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Olivia & Raj – Indian Ceremony & Reception, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Denarau

We are so excited to finally get this wedding up on our blog, showcasing the coming together of two different cultures. We love the tradition and vibrant colours and what a stunning couple they were!!!  We counted 5 different outfits for Olivia during her 2 days of celebration.

The Indian ceremony was held on the Sofitel beachfront with the reception on the North Lawn at the Sofitel.

Images by Michelle from Cheer Photography

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Part 1 Michaela & Erik – Their adventure begins

I’m so very excited to share with you this wedding held on board the Bel’Mare.  This couple had travelled all the way from the USA to honour the grooms mother on the biggest day of their lives.  Michaela and Erik want to tell you their story in their own words.

Our adventure to Fiji begins with my mother, Johanne Berg-Raubitschek…

Growing up with my five sisters, my mother would often tell us stories about her amazing journeys to far-away, exotic places. She would show us pictures from old newspaper and magazine articles, from a time when reporters and photographers were enthusiastically documenting her travels around the world. We listened with anticipation and awe because, aside from being a good storyteller, my mother had been one of the few, select, Pan Am stewardesses who “stylishly” helped pioneer aviation during the 1950’s. It was an exciting time, full of new discoveries and adventures!

One brisk sunny day in January, while Michaela and I were spending time with my mother, I asked, “Mom, out of all the places that you’ve traveled to in the world, which was your favorite?”

My mother’s face brimmed with a beautiful smile. Without hesitation she said, “Fiji… Erik, it’s the most-wonderful place in the world!” She took my hand in hers and continued, “You and Michaela have to go to Fiji!” We smiled back, and I told her that we would.

Unexpectedly, with such youthful excitement, and so anxious to tell us more, my mother began describing Fiji. It seemed as if she was experiencing Fiji at that very moment. She told us about the clear turquoise-blue ocean, the fantastic expanses of coral – “playgrounds” for the most-colorful tropical fish we’d ever see, the brilliant sunrises, sunsets and warm tropical breezes, the “wonderful” seashells that you would find along the soft white-sand beaches, the magnificent sea turtles – more graceful than you could imagine while they’re swimming through the water, and what she treasured the most – the beautiful, and kind-hearted Fijian people.

She paused for a moment, her eyes glittering with anticipation, “Can I go with you?”

I answered, “Of course mom. We’ll all go together. Fiji sounds like an amazing place. You can be our guide.”

“When do we go? Are we going now?”

I tucked my mother into her blankets, and gently kissed her forehead, “Not today Mom, but soon. I promise.” She smiled.

…My mother passed away the next day.

Michaela & I decided, then, that we would not only visit Fiji, we would be married on the islands. Fiji would become a new chapter in our lives – an amazing new adventure!

…And, as promised, we would bring my mother along the journey. We would lay her ashes to rest in Fiji – my mother’s favorite place in the world.

Mother

Fiona & Ian – Sheraton Fiji Resort

We were lucky enough to be in Fiji for Fiona & Ian’s wedding at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, it is always such a pleasure to share the day with our brides and grooms.  The ceremony was held in the stunning Paradise Chapel on the waterfront at the Sheraton followed by the reception at the fabulous Flying Fish Restaurant on the Sheraton Beachfront.

Photos by Rusila from Leezett Photography

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“Thanks so much for helping us organise the wedding Chelsea!!! Couldn’t have done it without you and your tireless work. Not to mention your prompt and fix it attitude. It was a perfect day for us both and you still managed to help us with all the minor details right to the very end. We appreciate every little bit.”

Ian.

Jenna & Aaron- Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa

Jenna & Aaron were married at the gorgeous Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa.  The ceremony was held on the lawn area in front of their ground floor pool Villa and guests were served with canapés and sparking wine by the poolside.

The reception was then held in the Maravu Restaurant where guest were served a delicious three course alternate menu followed by a decadent chocolate mud, white chocolate mud and red velvet wedding cake designed by the Hilton.  Jenna and Aaron first dance was to the Benny Benassi remix.

These beautiful images are by Nadi Bay Photography.

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“Our wedding was truly amazing and it was all thanks to Chelsea, who made sure that every little detail was taken care of and that everything went smoothly on the day.  I wouldn’t hesitate for a  second in suggesting Chelsea to anyone getting married in Fiji, she was an absolute life saver and it meant that we could enjoy our time over there knowing that everything was taken care of. Chelsea, thank you!”

Thanks again for all your help!

Regards

Jenna

Lyndsay & Kyle – Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

Lyndsay & Kyle were married at the Outrigger Fiji Beach resort.  Lindsay has summed up her day in her own words and what can I say… word of mouth is the best recommendation.

OMG! What a stunning place to be, everything was beautiful right down to selection of towels and linen. I can’t imagine a better backdrop for our special day (03/07/2015). We were married in the amazingly gorgeous Chapel on the hill with our 27 guests as witnesses. I can’t even begin to describe how breath taking the view was. Our reception was held at the Vahavu (adults only pool area). Again, completely taken aback at how beautiful this space was. (For those that are still planning and have guests with kids, don’t stress, we had 6 kids in our group aged between 1 1/2 – 10 years and not one of them even noticed the pool area let alone went anywhere near it). Asmeen was our resort based wedding co-ordination and was super organised. I was instantly calmed by her knowledge and reassurance that everything was going to be perfect and let me assure you, it was…. While we are still on the matter of the Outrigger I do need to make a special mention to 2 very beautiful staff members that made every member of our group feel special. We met King George and Vanessa our first day in Fiji and will always remember them both for their amazing service, skills and all round awesome personalities…. Well done guys!

