TE VANIRA, THE INTIMATE ONE

At the heart of a Polynesian wedding ceremony is a blessing held on the beach. With your toes in the sand, the sound of the lagoon's gentle waves and the scent of vanilla hanging in the air, it makes for an undeniably romantic setting that's steeped in tradition.

We can provide traditional Polynesian pareos for you both to wear, along with flower hei crowns and lei garlands, so that you'll feel the spirit of the South Pacific.

Guided by a master of ceremony – or tahu’a – you'll stand beneath a floral arch to exchange vows and rings and participate in a range of customary rituals.

For example, you'll receive a traditional blessing, to the sound of the ukulele, where your tahu'a takes the leaves of a sacred auti plant, a symbol of the sacred bond of marriage. The leaves are divided into strips, which are gently wound around a couple's wrists, forming a symbolic bond. Coconut water is then poured over their hands as a blessing. Each couple will also receive a Polynesian name, recognizing them as a single entity and further binding them to island culture.

The ceremony lasts around 30 minutes and can be conducted in the afternoon or as the sun sets.

We're happy to suggest local musical performers or dancers, to accompany the formalities, and can recommend professional photographers to document the occasion in your preferred style.

As we cannot control the weather, we'll always have an alternative, indoor location on standby. And if you prefer to wear your own clothes, that's fine by us. At the end of procceedings we'll provide you with a wedding certificate.