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You know of the big names for wedding locations in Tahiti, and among them, Bora Bora. Mythical Bora Bora!

The United States chose Bora Bora as a military supply base during WWII, and a supply force was maintained there until 1946. The small airstrip that was built on the island back then to accommodate small aircrafts was the only international airport in French Polynesia until Faa’a International Airport was opened in 1960 on the capital island of Tahiti.

This is when tourists started visiting the destination and a few years later, the famous overwater bungalows – a quintessential Tahiti landmark, were born.

In 2017, The Islands of Tahiti celebrated the 50th anniversary of those Bora Bora overwater huts – that were in fact born on the island of Raiatea to later develop in many more islands: Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, Taha’a, Rangiroa and more.

These iconic bungalows have come a long way since their initial designs, but the principle remains the same: privacy, tranquility and crystal clear Pacific water. (Lonely Planet on Tahiti’s overwater bungalows)

Rangiroa Wedding – Photo Credit: AngelM

Talking about privacy and tranquility, did you know that French Polynesia (The Islands of Tahiti) consists of 5 archipelagos, and a total of 118 islands? Yep. While not all are inhabited, there is a crazy large choice of islands to visit and discover. The good news: most combine all the features you’ve been hoping for your Tahiti elopement:

Seclusion, Privacy, Experience.

Aren’t we now calling that social distancing, but like, on vacation? If you’ve been asking yourself any or all of the following, keep reading:

How Can I Do Social Distancing On Vacation?

Where Can I Fly To Marry Post Covid?

Is Eloping The Best Way To Marry?

If you ask me, my answers to these questions are :

1. 1. Social distancing on vacation? Choose a destination away from the crowds. Tahiti never feels crowded, even during busier months. Tahiti feels intimate, exclusive, yet super welcoming and inclusive (see what I did?) and you’ll never feel like you and other visitors at your Tahiti resort are too close together that you need to put into practice your Covid social distancing set of skills.
   2. Where can I fly to marry post Covid? Tahiti is the best destination to go on vacation at any given time! The hype about some destinations comes and goes. Tahiti has been welcoming visitors from around the world since 1960, and is here to stay. Some like to say this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but I like to say once in Tahiti, forever in love with Tahiti. Couples I married in Moorea over the years have since returned to celebrate a 5-year anniversary, and I’m looking to seeing them again down the road to celebrate more anniversaries in our paradise islands. The best thing about Tahiti is that it is such a diverse destination that it feels like a new travel experience every. single. time.
   3. Is eloping the best way to marry? As a professional Life-Cycle Celebrant (Officiant) I am kinda biased but my answer to this is Yes, absolutely! More than ever these days, spending quality time with your bae, with your kids, with your loved ones, has become important. Making memories has become important. Paying attention has become important. Eloping in Tahiti is the best way to marry because you’ll be enjoying every minute of it, and making incredible memories in a place that emanates “MANA” (a word we use in Tahiti that translates into an energy, a life force, a presence).

1. 

    

   Where Are The Best Private Wedding Locations In Tahiti To Hold A Beach Ceremony?

    

   Sorry, but Bora Bora resorts are not going to make it to my list.

   Don’t get me wrong, resorts on Bora Bora are beautiful. Beautiful grounds, beautiful rooms, beautiful surroundings.

   Bora Bora however is the most visited island in French Polynesia, and with success come a few drawbacks: lack of privacy, not-so-authentic experience, cookie-cutter offers. When it comes to celebrating such an important life event as your wedding or a vow renewal in Tahiti, you don’t want to have onlookers, nor do you want to have the exact same ceremony another couple had this morning, or yesterday, and the day before that.

   While Bora Bora is better known as the “romantic island”, there are many gorgeous islands in French Polynesia (The Islands of Tahiti) worth considering for your beach wedding ceremony, or mountain top ceremony… Moorea is the preferred island choice for those seeking adventure with plenty of activities available, Rangiroa or Fakarava are preferred choices for scuba divers, Huahine is very lush and authentic, and there are also gorgeous remote places in the Austral islands (southernmost archipelago) and in the Marquesas (northernmost archipelago).

   [Between 2002-2007] I used to work with cruise ships in French Polynesia and to handling all of their calls in the islands; I would plan and coordinate shore excursions for the passengers and welcome programs everywhere in The Islands of Tahiti so I’ve visited those islands extensively.

    

   Pass The Expensive Wedding Fees in Bora Bora, Get A Remote Location For Your Beach Wedding Ceremony In Moorea Instead

2.  

