Fiji Wedding – How to get married in Fiji

Consider a beach wedding in Fiji. With its pure white beaches, warm tropical breezes, friendly ‘bula’ charm and small, private resorts, it’s no surprise that Fiji is a favourite wedding destination for couples seeking an exotic beach wedding (and perhaps a combined honeymoon getaway).

Discover gorgeous beaches, sheltered lagoons, warm tropical breezes, friendly ‘bula’ charm and numerous small, private resorts that offer romantic wedding packages to suit all budgets.

Wedding venues
Fiji offers a stunning choice of luxury resorts on secluded atolls just a few hours away from Nadi by high-speed catamaran or plane as well as several 5-star hotels on the main island of Viti Levu. Choose a beach wedding or, for those who prefer a traditional church wedding service, take your vows in a beautifully decorated wedding chapel.

Obtaining a Marriage Licence
Overseas visitors intending to get married in Fiji are required by law to obtain a marriage license from the nearest registry office prior to the wedding ceremony. Registration formalities usually take about 15 minutes and the special licence is issued within one working day. The fee is F$20 and the licence is valid for 21 days. The wedding must occur within 28 days of the application.

Registry offices are in Nadi, Suva, Lautoka and Sigatoka and are open between 8am and 3pm Monday through Friday (excluding public holidays). Following the wedding ceremony, your signed documents are processed and an official Wedding Certificate is mailed to you within four weeks.

Marriage officers/celebrants
Choose a minister of your faith or non-religious marriage celebrant. Weddings in Fiji are legally recognised in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Documents required
Here's what you require for a Fiji wedding:

• Original or certified copy of birth certificates
• Passport (with valid visitors visa)
• Decree Absolute document (divorced papers), if relevant
• Death certificate of deceased former spouse, if relevant
• Certificate of Single Status (or) Certificate of No Legal Impediment. Marriage applicants from Australia and New Zealand are exempt from this requirement (except for applicants previously married who need to confirm their current marital status if divorce was granted in the previous five years).
• Deed poll (Proof is required if you have changed your name.) This also applies if you are a divorced woman who has reverted back to your maiden name.
• Parental consent if under 21 years of age
• Catholic weddings require a letter of Freedom to Marry, sent at least two to three months in advance to the Fijian priest, along with baptism certificates. Usual pre-wedding studies must be completed with a letter from your priest.

Wedding customs and traditions in Fiji
A wedding ceremony in paradise, what to expect
Traditionally dressed Fijian warriors accompany the bride across the lagoon on a flower-bedecked barge to her groom waiting expectantly on the sandy shore.

The local village choir sings a haunting melody as a Fijian minister presides over the couple’s exchange of vows. Shortly afterwards, local village children toss fragrant flower petals around and onto the newlyweds.

After the ceremony, guests are invited to participate in champagne toasts and take part in a traditional kava ceremony where blessings are bestowed on the couple by Fijian tribal elders.

As the sun sets, the special Fijian wedding feast is followed by ceremonial dances performed for the newlyweds until at last they retire to their romantic thatched-roof bure.

Bili Bili – The Bili Bili is a bridal boat adorned with colourful flowers – Fiji’s version of a limousine.

Warriors – Native Fijians in traditional dress man the oars of the Bili Bili, escort and carry the bride and her wedding throne to her groom.

Salusalu – A flower necklace made of tapa cloth, leaves and brightly coloured flowers.

Meke – A combination of dance, song and theatre performed at feasts and on special occasions such as your wedding ceremony.

Traditional Fijian wedding attire – Any garment made with tapa cloth. Tapa is the bark from an indigenous, non-endangered Fijian tree pounded into a fine cloth and hand painted with traditional patterns of Fiji.

Lovo – An underground oven made by stacking and burning dry coconut husks in a pit. Once the fire is well lit, stones are heaped on top. When most of the husks are burnt away, the food is wrapped in banana leaves and placed on the hot stones – traditionally fish and meat are placed below with vegetables above.

Kava ceremony – Kava is a tranquilising, non-alcoholic drink that numbs the tongue and lips. It comes from the waka (dried root) of the pepper plant. The ceremonial preparation is the most honoured feature of the local life of Fijians. It is performed with utmost gravity according to a sacramental ritual to mark marriages, births, deaths and official visits.