Bettina & Joe - Koro Sun Resort Fiji Weddings - Bula Bride

Bettina & Joe – Koro Sun Resort

They met 4 years ago at a business meeting but Joe was timid and Bettina was focused on getting a job abroad. After a while, a friend motivated Joe to invite Bettina to coffee because they worked on the same floor.
One day Joe took Bettina out for dinner and she realised that not only was he [quote] “the most badass snowboarder from the Austrian mountains I would ever get to know” but also the most caring and polite gentleman – somehow really old school. Joe knew for a long time they were meant to be a couple but waited patiently for her to decide. After two years he proposed, it was very sweet.

BRIDE & GROOM: Bettina & Joe
THE DATE: 23rd November 2019
THE LOCATION: Koro Sun Resort & Spa, Savusavu
THE NUMBER OF GUESTS: 2

We catch up with Bettina on planning her Fiji wedding:

We knew from the start that we would love to get married somewhere special far away from home but we didn’t know exactly were. Then on a cold grey November day we found an advertisement in front of a travel agency naming Fiji the most friendliest country of the world. As we saw the two faces smiling bright and warm from the advertisement we knew instantly it had to be Fiji for our wedding.

After having decided on Fiji we did some research on the internet on how a wedding could look like in Fiji, where to go and what to do. We immediately found Bula Bride with more information than we could have imagined. Bula Bride was for us the go to website when searching for information, venues or vendors. For example did we choose Koro Sun Resort and Spa because of the suggestions we found on Bula Bride. Koro Sun Resort and Spa with it’s beautiful setting, the sea, the wide garden, the lily pond and lovely bures intrigued us with the idea of getting married in the rainforest.

We didn’t use a travel agent as we love to organize our travels by ourselves but we had Bula Bride as a guide for everything related to the wedding and after booking Koro Sun Resort and Spa, Seta from the resort became our wedding coordinator.

GETTING READY:

We started the day with a beautiful sunrise. The days before were windy and cloudy but this day began with clear blue skies. After a heavy breakfast, we enjoyed a walk in the park. Then Seta came over to give us brief information about the days plans.

Early afternoon Joe went to his bestman to get ready and calm his nerves. We were so excited about the experience to come. My sister did my hair and helped me with dressing up. Then came the moment the three of them would be picked up and brought to the rainforest. I waited for Anais to shoot a first set of photos in the Bure. We then also left for the rainforest.

At the beginning of the road to the rainforest, the warriors were waiting for me. They made kind jokes to let me know that everything is perfect and made me feel comfortable. As they brought me to Joe, the music started and I got goosebumps. It felt like being part of a fairy tale. The spot in the rainforest had an aisle marked by woven leaves where Joe waited at the end. My sister and her husband stood on the left side and smiled when I passed. The choir on the right side looked so beautiful in their traditional dresses. All these colours, this lush green, the high trees and this beautiful spot in the nature.

Who was your hair & make up done by?
Hair was done by my sister and make up was made by myself.

My dress was from: Vogue Lugano, Switzerland – designed by Nicole Delfante

The Bridesmaid/witness dress were from: Twinset

The Groom & the guys wore:
The Groom: The gown and hat was from Barrett Lugano, the pants form La Perla, the shirt and cufflinks from Vogue Lugano and the bow tie from a small German store called Sandholz

The best man: Tailored suit by Vogue Lugano

THE CEREMONY:

Location: Koro Sun Resort and Spa. The wedding ceremony took place at a rainforest spot

We just chose tropical flowers and everything else was left to the choice of the venue. The main colour theme was green and white with some red sprinkles. This fitted perfectly to the wedding in the rainforest.

The flowers were provided by the resort. They chose Frangipani for the bouquets and the buttonholes matched gorgeously to the main color theme.

When I arrived Joe and I both had tears in our eyes. The reverend started the ceremony with a beautiful poem chosen by Seta. The most touching moment came when I heard Joes vows. To the end of the ceremony, the choir sung some more Fijian songs for us before we had pictures taken of all of us. Then we left for the reception at the beach.

The style of our ceremony was very intimate. A choir made up from staff members we already knew sang beautiful Fijian songs. Our witnesses and Seta the wedding coordinator were present and waiting. That made everything feel like being with family for us. We wrote our vows by ourselves not deciding on length or structure. So both vows were completely different, very personal and portraying a little of our personalities. While Joe concentrated his vows on what I mean to him and what he sees in me, I focused mine on the promises I give and the commitments I make for our marriage. The overall magic was provided by the gorgeous trees and lush green surrounding us.

GETTING PHOTOS:

We chose the talented Anais Chaine because we liked the natural look of her pictures, the colours but also her creativity she shows with every shot she does. The day before the wedding, we did a pre-wedding photo shooting which was planned to be underwater but because of the weather conditions ended at a beautiful waterfall. We had a lot of fun that day and were really looking forward to seeing Anais for our wedding the next day.

We wanted pictures showing the emotions of the day and letting everyone feel the mood and being involved in every picture. We also wanted pictures imaging the exotic place, the rich green and these incredible colors of Fijian sunsets.

Anais did a great job with both photo sessions. The photos were even better than expected. Two days after our wedding, Anais sent us a few teaser pictures we loved so much. Being back home all the pictures were available shortly after. Working with Anais was a pleasure for us. She is very well organized, always there at the right time and the right place and knows exactly how to get the best out of every person at every moment. The photos exceeded our expectations. Furthermore, the communication with Anais before and after the wedding makes one always feel comfortable.

THE RECEPTION:

The reception took place at the beach bar. It was reserved only for the 4 of us. We had a traditional kava ceremony before starting, where everybody from the staff wanted to join.

Seta from Koro Sun chose the colours for the table. He arranged it in white and red topped by a beautiful red tropical flower bouquet. There was not much décor needed because the natural setting was so mesmerizing. The flowers and the table arrangements were set up by the staff.

>We had a delicious three course vegetarian menu, which finished with an incredible delicious selection of three different sorbets. We decided on the chocolate mud wedding cake made by the bakery at Koro Sun. At the end of our reception we went to our bure, changed clothes and joined the staff at the main bar for a last toast.

After our wedding we stayed for another couple of days at Koro Sun enjoying the venue, the sea and some diving and sharing some good laughs and memories of our wedding with the stuff. Later being back home we celebrated our wedding together with our families still thrilled from our amazing experiences.

ADVICE FOR BRIDES PLANNING A FIJI WEDDING:

Two pieces of advice:

  1. Relax, everything will work out just perfect and in time. Worrying reduces the time and chances to enjoy Fiji with all its beautiful souls and amazing experiences.
  2. The bride is the queen of the day. Nothing happens without the queen – so once again: relax.

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY:

In our memory the whole day was a highlight. We wouldn’t finish counting the highlights, until we finished telling the story of the complete day.

One amusing highlight was when the reverend proceeded with the ceremony after we exchanged the rings. She began by saying “I declare you to Mr. and Mrs…” when Seta, the wedding coordinator, jumped in and whispered to her that we would keep our last names. After a moment of thinking, she started again: ‘I declare you to Mr. and Mrs…. Joe (that’s the nickname of my husband)!’ We laughed hard but somehow it felt super sweet and connecting.

Who Did They Use
IN THE KNOW

Who Did They Use?

Vendor Guide image
Wedding Venues

Koro Sun

Read More
Vendor Guide image
Fiji Wedding Photographers

Anais Photography

Read More

    Find Out More

    ×

    Leave your details to go into the draw to win a $500 Sofitel Republik Night Club voucher