Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Running away to get married! Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
janeofthejungle 04:55 UTC 20 Mar 2008 | We have decided that instead of a huge fancy, schmancy wedding we want to head somewhere when the mood strikes...no real planning - and get hitched! Then tell people we've done the deed! Of course Vegas is the ultimate in shotgun weddings...but hardly sun-drenched and romantic. Is there anywhere in the Pacific or Asia that this can be done with minimum of fuss or planning? Any problems with the marriage being recognised in Australia? Suggestions on other places that might be the go...anywhere in the world? In Australia you do need to register a month prior to the actual legal wedding date so it takes the whole spontinaity out of it. (I have multi posted to get some ideas of other places we could do this) |
raro 04:00 UTC 22 Mar 2008 | In the Cooks you just need to be there three full days before you can get married, assuming you apply immediately after arrival. That's not a long time to wait, and I'm 99.9% sure the weddings are recognized in Australia. I've known many Aussie couples who have been married in the Cooks. Go to the main website www.ck for more info. | 1
janeofthejungle 04:32 UTC 24 Mar 2008 | Great info....may be an option as neither of us have been there before...and three days of chilling beforehand could definitely be worth it! | 2
raro 22:17 UTC 24 Mar 2008 | If you go to the Cooks, check out Sokala Villas. Sarina is their lady who does all the wedding plans, excellent work. | 3
surfingyogini 05:22 UTC 26 Mar 2008 | We eloped last year to Vanuatu - recognised in Australia and super easy... Beautiful spot and, for me, it was so much better than anything I could have imagined in Australia. Check out Connie's Weddings for a wedding planner - pretty cheap, she does everything and makes the whole day spectacular. Happy to give you any other info about getting married in Vanuatu if you're interested! | 4