The Polynesian Wedding ceremony attracts more and more foreigners especially Americans and Japanese. (A famous example among others: Dustin Hoffman's wedding in 1995).
Indeed, Tahiti and her Islands offer an ideal setting for the most beautiful and memorable event in one's life.
Organized with a lot of taste by many major hotels of Polynesia, this wedding has in general no legal**, nor religious worth.
In most cases, it takes place during a honeymoon, or to give a special meaning to a love relationship or to renew vows for an anniversary.
Couples have the choice between an ancient royal ceremony or a more traditional occidental one.
Please inquire with your hotel for more details.
Outside your hotel, the Tiki Village in Moorea is known for its Tahitian Weddings.
Prices vary depending on the type of ceremony and the place chosen: usually from
$1000 up to $2200 (ask your Travel Coordinator).
In
TAHITI:
InterContinental Resort Tahiti:
-"Intimate Tahitian Ceremony": unfolds beachside on the hotel's motu. Serenaded
by a Tahitian trio, the bride and groom exchange tiare leis and receive a
wedding blessing from a Tahitian priest. Afterward, they are presented with a
tapa wedding certificate and wrapped in a tifaifai, a handmade wedding quilt.
-The "Traditional Tahitian Wedding Ceremony" is modeled after the Intimate
Ceremony and includes a Tahitian dance group with musicians that will sing and
dance to the newly wedded couple's joy during and after the ceremony. A bottle
of champagne and a bed of flowers await the couple when they retire to their
room.
In MOOREA:
Tiki Village:
-"Mariage Princier": The bride, dressed as a Tahitian princess, the groom as
a chief, are married by a Tahitian priest in a re-enactment of an ancient
ceremony. Vows are exchanged at a stone temple, to the songs and dances of the
local villagers. Adorned in flower leis and hei, the couple are presented with a
tapa marriage certificate, souvenir photos, and toast their happiness with
champagne.
-"Mariage Royal": the groom arrives in a canoe. Tahitian dances, a romantic
lagoon cruise with musicians and champagne add the finishing touch.
InterContinental Resort Moorea:
-"Mini Polynesian Sunset Ceremony": takes place on a beach decorated with
flowers, palms and torchlights. Serenaded by musicians and dancers, the bride
awaits the groom's arrival by outrigger canoe. After exchanging tiare leis and
being baptized with Tahitian names, the couple are wrapped in the traditional
tifaifai wedding quilt and presented a tapa wedding certificate. The ceremony
ends with a dance and farewell song before the bride and groom return to their
bungalow where champagne and canapes await them.
-"Grand Polynesian Ceremony" includes all of the above plus a group of dancers,
singers and musicians that performs a 30-minute show. Following the ceremony,
the couple retires to their room or bungalow where the bed has been decorated
with Tahitian flowers, and champagne and canapes await them.
Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa:
-"Traditional Tahitian Wedding Ceremony": In the tropical garden by the lagoon,
musicians and villagers greet the couple with traditional love songs. Vows are
exchanged before a Tahitian High Priest (includes 24 photos)
-"Royal Wedding Ceremony"
In BORA BORA:
InterContinental Le Moana Resort Bora Bora:
-"Te Tama Mini Traditional Ceremony": takes place on the hotel's lovely beach,
decorated Polynesian style. The bride and groom are dressed in traditional
Polynesian wedding pareos. A group of dancers and musicians serenade the couple
with traditional love songs. A Tahitian priest unites them in a traditional
ceremony, baptizing the couple with Tahitian names and wrapping them in a
tifaifai wedding quilt. Following the ceremony, the couple returns to their
bungalow where a beautiful arrangement of tropical flowers adorns their bed.
Champagne and wedding cake await them.
-"Traditional Te Arii Ceremony" includes all of the above plus a gastronomic
dinner for two at the resort's Noa Noa Restaurant.
Bora Bora Lagoon Resort:
-"Tahitian Wedding Ceremony": As musicians and dancers serenade, the groom
arrives by outrigger canoe at the decorated white sand beach, where the bride
greets him. After the ceremony and outrigger canoe excursion, a romantic dinner
is included.
Hotel Bora Bora:
-"Traditional Polynesian Ceremony": The beach ceremony with musicians and
dancers is performed by a Tahitian priest.
-"Traditional Motu Ceremony"
Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa:
-"Traditional Ceremony": The ceremony is conducted by a Tahitian priest at
sunset, amid coconut palms and flowers. The couple exchange flower leis and heis,
accompanied by Tahitian songs and dances.
Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort:
-"Te Va'a Ceremony": Dressed in Pareos and floral crowns, you sail in a
flower-decorated catamaran, under the soft rays of sunset. Music plays as you
receive Tahitian names and are wrapped in Tifaifai (traditional quilt). Toast
your union with a glass of champagne.
Sofitel Motu Bora Bora:
-"Tahitian Wedding Ceremony": Arriving by outrigger canoe, the groom meets his
bride on the beach. Dancers escort the couple to the top of the hill for
the ceremony, overlooking the lagoon and facing Mt. Otemanu. A romantic dinner
is served in their bungalow.
Le Meridien Bora Bora:
Set on the white sand beach facing Mt. Otemanu, the groom arrives by outrigger
canoe. Dressed in pareos and adorned with flower crowns, you exchange vows amid
Tahitian songs and dance. A sunset cruise with champagne and canapes and a
romantic dinner served in the restaurant or bungalow follow. Receive a wedding
certificate made from tapa and 12 photos.
In TAHA'A:
Le Taha'a Private Island and Spa:
-"Te Ruau Ceremony": Dressed in Pareos and flower leis, you arrive by pirogue
(canoe) to a private motu (islet). The mood is set with Polynesian love songs
and traditional dances. Wrapped in a Tifaifai quilt, you'll be given traditional
names and a tropical cocktail to toast the union.
**If you are of French citizenship, for your wedding to be legal according to the code civil national, you must have resided at least 1 month in French Polynesia and add 10 days for the publishing of the bans.
You must also provide the following documents:
-birth certificates(dated less than 3 months) of the future spouses
-prenuptial medical certificates of the future spouses
-residency certificate (at least 1 month)
-copy of notarized wedding contract if applicable
-birth certificates of children to legitimize, if applicable
If you are a foreigner, you must also provide:
-a certificate de coutume from the authorities of your country
-a celibacy certificate
-a certificate of publication des bans where you reside overseas
(birth certificates must be translated in french)
Lastly, if you really are serious in the matter, it would be safe to inquire with the cityhall of the district where you would like to be married. (See page "Government" in About Tahiti)
Joyeuses Noces!
