Misty and Daniel’s story began in the most unexpected way—crossing paths in Hanmer Springs in 2023. He was there for a stag’s celebration, she was enjoying a girls’ trip, and despite living very different day-to-day lives, the connection was instant. What started as a chance meeting quickly turned into something more, with the two staying in touch long after the weekend ended and watching their relationship naturally grow from there.
The next chapter unfolded in unforgettable style in Las Vegas, where Daniel planned a heartfelt proposal during a trip to watch the Super Motocross final. After days filled with excitement and adventure, he surprised Misty with a beautiful proposal. It was an intimate, thoughtful moment that made an already incredible trip even more meaningful, and one they’ll always treasure.
When it came time to choose a wedding destination, fate stepped in. The couple were fortunate enough to win their dream wedding at Toberua Island Resort—a moment that still feels surreal. Even before that, they had always imagined saying “I do” somewhere by the ocean, and Fiji proved to be everything they had hoped for and more. With its natural beauty, relaxed atmosphere, and the chance to turn their celebration into a shared holiday with loved ones, it was the perfect setting for the beginning of their next chapter.
The Planning
Planning our wedding at Toberua Island Resort made the whole experience feel effortless from the start. The island is such a beautiful, intimate space with a peaceful, private vibe, and we loved that everything—from activities to dining—was all in one place. It meant our guests could easily enjoy themselves, whether that was joining in on activities or simply relaxing and soaking it all in.
Having so much taken care of made the process incredibly stress-free, which we were so grateful for. It allowed us to focus on the fun, personal touches like choosing our cake and adding a few special details to the day. The main thing we organised ourselves was bringing our friends and family over and turning the wedding into a holiday, which ended up being one of the best parts of the entire experience.
We’re both pretty go-with-the-flow people, so we were more than happy to leave most of the planning to the resort. That said, even just looking through their website and photos got us so excited and helped us start picturing the day. With everything already so beautifully styled, we didn’t feel the need for Pinterest boards or magazines—the setting alone gave us all the inspiration we needed.
Getting Ready
The morning of the wedding was such a special, shared experience—especially getting ready alongside my daughter. My hair and makeup were done by Totoka Hair & Beauty, and Rani did an incredible job. She also styled my 9-year-old daughter’s hair and makeup, which made the whole experience even more meaningful for us to enjoy together. We were both so happy with how everything turned out—she felt so grown up and absolutely beautiful, and I loved that my makeup felt like an elevated version of myself, just a little more polished than usual while still feeling natural.
My dress journey was a little unexpected. I ordered it online, but when it arrived, it didn’t feel quite right. Thankfully, my mother-in-law Erin and her friend Claire stepped in and worked their magic—adjusting the straps and bust, and adding lace to the top half to completely transform it. I had always wanted something simple but beautiful, and I ended up loving how it all came together. To finish the look, Erin also loaned me a stunning necklace and earrings, which added such a personal and sentimental touch to the day.
The Ceremony
We were married on a beautiful sandy spot at Toberua Island Resort, with palm trees swaying and the ocean as our backdrop—honestly, anywhere on the island would have been perfect. The incredible team took care of all the styling, with tropical flowers, woven details, and thoughtful Fijian touches that made everything feel natural, authentic, and so special.
The ceremony itself was simple and intimate, just how we’d imagined. One of the most meaningful moments was walking down the aisle with my dad, while my daughter led the way as flower girl, scattering petals. With music from the Toberua Serenaders and relaxed, guided vows, it felt personal, emotional, and completely unforgettable.
Photography
We were lucky enough to have Fabio from Silvestre Photography as our photographer. Since we’re not naturally comfortable in front of the camera, we were a little nervous at first, but Fabio immediately put us at ease with his calm, guided approach. His style is so natural and relaxed, and he captured everything so beautifully—the emotion, the setting, and all the little in-between moments. We didn’t have a specific brief; we simply wanted our photos to reflect the happiness of the day, and that’s exactly what we got. From beach shots to moments with our friends and family, every image brings it all back, and we feel so grateful to have such special memories to look back on for years to come.
The Reception
Our reception at Toberua Island Resort unfolded in the most relaxed and magical way. After the ceremony, we slipped away for photos while our guests enjoyed bubbly by the water, before everyone gathered at the end of the pier for cake and drinks as the sun began to set—one of those moments that felt almost surreal. The team at the resort styled everything beautifully, from the pier setup to our dinner space, where tables were arranged in a U-shape so we could sit in the middle and share the evening closely with our friends and family.
The styling carried through with soft tropical details and Fijian touches that made the setting feel authentic and effortless. Dinner was incredible—we had pre-arranged all our meals during our stay, and our wedding night menu of crumbed fish and lamb was a highlight. We paired it with a drinks package, and were even surprised with bubbly from the owners, which was such a thoughtful touch. Our coconut and lime cake was another standout—something a little different, beautifully made, and more than enough to share.
Music from the Toberua Serenaders created the perfect atmosphere throughout the evening, adding a warm, joyful energy that everyone loved. As the night wound down, we shared dessert, speeches, and laughter under the soft evening sky before ending the day in the most peaceful way—with a quiet late-night swim, reflecting on what had been such an unforgettable celebration.
The Holiday
We turned our wedding into a bit of a holiday! Everyone flew into Nadi a couple of days before the wedding and spent a few nights there, doing some shopping and activities. It was really nice to relax, enjoy the culture, and spend time with our friends and family before heading to the island. The resort amazingly arranged private transport for us to travel to Suva. Seeing some of the wider Fiji was really cool, and then on to Toberua Island. After the wedding, some of our friends and family headed home, while others stayed a few extra days back in Nadi. Daniel and I stayed on the island for a few more days as our honeymoon: relaxing, enjoying each other’s company, and soaking up the island vibes.
The Highlights
There were so many highlights of our Fiji wedding! Walking down the aisle with my dad and my daughter as our flower girl, surrounded by the gorgeous island scenery, is a moment I’ll never forget. The ceremony was full of thoughtful touches from the staff, and the Serenaders made it feel really magical. We loved our reception too; the beautiful décor, delicious food, and heartfelt speeches made it so special. Seeing all our memories captured in photos and then having a few extra days on the island as our honeymoon to relax and enjoy time together, made the whole experience unforgettable. We honestly feel so lucky to have had this incredible celebration.
Advice for future brides
I would say to just relax and enjoy every moment! Try not to stress about the small details. The resorts in Fiji, especially Toberua, really take care of everything so you can just relax and enjoy the experience. Make time to explore a little before the wedding, even if it’s just a walk on the beach or trying some local food. Be mindful of the season you’re travelling in; you might get some tropical showers, but it doesn’t have to ruin anything. The islands are beautiful rain or shine!
