Elopement | Shannon & Timalai | Koro Sun Resort
Shannon and Timalai met through a dating app, and then started following each other on Instagram. After a few weeks of messaging back and forth, they decided to meet in person. They went out to dinner, and from the moment they started talking, they clicked.
Shannon remembers feeling like he was someone special from the very beginning. There was just something about him that made her feel like they were meant to be together.
After that first date, they started seeing each other more and more often. They would go on walks together, try new restaurants, and just spend time talking and getting to know each other.
We catch up with Bride Shannon on what lead her to book a destination wedding in Fiji:
BRIDE & GROOM: Shannon & Timalai
THE DATE: February 27, 2023
THE LOCATION: Koro Sun Resort (Savusavu, Fiji)
THE NUMBER OF GUESTS: Bride & Groom – we eloped!
My husband and I have always been very private people, and we wanted our ceremony to reflect that. Initially, we had planned to have a small wedding in Hawaii with our families, but as we started to plan, we realized that we wanted something even more intimate. We ended up deciding not to invite any family or friends, and instead flew to Fiji to get married.
One of the reasons we chose Fiji was because my husband is half Fijian, and we wanted to honor his heritage in our ceremony. We didn’t plan much beyond that – we wanted a stress-free day where we could just be ourselves.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony itself was very simple. We chose to write our own vows, which was a special moment for us. We spoke from the heart about our love for each other and our commitment to spending the rest of our lives together.
One thing that really stood out to us was how peaceful and calm we both felt during the ceremony. Without the stress of worrying about other people, we were able to fully focus on each other and the love that we share.
Overall, our ceremony was very much a reflection of who we are as a couple – simple, intimate, and full of love. We wouldn’t have had it any other way.
GETTING PHOTOS
We chose Zoom Fiji as our photographer and videographer for our wedding day. Our main priority was to get the best possible video to share with friends and family who were not able to attend the wedding. We wanted to make sure that they felt like they were with us on that special day.
When we came across Zoom Fiji, we were immediately drawn to their work. We noticed that all of their past videos and photos always told a story and showed the love that each couple had for each other. We loved the way that they were able to capture the essence of the couple and their unique love story.
We were thrilled when we found out that Zoom Fiji was available for our wedding day. They were incredibly talented and professional throughout the entire process. On the day of our wedding, they were able to capture every moment perfectly.
When we received the final video and photos, we were blown away by the quality of their work. The video perfectly captured the emotions of the day, and we were so happy to be able to share it with our loved ones who could not be there with us.
Overall, we are so happy that we chose Zoom Fiji as our photographer and videographer. They exceeded our expectations, and we will cherish the memories that they captured for us forever.
THE RECEPTION
Since it was just the two of us, we didn’t have a traditional reception for our wedding. However, we did decide to do a first dance on the beach, just the two of us. It was a really special moment, and it was amazing to be able to just focus on each other without any distractions.
Our coordinator through the resort helped us to set up the most amazing dinner. We ate in a beautiful gazebo over a pond, with just the two of us there. The setting was absolutely stunning, and the atmosphere was so romantic and intimate. We had a chance to really savor the moment and enjoy each other’s company.
To cap off the evening, we had a cake delivered to our table, and just the two of us enjoyed it together. It was a perfect way to end our wedding day – just the two of us, enjoying each other’s company and savoring the memories of the day we became husband and wife.
ADVICE TO OTHER BRIDES:
As someone who recently got married in Fiji, my advice to brides considering an elopement or small wedding is: go for it! You won’t regret it.
One of the biggest benefits of having an intimate wedding was that I had a completely stress-free day. I didn’t have to worry about anyone else but myself, and I could just focus on enjoying the moment with my husband. Even though we didn’t have any family or friends there, the day still felt incredibly special and meaningful.
If you do decide to have an elopement or small wedding, my biggest piece of advice is to find an incredible coordinator and trust them completely. My coordinator, Mela, was amazing – she took care of everything on the day of the wedding, so I didn’t have to worry about a thing. In fact, I didn’t even see where I was getting married until I walked up to it – Mela had taken care of everything and it was perfect.
Another thing I would recommend is to trust the locals. Fijians are some of the kindest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met, and they will go out of their way to ensure that your day is perfect.
Finally, don’t worry if things don’t go exactly as planned. Most likely, everything will go smoothly, but even if there are a few hiccups along the way, it’s all part of the adventure. Just relax, enjoy the moment, and savor every second of your special day.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY:
One of the highlights of our wedding day was getting ready with just my husband and I. It was such a special time to be with him and really focus on the love we share. I didn’t have to worry about anyone else, and it was such a relaxing and intimate experience.
Throughout the day, I loved being able to give my full attention to my husband. There were no distractions or interruptions – just the two of us, enjoying every moment together. It was such a beautiful and meaningful experience.
Another highlight was the incredible employees at the resort where we stayed. They went above and beyond to make our day special, treating us with such kindness and warmth. Our photographer-videographer, Zoom Fiji, was also amazing – they were so fun to talk to and be with on our special day, and the photos and video they produced were absolutely stunning.
Overall, our wedding day was everything we wanted it to be – intimate, stress-free, and full of love. We are so grateful for the memories we made and the people who made it all possible.
