array(83) { ["_edit_lock"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(12) "1606521738:4" } ["_edit_last"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "4" } ["flexible_content_0_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_0_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_1_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(3095) "APRIL 2019 – 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS TO GO “The decision is made” Hello Paloma & Jeremy! Tell us a little bit about you guys! What’s your couple story? Jeremy and I met 6 years ago now through mutual friends back in my home town of Perth, WA. I thought he was so handsome I was too nervous to eat anything on our first date which at the time was super awkward, but we laugh about it now. We both shared an interest in camping, 4DWing, laying out by the beach and a big love for Summer weather which made it easy for us to get along. Jeremy is originally from New Zealand and moved to Perth for the beautiful weather and to play rugby, he is the most kind hearted person I know, he is softly spoken, chilled out and is very talented in his trade (Builder). I am a little louder and less patient (I guess opposites do attract haha), I am a Project Manager with an interest in design whether it be in textiles or interior. We have a beautiful baby girl (4.5 months old) named Harriet Hollie Corliss, she was born at 12:01 Christmas day, the best present ever. Our wedding day will be extra special because of her, we cannot wait! When did you start thinking about Fiji? Why is that where you’d like to get married? After moving from my hometown of Perth to Jeremy’s hometown in Auckland, New Zealand, it was hard for me to choose between the two countries. Seeing as we got engaged in Bora Bora Tahiti (we obviously love island life), Fiji became a destination for us that we started considering. In addition to me having been born in Suva, and my parents being from small islands off Fiji combined with Jeremy’s love for fishing and surfing and the laid back atmosphere, Fiji became even more perfect for our special day. So far, what things have you started planning, what is organised, what are you thinking about doing next? Currently I am trying to confirm a wedding date (looking at August 29th 2020) and venue. I have been speaking with wedding planners to get an idea of what to expect when getting married in Fiji weighing up pros and cons from a planning perspective, as well I have joined a Facebook group chat where I have been reading other brides recommendations/experiences as well regularly following blogs like Bula Bride which have been very helpful. I had my eye on the InterContinental Fiji for a while now, the resort looks amazing and the beach also but unfortunately the price is out of our budget not just for us but we know our guests also, so we have recently decided to look in to other venues (Sofitel & Shangri La). I also attended the Auckland Bride & Groom show yesterday to meet a wedding planner and chat to the Sofitel Hotel stand which after doing so has me excited again, I think I am really liking the Sofitel packages. They are currently going through renovations but after speaking with them in person it sounds like they will have completed renovations well and truly by June 2020 and the upgrade sounds amazing. I am planning on confirming a date this week!" } ["_flexible_content_1_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(447) "a:18:{i:0;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:1;s:7:"content";i:2;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:3;s:7:"content";i:4;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:5;s:7:"content";i:6;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:7;s:7:"content";i:8;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:9;s:7:"content";i:10;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:11;s:7:"content";i:12;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:13;s:7:"content";i:14;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:15;s:7:"content";i:16;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:17;s:7:"content";}" } ["_flexible_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bbeb33068" } ["select_vendor"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "3" } ["_select_vendor"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5966138e6f820" } ["addvertise"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(0) "" } ["_addvertise"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5b8df0724eb32" } ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(3) "342" } ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(2) "30" } ["_thumbnail_id"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "22570" } ["flexible_content_0_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "16423" } ["_flexible_content_0_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["_wp_old_date"]=> array(5) { [0]=> string(10) "2019-06-03" [1]=> string(10) "2019-06-01" [2]=> string(10) "2019-07-01" [3]=> string(10) "2020-01-01" [4]=> string(10) "2020-02-01" } ["_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(26) "engaged to married in fiji" } ["_yoast_wpseo_focuskw"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(26) "engaged to married in fiji" } ["_yoast_wpseo_metadesc"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(308) "Real life couple Paloma and Jeremy have made the decision to marry in Fiji. We check in with them monthly and see how they are getting on with their wedding planning; see where they are at, how they are feeling, and watch the excitement build all the way through to their wedding day in Fiji. Read more here!" } ["_yoast_wpseo_linkdex"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(2) "40" } ["flexible_content_2_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_2_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_3_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(2210) "MAY 2019 – 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS TO GO “Deciding on a venue” We have decided to get married at the Sofitel on Denarau Island – Yay!. The resort looks amazing, the packages were within our budget and although the beach is not your typical Fiji post card looking beach, the location was not too far from the airport and offered a variety of accommodation options for guests which was a big tick on our list. I have also decided to work with South Pacific Weddings which is a decision I am glad I made. At first I thought 100% I did not need any extra help with planning my destination wedding, but with being a new mum, they are able to help relieve some stress and communicate/follow up on my behalf providing me updates, ensuring the ball is still rolling with planning. SPW is based in New Zealand and I met her at one the of the Wedding Expos a few months ago, it is especially nice to put a face to a name. It has been tricky confirming what package to go with, mainly because we have no idea what the final number of guests attending