   Some Bora Bora resorts will charge you wedding fees – even before you have actually booked any wedding service with them, just because. They will charge a location or venue fee to hold your beach wedding ceremony on the resort’s premises, which does not actually guarantee that you’ll be on your own on said beach, unless you go with the most expensive option to get a little more privacy on a beach located at the Spa for example, or a beach on an islet within the resort (where you’d sometimes still see other in-house guests in the distance). They will also charge you entrance fees when you bring in your own vendors, those vendors who understand your vision of the perfect beach wedding ceremony, and match your style.

   With that money alone, you can rent a private beach or an islet off the main island of Moorea to hold your beach wedding ceremony, hire a private boat to get you there that will be yours for a couple of hours, and even get your dream ceremony altar! Talk about a next-level experience!

    

   

3. Beach Wedding in Moorea – Photo Credit: Helene Havard Photography

    

4. Interested in knowing what’s the cost of getting married in Tahiti and more precisely in Moorea? Head to this article:

   How Much Does It Cost To Get Married in Tahiti

   So getting married in Moorea is one option, or, if you’re more of the adventurous style of couple, you can use that money to fly your ceremony officiant and photographer to a more distant, remote island in The Islands of Tahiti. That could be a remote place in the Tuamotu archipelago (a divers’ paradise), in the Marquesas (nature lovers, the beauty of these islands are out of this world), in the Gambier or in the Australs’ archipelago (a humpback whales’ sanctuary in season). Flying yourself to these places will cost more than vacationing in the [closer-to-capital-island-Tahiti] Society Islands, but the amazingly unique experiences, incredible memories and photos that will come out of it are worth every penny.

   We are based in Moorea but happy to meet you anywhere in the islands.
   Here are my recommendations for a truly unique Tahiti secluded beach wedding or a vow renewal:

    

   Wedding Locations in Tahiti: Ceremony in Rangiroa or Fakarava – Tuamotu Islands

    

5. The Tuamotu islands are any diver’s paradise. Snorkeling and diving there is just phenomenal! It’s super remote yet flying there from Tahiti is only 10 minutes more than flying to Bora Bora; a flight from Tahiti to Rangiroa lasts just an hour (with daily flights) and a flight from Tahiti to Fakarava is an hour and 10 minutes (with 3 flights a week).

   In Rangiroa or in Fakarava, you can choose to stay either at a hotel/lodge, or at a family-run pension depending on how you like to be vacationing.

6. These islands are atolls, with no mountains at all, but huge lagoons (Rangiroa has the 3rd biggest lagoon in the world). That means, from the shore looking at the lagoon, you can’t see the end of it… it’s so big, and clear, and full of tropical fishes! Yet when you walk across towards the ocean-side, you can enjoy the sound of the waves breaking out on the reef. It’s so serene and you’ll find your own Tahiti secluded beach quite frankly anywhere!

   But my fave secluded wedding locations are respectively the Blue Lagoon in Rangiroa (see here for more details and past elopement weddings – photo shootings in Rangiroa) and the South Pass – Pink Sands in Fakarava:

7. Fakarava - Ceremony in the South Pass and the Pink Sands in the Morning

   Joshua + Michelle | September 16, 2021

   © Helene Havard Photography & Flying World Pictures
   © Helene Havard Photography & Flying World Pictures

    

8. So, Why Not Having Your Vow Renewal or Wedding Ceremony in Fakarava?

    

   Wedding Locations in Tahiti: Ceremony in Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa – Marquesas Islands

9.  

   The Marquesas archipelago is the northernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, with a flying time of a little over 3 hours from Tahiti (there’s a flight almost every day to Nuku Hiva). Much younger than the afore-mentioned Tuamotu islands that have sunk in the ocean overtime, the Marquesas feature impressive mountain peaks, sheer volcanic cliffs, huge waterfalls, and lush valleys. There you will encounter wild horses, goats or pigs as you drive or hike around. There are fjord-like bays and mostly black-sand beaches, too. The Marquesas islands are well-known for their rich culture and craftsmen who excel in the art of stone and wood carving to make sumptuous sculptures and tikis.

    

   

   Engagement Photo Shooting in Hiva Oa by Helene Havard Photography

    

   Wedding Locations in Tahiti: Ceremony in Rurutu – Austral Islands

10.  

