Have you been contemplating a Bora Bora elopement? Bora Bora is without a doubt among the most beautiful places on earth, and a wedding in Bora Bora is the ultimate fantasy for countless couples. You are probably pondering if it is a good idea to elope in Bora Bora, aren’t you? Does planning a Bora Bora elopement from afar seems daunting to you? I can help!
(look at the blue insert on the left – Rio & Rob had their wedding ceremony in Bora Bora with just their kids in attendance, and then held a reception back to Naples, FL)
I’ve settled in the Islands of Tahiti back in 2002, I actually lived and worked in Bora Bora for several years, so I know firsthand how best to plan a wedding in Bora Bora.
What To Consider First When You Want To Elope In Bora Bora?
A word of caution: planning a wedding in Bora Bora is not quite as straightforward as it seems at first. Or maybe it is, but only when you are after packaged weddings, otherwise called cookie-cutter weddings. Sure enough, if you type “Bora Bora wedding package” or “Bora Bora wedding packages” in your browser, chances are that you will find some Bora Bora resorts listing their wedding packages for two, and possibly a number of travel specialists listing their travel packages with a Bora Bora wedding included aka a template ceremony at your resort.
Is that where you are in the process of looking for Bora Bora wedding packages, and where can you have a wedding in Bora Bora? Did I get it right? Feeling stuck a bit with those Tahitian wedding packages that don’t feel true to who you are, and true to your couple? But having your heart set on the idea to elope in Bora Bora?
Now, IF you hit a road block and are still hoping to elope in Bora Bora but in a more personal, meaningful celebration and experience overall, I can help you plan the wedding in Bora Bora you want, without the overwhelm you don’t.
How? First, unlike most Bora Bora resorts, I personally connect with every couple to build trust and rapport.
I Know How Stressful Planning A Wedding In Bora Bora Can Be!
That’s why you need me.
And that’s why I connect you with the best, most trustworthy vendors in Bora Bora. Vendors I’ve spent years cultivating relationships with. I’ve specialized in Moorea and Bora Bora elopements for years now.
Some would think booking through their resort in Bora Bora is the safest option. What they don’t realize is that at most Bora Bora resorts, the tour desk is handling weddings, so that means they book a wedding the same way they book a jet ski tour!
Photo Credit: Neubek Photographers (more photos of this family elopement in Bora Bora under the Gallery section, ‘Bora Bora – Four Seasons Resort in the Chapel’ tab)
My couples and I realize planning a Bora Bora elopement that perfectly articulates their vision involves much, much, more.
From who will be helping you to get ready in your bungalow and be by your side along the day, to ordering the perfect blooms in your preferred colors, choosing the very best time to hold your wedding in Bora Bora, and the most amazing photographer to capture your Bora Bora elopement so you can look back to the sweetest and most beautiful memories – we’ve got you covered. See our Bora Bora Elopement / Bora Bora Wedding Planner & Officiant service packages here!
So, Are You Ready To Elope In Bora Bora And Start Planning With Us?
Today we will touch on how important it is to communicate about money and the cost of a destination wedding in Moorea.
If you will be eloping in Moorea then it’s likely that you are paying on your own, it’s your money, your business!
But, if you are planning a destination wedding in Tahiti and are fortunate enough to have your parents and/or in-laws chip in toward the wedding, that’s another story. Money is a touchy subject, especially when it comes to gifts. I mean, if your parents are giving you money for your wedding, talking about it feels just… AWKWARD.
Don’t want to learn the importance of communicating about money and the cost of a destination wedding in Moorea the hard way? Keep reading.
Wedding Regret: I Would Have Communicated Better About Money With My Family
Weddings nowadays are certainly different from weddings back when your parents got married. Let alone getting married overseas and having a destination wedding in Moorea. There wasn’t Internet back then, no Pinterest or Instagram! Wait, what? No Instagram? No way!
So, what? This means that when your parents or in-laws contribute financially to your destination wedding in Tahiti, they are not necessarily thinking of the same budget lines / items than you do. Before you go about setting up your budget, ask them:
“How would you like to contribute, specifically?” and then let them put that money toward the parts of the wedding that are most important TO THEM. As long as it does not go against the overall feel of the day, of course. Ideally, you’ll want them to contribute to pre or post events, rather than to the wedding key items.
You will avoid money dramas down the road.
“Two dresses, what’s the point?”
“What do you mean you ordered monogrammed wedding favors?” “Signature cocktails, what’s that?”
You get it, lots of arguments, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings can come about as a result of not communicating.
Knowing what everyone wants to contribute to can help ease the process : rehearsal dinner, wedding reception, entertainment etc. : be specific.
And if you’re paying it all on your own, then scaling your destination wedding in Moorea based on your available budget is crucial. This is your budget that will dictate what options are available to you, not the other way around. More on this topic here.