will be. We were also made aware of the new resort rates for 2020 which meant that the package we were leaning towards at the time wasn’t quite in our budget, so we chose to switch the original package we wanted to the Magnifique package. This is still a great package but for a smaller amount of guests and is a little more basic. We should be signing off on our amended contract this week, once this has been completed I will be sending out the Save The Dates out which we are excited about, my goal is to send initial forms of communication well before a year to the big day! (August 2020). I have been researching ways to best send invites/save the dates and generally communicate to guests for a destination wedding also, it seems that a website link with all the details of the day etc. is a good idea as well using Facebook if guests like mine are in various places in the world. Jeremy and I have also begun planning to ask our bridal party to be a part of our special day this week which is super exciting. He is catching up with the boys and my bridesmaid proposal boxes have been sent to my girls in Australia 🙂 " } ["_flexible_content_3_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_2_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "22570" } ["_flexible_content_2_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["select_vendor_0_select_vendor_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(3) "214" } ["_select_vendor_0_select_vendor_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5966139c6f821" } ["select_vendor_0_select_vendor_post"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(22) "a:1:{i:0;s:5:"19187";}" } ["_select_vendor_0_select_vendor_post"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_596613ce6f822" } ["flexible_content_4_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "24148" } ["_flexible_content_4_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_4_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_4_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_5_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(587) "JUNE 2019 – 1 Year 2 months to go “We have our bridal party!” The bridal party have all said YES! – Super exciting! The gift boxes I made arrived safely to their destinations which I was so pleased with and the boys enjoyed their day out fishing when Jeremy asked them to be a part of the big day. Our contract is now finalised after quite a few adjustments. We are now reviewing our guest list again to send out our save the dates and I will continue e-mailing suppliers for prices and quotes for the remaining planning to be done for the big day. " } ["_flexible_content_5_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_6_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(0) "" } ["_flexible_content_6_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_7_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(688) "July 2019 Update – 1 Year 1 month to go “Save the dates have been sent” Jeremy and I have sent our Save The Dates!! We have sent them as a Facebook Event, this was the easiest way to communicate to all guest as they are scattered all over the globe. This has worked out well as we can already see an approx. number of guests attending or declining which we appreciate, the more notice we have the better. I am currently looking at creating a website for our formal invites, playing around with platforms like WIX and Squarespace until I decide on one I like best. Hopefully we can send the formal invites out before October 2019 with an RSVP for January 2020. " } ["_flexible_content_7_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_8_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_8_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_9_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(813) "AUGUST UPDATE - 1 Year to Go "Building our wedding website" I have spent most of this month building our formal invites via a wedding website using Squarespace which I have thoroughly enjoyed.  The website should be live in the next couple of days for my guests to RSVP. I had a few important details I was unsure of which needed to be included in the website, and so I went to the Getting Married in Fiji Facebook group chat which has been helpful. 1. When to ask for RSVPs by and 2. How to address the Dress Code. I have since made a decision on both details that suit my Fiance and I best, it is always nice to see what other experiences and suggestions other brides share with you to help with your decisions. I have also been narrowing down my Hair & MU, Photographer " } ["_flexible_content_9_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_10_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "23138" } ["_flexible_content_10_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_10_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_10_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_11_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1584) "Sept-Dec 2019 Update - 8 months to go The months leading up to Christmas are always so hectic and I feel like during this time I did not achieve much wedding planning. It was also the lead up to our daughter Harriet's first birthday (Christmas baby) so we have been super busy planning for her special day as well as managing our Christmas plans with family in New Zealand and Australia, it has been tricky. I am so pleased to say though that during this time I was able to finally confirm my Videographer, Photographer and Wedding Stylist - yipee! Lots of back and forth with my decisions as I could not make up my mind with packages and I needed to remind myself to keep within my budget. I had also hit a roadblock that no bride would like to encounter, and that was the unfortunate issue of my wedding planner and I not being on the same page 100%. I since made the decision to remove my wedding planners services in favour of organising my wedding by myself end to end. This was a tough discussion to make but I felt it was easier to do it myself. At this time I am feeling nervous as time is going fast and I have recently been having this re-occurring nightmare that I am at our wedding in Fiji and all the guests are waiting for me to walk down the aisle but I cant walk out because I don't have a wedding dress! And my bridesmaids are telling me "you never picked a dress remember!" haha it is so awful. My subconscious is obviously telling me to get a move on and so I have since lined up a few places to try dresses on. Watch this space! " } ["_flexible_content_11_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_12_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "24020" } ["_flexible_content_12_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_12_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_12_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_13_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1861) "January 2020 - 7 months to go "Choosing our suppliers" I used the magic number