What type of resort should I choose for my Fiji wedding? Getting Started, Planning & Inspiration - Bula Bride

What type of resort should I choose for my Fiji wedding?

The heart of the South Pacific, Fiji is is an island nation blessed with 333 tropical islands that are home to happiness. Choice is plentiful with affordable accommodation all the way through to exclusive resorts and barefoot luxury to do as much or as little as you like. With white sand beaches, snorkelling and diving, a pristine natural environment and an abundance of culture to immerse yourself in, there’s something in Fiji for everyone. And Fiji is a short flight – which means no jetlag! Temperatures hover perpetually between 26C to 31C year round whilst cooling tradewinds prevail. The best time to travel to Fiji is late March to late November, with a wet season from December to March. Licences are easily obtained and your marriage is legal and recognised worldwide.

Fijians personify hospitality and just love a good wedding. Traditional Fijian style, an elopement on the beach or a large gathering of family and friends, each are handled with efficiency, smiles and a big BULA! Marriage licences are easily obtained and your marriage is legal and recognised worldwide. If you have children in your party and need family friendly facilities, the Fijians’ love of kids is legendary and most of the resorts have excellent Kids Clubs.

So with so many options available, how do you ever narrow it down? Weddings and Honeymoons in Fiji are a dream of a lifetime and families and children have a special place here – where happiness finds you. In this article, we catch up with Fiji Wedding specialist Mandi Forrester Jones about the most popular choices for a dream Fiji wedding. Having assisted hundreds of couples with planning their Fiji wedding, Mandi suggests some good places to start when thinking about the right choice for you and will hopefully help make that long list ever so slightly shorter by giving us the inside scoop on what style of resort to choose and recommending some personal favourites..

Photos by: Nadi Bay Photography

Family friendly options

With Fiji, you need to ensure you book the place that suits all of your requirements. This is particularly true when travelling with little people! Fiji should be the number one choice for those looking to get married with kids (your own or other peoples) in tow, due to the amazing hospitableness of the Fijian people towards children.

From the larger resorts on Denarau and the Coral Coast, to the idyllic islands, where you will find the true Fiji experience, there is something there for everyone. All have fantastic Kids Clubs and Nannies are plentiful and loving. Your kids will have a great time!

  • Mandi’s top picks:
  • 1. Outrigger Beach Resort
    2. Warwick Resort & Spa
    3. Plantation Island Resort
    4. Castaway Island Resort
    5. Vomo Island Resort

    1. Outrigger
    A great location on the Coral Coast, and one of our favourite resorts because it’s a nice size big enough to handle a large wedding but small enough to still be intimate. They have a wide choice of hotel style rooms and bures. Their Dream Wedding package is very popular as it is an easy one to budget with, but it can be easily added to if you want added extras. Generally they have only one wedding a day, and a variety of options for receptions.
     
    2. Warwick
    The Warwick is further down the coast but worth the drive. Boasting some of the most loved wedding coordinators in Fiji, the Warwick are amazing at weddings. The resort has a good range of hotel style accommodation options, including an adults only wing and suites. Often the Warwick have great deals on accommodation, and a flexible choice of wedding packages. Also their sister resort The Naviti (3 star) is only about about 10 minutes away and perfect for those guests on a tighter budget.
     
    3. Plantation Island Resort
    Exceptionally popular and the cheapest island resort for weddings. Plantation is big, takes large groups of people, and is modern in style with concrete paths and big play areas. It’s durable and robust for families and exuberant children looking for activities and kids clubs or nannies. The beach is fine but it is tidal, so be aware of that, but the snorkelling is really good. It’s very good for what it provides, cheap fun holidays for young families. It has a stunning beach full of water slides and other inflatables. The bar pumps out top twenty hits and is colourfully lit.
     
    4. Castaway Island
    One of our absolutely favourite places to get married. This place has it all. Stunning beaches, gorgeous bures, fantastic food, a kids pool and café and a pool for adults only, so the best of both worlds. On Castaway, the island bures are pretty much the same as the ocean view and beachfront, just set back a little further than the beachfront. Their wedding package is great and they do often have great value-add offers. If the budget fits, we highly recommend Castaway.
     
