Nelly is a Certified Wedding & Event Planner, Green Wedding Professional, wedding insider and blogger in the Islands of Tahiti. She’s also the ONLY professionally trained and Certified Wedding Celebrant!
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Are you planning your destination wedding in Tahiti? Or maybe eloping in one of the many beautiful islands of Tahiti where you intend to have an unforgettable wedding ceremony (I know, the words unforgettable and Tahiti in one same sentence sounds a bit redundant, right?). Choosing among the best and most unique Tahiti wedding venues is a crucial decision. This can make or break your Tahiti elopement photos!
Are you at a loss when it comes to deciding where to actually have your wedding ceremony in Tahiti? I know the feel.
Most of my couples first reach out to me kind of indecisive about where to hold a wedding ceremony in Tahiti. I am based on the gorgeous and peaceful island of Moorea. This is where most of my couples tie the knot, before flying out to the outer islands on their honeymoon.
Tahiti resorts will often have pretty wedding locations on premises for you to exchange your vows. But what if you are not staying at a resort, or if you do but don’t want any on-lookers at your wedding ? Because let’s be honest here, Tahiti resorts will often lack the privacy you are seeking for such an important moment as your wedding or vow renewal ceremony.
So let me lay out some of the most unique Tahiti wedding venues for you. I’ll start today with some off-the-beaten-track ceremony locations in Moorea.
Find Your Perfect Wedding Venue + Ceremony Location In Tahiti
It is SO easy to get lost in a number of logistics and travel details and to simply overlook what certainly is the most important part of the day: the ceremony. This is what you’re here for, right? It is important (cocktail hour is, too, but not quite as important) and should set the tone for the entire day!
Whether it is just the two of you sharing vows and making promises to each other, or you have guests in attendance, doing the right choice among available Tahiti wedding venues and ceremony locations is of the utmost importance. You should feel the place is yours.
1. Think Beyond Beaches
Tahiti is not just about beaches. The Islands of Tahiti are equally stunning whether you look at the immense lagoon or at the luxuriant mountains.
Photo Credit: Tahiti Tourisme
Photo Credit: Helene Havard
I love love love this photo because this is the very 1st couple ever we took up the Belvedere in Moorea for their wedding pictures, back in 2014… and pretty much every couple has been doing the same ever since!
You can browse some photos of a mountain-top wedding ceremony in Moorea in my gallery! Filter by clicking the ‘Moorea – Mountain Top in the Early Morning’ tab.
And actually, it’s not just the mountains. Moorea is also equally stunning whether you look at the immense lagoon or at the soothing and breathtaking ocean.
Photo Credit: Bradyhouse Photographers
You can browse more photos of this reef-side wedding ceremony in Moorea in my gallery! Filter by clicking the ‘Moorea – Private Islet Reef-Side at Sunset’ tab.
2. Think Exotic
Tahiti. The Ultimate Privacy. Seriously, can you think of anything that can compete with saying your I do’s onboard a private catamaran sailing gorgeous lagoon waters? If you’re traveling with just a handful of guests then you can sail away for a few hours on the crystal-clear waters of Moorea. And take this opportunity to marry onboard, or anywhere in the lagoon where there are shallow waters.
Your ceremony must be true to you. If you are staying at a vacation rental property, why not having your ceremony in the intimacy of your “home away from home” but with a view?
You can browse some photos of a wedding ceremony in Moorea at a beach-side airbnb in my gallery! Filter by clicking the ‘Moorea – Micro Wedding at an Airbnb’ tab in the ‘Destination Weddings’ section.
I am often asked for my advice on which Tahiti islands are the most beautiful and worth visiting. Which one is best for a destination wedding in Tahiti? Is it best to elope in Bora Bora? Which island should be booked for the honeymoon? While there is no right or wrong answer to any of those questions, I often get inquiries from couples thinking of a Bora Bora wedding. Everyone has heard of Bora Bora. It is known as the Pearl of the Pacific so for many a wedding in Bora Bora sounds like the most romantic and the obvious choice. Let me explain why I believe you are best to book a Bora Bora honeymoon rather than a Bora Bora wedding.
A Bora Bora Wedding Or A Bora Bora Honeymoon? Is Bora Bora The Right Place For You?
If you’re sold on having a Tahiti destination wedding, the first step will be to decide where to hold the celebrations. You will want to weigh up the extra budget your guests will need to travel to your chosen location at this point. The only way to reach Bora Bora is by air so there’s no way around the airfare cost if you’re having a Bora Bora wedding.
It is important that your guests feel comfortable with the extra expense to be there with you on the day. You certainly don’t want them to spend so much money traveling to your wedding locale that they just cannot enjoy their vacation in Tahiti because they’re short on cash.
Considering A Wedding In Bora Bora’s Cost For Your Guests Is Crucial
Bora Bora is known as the “romantic island” and most often visitors will stay in their resort for the entire time, enjoying the luxury facilities. Most Bora Bora resorts are indeed located on small islets off the main island, so that means you need to take shuttle boats to venture off your resort. That requires advance planning… so unless everyone is booked at your resort, it will be difficult to “meet up for a drink” when you and your guests are staying at various places.
The same goes for the wedding day itself: realistically if you’re considering holding your destination wedding in Bora Bora and are staying at a resort, all of your guests will need to commit to staying at your chosen property. You may end up having fewer people to join your celebrations if the cost of the stay doesn’t fit one’s budget. You can read more of my advice on having a wedding in Bora Bora (at a resort) in this article.