    The Austral islands are located in the south of French Polynesia, on the Tropic of Capricorn. There are two flights a week that go there and the trip is an hour and a half only. They are known for their handicraft, especially the weaving of coconut and pandanus leaves to make hats, purses, mats, and bags. While humpback whales are also present from July to November in the Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Huahine to name just a few) the ocean that surrounds the Austral Islands is a favorite home to those whales during the season, and the ideal place to go watch them.

     

     

    You know that I’m always up for something new so feel free to contact me if you’d like to hold your ceremony on one of the above islands, or anywhere in French Polynesia. I collaborate with great photographers who’re also ready to shoot new and unique images, just for you.

    So, what’s your island choice for a Tahiti secluded beach wedding ceremony or a vow renewal ceremony?

    ** Last updated on February 10, 2022 **

     

11. Interested In More Incredible Wedding Locations In Tahiti? You May Want To Read Those Articles:

    How About A Tahaa Wedding? Selected Best Tahiti Wedding Locations
    3 Wedding Ceremony Locations In Tahiti You Would Never Think Of
    How About A Rangiroa Wedding? Selected Best Tahiti Wedding Locations

12.  

13. Would You Like Me To Help You To Plan Your Tahiti Secluded Beach Wedding Ceremony, And Find Unique Locations For A Great Photoshoot?   Contact Me To 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)!

I started my wedding officiant career back in 2014, when I trained and certified as a Wedding Life-Cycle Celebrant® in December. As my final assignment and exams approached – so before I officially received my diploma as a professional Life-Cycle Celebrant®, I was hired by two couples whom I was planning an elopement for, to also develop and officiate their upcoming wedding ceremony. One of them was traveling to the Tuamotu archipelago exclusively, and they had their hearts set on a Rangiroa wedding.

Yes, my second ever wedding ceremony as an officiant was in Rangiroa. Call me lucky.

I was back to Rangiroa for a wedding two years later, just a few days before ringing in the New Year. I was to meet one of my couples there and be the officiant for their Rangiroa wedding. This was once again very special.

Here is what Sarah & Brock wanted for their Rangiroa wedding: “Just Us and a Unique Setting”

The Blue Lagoon immediately came to mind as a possible wedding ceremony location for them, which they agreed to.

The Blue Lagoon As The Venue For Their Rangiroa Wedding

Watch this, and now imagine yourselves standing there to say your destination do’s

Sarah & Brock had both a legal and a celebratory wedding in Rangiroa. We started off the day by driving to the City Hall in Avatoru for the legal portion of the wedding, which must take place before the Mayor to be deemed legal.

We were later headed back to the Kia Ora Resort & Spa where Sarah & Brock were staying. There we boarded the boat that was taking us privately to the Blue Lagoon. An hour or so to a magical place.

As we arrived at the Blue Lagoon, there were a dozen or more of black-tip sharks swimming around the boat.

This was truly amazing. The colors were amazing. The water was amazing.

We stepped off the boat and walked in the shallow waters to the perfect place to hold their ceremony.

Here You Go : Just You and a Unique Setting. The Blue Lagoon in Rangiroa.

Nelly was amazing! We wanted a unique intimate ceremony in a one-of-a-kind location and she nailed it! Nelly helped keep us organized and on track for our legal wedding in Rangiroa (soooo many steps) as well as put together the ceremony itself when we eloped in December. If it wasn’t for her I am not sure what I would have done – as it was just the two of us I completely relied on her and her judgment and she did not disappoint! She was super organized, listened to what we wanted while getting to know us and incredibly efficient answering all of my emails it was hard to believe that she was so far away! She allowed us to completely enjoy our day knowing that every detail had been taken care of – it was incredible.

If you are looking for something other than the cookie-cutter ceremony offered by the resorts she is the one”

I’ve noticed over the years that my couples marrying in Rangiroa are often repeaters to the island, or scuba diving aficionados, who don’t care as much about the designer wedding dress or suit for their Tahiti wedding, but more about the off-the-beaten track elopement experience.

Rangiroa is your dream wedding destination, and a bucket list place for any scuba diving enthusiast.

Who Is A Rangiroa Wedding For?

A Rangiroa wedding at the Blue Lagoon is not your typical Tahiti elopement experience in that in order to hold your ceremony at this magical place that the Blue Lagoon is, you must get on a boat for 45 minutes (sometimes a little more, if the ride is a bit choppy), each way. Once you get to the Blue Lagoon, you’ll need to walk in the water to reach the place where we’d hold the ceremony – an inner lagoon inside the lagoon. Depending on the tide that day, you may have water up to the calves, or to your thighs ! So be ready to get your feet wet !

No worries, you’ll dry in a matter of minutes.

