Wedding | Sophia & Martin | Marriott Momi Bay
Sophia & Martins story began in high school in Hawai‘i, where they quickly became close friends. Even as life led them to different places for college, their bond remained strong. No matter the distance, they always found their way back to each other — a connection that grew naturally over the years. It was, as they describe it, like slowly and effortlessly falling in love with your best friend. With a relationship deeply rooted in friendship, their love has always felt grounded, steady, and like home.
The proposal took place in Greece, during a celebration for the bride’s brother’s wedding. After a perfect day exploring the sun-soaked beauty of Mykonos, Martin proposed at a charming beachside fish tavern — a quiet, romantic moment that marked the start of their next chapter.
When it came time to choose a wedding destination, Fiji felt like the perfect fit. With its lush beauty, warm culture, and sense of relaxed luxury, it offered everything they wanted: a meaningful, magical place to bring their loved ones together and celebrate love in paradise.
We catch up with Bride Sophia on planning their wedding in Fiji:
Initial Planning
We chose to get married in Fiji because we’d been dreaming of a meaningful getaway. My mother is from an outer island (Rotuma) and I wanted to show Martin where I grew up visiting. We wanted to keep it intimate with only our closest people, and the idea of turning our wedding into a shared vacation with them felt perfect. Once Fiji came up as an option, we didn’t look anywhere else.
Having grown up in Hawai‘i, I was always surrounded by beaches, florals, and hula—and that became the heart of my inspiration from the very beginning. I wanted the wedding to reflect that sense of simple tropical elegance, with vibrant floral touches, lush greenery, and a natural beauty.
We came across the Marriott Resort Momi Bay after just one or two simple Google searches. The moment we saw that aerial photo of the resort we were completely captivated. It was exactly the kind of setting we envisioned for our day.
The resort had a dedicated page just for wedding packages, which made it feel like they really understood destination weddings. I submitted a general inquiry through their form and was contacted shortly after. Once we had the chance to meet with the wedding coordinator, everything just clicked. It felt easy and meant to be so we made the decision then and there to move forward with them.
Bula Bride was incredibly helpful throughout the planning process, especially since I rely heavily on reviews and real feedback when making decisions. I appreciated how diverse the content was. It was so reassuring and inspiring to see real weddings from other brides with similar styles and visions.
Overall, wedding planning was a great experience. The only minor challenge was the time difference, which occasionally caused some delays in email communication. That said, Losana at Momi Bay Resort was incredible. She went above and beyond to keep everything organized, timely, and perfectly aligned with our vision. Her support made the entire process feel seamless and stress-free, even from afar.
Getting Ready
My hair and makeup were done by myself and my sister, which made the getting-ready process feel even more special. I wanted to feel naturally beautiful and true to myself.
My dress was extremely affordable and purchased online from Revolve. I had been searching for something very specific—a simple gown with thin straps, a low back, and no detailing or texture. Revolve was the only place I found exactly what I envisioned, and I couldn’t have been happier with it. From the start, my dream was to base my bridal look around a white Hawaiian pikake lei, timeless and deeply meaningful to me. That vision truly came to life. My best friend handmade my lei, as well as Martin’s ti leaf lei, which made it all the more special.
The bridesmaid dresses were simple yet elegant halter dresses from Club L London. I wanted them to complement the relaxed, tropical vibe of the wedding while keeping everything effortless and timeless.
Martin and the groomsmen wore island shirts paired with Samoa ie faikaga (sarongs) from Tanoa Samoa. We wanted their attire to honor tradition while still maintaining an elegant look that fit the overall style of our wedding.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was originally planned for North Point at Momi Bay, but a rainstorm forced us to quickly find an alternative. The resort was amazing in accommodating us, and they set up at Vonu Lawn with a beautiful white tent. Despite the change in location, we still had the beach backdrop we dreamed of,
The decor, arranged by Fiji Weddings, was stunning. The arch was our favorite, adorned with lush greenery which is exactly what we wished for. We incorporated tropical elements through the greenery, flowers, woven accessories, and mats for the aisle.
The flowers and bouquet were also provided by Fiji Weddings, and they absolutely delivered. I honestly don’t think I could’ve dreamed of a more perfect bouquet. It was everything I envisioned, vibrant and tropical.
