Anything you would like to add?

If we know of anyone who needs the best photographer in Fiji, we’ll be sure to give them your details. ❤️ »

Enjoy the viewing and contact me for your own photography project!

Anais