Clinton and Ashleigh’s wedding journey led them back to the place that stole their hearts—Fiji. After meeting through mutual friends in 2018, their relationship flourished, and in January 2023, Clinton proposed on the beachfront at Radisson Blu Denarau.
Their deep connection to Fiji was solidified during this family holiday, where they fell in love with the warmth of the people and the island’s beauty. So, when it came time to choose a wedding destination, returning to Fiji felt like the perfect choice. The couple was drawn to the breathtaking Chapel at the Sheraton, which sits elegantly over the water, offering a stunning ocean backdrop.
We catch up with bride Ashleigh on planning their wedding in Fiji:
Married: 11 October 2024 Location: Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, Denarau Island Number of guests: 36 Travelled from: Australia
Initial planning
Having recently visited Fiji before starting our wedding planning, we already had a clear vision of what we wanted to achieve. To finalise the details, we planned another trip in March 2024 to meet with our vendors and confirm key elements like styling, photography, and our DJ.
The wedding Facebook groups were an invaluable resource, allowing us to connect with other brides, get recommendations, and gain insights from their experiences. Social media also played a huge role in helping us refine our ideas and find inspiration.
We chose to have our ceremony at the Sheraton and our reception at the Sofitel, which presented some challenges in coordinating two venues. However, everything came together beautifully, thanks to our incredible stylist, who helped us fine-tune the final details.
Getting ready
The hair and makeup for myself & my bridal party was done by the team at the Sofitel. We looked stunning and they brought my vision to life perfectly. I also wanted to avoid traveling too far, especially in the heat, so having everything done at our hotel made perfect sense.
My dress was from White Lily Couture in Brisbane, which made the experience even more special since both of my sisters-in-law had also found their wedding gowns there in the years leading up to my wedding. It felt like a lovely tradition. My bridesmaids wore elegant dresses from Sonya Moda, while the groom and groomsmen looked sharp in suits from Politix.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony took place at the Chapel, and it truly speaks for itself—white, simple, and absolutely stunning. The setting was breathtaking, and our photos turned out nothing short of magnificent.
For styling, we worked with The Wedding Shop Fiji, and I can’t recommend Dan and Kelcey enough. They are the dream team every bride needs! I envisioned a simple yet elegant theme, with white flowers and orchids as a tribute to my parents, who grow orchids at home. I wanted minimal greenery and soft candlelight, and they brought my vision to life flawlessly.
We chose to write our own vows while keeping the ceremony traditional. One of the most meaningful aspects of our day was getting married on my parents’ 44th wedding anniversary—something that meant the world to me.
Photography
We chose Konrad from Konnected Memories for both our photography and videography, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. After watching countless wedding videos on YouTube for inspiration, his style stood out to us—natural, timeless, and beautifully lit without heavy editing.
Beyond his incredible work, Konrad was also the quickest to respond to emails and made the effort to connect with us through multiple phone calls. Planning a wedding from another country comes with its challenges, so having someone so responsive and easy to communicate with was invaluable.
We wanted our photos to feel natural and unstaged, capturing the genuine emotions of the day. For our video, it was important to us that it reflected the raw, in-the-moment essence of our love—and Konrad delivered exactly that.
The Reception
Our reception was originally planned to take place on the beachfront at the Sofitel, but with rain in the forecast, we made a last-minute decision to move it under the Bure. In the end, it didn’t rain—but the setting turned out to be absolutely perfect.
The Wedding Shop Fiji styled our reception beautifully with white napkins, gold placemats, and gold cutlery, creating an elegant and timeless look.
For dinner, we chose a plated meal over a buffet, a personal preference that was well worth it. While it came at a slightly higher cost, the food was absolutely delicious. Our wedding cake, made by the Sofitel, was a simple yet decadent two-tier chocolate and vanilla cake.
During our visit to Fiji in March 2024, we discovered an incredible musician named Vili performing at the Hilton, where we were staying. With just a keyboard, microphone, and a voice that gave us chills, we knew we had to have him at our wedding. When we asked if he’d be interested in performing, he said yes—and it was one of the best decisions we made.
For entertainment, we also booked Nate through DJ Will to be both our MC and DJ. Between Vili’s live music and Nate’s DJ sets, we had the perfect balance—soulful performances early in the evening and high-energy party vibes later on.
To top it all off, we surprised our guests with Polynesian and fire dancers during the reception, which they absolutely loved. And to end the night on a high, we all made our way to Republik nightclub at the Sofitel to keep the celebrations going.
The Holiday
We arrived in Fiji a week before the wedding, spending the first four days on the Coral Coast before meeting our guests at the Sofitel three days prior to the big day when they all arrived.
Looking back, I wish we had stayed a few extra days after the wedding to truly relax and soak it all in. The wedding week was incredible but also busy—between entertaining guests, handling last-minute emails and meetings, and constantly thinking about the details, it was nonstop. But despite the whirlwind, every moment was absolutely worth it!
Other Activities
We had our combined Bucks and Hens on Seventh Heaven and we did EcoTrax – both were great days.
Tips and advice:
Don’t sweat the small stuff, island time is real and everything will come together beautifully. Know what you are wanting to achieve and find the write people to help you get your vision.
Having recently visited Fiji before starting our wedding planning, we already had a clear vision of what we wanted to achieve. To finalise the details, we planned another trip in March 2024 to meet with our vendors and confirm key elements like styling, photography, and our DJ.
The wedding Facebook groups were an invaluable resource, allowing us to connect with other brides, get recommendations, and gain insights from their experiences. Social media also played a huge role in helping us refine our ideas and find inspiration.
We chose to have our ceremony at the Sheraton and our reception at the Sofitel, which presented some challenges in coordinating two venues. However, everything came together beautifully, thanks to our incredible stylist, who helped us fine-tune the final details.
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My dress was from White Lily Couture in Brisbane, which made the experience even more special since both of my sisters-in-law had also found their wedding gowns there in the years leading up to my wedding. It felt like a lovely tradition. My bridesmaids wore elegant dresses from Sonya Moda, while the groom and groomsmen looked sharp in suits from Politix.
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The Ceremony
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Photography
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The Reception
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The Holiday
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Other Activities
We had our combined Bucks and Hens on Seventh Heaven and we did EcoTrax - both were great days.
Tips and advice:
Don’t sweat the small stuff, island time is real and everything will come together beautifully. Know what you are wanting to achieve and find the write people to help you get your vision."
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}
}
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