Having first crossed paths in high school, Amy & Jack’s story truly began at age 18 when they reconnected at a mutual friends’ joint birthday celebration. Eight years later, their journey took a romantic turn when Jack, a chef, created an intimate eight-course anniversary dinner at home, complete with carefully paired drinks, before proposing in the comfort of their living room.
When it came time to choose a wedding destination, Fiji was an easy decision. Living in Ireland, they dreamed of sunshine and stunning scenery, and Fiji offered both in abundance. Amy had previously visited Fiji in 2019 while volunteering with Think Pacific and had fallen in love with the warmth of the Fijian people and the beauty of the islands.
We catch up with Bride Amy on planning their wedding in Fiji:
The Planning
Living in Ireland, we knew we wanted a destination where sunshine was almost guaranteed for our wedding day. In a funny twist, it actually rained for about 30 seconds just as I met Jack beneath our flower arch on the beach for the ceremony, giving us a little piece of Irish weather on our special day.
We spent countless hours researching online, comparing venues, and exploring different options before making our final decision. Throughout the planning process, we kept coming back to the idea of an intimate beach wedding, inspired by Jack’s parents, who eloped in Antigua in 1993. After researching several locations throughout Fiji, we chose Namale Spa & Resort because of its remote setting and breathtaking surroundings. It is without a doubt the nicest place we have ever stayed, and the staff made our experience truly unforgettable. Once we booked Namale, planning was very straightforward. Our wedding coordinator, Filo, guided us through each step and made the entire experience stress-free and enjoyable.
Bula Bride was an invaluable resource during our planning journey. Through the website, we found our photographer, Ocean Studio Fiji, as well as Totoka for hair and makeup. Having access to trusted Fiji wedding suppliers in one place made the process so much easier.
Getting Ready
For my wedding day look, Manshita from Totoka Hair & Beauty created a natural hair and makeup style that made me feel amazing. Despite the tropical heat and humidity, everything stayed perfectly in place throughout the day.
My dress came from Naomi’s in Ballynahinch, a small town just ten minutes from home. I had always imagined wearing a backless gown with button detailing down the lower half, and it was exactly what I was looking for. To complement the dress, I chose pearl jewellery, including a necklace and earrings, along with my Claddagh ring. I carried the pearl theme through to my footwear with simple white sandals featuring pearl straps.
Jack embraced the relaxed beach setting with a short-sleeved white linen shirt and light brown linen trousers from Next, paired with light brown Havaianas that were perfect for walking along the sand.
The Ceremony
We always knew we wanted a beachfront ceremony, and when we saw Namale’s tropical floral arch in their wedding brochure, we instantly knew it was the perfect setting for our elopement. Donna and the Namale team took care of all the décor and styling, and watching everything come together from my nearby getting-ready room made the experience even more exciting.
We wanted a relaxed and intimate ceremony, so we chose a simple 15-minute service with pre-written vows that reflected our relationship. As we are not religious, we focused on promises that were meaningful to us, including a commitment to continue exploring the world together. We also incorporated beautiful Fijian touches, including the beating of the Lali drum, traditional music, and a Fijian blessing. My bouquet featured vibrant pink and orange tropical flowers, adding a colourful reflection of Fiji to the day.
The Photography
Our photographer was Ana from Ocean Studio Fiji, and from the very beginning she made us feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. Yoshi was also fantastic to work with, keeping everything organised and ensuring a quick turnaround so we didn’t have to wait long to receive our photos. We wanted a mix of posed and candid images, captured across Namale’s beautiful beach and garden locations.
Looking back through the gallery, we love how the photos genuinely reflect our relationship and the joy we felt on the day. Our favourites are the moments where we’re laughing together, as they perfectly capture our shared sense of humour and the love we have for one another.
After The Ceremony
After the ceremony, we were taken to a surprise location for our reception, where a beautifully simple candlelit dinner had been set up on the beach beneath a cave arch. The Namale team created a romantic setting that perfectly suited the intimate feel of our elopement. We enjoyed a delicious three-course meal, including an incredible pumpkin soup served with fresh bread and a perfectly cooked surf and turf main course, paired with our favourite Cabernet Sauvignon imported from Chile.
Namale also created our wedding cake—a classic vanilla cake with buttercream frosting—which was absolutely delicious. To end the evening, I changed out of my dress and we relaxed with some traditional kava, the perfect way to finish our wedding day in Fiji.
The Holiday
We spent a total of 16 days in Fiji, with time both before and after our wedding to explore and relax. Highlights included a trip to South Sea Island, a visit to the Sabeto Mud Pools, and plenty of time enjoying Wailoaloa Beach. During our stay at Namale, we snorkelled, attended a traditional meke performance, participated in kava ceremonies, and visited nearby Naidi Village. Our departure was unexpectedly delayed by Cyclone Vaianu, but we were grateful to find accommodation in Nadi and stay safe until we could start our extended honeymoon.
Top Tips for future brides
Enjoy every moment, there is no need to stress about anything as it will all come together! I would advise to not get badly sunburnt in the lead up to your wedding, but if you do then buy plenty of aloe vera!