of 3 for quotes on suppliers where I felt their work suited our style and the decision points overall for us were price and customer service. Here are some of the suppliers we chose: Nadi Bay Photography - There was a lot of great choices but the selling point for me with Nadi Bay was that I loved their previous work, their style is light and bright and they were reasonably priced with amazing reviews. Zoom Fiji as our Videographer - This one was a no brainer for me! I 100% wanted our big day to be filmed (fiance did not see the point but I have since changed his mind hehe) There are a lot of great videographers out there, but I loved Zooms style of filming, they offered great packages & their communication on what I would like has been very easy and great. I have also recently seen their work for another Sofitel bride and just loved what they created - I cannot wait! I was happy to spend more on this supplier as I know you generally get what you pay for with filming skills/equipment etc. regardless of this they are still great value. Fiji Weddings as our wedding stylist - This one in the beginning was tough for me. I fell in love with so many stylists but the main selling point for me was the fast and clear response from Esther and the team at Fiji Weddings. They messaged me on whatsapp asking if we could speak over the phone to discuss my query in more detail, I said yes absolutely and just by this extra effort I felt reassurance that I was in good hands. Esther continues to provide great service and with outstanding reviews, I am so excited to work with them!! " } ["_flexible_content_13_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_8_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "22985" } ["_flexible_content_8_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["select_vendor_1_select_vendor_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(2) "11" } ["_select_vendor_1_select_vendor_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5966139c6f821" } ["select_vendor_1_select_vendor_post"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(22) "a:1:{i:0;s:5:"21774";}" } ["_select_vendor_1_select_vendor_post"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_596613ce6f822" } ["select_vendor_2_select_vendor_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(3) "240" } ["_select_vendor_2_select_vendor_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5966139c6f821" } ["select_vendor_2_select_vendor_post"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(22) "a:1:{i:0;s:5:"18522";}" } ["_select_vendor_2_select_vendor_post"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_596613ce6f822" } ["flexible_content_14_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "24251" } ["_flexible_content_14_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_14_image_repeater_1_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "24252" } ["_flexible_content_14_image_repeater_1_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_14_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "2" } ["_flexible_content_14_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_15_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1812) "February 2020 - 6 months to go "I said YESS to the Dress!" Looking for my dress was so much harder than I thought it would be. What I had in mind and thought I would love was not what I ended up choosing at all. I was so overwhelmed trying on dresses, I couldn't decide on a style and to top it off I did not realise that most bridal stores have an ordering lead time between 6-7 months and with the wedding only 7 months away, panic levels were crazy high to find THE ONE! I looked at 7 bridal stores with (I would have booked more in my panic if I could) and my sister in law came with me for another opinion. From ballgown to empire line to sweetheart shape to fitted to flowy, beading or lace, there was finally one style that I kept going back to, one style that made me feel so calm and extremely comfortable and happy. I personally couldn't justify spending a crazy amount of my on my wedding dress, my dress budget was a part of my whole wedding budget, in a sense that if I bought a super expensive dress something had to give from the wedding which kept me level headed through my search. (Note: The photo is not my actual dress, it's the first one I tried on though) RSVPs - Our RSVP date was by 1st February which we thought was a good time for guests to have a better idea if they could make it to our destination wedding, after the Christmas break, New Year and Summer holidays. I did have to chase a lot of people come 1st February so I extended the RSVP to 22nd February and followed up again. Jeremy and I predicted our RSVP numbers were going to small but now that we have a semi final count, this number has doubled from 30-40 guests to 60 guests - a really nice surprise! I just need to work the numbers now with our 30-40 guest budget - wish me luck! " } ["_flexible_content_15_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_16_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "18933" } ["_flexible_content_16_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_16_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_16_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_17_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1501) "MARCH UPDATE 2020 update - 5 months to go; but now 14 months again! "The impacts of CoVid-19" Sadly due to the pandemic, Jeremy and I have decided to postpone our Fiji Wedding on 29 August 2020 🙁. This was not an easy decision for us and initially we very hopeful we would not be affected. We had advised guests that we will wait to make any decision to postpone for as long as possible. Soon however, we started to feel the effects and stress COVID-19 was taking on our New Zealand society & economy, and assumed our guests would too. We weighed up our priorities, especially if the situation were to worsen and made the call in March to postpone and focus on taking care of our families health and homes. We have since felt a huge weight lifted from our shoulders and received feedback of the same relief from our guests. This was comforting to know as I feel that we have let our guests down somehow. I notified the Sofitel first to see what dates would be available in 2021 before contacting the remainder of my vendors with a date I had in mind. Everyone was so understanding and so incredibly helpful. We decided to postpone to June 2021. We are hopeful this will allow enough time for the world to heal, travel restrictions to be lifted and for any financial recovery to happen. We believe our wedding day in Fiji will still be just as special and am looking forward to getting back into planning once this pandemic is behind us and it is safe to do so. " } ["_flexible_content_17_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["custom_permalink"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(48) "fiji-wedding-inspiration/engaged-to-married-fiji" } }