Today I’m bringing the story of Kezia & Collin’s Tahitian wedding in Moorea to the blog, as the current situation worldwide with shelter-at-home orders and bans on gatherings – preventing so many couples from having the best wedding they’d dream of, kind of made me think of why Kezia & Collin decided to elope to Tahiti for their nuptials back in July of last year.
Kezia first reached out explaining that Collin and her had called off their wedding home in Pennsylvania because it had gone way over budget and had become very stressful. Since they nixed the plans of having a 250+ wedding, they wanted to have a ceremony with just her and him. Kezia added that they wouldn’t know how to even get started on their own.
My heart goes to all the couples who have been forced to either cancel their wedding plans all together, or to scale it down, and I’m hoping most can reschedule to a future date. This whole situation might be eye-opening for some, who will realize that no party is more important than being healthy and staying safe with your loved ones.
Getting married is not just about the party, getting married is first and foremost about the couple promising to love each other no matter what, to weather crisis, and to share a life together.
On this topic, you may want to read: Should I Write My Wedding Vows?
Eloping to Tahiti is not less of a wedding because there’s no reception, it actually is quite the contrary as it allows you to be fully present and, unlike planning a huge wedding at home, it is a totally stress-free experience.
Kezia & Collin’s Tahitian Wedding Ceremony In Moorea
Kezia & Collin got married in Moorea back in July, and what a dreamy day it was!
They first met back in college in 2010. Collin was celebrating his birthday with a crazy party packed with people. When Kezia first saw him, he was sitting on top of his old-style big screen TV and punching the ceiling above him to the beat of the music… he did a bunch of other wild things that night, and she remembers thinking: this person cannot be real!
He thought she was cute, but shy. He asked her for her email address – instead of her phone number, and honestly she thought there was no way this drunk person was going to remember it. Well, he emailed her the very next day, and the rest is history.
On the day of the wedding, the make-up artist, the hair stylist and I met at Kezia & Collin’s resort around midday, bringing along her lovely bouquet of tropical flowers.
The photographer met us in the bungalow once Kezia’s hair & make-up were done to capture some of the details while Kezia was getting dressed, and she then photographed a first look on the dock over the water, right outside of Kezia & Collin’s overwater bungalow.
We then headed to the City Hall, where Kezia and Collin had a Tahitian legal wedding before the mayor (head to this post if you want to know more about getting legally married in Tahiti). I can’t remember why they burst into laughter, but it sure was a moment full of joy and happiness. We next set off for a private islet beach to hold their personalized, Tahitian celebratory ceremony.
We were welcomed to the beach to the sound of a ukulele and some traditional Tahitian singing. Their Tahitian wedding ceremony was held privately, and they then did some beach photos and video before returning to the main island to continue shooting photos up the Belvedere, and back to their resort for sunset.
Later that day, Kezia & Collin got picked up at their resort for a private drive to enjoy a fine-dining wedding dinner out.
Thank you again Kezia & Collin, and wish you the best of happiness!
• Moorea Wedding Planner + Officiant in Moorea: Nelly at wedOtahiti
• Moorea Wedding Photographer and Videographer: Olivera Photography
• Make-up artist: Audrey Bodilis
• Hair stylist: Maryse