We didn’t have many requirements for the ceremony, except that we wanted it to be short and sweet. We chose to exchange personal vows privately, keeping the ceremony under 20 minutes. Despite its simplicity, it still felt incredibly special and intimate. Our celebrant was wonderful, and many of our guests complimented me on how heartfelt and meaningful the ceremony was.
The Photography
We chose Ocean Studio Fiji as our photographers because we knew their style was exactly what we wanted, natural, beautiful, and authentic. Their ability to capture genuine moments made us feel confident they’d preserve the true essence of our day.
We asked them to focus on capturing smaller, candid, unposed moments along with portraits. They completely understood our vision and guided us in a way that made being photographed feel completely natural. We’re beyond happy with their service and talent. Ana did an amazing job, and we’re so grateful for the beautiful memories she helped us create.
We are absolutely obsessed with our photos—truly. Ana did an incredible job capturing the natural beauty around us. The lighting was stunning, and the moments between our loved ones were so special. But our absolute favorites are the post-wedding sunset photos.
The Reception
Our reception was originally planned for Vonu Lawn, but due to rain, we moved it to the resort’s pre-function space.
Once again, Fiji Weddings worked their magic—creating a stunning setup that kept all the details we envisioned. It still felt exactly as we wanted: elegant and intimate, despite the change in location.
We kept the decor neutral with white and green tones, accented by tropical florals. Our cake, adorned with vibrant tropical flowers, added a pop of color. We also had a woven mat on the dancefloor and a setup for our traditional Rotuman ofsope ceremony.
Dinner was a buffet-style spread featuring mostly seafood and traditional Fijian dishes, complemented by beer and wine—capturing the island spirit perfectly. Our three-tier cake by Sweet Endings Fiji was a passionfruit citrus masterpiece—light, flavorful, and truly unforgettable. Huge thanks to Marina, Gabby, and Jolei for going above and beyond. We can’t recommend them enough!
DJ Works Fiji was phenomenal—from pre-planning to the final song. They were organized, communicative, and knew exactly how to keep the energy up. Our guests danced all night thanks to their perfect playlist.
After the reception, we continued the celebration at the Lagoon Lounge, which kindly stayed open an extra hour for us. The drinks were amazing, and the service was top-notch—a perfect end to an unforgettable night.
Travel & Activities
In total, we spent 10 days in Fiji arriving three days before the wedding. We stayed at the resort for most of our time and then spent a few days at an Airbnb in Nadi.
One of the highlights of our time in Fiji was a day cruise to South Sea Island with 30 of our guests, and I highly recommend it. We also did the Sleeping Giant Garden hike and zipline, which was an incredible way to see the island.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without bringing home some local treats and souvenirs. We picked up some delicious Dalo and Cassava chips, as well as Pure Fiji lotions and soaps, which are always a lovely reminder of the island. We also grabbed small souvenirs from downtown Nadi.
Overall Highlights
Looking back, every moment of our wedding experience felt so true to me and Martin. We were relaxed, present, and deeply grateful to share such a meaningful time with our closest loved ones. What made it even more special was the warmth and kindness of the Fijian people, their hospitality is truly unmatched. No matter where you go on the island, you’re greeted with “bula”, genuine smiles and a sense of welcome that’s hard to put into words. It made leaving incredibly hard and reminded us just how special Fiji really is.
My advice is to do as much research as you can, don’t skip over the photos, read the reviews, and don’t hesitate to reach out to vendors. Everyone who was responsive ended up being incredibly helpful, and that made all the difference in our planning. Trust your instincts, and choose people who genuinely make you feel supported in the process.
If you’re looking to get married in Fiji, chances are you’re dreaming of a relaxed, unforgettable experience and it truly can be just that. Since you’re likely planning from afar, you’ll have to rely heavily on photos, and in my experience, that was key. Paying close attention to imagery helped me visualize the day and find inspiration. By thoughtfully selecting elements that resonated with me, I was able to piece together a celebration that felt personal and uniquely ours.
Who Did They Use
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Fiji Wedding Photographers
Ocean Studio Fiji Photography
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Wedding Venues
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay
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Event Rentals & Decor
Fiji Weddings
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DJs, Music & Entertainment
DJ Works Fiji
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