Wedding | Michelle & Murray | InterContinental Golf Resort & Spa

Like all great modern love stories, Michelle and Murray’s began online—long before swiping right was even a thing! After Michelle sent Murray a message to show her interest, it took him a whole week to respond, proving that good things really do take time. When it came to tying the knot, they skipped the proposal and went straight to “I do,” choosing Fiji as the perfect backdrop for their celebration.

Their love for the islands began with a 2017 visit, where the stunning beaches left a lasting impression and a promise that one day, they would marry there. Over the years, Fiji became like a second home, and for their wedding weekend, the InterContinental Fiji Resort & Spa offered everything they dreamed of: a breathtaking white beach, a beautiful golf course, and a relaxed, joyful atmosphere where their family and friends could share in a weekend of fun, connection, and laughter.

The Planning

Planning our wedding was a true labour of love, guided by Fiji’s “no hurry, no worry” philosophy. To get started, I joined a Facebook group and relied heavily on insights from Bula Bride, which proved invaluable for understanding the process, discovering local vendors, and getting a sense of how our day could unfold. Luckily, we had already chosen our venue, which made the rest of the planning much smoother.

I lived by my Excel spreadsheet, complete with tabs for financials, RSVPs, hotel information, entertainment, photography, and activity tracking. Alongside it, I created a mood board and a detailed run sheet, which I shared with our dedicated InterContinental Fiji Resort & Spa wedding planner, Mere, who brought our vision to life beautifully. We used the Say I Do website for save the dates and RSVPs—not just for the wedding, but for all the events across the weekend—and Guestpix became a favourite, capturing the day through the eyes of our guests and giving us fun memories to treasure.

I also got creative with my Cricut Maker, which I’d owned since 2020 but hadn’t really used until now. While it was fun making one item, it quickly became a major task when dozens were required!

Getting Ready

For hair and makeup, I chose Totoka Hair & Beauty after reviewing five vendors, and I couldn’t have been happier. Rani is truly next-level for brides seeking a natural look—she made me feel gorgeous, and I received so many compliments throughout the day. My hair trial and tan were with Zlata, an expert at keeping things simple and elegant. While Zlata couldn’t be there on the day, another team member stepped in beautifully, and I felt completely at ease.

I found my dress on Facebook Marketplace in Australia! After trying on several traditional gowns that didn’t feel quite right, I came across the Camilla and Marc Foxglove dress for hire and fell in love. I had some doubts about wearing it for a beach wedding but then discovered one for sale just 10 km away—it felt like it was meant to be.

The bridal party looked stunning in their chosen attire: my team wore the Audrey Maxi Dress in Olive by Billy J and the Harper Dress by Oui Babe, while the groom and his groomsmen were stylishly outfitted in Country Road. The combination of elegant dresses, polished hair, and a relaxed, confident vibe made the getting-ready moments truly special.

The Ceremony

We chose the Navo Lawn for our ceremony, having dined there before and been captivated by its stunning sunsets and magical atmosphere. The décor was beautifully brought to life by the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa team, with our personal touches woven in to make the space uniquely ours.

Our ceremony embraced a tropical, relaxed theme, full of personal and meaningful touches. Fijian warriors led the bridal party down the aisle—Billy, one of the warriors, was an absolute legend! We included personalised fans, memorial chairs to honour family members, and a stunning champagne tower to celebrate after the ceremony. The flowers and bouquets were also provided by the resort, perfectly complementing the vibrant tropical setting.

Our vows were relaxed, heartfelt, and full of love—exactly what we had envisioned. Surrounded by family, friends, and the natural beauty of Fiji, the ceremony was a magical start to a truly unforgettable day.

The Photography

For our wedding photography, we reviewed ten photographers before choosing Eterna Weddings. Avishek’s talent for capturing natural, candid moments immediately won us over, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience so far. Their package also included videography, and we were looking for a style that felt natural and memorable—perfectly aligned with the candid vibe we wanted for our day.

While we love the photos we’ve received so far, our advice to other couples is to be very clear about the shots you want and include them in your brief. Looking back, we realized we didn’t get as many photos with the bridal party or friends and family as we had hoped. That said, Eterna Weddings beautifully captured the emotions, laughter, and love of the day, and we can’t wait to see the video!

The Reception

We held our reception on the Chapel Lawn, which felt intimate and private with a beautiful atmosphere. The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa team brought the décor to life, with our personal touches making it uniquely ours.

We embraced a tropical theme—a last-minute switch from white and green that we’re so glad we made! From handcrafted signage and table runners to shot bottles of Murray’s favourite rum and personalised M&M packs, every detail was designed to make guests feel special. Tropical flowers, coconuts, and a Polaroid guest book added playful and heartfelt touches, including a memorial table to honour loved ones in heaven.

The evening was full of laughter and surprises. Hermit crab races during canapés, Polynesian dancing, a fire show, and fireworks kept the energy high from start to finish. It was a celebration of love, laughter, and connection—exactly what we had dreamed of.

The entertainment featured our close friend as MC, the incredibly talented Caleb Heatley and guitarist Anasa Seruvatu from Fo Sho, whose energy had everyone on their feet singing and dancing all night, and a special shout out to my brother, who closed out the night with his epic rap performance of Ignition!

Tours & Activities

We organised a weekend full of fun and connection, including golf, lunch at the clubhouse, welcome drinks, and an unforgettable exclusive hire sailing experience on Sabre Sailing. The crew were incredible, the boat was stunning, and every moment on the water felt pure magic – the cool breeze, laughter, dancing, and breathtaking views. A huge thank you to Serenia for her amazing support in organising the Sabre experience. It was a standout highlight of the weekend and perfectly set the tone for the celebrations to come

Overall Highlights

The laughter, the sunsets, and the incredible team who brought it all together – especially Mere, whose calm brilliance made planning from afar feel effortless and joyful. I’m so grateful to my bridesmaid and dear friends who ensured everything ran smoothly on the day.

The weekend’s program, from the welcome drinks to the sailing the day before the wedding, helped everyone connect. Most of our guests hadn’t met beforehand, yet by the ceremony, people were already chatting, laughing, and sharing stories.

Tips and advice

Trust your wedding planner and go with the flow – Fiji time is real and not everything will go to plan, but it does all come together. Take in every moment because it goes by in a blur and consider including your wedding planner in a special activity or moment during the weekend – they work so hard, and it will mean the world to them.