So most often, my couples will choose Moorea over Bora Bora to hold the actual wedding. Moorea is so close to the capital island of Tahiti that it can be reached with a short 30-minute ferry ride across. Not only is it very budget-friendly, but Moorea also offers a large selection of accommodation options. There you can find bed & breakfasts, small hotels, vacation rental houses & villas, or luxury resorts.
There’s something for everyone plus every accommodation is located on the main island. This allows for your guests to tour the island or plan lots of activities very easily, not to mention that meeting up for pre wedding events or activities is also made easy.
However, after the wedding day/weekend/week is over and you’ve spent your share of time with your guests, you’ll surely want some alone time with your (now) spouse.
So now is the time to escape to a Bora Bora honeymoon! Bora Bora is known as the honeymooners’ paradise! You can read some dos and don’ts for your honeymoon in Tahiti in this Insider’s Guide to Honeymoons in Tahiti blog post.
Bora Bora offers ultimate privacy and is the perfect place to indulge into a relaxing honeymoon after months of wedding planning and days of celebrating the wedding in Moorea.
Flying to Bora Bora after the wedding is also a great excuse to leave your wedding guests (behind) enjoying their own vacation, without offending them.
To sum up, hosting a Tahiti destination wedding in the same locale as your honeymoon may prompt more than a few unwanted guests to join in on your alone time, and you want to ensure that your honeymoon is… well, a honeymoon!
Jessica and Jake were not going to get married in Moorea. They had their wedding plans all set for a Kauai elopement, but then Covid. Comes the month of August, and Hawaii announced that the borders would remain closed. And with that, Jessica and Jake’s vision of an ocean reef wedding went down the drain.
They were devastated, as were so many couples who have seen their wedding plans either cancel or postpone because of the pandemic.
Comes the hero photographer, Meg from Bradyhouse Photographers. She and husband Pete had spent a vacation in Moorea just a few months before, right before Covid stroke. They loved the island (who wouldn’t?) and so, they suggested to Jessica and Jake to book a last minute trip to Tahiti to keep their original wedding date and make it happen!
Borders in Tahiti had reopened in mid-July, and you can fly Los Angeles to Tahiti in less than 8 hours. That’s about the same as flying to Hawaii from the U.S. mainland.
Jessica and Jake jumped right in, and started planning their micro destination wedding in Tahiti from the ground up. The wedding was only 3 weeks away, and that’s when they reached out to me.
Here is part of what Jessica explained to me:
What we originally had planned is what we’d like to replicate on Moorea as much as we can. We had planned for a sunset cliff ceremony overlooking the water (love the idea being high up and overlooking the water and hearing the waves). […]
What we do need help with is not only having an unofficial officiant, recommendation for a gorgeous secluded ceremony location, recommendation for someone to do my hair and makeup, a bouquet with maybe some flowers for Jake and our two guests. We were originally having our Kauai officiant read a very authentic and spiritual ceremony. We did see the ceremony offered by our hotel in Moorea, Manava, but the traditional Tahitian ceremony did not align with what we were looking for. THEN we saw your classy website and had to reach out!
We don’t have cliffs overlooking the ocean in Moorea. I am however granted access to this gorgeous islet – clearly a gem location. There I can officiate my couples’ ceremonies on the reef-side when they envision an ocean reef wedding. How gorgeous and private is that?
Why An Ocean Reef Wedding At Sunset Was Preferred Over A Morning Beach Celebration
My only concern with Jessica & Jake’s plans was that their wedding date fell on a Sunday. While the island has been much quieter than normal during the pandemic, with way less visitors, it was still quite busy on weekends with locals crossing over from Tahiti for a quick beach gateway.
My recommendation is typically to favor a week day rather than a weekend day for the best privacy but Jessica and Jake had this date at heart.
The private islet reef-side location during golden hour was the most perfect, and one I had dreamed of using for an ocean reef wedding for quite some time. Jessica and Jake did some photos post ceremony both on the reef-side where the ceremony was held, but also on the beach side of the islet at sunset.
They had another photo session planned for the next morning where they went on a lovely catamaran tour, and did beach + water photos in the bright morning sun and vibrant colors, with no one to be seen around. I told you: Mondays are always quiet!
I said that before, but I am so so appreciative of my couples trusting me in developing and officiating their elopement ceremony in Moorea. In these challenging times with so many travel restrictions around the world, I felt even luckier as Jessica and Jake made the extra effort and pivoted from their Hawaii wedding plans entirely – and to be witnessing their destination do’s.
I’ve been specializing in Tahiti elopements and micro weddings for quite a few years now. Among my couples are those who are avid travelers, and would not consider tying the knot if not for a destination wedding. I also get to work with couples who have given a try at planning a home wedding, only to realize this was way too much stress and so overwhelming. They then started searching for destinations, and exploring the interwebs for Tahiti elopements and micro wedding ideas.
Photo Credit : Turama Photography (more of this couple’s wedding in Moorea here under the Destination Weddings’ section and ‘Micro Wedding at an Airbnb’ tab)
We all know these individuals who started dreaming of their wedding since their childhood.
You see how magical weddings are on television and in movies, so it’s no wonder that (mostly) women are becoming little wedding planners by the time they can get on the school bus by themselves.
One thing they don’t tell you in the movies is how much time and money goes into planning a wedding. In the movies, the two fall in love and seem to get married almost right away. Another thing they don’t tell is that you have a ridiculous amount of options for your wedding venue and location these days. You really don’t have to get married in the neighborhood church anymore.
Enter Tahiti Elopements And Micro Weddings
And cue the destination wedding. Traveling to a distant location to say “I do” in one of the world’s most beautiful places – namely: Tahiti, is becoming more and more popular in recent years. Couples are leaving tradition behind sticking their toes in the sand while they pledge their love to their future spouse. Many are also leaving guests behind to elope.
