where do we get married?

i'd like people's opinion on where the most beautiful, unspoilt and freindly place is to get hitched preferebly in the pacific. we're getting married next year and have been looking at tonga so far......thing is we want REAL opinions, not travel agents codswallop.

If it's SP you want - you could start from here

South Pacific

See if there's an island(group) that appeals you.

THEN,

#1 Make sure they do weddings
#2 Make sure your local authorities recognize the marriage certificate

Once you've taken these first steps, it's easier to ask for SPECIFIC ADVICE

Best of Luck

P.S. got married on Rarotonga

Tonga, Vava'u group of islands are incredible! Samoa would be another choice -- western side of the island.

very sweet! i am going to the pacific in a few days...if i see the perfect place to get hitched i will let you know...for now i wish you guys lots and lots of love forever and ever...lucky you!

I have heard of people getting married on "Honeymoon Island" on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, I think people there can make arrangements. I do know that it is a extremely pretty place, perfect for a wedding.

If you do go, or even if you marry elsewhere, consider Honeymooning on One Foot Island in Aitutaki. It is the PERFECT honeymoon location. It is an amazingly pretty island, perfect white sand beach, blue water, stars at night, the whole package, and there is only one small house on the island, so you will be totally ALONE, with the entire island to yourself. Seach "One Foot Hideaway" on google and you will find it, and it is not too expensive too, I think less than $100 US per night. YOU WON"T REGRET IT!!!

we go to Uepi Island in the Solomons twice each year and love it. We spent three weeks there starting from just before Xmas last year. A couple of days after we arrived, there was a wedding held there - a couple from England, plus the brides parents & a sister who worked for the British High Commission in Honiara made up the wedding party.

It was an absolutely beautiful wedding, with all of the resort guests and staff attending. (Uepi only takes a small number of guests so it was still very personal.) the staff decorated an area for the ceremony using palm fronds, hibiscus & frangipani flowers. It was right outside the brides cabin and just a meter or so from the lagoon edge. Staff sang as the bride and her father left the cabin and walked to the "bridal bower". The bride carried a huge bunch of local orchids. The ceremony was conducted by a local minister who had brought wife and child along to watch. He was well dressed in a clean white shirt, tie, long trousers......but no shoes. (It's rare to see a Solomon Islander who owns shoes). It was a brief but lovely ceremony, very personal and made even more wonderful by the stunning scenery.

After the bridal party had changed into less formal clothing, they were taken by boat to a secluded beach on the other side of the island for a lunch of champagne, lobster, crab, salads and fruit.

At dinner time, the bridal party again dressed in their wedding clothes and we all shared a wonderful dinner on the deck, overlooking the water. A wedding cake had been made and the staff decorated it with a profusion of local orchids from the garden.

It really seemed like a perfect wedding day. And after seeing it, hubby & I, who will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2007, are hoping to have a vow renewal ceremony there.

Nothing wrong with The Napali Coast on Kaiwai overlooking the Pacific.
Gorgeous Pics -High drop-off and cliffs down to Ocean then
Big Background The island although Hawaii
tends these days to be dissed but it is still small, quaint, least-visited
and very nice. All the Best

Toberua Island in Fiji?

BUNG28 - so what was rarotonga like? you've all been so helpful!!!! keep 'em coming!!!

Rarotonga was wonderful - I believe we couldn't have made a better choice.

First, we sent emails to all places we found interesting (google and this brach have been very helpful)

Almost all places replied very quickly and we got information of their rates and services.

We chose Manuia Beach Hotel for many reasons

- they gave us pretty good direct price
- the place is beautiful and the bechfront rooms are very nice
- their reply was so friendly and it wasn't one of those "thank you for your interest" type of automatic responses
- they have their own little wedding chappel - right on their beach
- they were able to take care of ALL our needs - we didn't have to worry about a thing - everything was taken care of

I'm absolute certain that this isn't anything special on Rarotonga - they simply are wonderful people and no matter where you end up getting married - if it's on Rarotonga - you'll be taken care of the most wonderful way.

We couldn't have been happier with Manuia - the staff was so wonderful. We needed to visit the hospital on our first day - so they gave us a lift (without asking). Same thing when I wanted to visit the local prison (to buy a ukulele there).

They were building two new duplex units at the time we were there (didn't even notice any noice) - so what did they do? - they gave us free dinner/BBQ night vouchers each day they "were causing noice for their guests..."---pretty awesome.

And every night we got back to our room - there was a small gift left on the pillow...

taveuni - fiji, bliss bliss bliss

ellehevey - you mean this one?
Taveuni Island Resort

Bures (per night) US$779
Wedding package (paperwork, flowers, cake) - US$950

And they say FP is expensive :-)

Arrange to get married on a Saturday afternoon on One Foot Island (Aitutaki, here in theCooks). then arrange to stay Sat and Sun night in the house on the islet. On Sunday you'll wake up and have the islet all to yourselves, until about 11am on Monday. Not bad!!!

Even a good idea for those of you not getting married!

Raro

I know nothing of this place firsthand, but I bookmarked it awhile ago because it sounded so idyllic. Maybe others have an opinion: http://www.coconutsbeachclubsamoa.com/</a>

We had our honeymoon at Uepi Island Reort in the Solomons and try & get back there every year or so. Would be a great place to get married. They always remember us and look after us amazingly well. Agree with comments from no. 5.

If money is no option then do Vatulele in Fiji and book 'The Point' - casual luxury, picture postcard stuff. Only you might find other guests can be less warm and a bit predictable. We've been heading to Uepi in the Solomons annually for the last 5 years, having decided it can't be beat. Laid back, incredibly beautiful, great people, peace and perfect tranquil nature that money can't buy. Good luck.

Do a search for Blue Lagoon resort - a 45 min boat ride to paradise - see the website. Run by a sous chef, who is slightly eccentric and whose home built fales are fabulous. Absolutely stunning and fantastic food. An American couple were honeymooning there and loved it and we celebrated my hubby's birthday there - but made the mistake of only staying 2 nights. So peaceful.