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Hair and Make-Up – Totoka
If I had to some these guys up in one word it would be FABULOUS. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing we all looked and felt after they got ahold of us. This transformation included a friend of mine, the MOB, MOG, 2x Bridesmaids, myself and my very adorable niece and my own little princess. Absolutely nothing was an issue for this wonderful duo and I would highly recommend them in a heart beat…. 

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Reception Set-Up – Party and Event Hire Fiji…..
Well I asked and I received…… Everything was perfect. Our reception was as mentioned above at the Vahavu and for all those who have seen this beautiful venue imagine the roof draped with loads of fairy lights and white lanterns followed by long rectangle tables covered in hessian table runners, fern and leaf lengths, loads of tea light candles and pineapples….. It was magical! We also had a kids table set up with bright pink pineapples, coloured cushions, white ottomans and lolly jars… They loved it.. We made our own kids activity packs containing a personalised pencil case and colouring in books to entertain the kids while us adults got on with the “boring formalities”, safe to say they enjoyed their own sanctuary until it was time to carve up the dance floor with there moves…

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Photography – Leezett Photography

OMG! I had the pleasure of a brief meet with Leezett a few days before our big day and she greeted me with open arms and huge smile, instantly I was comfortable with her. Our big day arrived and whilst we were pressed for time she not once made me our any of our party feel like we needed to move. We chose Leezett’s company for so many reasons, I had researched so many Fiji based photographers and had always wanted a duo to capture our day (1 to focus on the bride and groom and 1 to focus on those sneaky moments that people think no one see’s) and boy did we receive some excellent service. Both myself and the groom are very uncomfortable in front of a camera but what Leezett was able to capture is anything short of a miracle. You can only imagine how draining it is from having to constantly strike a pose or a huge pearly white smile and this was very clear to Leezett, she would pull us aside and show us exactly what she was capturing to give us the extra boost we needed to get through the shoot… The only frustrating thing there is with this subject is having to be patient while they work their magic and not having your photos right away…. I simply can’t wait for that message from Leezett saying our photos are ready….. Again, I would recommend in a heart beat!

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Extra shout out – Chelsea Jayne Wedding Planners (Sydney based)

Well we all know how frustrating it is waiting for an email back when the other end is on “Fiji Time”. I for one am a very impatient person and like to know the answers to my questions straight away, hence why we decided to hire a planner. From the initial contact with Chelsea she made me feel so special (which is what every bride wants to be feeling). We had so many emails, phone calls and text messages back and forth within the first few days of our hiring her and I could finally feel like things were being put in place and could let out that breath I had been holding for months. What an amazing woman she truly is to manage so many different weddings and still make you feel like your her only client. Chelsea worked out what we were wanting and took over from there. Nothing was too big or too small for her to work on and I was completely god smacked at how it all came together….. For all those brides finding it a little too overwhelming please take the time to contact Chelsea, she will make you melt from the first contact…..

Happy Wedding Planning to all of you!
Lyndsay
Xxx

Andrea & Matt – InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

Andrea & Matt are such a special couple and it was an absolute pleasure working with them to plan their big day at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa.  They chose Fiji for their destination wedding as they had family & friends from both New Zealand and Australia and they thought it was a great place from them to all meet up and help celebrate their big day.

Prior to the wedding day they took their family & friends out to Cloud 9 and they also had a lovo and bonfire on the beach the night before.

Cloud 9

Andrea’s church pastors flew from New Zealand to officiate the day which gave it an intimate and family feel, but it was the extra mile the resort went that impressed these newlyweds the most “When we got back to our room the staff had dimmed the lights, put on a nice CD and filled the whole bath with flowers and hundreds of candles”

The reception was to be set up outside on the Toba Beachfront however due to windy weather they moved it to the Water Court area. The team from Party Hire & Events set up everything to look just as Andrea had wanted outside.

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Beach Bridal Party The bridal party at the club

 

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“Fiji time really exists,” Her advice: “Be patient and have faith that they’ll pull out all the stops once you’re there.”  “Chelsea Jane Weddings was the best investment I made” 

Andrea had two gowns, Lilli Marcs and Maggie Sorreto, so she could ‘trash’ one.  The day after the wedding Lia & Stu Photography took the couple out on their boat to do an underwater session.

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Brides Gowns: Lilli Marcs & Maggie Sottero

Brides Shoes: Panache Bridal Shoes & Shoes of Prey

Bridesmaids Dresses: JJ’s House 

Hair: Hair and Makeup Perfectionist 

Wedding Cake: InterContinental Fiji

Decor: Party & Event Hire

Honeymoon: Lomani Island Resort  

Invitations: Polkadot Stationary 

Makeup: Hair and Makeup Perfectionist 

Wedding day Photographer: Cheer Wedding Photography, Fiji 

Trash the dress session: Lia & Stu Photography

Cloud 9: Hen’s Party Fiji

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