Can you imagine that? Just the two of you.
Tahiti elopements and micro weddings is what I do full time. If you’ve ever dreamed of jetting over to a secluded beach to recite your vows, here are some reasons you should ditch tradition and do just that.
6 Reasons Tahiti Elopements And Micro Weddings Are The Tops
1. Say Goodbye To Formality
Have you been dreading wearing heels and an over-the-top dress for your wedding, or the mandatory tux fitting? Are you worried that your guests won’t show up in the proper attire? None of that matters with Tahiti elopements! No guests. You can be as casual as you want. You can even walk down the aisle barefoot if you want to.
If you’ll be having a micro wedding in Tahiti, those people surrounding you on the day will likely be your parents and siblings, or your chosen family and BFFs. This means they know you inside and out, so there’s no pressure whatsoever on you in showing off or doing things that are not true to you.
The majority of soon-to-be married couples want their wedding to be remembered as fun and casual. What’s more fun and casual than a Tahiti micro destination wedding? You and your guests will be at a gorgeous resort or at a luxury vacation rental villa with fun and relaxing activities to do, as well as plenty of drinks!
2. And Half The Guest List
When you sat down to draft your guest list, did you start panicking? A lot of couples do. You suddenly start to realize how many people are in your family. You also start to evaluate how important some people really are, and how some people really aren’t.
The average number of wedding guests for a traditional wedding is 140. That sometimes gets to way, way more than that. For a destination, that average number drops to 48. No longer will you have to include your third cousins you’ve only met once or your dad’s weird coworkers. Your wedding will be much more intimate so you can celebrate with only the people you truly care about.
The average number of guests at my Tahiti destination weddings is 25-40. I also do quite a few micro weddings in Moorea where the head count usually is in the 12-20 range. And of course, all the Tahiti elopements where that is just the two of you!
Photo Credit : Bradyhouse Photographers (more of this couple’s wedding in Moorea here under the ‘Private Islet Reef-Side at Sunset’ tab)
3. The World Is Your Oyster
When you choose a destination wedding over a traditional wedding, you can have your big day anywhere in the world. Destination weddings are defined as the marriage ceremony taking place at least 100 miles away from the couple’s permanent address. Many couples choose to go much further than that, though.
The other thing about destination weddings is that you are not confined to certain times of the year because of weather. If you live anywhere where it snows in the winter, then you know your window for an outdoor wedding is very slim. However, you can celebrate outside in the Winter if you travel to a tropical location for your wedding.
Tahiti elopements and micro weddings are best planned between March and mid-December (the months of January and February being the Summer months in Tahiti, when it’s really hot and rainy).
4. They Are One Of A Kind
If you’re the kind of couple who wants to be different that everyone else, then a Tahiti destination wedding is for you. There are more than two million American couples that get married every year, and only 25% of them have destination weddings.
When you travel to a far away location for your wedding, you don’t have to worry about having your reception at the same place as one of your friends or even where you had your high school prom. You will be truly unique with a destination wedding.
5. Stress? What Stress?
So many couples say that wedding planning is ridiculously stressful, and you’ve probably felt that yourself if you’ve already started planning. Destination weddings are hands down less stressful than traditional weddings.
All you have to do is to find a reliable destination wedding planner locally so you really don’t have to do much. In most cases, all you really have to worry about is getting there. You’ll be offered options for photography, cake, and officiant services and won’t have to worry about the little details, it will all be handled for you.
6. It’s A Built in Honeymoon!
The honeymoon is arguably the best part of the wedding events. Couples are actually getting really serious about planning their honeymoons lately. The average couple spends three times more money on their honeymoon than they would on a regular vacation.
With Tahiti elopements, there is no extra planning involved! All you have to do is stay at your beautiful resort or villa for a week after your ceremony, or fly to one of the outer islands (like Bora Bora). There’s no more stressful traveling involved after you say “I do.”
To all the couples out there in the middle of wedding planning right now (and those whose wedding plans have sadly been put to a halt because of covid): stop what you’re doing and start browsing past Tahiti elopements.
I can help you! Your wedding day is supposed to be the most joyful day, and one you want to remember forever. Ditch the tradition, throw on your flip-flops, and get married on the beach in Tahiti!
Sold On Having A Destination Wedding In Tahiti? Contact Me To Get Started!
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Where To Have The Nicest Legal Tahitian Wedding In The Islands Of Tahiti
You asked! By French law, a legal wedding ceremony must take place at the City Hall of a chosen commune before the Mayor (or one of his/her representatives) to be deemed legal. It is rather short and, most couples then arrange a symbolic ceremony of their own, to complete the day and have their always-dreamed-about-it Tahiti wedding celebration. So the aesthetics of the City Hall’s marriage room (when there is one) do not usually matter much, as we rarely do photos there.
Sometimes though, a couple will only want to have a legal Tahitian wedding with no further {beach – mountain – forest – lagoon – you name it} celebration. In this scenario, if they will only have photos taken during their City Hall ceremony then we will want to choose a pretty City Hall, or add some decor to make it prettier.
How Do City Halls Look Like And Compare In French Polynesia
First off, not all City Halls in French Polynesia have a marriage room.
The City Halls on the capital island of Tahiti are much bigger. Since they are celebrating a lot more local weddings throughout the year, most have a dedicated marriage room. However, my couples rarely stay on the island of Tahiti, which is more of a transit island before they transfer to Moorea or fly to the outer islands for their Tahitian wedding.
