Wedding Venues
There are literally hundreds of wedding venues across the South Pacific and South Pacific Weddings is yet to visit all of them BUT we know a lot of them and we do have a company philosophy of only promoting destinations, accommodation properties and wedding venues that we have personally experienced.
Firstly – where can’t you get married? Even though it happens in the movies, couples can’t be legally married by a ship’s captain on a cruise ship. You can marry on board a ship, but while it is still in the port prior to departure (so it would be technically an Australian wedding). You can legally marry at ports of call when the cruise ship docks in Vanuatu (Port Vila) or Fiji (Denarau or Suva). If Vanuatu beckons for a cruise ship wedding, have a look at our Cruise Vanuatu website and, as an example of an island venue, Erakor Island Resort.
When deciding on a venue, cost and travel time may be part of the equation and the least expensive and closest option is Vanuatu. Fiji is a little further and generally just a bit more expensive, followed by Samoa and the Cooks.
In Vanuatu (in and around Port Vila) there are beach and garden venue options at a number of resorts including The Havannah, Eratap Beach Resort, Erakor Island Resort, Le Lagon Resort & Spa, Tamanu on the Beach, Breaka’s Beach Resort and Iririki Island Resort. Erakor Island Resort has an historic open-air chapel. We have also organised weddings on Tanna Island and Espiritu Santo.
In Fiji there are also mainland options including the resorts on Denarau Island near Nadi (Sofitel, Westin, Sheraton, Radisson Blu, Hilton etc), the Intercontinental Golf Resort & Spa on Natadola Beach and, along the Coral Coast, the Shangri-la Fijian, The Outrigger Resort & Spa and The Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa. The most popular islands for weddings are in the Mamanuca island group – Castaway Island, Mana Island, Matamanoa Island, Tokoriki Island and Treasure Island. There’s also Beqa, Taveuni and the Yasawas.
In Samoa, most couples would choose to marry on the main island of Upolu (Aggie Grey’s Lagoon Resort & Spa, Seabreeze Resort, Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa or Coconuts Beach Club) and visit the north island of Savai’i as a side trip on the honeymoon. Le Lagoto on Savai’i can arrange weddings.
In the Cook Islands most couples choose to marry on the main island of Rarotonga but we have arranged quite a few weddings on the stunning island of Aitutaki. Aitutaki can also make for the perfect paradise honeymoon destination following a wedding on Raro. On Rarotonga our wedding venues/resorts include the Pacific Resort and Muri Beach Club on Muri Lagoon and the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa on the sunset side of the island. Pacific Resort on Raro and Pacific Resort on Aitutaki can make for a great wedding/honeymoon combination.
Just on sunset weddings – the idea is usually better than the reality, especially if having professional photography. In the tropics, sunset can happen very quickly and it can go from light to dark in minutes. Best to go for a late afternoon ceremony and get a couple of romantic photos if the sunset provides the picturesque backdrop.
Feel free to email or phone us for advice on venue, destination, budget and suggestions cost and obligation free.