Your guests will also want to know well ahead what costs will come with traveling to Tahiti to join you on this fabulous day. Think of airfares and best times to book, different styles of accommodation (Moorea offers a great variety of accommodation styles to fit everyone’s budget, from family-run pensions, to B&Bs, small hotels, vacation rental homes or villas, and resorts), transportation and activities.
The better you communicate about money from the beginning, the less regrets you will have afterwards!
You’ve narrowed down your list of destinations and decided that you’ll have a destination wedding in Tahiti, or get wed elopement-style, and will enjoy a “weddingmoon”. Hooray!!! Oh wait… you certainly wonder “how can I travel with my wedding dress to Tahiti”?
How Am I Going To Travel With My Wedding Dress To Tahiti?
Let’s find out.
Back in 2014, I’ve asked Brittany, who traveled on a much anticipated weddingmoon in Tahiti with her fiance Dakota, how she felt about traveling to Tahiti with her precious Vera Wang gown.
So before I share 3 tips about how best to travel with a wedding dress to Tahiti, let’s see how Brittany managed her travels with a wedding dress.
1. How and when did you decide that you’d be traveling with your dress to Tahiti?
After Dakota and I got engaged we went to the Bridal Bazaar and realized a traditional wedding was not for us. We decided a “weddingmoon” in Tahiti would be best since we are both in school and work full-time.
2. What was your main concern about traveling with your dress to Tahiti?
My main concern about traveling with my beautiful Vera Wang gown was deciding if it should go in my checked bag or the main cabin. I was worried if I didn’t have my wedding dress with me at all times it would get lost or damaged. I knew that my dress would not fit in the overhead bins so I packed my dress away carefully in our luggage and it was handled appropriately. I was so relieved!
3. Any difficulties in taking your dress along?
I had no problems with my dress but believe it or not I forgot my cathedral veil. I tried my best not to forget anything but as soon as we got to the resort I realized it was still hanging in my closet in California. Trust me, even if you think you will remember it, put it on your list!
4. What would be your recommendations to other brides wanting to travel with a dress overseas?
I encourage all brides that are traveling by plane to check with their airline and find out what their policy is on carrying wedding dresses on board.
5. Anything you’d like to add?
My husband and I wish we had found wedOtahiti sooner * because Nelly made our weddingmoon a fun and stress-free planning experience! She perfectly arranged the timeline, contacted and coordinated with every vendor and answered all of our questions every step of the way. We couldn’t have done it without her help! She is so sweet and you could tell she genuinely wanted to make this one of the happiest days of our lives. Thank you again for making our dreams come true!
* initial contact was made just 10 days prior to the couple’s arrival in Tahiti!
3 Tips To Take Away From A Real-Bride Experience Travelling With A Wedding Dress To Tahiti
1. Check with your airline and find out what their policy is on carrying wedding dresses on board.
A note on Air Tahiti Nui’s baggage policy: as you can see, you are able to carry one (1) additional personal item in the cabin weighing not more than 3kg’s in addition to your maximum allowance (that we all know, right?), with the exception of a Bridal Dress bag when it’s weighing not more than 5kg’s and is max. 140cm long, which is listed as permitted. You should always inquire with your airline as to what is permitted and what is not, as policies change often… but more often than not, especially when you’re traveling to Tahiti to get married, you’ll find airline people can be very accommodating.
2. Make a list.
When packing, a not-to-be-forgotten list will prevent you from leaving anything important behind. You’ll be so excited to travel to Tahiti that you may forget your head (ahem, your veil…).
A note on packing: relatively few bags are damaged or lost. Still, consider carrying irreplaceable such as heirlooms you intend to wear on your destination wedding in Tahiti, or your rings, with you in a small bag onboard.
You can also purchase a portable steamer and pack it along with you; past brides of mine have used one successfully to get rid of the few wrinkles on their dress when unpacking at their resort, and it is very light to carry (and cheap). Most resorts in Tahiti don’t offer steam-pressing service but will only be able to do some ironing of your clothes so plan ahead.
3. Get professional help.
The logistics that come with a destination wedding or an elopement in Tahiti are just harder than for a hometown wedding. Getting the help of a Certified Wedding & Event Planner who upholds certain industry practices and standards of operation, insures that you have every detail covered and peace of mind.
An additional resource for things to consider when having a destination wedding or an elopement in Tahiti, and a beach wedding in particular, can be found here.
** last updated on April 30, 2021**
Need Help Planning Your Destination Wedding or Elopement in Tahiti! I’d Love To Hear From You!
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Back in 2016, Style Me Pretty released a(nother) list of wedding trends that they say have been so overdone in the years past that they should retire, and offered a new perspective on those selected wedding trends as well as some alternatives to consider, so that your wedding looks fresh and new! Among those Wedding Trends To Lose + Love, they discussed the flower crowns vs. a hair accessory. Truth be told, flower crowns had then become a must have for any bride who wanted to embrace the then-trending Boho style.
