Cheryl and Neil’s love story began across two countries, with Cheryl growing up in Suva, Fiji, and Neil in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2020, Cheryl moved to Auckland for a fresh start, unknowingly stepping into the path of her forever. In February 2022, she downloaded Bumble on a whim, and after a week of easy conversation, Neil asked her to lunch. What began as a simple date quickly turned into lunch and ice cream — the start of something special.
From the moment they met, their connection felt natural and rare — like home in each other. Both were open about wanting something meaningful, which strengthened their bond instantly. After meeting on March 6th, they became inseparable, spending their days enjoying beach sunsets, food adventures around Auckland, and their now-signature ice cream dates. Cheryl also quickly fell in love with Neil’s dog, Ollie, completing their little family.
Neil planned a magical proposal, keeping every detail a surprise while involving Cheryl’s family and Ollie. The day began with a scenic helicopter ride over Auckland, followed by lunch at V T Station. Later, they travelled to Piha Beach, where Cheryl was blindfolded before the big reveal — her parents, Ollie in a tuxedo, and a beautiful “Will You Marry Me” setup overlooking the coast. Neil proposed, with a photographer capturing the moment, creating a memory that felt truly dreamlike.
We catch up with Bride Cheryl on planning their wedding in Fiji:
The Planning
Choosing Fiji for our wedding felt completely natural — it’s home, filled with family, love, and lifelong memories. It meant so much to us that my great-grandparents could be there, and after visiting together, Neil fell in love with Fiji too. When we started planning, there was no question — this was where we wanted to celebrate.
We chose Denarau Island for its beautiful island setting. I had always loved the oceanfront lawn at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, and it felt perfect for our ceremony. We then celebrated our reception at the Crowne Plaza Nadi Bay Resort & Spa with all our family and friends.
Planning was made so easy thanks to our amazing vendors. The Wedding Shop Fiji brought everything together as both stylists and coordinators, while Deepa’s Shubh Vivah Decoration created a stunning reception setup. Perfect Moments Photography & Cinematography captured every moment beautifully, making the whole experience unforgettable.
We were so fortunate to have an incredible team supporting us, led by The Wedding Shop Fiji, who brought our vision to life with so much care, creativity, and energy — from the ceremony details to keeping the dance floor alive. Alongside them, our planner Ebua Wedding Planner ensured every detail was seamlessly executed, always going above and beyond to make the experience stress-free and special. Together, they created a truly magical journey, turning our ideas into a celebration that felt effortless, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Getting Ready
For my hair and makeup, I worked with Totoka Hair and Beauty Fiji, with Manshita as my stylist. From the very beginning, the team made me feel completely comfortable, listening to every detail to create the exact look I had envisioned. On the wedding day, they were incredible — calming my nerves and making me feel confident, relaxed, and more beautiful than I could have imagined.
I wore a gown by Trish Peng, and I knew it was the one the moment I tried it on with my mum. I paired it with delicate jewellery from Amélie George, heels from Novo, and a custom veil from India Bridal Veils by Laadli — designed with a unique two-tone finish, crystals, and personal details that made it truly special.
Neil wore a custom suit by T. Begg Tailoring, designed to complement the overall palette, while the groomsmen wore coordinated suits from YD. Our bridesmaids wore emerald green dresses from Billy J, tying everything together beautifully with the tropical setting.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony took place on the stunning oceanfront lawn at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort — a location we both instantly fell in love with. Surrounded by coconut trees and overlooking the ocean, it felt like the perfect mix of intimacy, romance, and tropical beauty. We wanted a setting that truly felt like Fiji, where we could share such a meaningful moment with our closest family and friends.
The ceremony styling and florals were beautifully brought to life by The Wedding Shop Fiji, who created a dreamy, flower-petal aisle and soft, romantic arrangements that perfectly complemented the setting. We kept the overall vibe natural and joyful, embracing Fijian hospitality, and included a pastor-led blessing to make the ceremony feel deeply meaningful and spiritual.
One of the most special parts of the ceremony was writing our own vows. Neil thoughtfully included words from his proposal, which made the moment feel full circle and incredibly emotional. It was a heartfelt and personal ceremony — a true reflection of our journey, surrounded by love, faith, and the beauty of Fiji.
The Photography
Our photography and cinematography were captured by Perfect Moments Photography & Cinematography, and choosing one trusted team for both made the entire process seamless. From the early morning preparations through to the final moments of the reception, they were there to capture every detail, emotion, and memory beautifully.
We wanted our photos to feel candid, fun, and full of celebration — nothing overly posed, just genuine moments as they naturally unfolded. From the happy tears during our vows to the laughter on the dance floor, their team perfectly captured the energy and emotion of the day in a way that felt true to us.
Looking back at our photos and videos instantly takes us right back to that day. Every smile, every glance, and every special moment has been preserved so beautifully, allowing us to relive the love and joy we felt surrounded by our family and friends — memories we will treasure forever.
The Reception
Our reception was held at the Crowne Plaza Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, which gave us the perfect space to celebrate with all our family and friends. After our intimate ceremony, we wanted the reception to feel vibrant, elegant, and full of energy — a place where everyone could come together, dance, and truly enjoy the celebration.
The décor and styling were beautifully brought to life by Deepa’s Shubh Vivah Decoration, creating a glamorous, Bollywood-inspired atmosphere with stunning florals and thoughtful details throughout. We wore traditional Indian outfits — I wore red and gold, while Neil wore blue — and added fun Fijian touches like a Vakarau dance and cream buns on the dance floor, which everyone loved.
We treated our guests to a delicious Indian-inspired menu with Fijian flavours, along with a great selection of drinks to keep the celebrations going. With music by DJ Jay Reddy and MC Shaneel Mishra keeping the energy high, the night flowed seamlessly into an after-party at the resort’s Latitude Bar, where celebrations continued into the early hours.
Highlights & Advice
One of the biggest highlights of our Fiji wedding was the incredible setting — from the stunning venues to the tropical scenery and perfect weather, every moment felt magical. We also loved the little touches that brought so much joy, like the famous Fiji cream buns, which our guests absolutely loved. Most of all, having our family and friends there to celebrate with us made the day truly unforgettable, filling it with so much love, laughter, and special memories.
For any Fiji-bound brides, my biggest advice would be to invest in experienced planners and coordinators — they make the entire process so much smoother and stress-free. Take the time to communicate clearly with your vendors and resort team, whether through calls or in person, to ensure everything runs seamlessly. And if you can, arrive a few days early to relax, settle in, and fully enjoy the lead-up to your wedding — it makes all the difference.