With the majority of my couples getting legally married in Moorea, we most often go to the City Hall of Haapiti. We sometimes go to the City Hall of Teavaro, which is closer to the Sofitel Moorea. When the celebratory ceremony is to be held on a private beach on the Western side of the island, then the Haapiti City Hall en route to the beach ceremony is usually the way to go.
However, when my couples opt for a Sofitel Moorea wedding and have all of their guests staying there, we then want to spend as little time as possible transferring to the City Hall and back to the resort. In this scenario, we will hold the legal ceremony at the Teavaro City Hall, which is located just a few minutes away from the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea.
There are a few other (much smaller) City Halls around the island of Moorea, where we will go only when that makes the most sense with your specific timeline for the day.
The City Hall in Bora Bora has a rather pretty marriage room, located in the main town of Vaitape.
Smaller Tahitian City Halls will conduct weddings in the Mayor’s office.
Tahitian Wedding In Tahiti
#1 Pirae City Hall
This one most definitely tops the charts with its glorious building!
Photo Credit: Helene Havard
Shannon & Rhys (Australia) legally married in Tahiti, at the City Hall of Pirae, before holding a Sofitel Moorea wedding with their guests the next day.
#2 Punaauia City Hall
Luciana & Ottavio (Italy & Romania) legally married in Tahiti, at the City Hall of Punaauia, right before sailing to the Sofitel Moorea on a catamaran for their wedding lunch by the water with their witnesses.
#3 Papeete City Hall
Mel & Gavin (Australia) legally married in Tahiti, at the City Hall of Papeete, on the first day of their cruise in French Polynesia when the ship stopped there; they held their celebratory ceremony in Moorea when the ship stopped there the next day.
Cammie & Bernard (United-States) legally married in Bora Bora, at the City Hall of Vaitape, before holding their celebratory ceremony on a private Bora Bora islet with Nelly as their Bora Bora officiant.
Photo Credit: Sadry Ghacir
So did James & Lotty (New-Zealand) who legally married in Bora Bora, at the Vaitape City Hall, before heading back for their Four Seasons Bora Bora wedding on the beach.
Photo Credit: Mina
Ilaria & Enzo (Italy) legally married in Rangiroa, at the Avatoru City Hall.
As noted earlier, most of my couples are getting legally married in Moorea, where the City Halls do not have a pretty marriage room… but we can make it prettier for you!
I’ve also been to other Tahitian islands to help with my couples getting married in Tahiti legal requirements. I am always happy to meet you anywhere your heart is set to having your Tahitian wedding.
Every year, with the holidays comes the engagement season. These few months always see a peek in the number of marriage proposals. Once the excitement has dropped a bit (or not!) couples start pondering about the specifics: deciding on a wedding date, a place, the scale of their special event, and of course, wondering about the overall cost of a wedding. Home weddings have been the norm for a long time. Yet, destination weddings in Tahiti have emerged and become increasingly popular in recent years.
Most importantly, 2020 absolutely changed the way people see gatherings and events. As a matter of fact, what was once a curiosity has now become trendier than ever. With guests’ health and safety in mind and a priority, micro weddings have raised and shined. And you know that Tahiti elopements and micro weddings is what I love and specialize in, don’t you?
Destination Weddings In Tahiti Are Gaining In Popularity,
Do You Know Why?
If you are questioning the possibility of having a destination wedding in Tahiti – Moorea vs a traditional hometown wedding, you’re not alone.
Find out why more couples switch to Tahiti destination weddings nowadays.
1. You Do Not Want To Feed 200+ People At Your Wedding
To begin with, a destination wedding in Tahiti is perfect for you if you want to get married privately. In fact, getting married afar from home is the best way to get you the privacy you desire! With only your closest friends and relatives present, extended family or your parents’ relatives will understand why they did not make it to the guests’ list. Plus, you can always throw a home party when you return. You won’t have to worry about the venue-music-chairs-tables-food-décor-centerpieces-flowers-favors-et-cetera. All those are so much easier to plan in a smaller scale, whether it’s just you, or you and your close family, or even 30-40 people.
2. You Did Not Have A Vacation In A Long Time
… and let’s be honest, the cost of a traditional wedding might just turn this situation to one that lasts. Honeymooning in your wedding locale is a great way to explore the area even more – and what better destination to get married and spend a honeymoon (a wedding-moon!) than the Islands of Tahiti? Most of my couples choose to marry in Moorea, Tahiti’s sister island, and then to fly to Bora Bora for their honeymoon. That’s two trips in one.
3. You Do Not Want To Turn Into Bridezilla | Groomzilla-You
Moreover, destination weddings in Tahiti help couples get away from the insanity that usually results from wedding planning pressure. Not only that but also the tendency from people around them to give unsolicited advice until they get lost in a trillion ideas and discover the Bridezilla | Groomzilla-them. Trust me, you do not want to be that person.
4. You Want To Elope… And Not In Vegas
Last but not least: gone are the days when eloping meant traveling long distances (and not-so-long) to marry in a Elvis-themed chapel in Vegas. Now “eloping” means traveling anywhere to have a much more inclusive, plan-able, and personalize-able wedding. Tahiti destination weddings or elopements offer a wide array of island choices (well, actually 118 islands) among them are Moorea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Taha’a and more.
Among my Tahiti destination wedding planning packages I have a special for smaller parties. That includes the planning of your ceremony + dinner locations, catering, music, flowers & décor, beauty and photography services, at a very preferential price. Read more about what having a destination wedding in Tahiti entails.