We’ve never met a flower crown we didn’t like, and apparently, neither have brides because they were the “it” for a bridal accessory the past few wedding seasons.
Being a destination wedding planner in Tahiti, where a girl wouldn’t even go to the grocery store without wearing a flower of some kind in her hair, I can safely say:
Flower Crowns Will NEVER Go Out Of Style In Tahiti
Flower crowns are typical of a traditional Tahitian wedding, where the both of you will actually be wearing colourful flower crowns (and leis).
Photo Credit: Helene Havard
Photo Credit: Turama Photography – More photos under the ‘destination weddings’ tab on the Gallery page, ‘Moorea – Micro Wedding at an Airbnb’
As an alternative, Style Me Pretty suggests to try a gorgeous hair accessory instead.
The best part? Your new hairpiece can become an heirloom that gets passed down to your future offspring!
Tiffany & Sean from the U.S. married on a mountain-top in Moorea, Tahiti – More photos under the ‘elopements’ tab on the Gallery page, ‘Moorea – Mountain Top in the Early Morning’
As a Tahiti wedding officiant myself, conducting ceremonies of a Western-style in Moorea mostly, I’d say I have seen both trends equally requested by my brides. Typically, the hair style you choose will dictate whether or not a flower crown is a good idea for you.
Do I have a preference? Nope! I love either style so GO With What You Love!
Want to read more about the cost of flowers and other wedding vendors needed on your wedding day when you elope? I got you covered with this article.
I’m Here To Help You Plan Your Destination Wedding or Elopement in Tahiti! Flower Crowns or Hair Accessory? Tell Me Which You’ll Want For Your Wedding in Moorea!
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)!
When couples start researching online for a cost to get married in Tahiti, they’ll often find themselves downloading resort brochures and get a sticker shock. While resorts all inclusive wedding packages might look like the easy route, it is also the most expensive and the least personal wedding experience.
Photo Credit: AngelM
As a former resort’s general manager myself and coming from a hotel background, I totally get it. The amount of time it takes to arrange and coordinate wedding services for clients must be compensated. Sure the brides and grooms-to-be are clients at the resort and already paying for their stay but, arranging for every couple’s wedding details is very time-consuming. That is of course when there’s a dedicated staff for all things wedding.
How Do You Know How Good The Wedding Coordinator Is
And If The Resort Wedding Packages You’re Being Offered Are Worth The Cost?
Talking about a destination wedding or an elopement in Tahiti, it is essential that you get to work with a single person all throughout the planning process. You must also have that person by your side on the wedding day. If that is not going to be the case, re-think if that’s really what you want and what the outcome could be on your wedding day in Tahiti. Also make sure your designated resort wedding coordinator is not the only person to know the details of your wedding. If that person resigns from the job during the planning process (hotels have a great turnover rate), you’ll have to go over everything again with the replacement staff.
Planning A Tahiti Wedding That Perfectly Articulates Your Vison Involves Much, Much More
Some resorts will simply have the tour desk staff (that is, anyone on duty the day you send your inquiry) handle weddings. This means that they’ll deal with booking your wedding just the same as how they’d deal with booking a Jet-ski tour. Simply put, that is: your request comes in, they book their contracted vendor (aka you don’t have a say in who gets to work your wedding), you make your payment, get a voucher and bang, you’ve got a photographer for your wedding. Wait, isn’t this something you’d want to discuss further, so that your wedding photography matches your style, and you get the shots you really want? Bottom line is, they have no understanding of what it really takes to make a wedding day.
Why Are Resort Wedding Packages In Tahiti So Damn Expensive?
While a resort usually gets commissioned off a public rate when selling tours and activities (meaning, you should pay pretty much the same as if you’d be booking direct), wedding vendors such as hair stylists, make-up artists, florists etc. don’t typically work this way. So what a resort will likely do is to add a markup that can be as much as twice the initial price to all services. Put all these services together in an all inclusive wedding package so you don’t see a price per line item and this is how it gets so damn expensive.
The Cost To Get Married In Tahiti When You Elope Should Be Right
As an independent Wedding Planner based in Moorea, I work with the best wedding vendors in Tahiti and arrange/coordinate it all on your behalf. You’ll pay the vendors’ regular prices. Never more (actually it’s rather less as we team up on a number of events throughout the year so vendors will often throw in something extra for my couples), no commissions, no mark-ups, just the right price for amazing services.
To me it’s important (and ethical) to emphasize this aspect, as most so-called wedding planners in Tahiti will either cash a commission from what you’re paying for every.single.service. Or they’ll add a comfortable mark-up. Again, you’ll end up paying more. Seriously, there’s no reason why you should pay twice the cost to get married in Tahiti booking through a resort. Not to mention that services are not necessarily curated among the best local wedding professionals but are often just any random vendors who have agreed on paying a commission off their rates.
