May 2020

 
In a previous post, I talked about my love of small celebrations, and laid out some recommendations on how to plan a micro wedding in Tahiti, more specifically if you’ll be using a vacation rental property as your wedding venue.

Did you miss it? Here it is again:

Micro Wedding Is The New Black | A Backyard Wedding In Tahiti Part 1

 
In the above post I shared my best advice for a successful backyard wedding in Tahiti, when your party (and let’s say it, your budget) is not quite big enough to privatize an event space or restaurant, and/or when you consider having a backyard wedding in a vacation rental villa in Moorea.

There are lots and lots of amazing vacation rental properties around Moorea, all beach front and/or with a pool. You may be thinking that this is the most perfect, and easiest way to plan a wedding in Tahiti, but there are a few considerations that you probably have not thought of… rightfully so, this is your first time planning a destination wedding in Tahiti, right? Nelly to the rescue!

We discussed the fact that weddings or events may not be tolerated in your vacation rental in Moorea, but also backyard wedding space as well as backyard wedding lighting and music.

 

 

3 More Tips To Successfully Plan A Micro Wedding In Moorea

 

1. Rentals For Your Backyard Event

 
As listed in my previous post, you’ll likely need to rent out tables and chairs, as well as a tent when there is no covered space to back up under in case of inclement weather.

You will also need to rent out tablecloths and napkins, and possibly china, glass and silverware if these are not in sufficient quantity in your vacation rental for the number of guests you expect, or simply that they are not stylish or elegant enough for a wedding dinner. A micro destination wedding is certainly less formal than a traditional home wedding, but you sure want it to be beautiful.

Most of these are only available on the capital island of Tahiti and will need to be transported over if you’re having your event in Moorea or in one of the outer islands.

You may also want to hire a Moorea local decorator for your custom-made backyard wedding altar, or to design and set up your dinner table with specialty decor such as vases, candle holders or charger plates.

I can totally help you achieve that look you’ve envisioned, even on a smaller scale wedding! Micro weddings for the win!

 

 Photo Credit: Helene Havard Photography

 

2. Breaking Down After The Event

 
In a resort or at a local restaurant, the onsite staff will break down, clean and clear all trashes after the event is over. When you’re having a backyard event at a private property, this means that you’ll be waking up the next morning to the incredible event mess you and your guests left the previous night.

Plus, setting up for a wedding will often require that you move around some of the property’s furniture, and put it back in place after the event. This super beautiful family-style, carved wooden table? It weighs a ton!

This is where a professional planner will come in handy, as all will be taken care of while you sleep and will look lovely in the morning.

 
Extra consideration if you’re having a larger guests list:

 

3. Parking At Your Location

 
You certainly don’t want to run into a parking situation as your guests arrive at the location, so it is important that there is a parking space for your guests’ rental cars. Plus if you know of guests who may be drinking too much to safe drive back to their place, consider hiring a bus to pick them up and drive them back safely after the event is over. Very few – well, none – taxi drivers are available at night so this must be planed ahead.

Lastly, make sure your guests know where the wedding venue is, either by inviting them to visit the day before, or by providing them with clear driving instructions (i.e. past the dive shop, on the sea side, blue gate)… we don’t have streets in here!

 

** last updated on April 28, 2020 **

 

Not Sure What To Start With? I Can Help You Get Started With Planning A Backyard Wedding In Tahiti. Browse My Wedding Planning Packages.

For more articles like these subscribe to my monthly newsletter HERE (and Get the Free Report to pick the best Wedding Ceremony Location in Tahiti)!

 
It’s no secret that I love everything micro wedding, and have been specializing in those smaller celebrations for many years. If you’ve been on this blog before, I bet you have not seen much of the banquet style weddings around here, maybe just a handful of bigger events – and when I say bigger, I mean above 50 and up to 140 which for many would be considered small. That’s because I very rarely work larger weddings these days, and if I do that’s likely that I felt a special connection with the couple or am excited about their project.

You’ve weighted your options and are considering a micro wedding rather than a big wedding affair?

We say “Go for it!”

Micro weddings are all the more special, with just your immediate family and very close friends in attendance. I myself had a micro wedding with just 17 of us!