Whether you are eloping in Tahiti – well, an apter term would be the Islands of Tahiti and that includes marrying in Moorea of course, but also in Taha’a, in Rangiroa, in Bora Bora, to name just a few, or you are planning a destination wedding in Tahiti and inviting some happy folks to join you in paradise and attend your Moorea wedding, what are the first things to consider when you start planning?
3 Things You Should Think Of Before You Start Planning
A Destination Wedding In Tahiti
1. Which Island(s) Do You Want To Visit?
If you’ve settled on a destination wedding in Tahiti, or even just a Tahiti elopement, you’ve probably figured out by now that the Islands of Tahiti (French Polynesia) are spread over a surface of about the size of Europe… this gives you lots and lots of options for your stay! You may choose to stay on just one island for the entire time, then that’s easy. If you’ll be doing some island hoping and visit a few islands, we will need to determine where best your destination wedding in Tahiti is to be held.
With the exception of (capital island) Tahiti’s sister-island Moorea, or the well-known Bora Bora, where most wedding vendors will be available, any other place will have super limited or non existent options for make-up, hair, photographer etc. and you will need to consider flying those vendors from Tahiti. This can quickly add up to the bill, especially if they also need to overnight at your place if there isn’t a return flight for them to go back home on the same day.
2. What Is Your Ideal Budget For The Day?
Nobody likes to think of the money constraints of wedding planning, but having an approximate idea of what would ideally be your budget for the day will help you and/or your wedding planner in Tahiti to determine what your options will be.
Your guest list (if any) will also largely determine many of your planning decisions, as not all places in the Islands of Tahiti can accommodate any size of groups, so you will want to have a rough count of the people who will likely be traveling with you. Determining your budget from the start will help you to make confident and informed decisions throughout the planning process.
3. What Is Most Important To You?
When you think of your destination wedding in Tahiti, what comes to mind first? What is your vision? Some people will want to make sure they spend as much quality time with their loved ones as possible, not just on the wedding day but during the entire vacation, other couples will prefer to leave much freedom to their guests, meet up for the wedding and concentrate on having fun on the wedding day, while it is of greatest importance to some others that the décor and photos are beautiful, in which case a separate photo shooting on a different day or ample time for photos on the day is accounted for (think trash the dress photos, photos around the island, in the nature etc.) from the start.
For destination weddings in particular, the above information will have a great influence on the level of planning assistance you will need. My Tahiti destination wedding packages (and even my Tahiti wedding packages for two, when you elope in Tahiti) vary to include your specific preferences regarding the wedding. More on my full service Tahiti destination wedding packages on this page.
What first comes to mind when you think of your elopement or destination wedding in Tahiti? A wedding in Bora Bora of course! Why is that so? The United-States chose Bora Bora as a military supply base during WWII, and the small airstrip that was built on the island back then was the only international airport in the Islands of Tahiti for a long time – until the Faa’a International Airport was opened in 1960 on the capital island of Tahiti. With that, Tahiti has become a popular destination, and in recent years, the destination has seen an increasing number of Bora Bora weddings.
Those of you who have been following me on the Blog for some time know that I am from a hotel background. I went to hotel school at age 14 and studied hotel management, catering, cooking (yeah, if you know me on a personal level you can hardly believe that but yes, I could have become a Chef!), accounting and marketing all the way to a Master’s degree in Hotel Management & Marketing.
While I specialized in hotel management early on in my career, I worked pretty much every hotel & restaurant department including the front desk, reservations, accounting, bar, restaurant service & management and, in the kitchen as well.
I have been in the Islands of Tahiti since 2002 and worked executive positions in a Bora Bora resort (Le Bora Bora), next in a Huahine resort, and eventually life led me to Moorea where I was the General Manager & the Director of Sales & Marketing of a resort for 5 years. That is almost a decade working management positions in Tahiti resorts. I booked a number of destination weddings in Moorea over the years (not so much in Bora Bora as Bora Bora resorts were not as popular for weddings back then, and too expensive to consider bringing family and friends along + there was not such a thing as eloping in Tahiti just yet) so it is safe to say that I know my craft when it comes to booking your wedding at a resort in Tahiti.
From booking on the wrong sites to forgetting to check some vital information, these mistakes could easily make or break your trip. Find out what you must avoid when booking that hotel room in HuffPost “10 Hotel Booking Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making“
Truth be told : the items listed in the above article are super accurate. But how is it any different when you book a resort wedding in Bora Bora, than it is when you book a regular vacation?
It’s been a number of years now that I’ve specialized as an independent Destination Wedding Planner in Tahiti and I’m seeing more and more couples reaching out to me frustrated after they’ve booked, or attempted to book their wedding at a Bora Bora resort only to find out they cannot have the wedding they want.
So here is my take on what I’ve seen being the top 3 frustrations couples shared with me :
Booking Your Wedding at a Bora Bora Resort :
Top 3 Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Are Making
Resorts in Bora Bora are gorgeous. Most of them offer excellent service and are totally great in what they do… but when it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams, not all offer the same level of service so, read on and consider those mistakes others did before you book your wedding at a Bora Bora resort.
Note that ALL quotes below are the exact wording I received from couples :
Mistake 1 of 3: Assuming 5* Resorts Will Provide Any Wedding Service For You
I want to get legally married in Bora Bora but the resort said that this is not their area of concern.
When we booked we had hoped that we could get everything done through the Bora Bora resort * wedding co-ordinator. Getting the legal ceremony done possibly in the morning and then having the proper ceremony at the resort in the late afternoon. The hope was that the Bora Bora resort * wedding co-ordinator would help us with the legal side (we see it as a formality in the morning with the real wedding being in the afternoon – ideally we could have done this all at once but it’s not possible as you can’t legally marry at the resort). We’ve now been informed that the Bora Bora resort * is unable to help us with any aspect of the legal wedding arrangements (disappointing for a 5 star resort) so we really need help with this.