What Is The Right Cost Of A Wedding In Tahiti?
Most of my clients marry in Moorea so I’ll share with you the costs of the standard wedding services in Moorea :
Cost of a Photographer in Moorea
Price ranges from Xpf 36,000 / Euros 302 for 1.5 hours to Xpf 250,000 / Euros 2,095 for 8 hours, depending on the style you like and approach you have with wedding photography. Options are available such as aerial photography with a drone, at extra charge.
Cost of a Videographer in Moorea
Price starts at Xpf 45,000 / Euros 378 for 1.5 hours and gets to Xpf 200,000 / Euros 1,676 for 8 hours. Both land and aerial wedding videos are available in Moorea.
When that’s just the two of you eloping in Tahiti, and you don’t have the budget to include a video that covers the entire day, I found this app to be amazing : it only costs 199$!
We’ll often start in the early hours of the day with hair & make-up to catch the best lighting for photos at the ceremony, and you might want to enjoy a romantic dinner on the beach that night to celebrate, so that’s a long day ahead. My couples most often do 2 to 4 hours of video to cover the ceremony itself, and footage around the island post ceremony.
So to complement your professional video, or in the case you cannot afford a professional video altogether, all you have to do is to download the app (link afore-mentioned), and take photos and record videos throughout your wedding day. Think of when the professional videographer you’ve hired will not be there, like when you’re waking up to that perfect view / sunrise from your bungalow, when you’re getting ready, hair & make-up prep’, when you’re on your way to the ceremony location, or back to your bungalow to celebrate with some bubbles, or when you’re out to that amazing romantic dinner experience on the beach.
All The Candid Moments Of Your Wedding Day In One Incredible Highlight Video!
Upload your clips to the app and the professional editors will create a unique, ready-to-share video for you. That’s a great way to break the news with the world while still on your honeymoon, since the turnaround time for your professional video will usually be of 4-6 weeks, and I know you’re eager to share something on social medias in the meantime!
** this app/service can be used anywhere in the world so you can even capture moments as you pack your suitcase and travel to your wedding locale. **
Cost of a Hairstylist in Moorea
Price ranges from Xpf 12,000 / Euros 101 to Xpf 17,000 / Euros 143 depending on technical nature of the style, and time of appointment (we’ll often start early in the day in order to hold the ceremony in the most serene and intimate wedding environment, thus needing to start outside of regular hours).
Cost of a Make-up artist in Moorea
Price is Xpf 15,000 / Euros 126 plus transportation to your location. She and the hair stylist will often travel together from Tahiti, thus saving on the travel expenses.
Cost of Flowers in Moorea
Price ranges from Xpf 8,000 / Euros 67 to Xpf 19,000 / Euros 160 typically for a bouquet + a boutonnière (2 flower crowns or 2 flower leis if you’re into a more islander look would come at a lesser price) or a hair clip plus a bouquet and a lei, incl. delivery to your location. Cost mostly depends on whether you go with local flowers or imported ones like peonies, proteas or roses that are way more expensive!
Cost of Transportation to ceremony location in Moorea
Usually just a taxi drive and/or boat transfer, price depends on where you stay and distance to the location. If you’ll be doing photos around the island after your ceremony, your photographer will drive you to those locations, and back to your resort at the end of the shooting. When opting for a private beach location for the ceremony, the access to that private islet beach will be bundled up together with the cost of the boat transfers. Cost starts at Xpf 25,000 / Euros 210 for a beach that will be your own (no onlookers, no other in-house hotel guests staring) up to Xpf 50,000 for a whole private islet where you can do photos both on the beach-side and on the reef-side. How cool is that?
If you’ll want a wedding arch or altar for your ceremony, price will range from Xpf 71,600 / Euros 600 for an arch/arbor made of driftwood and a floral arrangement, to up to Xpf 122,300 / Euros 1,025 for a round altar all-covered in greeneries and florals, or the most elaborated altar (4 poles) all draped in chiffon and decorated with multiple flower arrangements. Price will vary with the complexity of the design, the amount of flowers needed (which can get pretty damn expensive in Tahiti) and availability of the supplies in Tahiti.
Cost of a Personal Ceremony of a Western-style in Moorea
My own ceremony packages can be found here, that is for writing and officiating a personalized and heartfelt ceremony in Moorea as well as arranging all of the above for you! By working with me, you’re guaranteed to pay the fair cost to get married in Tahiti, and I’ll make sure to work within your given budget for the day.
** last updated on November 21, 2020 **
Do You Want To Pay A Fair Cost To Get Married In Tahiti? Would You Like To Receive A Service Quote For Your Elopement In Tahiti? Contact Me Here!
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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!
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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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.
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.
Photo Credit: 