    5. Vomo Island Resort
    Another absolute fave. Set out where the Mamanuca Islands meet the Yasawa Islands, this is a meal inclusive resort. Absolutely gorgeous bures that have hosted some famous people and a famous model – no names – who do nothing for your self-esteem in a bikini! The rooms are very well thought out and stunningly designed. Vomo have gorgeous adults only areas as well and brilliant interactive kids fun including their own café, set out just like a real one only smaller! Again highly recommended for those with the budget for something super classy.

    Adults Only

    There are myriad of beautiful resorts catering for couples. Some are adults-only all year around, some are partially adults-only but several times a year do ‘family time’ where kids are allowed to stay at the resort.

    Within some of the larger resorts on Denarau and the Coral Coast there are adult only areas separate to family areas, but for that truly romantic text book elopement or wedding, head to the idyllic islands, where you will find the real Fiji experience and the peace and tranquility of an adults only resort.

  • Mandi’s top picks:
  • 1. Matamanoa Resort
    2. Tokoriki Island Resort
    3. Likuliku Resort
    4. Royal Davui
    5. Yasawa Island Resort & Spa

    1. Matamanoa
    Very small and intimate but lovely. Has been extensively refurbished recently and looking gorgeous. I would recommend the beachfront bures here though as they are much nicer but they also have amazing villas which are stunning too. Definitely a place to chill out and relax. Best for elopements or small wedding parties.
     
    2. Tokoriki Island Resort
    An iconic resort that really gives service. All the villas are beachfront, some with private pools, and at one end are the intensely private Sunset Pool Villas. Definitely amazing for elopements and honeymoons, for those seeking seclusion. Has a small chapel too which is exceptionally cute.
     
    3. Likuliku Lagoon Resort
    One of my favourite places on earth is Likuliku Lagoon Resort which has Fiji’s first overwater bungalows. Having said that, I actually prefer their Deluxe Beach Bungalows, these are my favourite rooms by a long way! Purely personal preference but I think they are nicer! I can highly recommend this place, I would go there for my honeymoon in a heartbeat. I took my husband there last year and it has to be one of the most romantic places ever! Price includes all your meals which are of an exceptional standard.
     
    4. Royal Davui
    My other equal favourite is Royal Davui. It is a private, romantic, remote island adults-only sanctuary situated in the spectacular Beqa Lagoon. Only 16 Vales (Bure is Fijian for house, whilst Vale is Fijian for home) so no more than 32 guests on the island at any one time. It is currently the only private island with private plunge pools for each and every Vale! Includes all your meals and they also do some really good stay pay offers such as Stay 5, Pay 4 and Stay 7, Pay 5.
     
    5. Yasawa Island Resort
    Another iconic resort and yes, another favourite! Situated up in the remote Yasawa Islands, which means you only get people staying at the resort and who are serious about relaxing on some of the most gorgeous beaches I have seen. Some of their staff have been there 40 years or so, which shows how well they treat them. More rustic because of the location, but recently renovated bures are now of an amazingly high standard. And their spa deal is to die for!!
     
     

    Resorts with chapels

    So, it isn’t all about beaches and getting sand in your shoes.

    If you would like a religious ceremony, then you need to get married in a chapel. Luckily there are some stunning chapels in Fiji, overlooking the ocean, some with glass floors and all with incredible views. Some also have air-conditioning which is a real bonus on a hot day! And even if you aren’t particularly religious, some of the chapels are super-stunning and make for the most perfect wedding photos.

  • Mandi’s top picks
  • 1. Sofitel Resort Denarau Island
    2. Outrigger Beach Resort
    3. Musket Cove Resort
    4. Mana Island Resort
    5. Treasure Island Resort

    1. Sofitel
    The Sofitel is located on Denarau Island, so very easy to get to and good for logistics with groups. They have the cutest chapel on the beach there, that overlooks the ocean. The rooms are very nicely appointed but the best bit is their Waitui/adults only beach club so it works for either families or adults only.
     
    2. Outrigger
    This chapel is located on top of a hill overlooking the water so not directly on the water’s edge but it is absolutely breathtaking with amazing views and very private. It is a very popular location amongst Outrigger brides.
     
    3. Musket Cove
    It has a lovely gorgeous chapel and a wide range of accommodation as well with lovely villas that can sleep larger families. Musket have really spacious rooms and a really nice pool area with a swim-up bar.
     
