Fiji Travel Forum

My son and his fiancee have decided they would like to be married in Fiji in the second half of 2009. Budget will be an issue for them and some guests.

They don't want a big sit down reception in a 4/5 star resort which they can do in Australia. They would prefer something more laid back and with a local flavor.

Would appreciate any suggestions on what, where, how - they can make their dream come true.


They have never been to Fiji and I have not visited for over 30 years.

I am getting married in Fiji on 30th April this year. Wedding is going to be at Crusoes Retreat because they are both inexpensive and flexible in regards to packages. We wanted something small and intimate and with a 'local flavor'. We will be honeymooning at Malolo Island Resort. I will create a Fiji page when I get home, maybe it will be of interest/help to you. Good luck, Tracey

Thanks Tracey, look forward to reading about the happy event.

Me and my wife were married in Fiji.

We rented a home and the caretakers took care of everything.
This is the house: http://www.fijirent.com/

We were married at Bouma Falls here, (no relation to the link, just using the picture)
http://www.maravu.net/gallery/gallery.cfm?start=1&galleryCategorySelect=7&keyword=

We decided to be married in a traditional Fijian ceremony and we wore the tapa. The entire village came together to help make this happen, both at the Falls and at Matei. One person flew all over the islands to obtain the Tapa cloth. They made everything and we feasted for days. We had a meke group for which we paid for an hour, they played all night but we also ensured that their families were invited.

We wanted to give back a bit to the people who shared and made our wedding so special and unique. We did our best to make sure as many people could come as possible and we were very well received. When we left Taveuni we had many people come to see us off. It was an amazing experience and I hope we are able to return. I believe and the only people who have a photo of us being married is Bouma Falls as we did agree to send them a copy of the photos. We told no family, we just did it.

I see you state money is an issue and frankly it was not cheap for us but we did go all out but it could be done on a budget.

I think the easy route and I recently did speak to someone who was married at Maravu resort. They loved it and of course the resort handles everything but then again our caretakers, Tina and Roy did the same.

We did have an issue with a vendor though. In the town of Somosomo we paid to have some items shipped that were not. The credit card company took care and removed the charges but no matter what they say I would not trust them to mail your items.

If you do go to the Falls, you will notice the school is very run down, if you can please donate to the school, they genuinely do need it. We also took little gifts, American silver dollars were very popular and perfume and inexpensive jewelry.

On Taveuni they have a free medical hospital and it is very good for where you are at. My wife became ill with a flue like virus and it cost nothing. It is run by the Australian government and very professional and quite modern. With that said, the locals made a steam with some local flowers and some balm stuff and it fixed her right up.

I also have a warning regarding a female America business owner on Taveuni who owns some cottages on the beach beside the house we stayed out and she has a small gift shop and restaurant. She attempted to triple charge us for every meal and we witnessed her verbally abusing her workers in a manner that would not be acceptable in most places. I let her know my disapproval and perhaps that is why she tried to cheat us, but our credit card company dealt with that we paid nothing extra. With that said, we did get know two people staying at the cottages and they only had good things to say.

Also if you go to Taveuni you must find the lady who makes the chocolate cake and Kalua. I am unable to recall her name but she was fantastic. She made our wedding cake and it was the richest, moist cake I ever tasted. She lives between the airport and a store at Matei. She is very well known and her home is along the road. Well worth the trip and very inexpensive.

Hope this helps.