Wedding | Annette and Tom | Intercontinental Fiji

The Planning

When we first visited Fiji, we toured several properties before deciding on the Intercontinental Resort on the main island. Another property came close due to the package inclusions, but we prioritised the layout, overall amenities, and quality of the venue — and we’re so glad we did.

We wanted to minimise travel for our guests and give them the option to stay elsewhere nearby if they preferred. The resort had everything we were looking for — a breathtaking backdrop, a reef right at the doorstep, multiple beautiful venue options, an excellent kids’ club, adults-only area and even a world-class championship golf course, which a group of our guests enjoyed the day before the celebrations began.

The resort’s Wedding Coordinator, Lati, was an absolute gem. She was incredibly professional, responsive, and kind. Nothing was too much trouble — she sourced the exact chairs we’d been dreaming of, organised food presentations for us to review from afar, and liaised with every vendor to ensure our day was seamless.

I started planning with a detailed spreadsheet, comparing venues and packages side by side. I spent hours on Bula Bride, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google reviews to get a clear understanding of the process and what we’d need to prepare for. We drew inspiration from weddings of family and friends, incorporated traditional Fijian touches to honour the setting, and pulled countless ideas from social media. Giving ourselves 15 months to plan was the best decision — it meant we could follow a timeline and avoid last-minute stress. With the incredible support of our vendors and the simplicity of Fiji’s wedding packages, the whole process was not only manageable but truly enjoyable.

Getting Ready

For hair and makeup, we chose Totoka Hair and Beauty after reading glowing reviews on Bula Bride, Google, and Instagram. The whole experience was seamless—from the easy booking process to meeting the team in person, who felt like old friends right away. They were professional, kind, and really listened to our ideas, making the whole getting-ready process fun and relaxed.

My dress was from Jenny Yoo in New York. I had tried on strapless and off-the-shoulder styles, but the moment I put on this gown, I felt comfortable, elegant, and truly myself. I even customized it by adding a bow to give it a personal touch. To complete the look, I wore a stunning pearl headpiece by an Australian designer and matched it with Paspaley pearls gifted by my now-husband.

We didn’t have official bridesmaids, but my sisters and sister-in-law wore dresses from Aje, Zimmermann, and Sabina Musayev. As for the groom and groomsmen, there were no official groomsmen, but Tom and his brother had custom-made suits from a tailor we visited in Vietnam in 2024.

The Ceremony

We held our ceremony on the Navo Lawn at the Intercontinental Resort. This spot was an easy choice for us — we loved that it flowed seamlessly into our cocktail hour and reception at the nearby restaurant. With Natadola Beach and Navo Island as the backdrop, it was nothing short of spectacular. The area felt private from the rest of the resort, and the natural shade from the trees was a blessing in the Fijian heat.

Our Wedding Coordinator at the Intercontinental, along with Aka from The Wedding Atelier, brought our vision to life. We wanted a European-inspired set-up and were able to be quite specific about the details once we had a clear picture in mind. We were thrilled when Aka sourced white beach umbrellas, a stage, and stunning florals. Lati provided beautiful chairs, cushions, and additional flowers, while we added personal touches like hand-held fans, parasols, and ribbons for guests.

Our palette featured greens, whites, pale pinks, and cinnamon, blending European elegance with Fijian culture. We included Polynesian dancers and an unforgettable fire dance show — a highlight our guests still talk about! The flowers, a mix of real and high-quality artificial blooms provided by both the Intercontinental and The Wedding Atelier, were breathtaking. For the ceremony itself, we wanted something meaningful, romantic, and a little lighthearted. My sister and her husband pre-recorded our processional song, which was incredibly special. We wrote our own vows, selected personalised readings — including Beatles lyrics and a poem I wrote — and crafted a custom script for our celebrant, who delivered it perfectly.

The Photography

We chose Nadi Bay Photography and couldn’t be happier with our decision. Lawrence, Lysa, and the entire team were fantastic to work with. Their glowing reviews were spot on—they truly know the locations inside out and worked closely with us to capture both the perfect shots and the ones we specifically wanted.

Our photography style was all about elegant, bright, and light-filled images, focusing mainly on candid moments—and they delivered beautifully. The photos are absolutely magical.

Though we hadn’t originally planned for videography, about six weeks before the wedding, we decided to add it as a special way to relive the day and share those memories with loved ones who couldn’t attend. We weren’t tied to a specific style, just wanted the moments captured naturally.

We’ve received our sneak peek photos and are beyond thrilled. The quality and emotion captured brought tears of joy—it’s truly breathtaking.

The Reception

Our reception was held at the Navo Restaurant, chosen for its exceptional food quality, privacy, and inviting atmosphere. We loved how the space offered so much flexibility and how seamlessly it flowed from our ceremony and cocktail hour.

The décor was expertly handled by our Wedding Coordinator at the Intercontinental and Aka from The Wedding Atelier. Our theme combined European touches reflecting our backgrounds with Fijian culture, featuring a soft palette of greens, whites, pale pinks, and cinnamon. We especially loved the Fijian placemats provided by the resort, while we contributed printed menus and name-tags to personalize the tables.

For food and drinks, guests enjoyed refreshing coconuts on arrival, followed by cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine, champagne, and soft drinks throughout the evening. Cocktail hour featured delicious canapés, then a pork belly entrée, with a main course offering an alternate drop of meat or pasta.

The Intercontinental created a stunning three-tiered wedding cake with white icing, two chocolate layers, and one vanilla. The chocolate layers were a huge hit, with guests still raving about them! Encore Entertainment provided all the sound equipment and technical support, making sure everything ran smoothly.

After the reception wrapped at 9:30 pm, about 20 of us headed to the Kama Lounge for a few more cocktails, then moved to the beach cabanas for stargazing with room service — a perfect relaxed end to an unforgettable day.

The Holiday

We stayed a total of 8 nights, plus an extra 4 nights after the wedding—and we’re so glad we did! Our post-wedding mini-moon in Fiji was the perfect way to unwind and soak in the paradise.

Pre & Post Wedding Activities

The afternoon before the wedding, we hosted a stunning welcome event near the Kama Lounge, setting the perfect tone for the celebrations. Tom organized a fun golf day with the guys leading up to the big day. We also indulged in a luxurious spa and cabana dinner package at the Intercontinental, which was absolutely relaxing. One highlight was the breathtaking South Sea Combo day cruise. While Tom was out golfing with friends, I enjoyed leisurely meals and quality time with my girlfriends—truly a wonderful blend of activities for everyone.

Overall Highlights

It’s hard to pick just a few highlights because the whole experience was truly magical. We’re so grateful to our incredible vendors who made it all possible. Some key moments for us were:

• Having all our friends and family together for a once-in-a-lifetime trip—an unforgettable and deeply treasured experience.

• Our wedding coordinator Lati and the Intercontinental team went above and beyond to make everything perfect.

• The amazing Polynesian and fire dance performances—absolutely breathtaking!

• The exceptional quality of the food and drinks.

• Most of all, marrying my best friend and becoming husband and wife.