The thing is, most resorts in Bora Bora (actually pretty much any Tahiti resort, or any resort around the world) have a great turnover and their so-called “Wedding Coordinators” or “Wedding Planners” do not necessarily have any sort of prior experience in planning weddings, and they’re simply trained to sell whatever services are listed on the wedding menu : ceremony A, B or C, a romantic dinner at the resort’s restaurant, a bed of flowers at turndown service.
So when it comes to the legalities they simply have no clue and will either tell you that it is extremely complicated to discourage you to legally marry in Tahiti (and to get them into doing something they have no experience with) or they will say the service is not available. Disappointing, huh?
That’s why you need me. Trust me on this one, you better not do this with your resort if they don’t know better than you do, as it will indeed feel complicated for everyone involved. Make yourself a favor (and avoid the headache) and either forego the entire legal part, or go with an experienced Legal Wedding Planner instead, so you can be confident that 1. your legal ceremony is happening 2. your wedding certificates will be valid back home.
Mistake 2 of 3: Assuming 5* Bora Bora Resorts Will Produce The Wedding Of Your Dreams
I have been going back and forth with the hotel. Now, they aren’t even allowing us to use the photographer of our choice. I’m outraged and still in the process of trying to work this out with them. I wish I would had known prior to booking with them. This is really ruining our special occasion.
The Bora Bora resort * was absolutely no help and just kept sending generic form letters back to answer my questions. Ultimately they just kicked me over to the concierge since we won’t have any food/guests.
The above were a couple who considered bringing me into their Bora Bora resort to officiate the ceremony they wanted, a personalized, bespoke ceremony that would be true to them. But they weren’t allowed to do so. They weren’t allowed to bring any other wedding vendors of their choice and had to stick with the resort’s wedding menu and contracted vendors. They were left disappointed to say the least, and eventually did not have the wedding ceremony and experience they envisioned.
Most recently, a bride of mine reached out saying the following :
I was excited when I came across your website. We have dreamed of having our wedding in Bora Bora for years. Starting to work with the Bora Bora resort * regarding day of arrangements, we realized we want our own traditions versus the Polynesian traditions. (Absolutely no offense to the Polynesian culture, we are just more of a simple, modern couple.) I connected with how personal you make the ceremony. How very special that would be! […] As of now, we have not been asked once by the hotel about our vision. It has more been a ‘check the box if you want this’ type of scenario. I would appreciate having someone there who can check on things, if need be.
Turned out, initial wedding plans made with the Bora Bora resort * were totally off the couple’s vision and wishes. Wrong style, wrong colors, wrong everything. But how would they know, without asking what the couple wanted? I worked hand-in-hand with the resort’s coordinator, and we adjusted plans to match the couple’s vision perfectly. Hooray!
Photo Credit : Neubek Photographers
Mistake 3 of 3: Not Accounting For The Higher Costs of a Wedding in Bora Bora
Bora Bora is gorgeous, and isolated, too. This one’s not really your fault as this is probably your first time planning a wedding in Bora Bora (and we hope the only time, next time we want to see you renew your vows in Tahiti!) but wedding services come at a cost, anywhere. In Bora Bora wedding services come at an even higher cost because nothing is readily available on the island. Think beautiful flowers are blooming all around? I’m sorry to break the news but this is not the case, and most flowers you’ll want in your bouquet or bouts are imported from New-Zealand to Tahiti, and then they need to be flown to Bora Bora, unless you go the standard, tropical flowers’ route.
On top of that, because we’re talking luxury resorts, big names, there will be a price tag attached to pretty much anything… and most things you would not even think about at the time you book your Bora Bora resort: there’s a cost for holding your ceremony at a specific location in the resort, a cost for spreading flower petals in the sand, a cost for taking you to the ceremony in an outrigger canoe, a cost for adding chairs if you want to seat your witnesses or guests… this adds up quickly so it is important that you review the wedding menu or romantic services list to get an idea of approximate costs you should budget for the wedding day before you book your resort in Bora Bora.
I was getting very frustrated and disheartened planning our wedding with the big resorts before I found you. You helped us come up with a plan that was best for us in so many ways and I truly appreciate it.
To sum it up, if you are contemplating a wedding in Bora Bora, choose your resort wisely, and better yet: reach out to me first so we can work together on making your Bora Bora wedding exactly the way you want!
Why Having A Wedding Planner In Moorea Is Best To Plan A Destination Wedding?
In normal circumstances, when you are this couple who wants a wedding in a destination location but don’t want to make decisions that typically come with planning a destination wedding or an elopement in Moorea – booking what’s often referred to as a “cookie-cutter” wedding with your resort’s tour desk might do just great for you. You simply confirm what package you want, and boom, you’re done. No discussing details, options, preferences, you get standard inclusions as listed on the menu, and just show up on the resort’s beach on the day.
Now think of not-so-normal circumstances (hello 2020!) when – that’s an extreme situation I agree but hell yeah, a worldwide pandemic made it very real for many couples, your resort shuts down and anyone or everyone you’ve talked to during the process is now MIA… not for days, not for weeks, but for months! No one to monitor and answer emails, no one to give you updates on what’s going on. Not their fault of course, some may have sadly been laid off, some others may still be at home unemployed… but the reality is that on the other end of the wire, you’re left on your own, and without a wedding.