Want To See More Rangiroa Weddings At The Blue Lagoon?

Here are the most recent elopement weddings I did in Rangiroa :

• Elopement Wedding Planner and Officiant in Rangiroa: Nelly at wedOtahiti (see my elopement packages in Rangiroa here).
• Photographer: Helene Havard (see her Rangiroa portfolio here) & Flying World Pictures

** last updated on January 29, 2022 **

Interested In More Incredible Wedding Locations In Tahiti? You May Want To Read Those Articles:

How About A Tahaa Wedding? Selected Best Tahiti Wedding Locations
3 Wedding Ceremony Locations In Tahiti You Would Never Think Of
Best Secluded Wedding Locations in Tahiti: Are You Up For A Fakarava Wedding?

Do You Want Me To Write A Personalized Wedding In Rangiroa For You? Contact Me Here!

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)!

If you’re considering a destination wedding in Tahiti with your loved ones gathered around you, or if you’re contemplating a Tahiti – Bora Bora elopement where that will be just the two of you, it’s likely that you have been imagining saying your wedding vows in a dreamy location.

Whether on a palm-fringed beach, or atop a lookout with dramatic high rugged mountain peaks in the background, you are envisioning a Tahiti wedding ceremony of a Western style, intimate, simple but meaningful.

 
I’ve now been developing and officiating wedding ceremonies in Tahiti, vow renewal ceremonies, and celebrating other milestones through ceremony for several years. I got professionally trained in the U.S. and obtained a diploma in weddings back in December 2014. So with tons of Tahiti wedding ceremonies under my belt, I have seen it all when it comes to saying your wedding vows at your destination wedding, or to sharing wedding vows with no one listening but your other half.

When you elope in Bora Bora or in Moorea, you will typically feel less pressure knowing there are no guests in attendance. It means you can absolutely allow yourself to be a little more casual in the way you’ll speak your wedding vows to your love. Remember, this is not a literature class so you want the words to simply be genuine and heartfelt.

What Are Your Options For Wedding Vows When You Elope In Tahiti?

 
As a Wedding Celebrant/Officiant I will develop and write a personalized ceremony that recognizes your unique personalities, that tells your story and that makes your vision of a perfect ceremony come to life. Marrying is about exchanging vows and promises, so this one part of the wedding ceremony (and the wedding day) is of the greatest importance. 

Okay, but what are the options there for wedding vows?

1. Writing Your Own, Personal Vows

The vows are your personal pledge and promises you make to one another for this married life. You may choose to write your own vows and maybe wish to keep them secret from your future spouse. There is no right or wrong way for writing wedding vows. They can be short, or long. What’s important is that they are true to who you are, and they convey the love you share. What you’ll pour into this marriage. When writing personal vows, I recommend that you share them with me so that we can print them out on a nice, sturdy paper card and hand them out to you during the ceremony – rather than having you dig out folded up pieces of paper. For future brides reading this, remember: wedding dresses rarely have pockets.

Pre-written wedding vows tend to be longer as when you write them you’re not yet in the emotional whirl of the actual ceremony so be sure you’ll be able to carry out to the end!

Photo Credit 1 & 2 : Hélène Havard | Moorea Secret Wedding Ceremony

2. What Comes From The Heart Wedding Vows

Some couples may choose to not write their wedding vows in advance, but rather say what comes from their hearts on the day; of course you’ll be thinking of what you want to say before, however if you get emotional during the ceremony, which will be the case, know that it will clearly be a little difficult to say much, as both your capacity to think clear and to talk may be a bit altered in the process  😉 so go simple and straight-to-the-point!

Photo Credit : Jean-Philippe Yuam

3. “Do You” “I Do” Wedding Vows

Some couples just know that they will get super emotional during the wedding ceremony so they choose to go with traditional “Do you” “I do” wedding vows. No need to read from a paper, no need to remember things you want to say, you simply answer “I do!” when your Wedding Celebrant/Officiant prompts you to. You want these wedding vows short, so that it is not too repetitive with the rings ceremony that usually comes next. If that last option is the one that fits you best, I will craft “Do you” “I do” wedding vows that blend well in the entire story.

An alternative to the “Do you” “I do” vows, are the “Repeat after me” wedding vows. Read again the last two sentences above. Most couples find themselves feeling super emotional during the ceremony, so the shorter the lines the easier. One would think it’s easy to repeat something you’ve just heard, think again. A line over 5 words proves to be challenging in most instances.