    4. Mana
    Mana has a pretty chapel, they have just finished a massive renovation and now have a whole new restaurant complex. Rates now include 3 meals per day per person so making it an easy choice to stay and budget-friendly too.
     
    5. Treasure Island Resort
    Stunningly cute lovely chapel with a glass bottom to see the marine life underneath. The rooms were renovated recently and their new Premium Beach Bures are gorgeous. Also has  a great kids club and an amazing wet edge pool. 

    Something a bit different

    Once upon a time there were only standard packages available to Brides & Grooms for their destination weddings. Thanks to the numerous contacts (and friends) we have developed over time, we can now create a blissful, unique experience for your dream wedding that 100% reflects your special day – the way you want it!

    Have you ever wanted to get married on a yacht cruising over the crystal clear turquoise waters of Fiji? Or say your vows in your own one time ‘Chapel’ – hand created using picturesque flowers which will eventually be washed away by the tide, ensuring the chapel remains uniquely yours forever?

    Would you enjoy escaping from busy resorts to marry in your own private romantic villa or fly to a remote sandbank for your wedding in style by helicopter? Pretty much anything is possible!

  • Mandi’s top picks:
  • 1. Barefoot Manta Island Resort
    2. Malamala Beach Club
    3. Robinson Crusoe Island

    1. Barefoot Manta
    Get away from the big islands and head to Barefoot Manta Island, in the Southern Yasawa islands. The breath-taking coral gardens, situated just off the coastline, are among the finest in Fiji. Rustic and the perfect destination for nature lovers in search of a one of the few Fijian islands unspoiled by man.
     
    2. Malamala
    Fiji’s newest beach club, surrounded by crystal clear waters, Malamala Beach Club welcomes you to your own private island experience. It is the perfect setting to say your vows to your soulmate with panoramic views of the South Pacific ocean. The style is natural and beautiful, with a tropical wedding bure plus décor elements that evoke the soft sand and sparkling sunshine.
     
    3. Robinson Crusoe
    Just off the Coral Coast, this 5 acre island paradise lies only 10 minutes across the bay from Viti Levu in calm clear waters. Access is boat only and includes a 30 minute river cruise followed by a short trip across the lagoon. Rustic and perfect for those wanting to get away from it all and ideal for those on a tight budget.

    Fiji low-key or on a budget

    Although Destination Weddings are usually far cheaper than doing them on home soil, sometimes you just want to escape, get married quietly, with minimum fuss, and without breaking the bank!

    All resorts will do a simple no-fuss private ceremony on the beach and these are just a small selection of options available.

  • Mandi’s top picks:
  • 1. First Landing Resort
    2. Plantation Island Resort
    3. Radisson Blu Resort

    1. First Landing
    First landing Resort is about 40 minutes from the airport in the opposite direction to the coast – quite rustic and whilst it doesn’t have the best beach at low tide it is a great place to take a group and make your own fun! They do amazing weddings there too and is perfect for low-key festivities.

    2. Plantation Island Resort
    Also featured in our top picks for families, Plantation deserves a second mention for those needing something affordable. Exceptionally popular and the cheapest island resort for weddings. Plantation is big, takes quite a lot of people, and is modern in style. It’s very good for what it provides, cheap fun holidays for young families. It has a stunning beach full of water slides and other inflatables.

    3. Radisson Blu Resort
    Don’t be fooled into thinking Radisson is a budget resort – this place is 5 Star! Radisson features in this category due to their relaxed nature of their weddings. If you are looking for a low-key approach, a relaxed day with minimum fuss, perhaps you are eloping or thinking about surprising family and friends with a wedding, or even renewing vows, Radisson has it covered. Many couples book a holiday and organise a small simple wedding as part of this and this is what Radisson does best. A great option for those wanting a mainland wedding.

    We can arrange a budget friendly, stress free special day that looks just like the one in your imagination! From major international resorts along the Coral Coast, to the islands which are quintessentially Fiji with white, sandy beaches and swaying coconut palms, to exclusive 5 star retreats – there will be a venue that suits your requirements. The main thing is spending some time with a specialist running through the options and matching it with what best suits your needs.

    Contact Mandi if you are ready to get started planning your Fiji wedding or would like wedding package information on any of the resorts listed in this article.

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