This would not happen with a professional, independent wedding planner in Moorea (I’m talking about me, in case you wondered…) who will still be answering emails promptly, and taking actions promptly. Making it happen. Actually, a couple of mine recently included the following statement in their review of their experience marrying in Moorea in September 2020 :
When the pandemic strike and our travel plan became uncertain, Nelly reached out to offer assurance that all the vendors can accommodate a future date if we decide to postpone. We ended up downsizing our wedding to an even more intimate elopement with just us and two guests. Nelly was flexible with our change of plan, helped us with a few last-minute food and decor decisions, and gave us a detailed day-of itinerary. […] Nelly made this distance planning the easiest and most stress-free experience for us, and we’re so glad we found her so that we don’t have to settle for a resort wedding template.
Planning a wedding is challenging enough; planning one in a foreign country pretty much give many people anxiety. I wholeheartedly recommend Nelly to any bride who is considering a destination wedding in French Polynesia. Her service is worth every penny and saves you all the headaches and frustrations that I see from my other friends who planned their own weddings. Our friends and family are in awe of our unique wedding and we couldn’t have done it without Nelly’s help. Thanks Nelly!
Communication is key.
I also rescued two other couples who were let down by their resort(s) and completely at a loss as to what to do, who would not have had a wedding during their trip to Tahiti if we did not connect.
Back to “normal circumstances”, having a wedding planner in Moorea is best to plan a destination wedding (or an elopement) because : communication ! Most often, you will have a feeling of dis-connection with a resort’s wedding coordinator. Emails can go unanswered for days, sometimes weeks (trust me!) which can prove to be very frustrating in the long run.
If you are not yet convinced that hiring a wedding planner in Moorea is best for your sanity, I will now share with you some insights from real wedding pros, on what comes first to mind when they think of why hiring a wedding planner in Tahiti works best than relying on your Tahiti resort’s wedding coordinator.
This is all based on experience in various countries across the world, as this was shared in a group of international wedding planners that I am a part of (the only group member in Tahiti!):
The couple isn’t always guaranteed to have the person they expect and sometimes the venue coordinator isn’t there on the big day at all.
Jasmine
The venue coordinator is only concerned about the venue. They focus on getting u in and out and making u comfortable. They are not truly coordinating anything.
Michelle
I’ve had a couple of onsite coordinators quit their jobs just before the event, so couples would have to start from scratch explaining their visions to the replacement. They’re usually thankful that they hired us.
Tina
They care about the venue. We can about the wedding as a whole.
Danielle
They are comfortable with what they know. Very few look for new and different ways to use the venue. They know what works and very rarely go past that. You typically get the same experience that the bride last weekend got.
Sara
They usually aren’t there from start to finish. The turnover rate is so high!
Covesa
There is often little communication between venue managers about each couple. If one quits, their notes usually go with them, which puts couples at a distinct disadvantage. I don’t think it’s malicious, but I’ve seen it happen on several occasions.
Jessica
The venue is their specialty. Not logistics, vendors, execution, timeline, decorating and packing up, etc. That’s OUR specialty. They are hired by and acting on behalf of the venue whereas we are hired by and acting on behalf of the bride.
Julia
So, bottom line is, the venue coordinator is a representative for the venue. They’re great at staying on top of the staff, the space, etc., and can also help with some of the set-up, but you’re not their only clients for the day. The resort is full of other clients who also require their attention, they may even have several weddings in a single day.
The venue wedding coordinator is your venue contact / go-to person while at the venue but don’t expect him/her to stay by your side from start to finish.
As an independent wedding planner in Moorea, I will act as a liaison between all of your wedding vendors, as well as work with a very detailed timeline for the wedding day that every hired vendor will receive ahead of time from me; everyone will be on the same page and will know what happens and when. Of course, I’ll also coordinate with your resort’s staff as needed.
Working with your resort’s wedding coordinator might work just fine in most cases, if you go with their pre-established wedding packages and don’t differ too much from what they normally do. However, if you don’t want to settle with a cookie-cutter resort package, you might want to consider hiring a wedding planner in Tahiti.
You fell in love with Tahiti, and have decided to hold your destination wedding in this magical place. Before you ask your guests to get a passport, you will want to gauge what are the options for a wedding venue in Moorea. Do you want to go the traditional route, and book a resort, or would you rather secure a non-traditional wedding venue instead? Moorea is a small island, and venue options are limited. Extremely limited. Think of it this way: the island has 16,000 inhabitants and the circle island road is 37 miles long, that’s it (60 kilometres). Good news is, you cannot get lost.
French Polynesia is a very safe destination to travel to and amidst a pandemic and travel disruptions around the world (hello 2020), it has remained so by being proactive and innovative in implementing an avant-garde health protocol to protect the local population and its visitors in search of a stay free of Covid-19. Now more than ever, couples are downsizing their weddings, and considering an intimate destination wedding where they can keep it safe while celebrating the special moment with style.
Non-traditional venues in Tahiti vs Tahiti resorts
Now are you hesitating over using a venue that specializes in weddings vs. using a non-traditional venue in Tahiti that needs a complete makeover to make it appropriate for your wedding? Have you even considered using a venue other than a traditional one?
I’ll say this: whether you should book a traditional resort or look for a non-traditional venue to hold your destination wedding in Moorea is dependent upon:
the number of guests you are inviting / expecting to attend
how stylish of a reception you are wanting
how young or old your peeps are (think venue access and available facilities)
Before we dig into the top 3 non-traditional wedding venues in Tahiti, let’s hear firsthand insights from fellow wedding pros around the world on the topic :
Pros of Using a Traditional Wedding Venue (Tahiti Resort)
– They’ll usually save you money on the base services because they offer packages including the venue itself, all tables and chairs, china / glass and silverware, tablecloths, food and beverage packages, and the catering staff.