Photo Credit: AngelM | Rangiroa Wedding Ceremony

4. Cute Wedding Vows Books

They also make for cute photos.
 

Photo Credit: Hélène Havard | Moorea Wedding Ceremony

 
Whatever your choice of wedding vows, your personalized wedding ceremony in Tahiti will be all together unique, memorable, heartfelt and true to your personal story. It will sound like no other simply because as a Wedding Celebrant I will craft each and every ceremony to a particular couple. You own your wedding ceremony, and so should you with your wedding vows. I will of course gift you a keepsake copy of the ceremony along with your wedding vows cards so you can read and re-read them over the years!

 
More on this topic here:

Best Tahiti Officiant When You Elope In Bora Bora Or Moorea: How To Choose

Tahiti Elopements and Micro Weddings Are The Tops: 6 Reasons Why

Include Loved Ones When You Elope In Tahiti: 5 Easy Ways

 
** last updated on June 20, 2021 **

Tell Me What Your Tahiti Wedding Plans Are!

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)!

Another one of the misconceptions lots of people have about Tahiti, is the idea that your beach ceremony will be legally binding back home. In Tahiti, you don’t find “licensed” Officiants / Celebrants who can solemnize marriages the same way you would in the United-States or in Australia for example. If you will want to have a legal wedding, in France, and as such in Tahiti (here we’re talking about the Islands of Tahiti as a destination, so that includes Moorea weddings, Bora Bora weddings, you name it) the ceremony must take place before the mayor at the City Hall to be deemed legal, so you’d have a legal ceremony at the City Hall, and a celebratory ceremony wherever you see yourself exchanging vows. A beach ceremony alone will be celebratory only, not legal. So you’ll want to find the best officiant in Tahiti to help you navigate the process.

More on a legal wedding in Tahiti here.

Photo Credit: Damien Gobron

(more photos of this Bora Bora elopement in the Gallery section under the ‘Bora Bora – The St. Regis Resort Spa Beach’ tab)

 
If you’re up to getting legally married in Tahiti, note that there will be additional costs at home for ordering the documents, getting them stamped, translated into French and shipped to French Polynesia. So before you rush head-on and get in the process of booking a Bora Bora resort as your wedding venue, you want to make sure you’ve got your bases covered and have a seasoned Tahiti wedding planner to help with the legalities for a wedding in Bora Bora especially. Talking of legalities for a Bora Bora wedding, here is an article you may want to read before anything, as I touched on how some couples thought that their resort in Bora Bora would help them out with the legal requirements for a wedding in Bora Bora, only to find out that most Bora Bora wedding planners had absolutely no clue about what they were doing when it came to ensuring a wedding is legal, or were plainly uninterested.

Find The Best Officiant In Tahiti To Make It Legal Back Home

 
I am experienced with assisting my couples from around the world in the process and will guide you step-by-step to make it as easy on your end as possible. I can also act (or organise someone to cover for me) as one of your witnesses at the City Hall and provide for the other one, as well as be or provide the translator for the ceremony, and of course we will be taking care of getting your marriage certificates processed in Tahiti so they’re valid back home. Something a resort’s wedding planner or coordinator will never do, as they don’t know how to (or that it’s even needed!).

Of course, as a trained and certified Life-Cycle Celebrant I’ll be happy to develop and write a personalized celebratory ceremony that recognizes your unique personalities, tells your story and that makes your vision of the ceremony come to life.

While based on the island of Moorea, I have officiated weddings in Bora Bora a number of times (like for this Canadian couple pictured in this article, whom I planned both their legal wedding in Bora Bora and a personalized ceremony of a Western-style back to their resort for). I have also worked legal + beach weddings in Taha’a, and in Rangiroa, too. While Moorea is the best place to get married and my couples’ #1 choice to hold the wedding ceremony at (it is also the easiest and the most cost effective given that wedding vendors are available at close proximity), I am always happy to plan for a wedding in any other Tahitian island, and to meet you even in the most remote place!
 

 
In case you are contemplating to elope in Bora Bora or in Moorea, and to book your elopement wedding at your resort, read this first, so you are better prepared when it comes to budgeting for the day.

More on this topic here:
 
Wanting To Elope In Bora Bora? All You Need To Know

Important Things To Know About Your Officiant In Tahiti

What You Need To Know If You Want A Church Wedding In Tahiti

Wedding Regrets: Not Hiring Wedding Professionals

** last updated on June 1, 2021 **

Is A Wedding In Tahiti On Your Radar? Contact Me Here To Secure Your Officiant In Tahiti!

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)!