 

Tahiti Is The Most Perfect Destination For A Micro Wedding

 
It is indeed. Not only there are tons of amazing activities to enjoy as a family or small group, but there are also plenty of homes and villa rentals where you can stay that offer the greatest level of comfort.

No matter how big or small of a destination wedding, the first question that will come to mind is about the wedding location and venue options.

Where will the ceremony be held? What are our options for our wedding reception in Moorea?

Just like for a home wedding, choosing the right wedding venue in Tahiti will be the first and most important decision, as the entire wedding experience, from music to décor to food options will solely depend on what’s available or doable – or not, at the selected venue.

If your guests list (and let’s say it, your budget) is large enough, you will be able to choose from a few options including resorts or local restaurants.

In the likelier event that your wedding party is small – not everyone of your friends or family may be able to travel overseas, and that you will have an intimate party, there will be fewer options.

If your party is not quite big enough to privatize an event space or a restaurant, you may consider turning to a more casual event and have a backyard wedding in a vacation rental villa. A backyard wedding in a vacation rental villa queues a few restrictions, so here are a few things to consider:

 

1. Is A Backyard Wedding / Event Tolerated?

 
The large majority of vacation rental houses / villas’ owners in Tahiti or Moorea will NOT allow special events in their properties. They’ll be afraid that things go awry and that their belongings get damaged during the event. Some will also face constraints with the immediate neighborhood if they are not so tolerant with wedding music or a noisy party.

Inquire with the owner or with the rental management company whether special events are allowed and what the special terms are (max. number of guests, noise ordinance or music tolerance etc.). They may give you their approval if you subscribe to a liability insurance and/or hire a professional planner to direct the event but know that there are only a handful (actually, it’s more like 2 or 3) of options. It is my recommendation that you inquire about planning an event in your vacation rental before booking it, as you don’t want to face unwanted situations during the actual event, or simply find out too late in the process that it is not tolerated and your well-thought-out plans are off.

This holds true to ANY pre or post wedding event, not just the wedding celebration itself, such as a welcome cocktail or lunch you may want to host at your rental villa or a day after brunch.

I can of course assist you in finding the right rental place in Moorea and put to work my special connections!

 

2. Backyard Wedding Space

 
If your party is very small, inside the house may simply work. But if the party is slightly larger and does not fit inside, then in addition to bringing in sufficient tables and chairs, you will want to make sure there is ample room outdoors to sit everyone. You also need to seriously consider having a tent or a marquee if there is no covered terrace as the weather in Tahiti can be very unpredictable and a shower can totally ruin your table setup, even when it lasts a few seconds or a couple of minutes.

Is there a big enough covered space, or is the garden area spacious enough to have a tented event?

 

Photo Credit: Turama Photography

 

3. Backyard Lighting & Music + Restroom Facilities

 
Nothing compares to the beauty of an outdoor wedding, as there’s something magical about being outside, especially in Tahiti! While outdoors allow to produce some of the most romantic and gorgeous events, it comes with some challenges as well. Most often lighting is nonexistent so you may either need to light up the trees or grounds, line all paths with candles and (warm) white lights, or to hire a professional lighting pro for more powerful spotlights and efficient light design.

If music is also part of the plan, you’ll need to check whether there is a power source available for both the lighting (unless it runs on batteries) and music, and if they can safely plug in their equipment outside.

As noted above, most vacation rental homes will not tolerate amplified music, but live, local music for example (think of a ukulele duo or trio for cocktail hour) or a playlist of your favorite songs off a portable speaker will be okay, and that’s enough to keep your squad up dancing all night!

Last but not least, restrooms must be easily accessible for your guests all night, too (and stocked with enough toilet paper, soap and hand towels for the duration of the event).

 

Want to read more of my recommendations for planning a micro wedding in Tahiti and using a vacation rental as the wedding venue? Here’s more:

 

How To Plan A Micro Wedding | A Backyard Wedding In Tahiti Part 2

 

** last updated on April 28, 2020 **

 

Not Sure What To Start With? I’m Here To Help! Browse My Wedding Planning Packages Here and Let’s Get Started!

For more articles like these subscribe to my monthly newsletter HERE (and Get the Free Report to pick the best Wedding Ceremony Location in Tahiti)!