– You’re dealing with staff that works at the resort, so things are more likely to go smoothly.
[In a wedding venue] it’s often just a case of ticking from a list of options and everything is pulled together for you on the day… Clients choose menu 1, exclusive restaurant, band on the beach, 2 hours open bar and the lounge sofa sets on the terrace. On the day you can pretty much turn up and just check everything is correct to the check list. Sally Sephora from WeddingBox Italy
– It’s designed for wedding guests, which means they’ll be more comfortable, there will be no surprise.
Cons of the Traditional Wedding Venue (Tahiti Resort)
– Lack of personalization. Your wedding guests may feel like they’re attending “just another wedding.”
The cons of using this type of venue is that it can feel “typical” and “done before” which no couple really wants to think about their wedding. Jessica McDaniel from Pocketful of Sunshine Event Design
– It doesn’t give you as much of a unique, personal experience.
– You’ll have to work harder to create that unique decor.
– Every service needed outside of the base package (think of hair stylist, make-up artist, photography, videography, flowers, music etc.) will be marked-up up to twice as much as it would normally cost if you were hiring the vendors yourselves, which adds up quickly to the bill.
– You may not be able to bring in that vendor you love, but rather have to choose among those vendors contracted by the resort.
Pros of Using a Non-Traditional Wedding Venue in Tahiti
– Gives you a more unique wedding theme and style.
[Atypical venues] are great for non-traditional couples that don’t want the same venue everyone else has. Jessica McDaniel from Pocketful of Sunshine Event Design
– You can mix and match vendors and decor to completely match your desires.
– You can hire your own caterer, which is great if you want gourmet or specialized food.
– It has the potential to save money, but usually doesn’t end up that way. (See cons below.)
Cons of the Non-Traditional Wedding Venue in Tahiti
– It often ends up being as expensive as in a resort when you have to plan the wedding with à la carte services.
– It’s often not designed with guests in mind, so you may have more issues with guest comfort and convenience. Example: heels on the lawn, not enough bathrooms, etc.
– You won’t have experienced staff, so make sure you hire a planner.
It’s quite a lot more effort and coordinating but the things you need to be very careful of are the unknowns. Not knowing that if you hire 110 chairs with chair covers, 11 tables and lounge sets with cushions from a hire company that they will simply deliver them in a pile and walk away… ouch! You need a lot more hands on the day because the setting up isn’t done for you. Sally Sephora from WeddingBox Italy
– More details and more time intensive for you to plan.
So, bottom line is, you’ll have a much more unique destination wedding experience in Moorea using a non-traditional venue vs using a wedding venue at a resort, but that’s also a lot more work and logistics to put it all together.
Whatever you choice, we will make sure that your destination wedding in Moorea will be totally unique, and that your guests walk away with amazing memories.
I will either help you to design a resort wedding that is true to you, or to find the “hidden gem”, non-traditional wedding venue in Moorea, one that will work perfectly for you. My full service wedding planning packages can be found here.
The key to making this kind of venue decision is to make sure you’re making an apples to apples comparison. Don’t just glance at the price and decide that way. Look at everything you’re getting for that fee and what else you’ll need to bring in to make it a comfortable, usable space. Jessica McDaniel from Pocketful of Sunshine Event Design
3 Non-Traditional Wedding Venues in Moorea
1 of 3 : Airbnb
There are lots of stunning vacation rental villas and homes around Moorea. Ideal you think? Hold on! Not so fast.
This works wonders for very small gatherings and micro weddings (no more than 15-20 people). We can typically set up under cover with that small of a guest count, for a totally stress-free experience. No need to worry about that unexpected tropical rain shower that could potentially ruin your outdoor wedding table design.
A backyard wedding in a vacation rental villa in Moorea queues a few restrictions and considerations though, one of which being that most Airbnbs do not tolerate any sort of event(s) to be held on property. I can help finding the ones that will work for you, again when the guest count is small.
They’re like small hotels but without a restaurant and hotel staff. Much like Airbnbs listed above, they come with beautiful surroundings and grounds, but service is typically limited to breakfast service, and maid service every x day. That means you’ll be on your own when it comes to setting up, breaking down and everything in between on the wedding day.
Privatizing such a place also means you can have your entire party stay close together at all times, and enjoy quality time with family and friends. Some places can accommodate 30 people in separate, individual bungalows so this is great for a medium-sized destination wedding in Moorea.
Privatizing may only be available during shoulder or low season.
3 of 3 : Private Islet Beach
Feel adventurous? A private islet beach is another non-traditional wedding venue option when your guest count tops 30-35 people max.
This is definitely the most unique, surprising, and fun venue option and will have a wow factor your guests have never experienced before, but it also comes with some drawbacks and is the riskiest. Facilities on a private islet are almost non-existent i.e. bathrooms are very rudimentary, potable water supply is restricted, getting in and out of a boat and walking a few steps in the water might be inconvenient to some etc. but, if you have an easy-going crowd, this may be the perfect non-traditional wedding venue for you in Moorea.
Most importantly, in case of inclement weather (not just a few rain drops, but say a mini tropical storm) it might just be impractical so a back up venue is essential.
I specialize in small and intimate destination weddings in Moorea, and help international couples plan a tropical wedding in Tahiti that combines a personal experience with striking landscapes and untouched beauty.
My mission? Connecting my couples to great vendors & creating unique heartfelt weddings. With style.
Photo Credit : 
