Carolyn & Che – Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort
Carolyn & Che first met at University in Sydney Business School in 2015, but it wasn’t until their class went on a study tour through Asia in 2016 that they really got talking. By the end of those few weeks they had become inseparable and have remained that way ever since.
Having holidayed in Fiji before with their toddler, and visiting several resorts on the Coral Coast and Denarau Island, they kept returning to the Outrigger. Not only did they think it was a stunning resort, they felt at home there and had always enjoyed themselves immensely. When they got engaged, it was put on the shortlist for a Fiji wedding location.
We catch up with bride Carolyn on planning her big day:
BRIDE & GROOM: Che Williamson & Carolyn Grime
THE DATE: 21st February 2020
THE LOCATION: The Outrigger
THE NUMBER OF GUESTS: 30
I looked at several online resources including Bula Bride for ideas and possible vendors. As we had day-tripped to many resorts on our last visit we had narrowed it down to the Outrigger or the Warwick. When we saw the Outrigger’s Dream wedding package and it’s inclusions, the decision was easy.
The theme of our wedding was ‘fun’. Whatever we included, it had to be fun. The Outrigger fitted the fun requirement perfectly, from the booming ‘Bula’ greeting on the front gate, golf buggy rides for all the guests up to the chapel and around the resort, the warrior escort down the aisle and the flower girls going crazy with their petals, the pop up bar with lawn games after the ceremony, and the snake dancing and fire dancers at the reception – you can see from the photos just how enjoyable the whole day was.
Pre-wedding was quite eventful actually, the groom had not seen his brother or best mates for some time and so the night before the wedding they had a few too many beverages. On the morning of the wedding he found himself quite unprepared to be up and out of the room so early, and with quite a sore head. He ended up on an impromptu tour of the resort looking for who had his suit after the Talai Butler had pressed it, which mate had his shoes, and whom he had he given his toiletries bag to. He got there in the end!
The ladies on the other hand were very organised, we enjoyed nibbles platters from room service, champagne while being pampered by the lovely ladies from Totoka Hair & Make Up. Occasionally the groom appeared looking for one of his missing items and I hid while the place descended into fits of giggles.
A lot of research went into booking Lydia from Totoka to do my hair and makeup, I love her work. Lydia was happy to work with my natural curls which was important to me. Mary assisted with the bridesmaids and flower girls and did a wonderful job with their hair and makeup also.
My dress was from: Ferrari Bridal in Wollongong NSW
The Bridesmaids dresses were from: Carolina
The Groom & the guys wore: Connor
I had purchased in Australia handmade silver and pearl jewellery for the flower girls and bridesmaids. Everything else was from Fiji; for the guests body butter flower blooms from Pure Fiji and Sprays for the men. As a wedding gift to one another we purchased an Iri Buli Black mat from Rise Beyond the Reef. Our wedding ceremony was held on the mat, after the ceremony it went to the reception for under the cake table. Back home it has pride of place in our living room and is a wonderful souvenir from our special day.
THE CEREMONY
Location: Outrigger Chapel
Va from the wedding team provided and set up the décor at the ceremony, we didn’t want a lot of flowers in the way of the view.
We simply used the Outrigger vows as they matched our sentiment.
GETTING PHOTOS:
We booked Nadi Bay Photography and dealt with Laurence and Elanie. Years ago I trained as a photographer and so I know good composition and exposure when I see it.
I chose Laurence based on the galleries of past wedding photos, I could tell he is a professional and he did not disappoint. We love our photos, they are gorgeous – and he captured the wedding theme perfectly!
We chose to do some formal family and bridal party photos, but mostly we wanted him to capture the fun and special moments. I love that he instructed us on how and where to pose, and we love the end results which speak for themselves.
THE RECEPTION:
Location: Vahavu Adults Pool at Outrigger
Colours and themes were all white linen and sashes with tropical flowers as the decorations.
For cocktail hour we had the Outrigger pop up bar and lawn games on the lawn. The dinner menu was the Lovo buffet – including the best Kokoda we have ever eaten, all the food was delicious but the pork and chicken were also stand outs. The Outrigger made our cake which was chocolate with rough butter cream.
DJ & MC was DJ Inosi. At the end of the reception we did a snake dance and fire show through Coastal Entertainment. So much fun!
ADVICE FOR BRIDES PLANNING A FIJI WEDDING:
Relax, don’t be worried if it’s not all sorted before you arrive – it will be fine. If you are worried phone, email is not the most effective way to plan a wedding.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY:
When the chapel doors opened my little girl (two and a half years old) walked down the aisle as flower girl and ran to her daddy (the groom) who was waiting at the alter. Then after the bridesmaids entered and the doors opened for me, she ran back down the aisle and out to me, held my hand and walked me down the aisle. This wasn’t planned and I had to fight back the tears in that moment. She walked me up to her daddy and stood with us as we got married.
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Who Did They Use
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Fiji Wedding Photographers
Nadi Bay Photography
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Wedding Venues
Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort
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Hair & Make Up
Totoka Hair & Beauty
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