Weddings overseas
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35196
Printed Date: 23 August 2025 at 1:46pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Weddings overseas
Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Subject: Weddings overseas
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 11:42am
|
Our wedding is planned for May 2011 and DP all of a sudden said yesterday he wanted to get married in Raro. Doesn't want to go to Samoa because then thats a headache for him (his family are there) and the way he sees it is that his famiy will be travelling anyway from either oz or Samoa that they can travel to Raro for us.
I'm slightly concerned that his family might not show up. I know that mine will make an effort at least. BUT anyway any ideas? I just need accommodation, and the ceremony, we don't need to put any reception or anything on. I'm happy to do my own hair, make up etc. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
|
Replies:
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 11:54am
|
Friends of mine got married in Raro everything was organised through the Resort / Travel agent. They've 2 kids so it was a honeymoon as well that they wouldn't have had otherwise. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: bopmum
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 1:36pm
|
A few years ago I went to a wedding at the Edgewater Resort in Raro, was really nice and cheap from what I can remember. They also did a deal with them on the accommodation for their guests. Was a really nice place to stay, not far from the airport.
Good luck! DP and I want to get married somewhere like Raro or Fiji! Stress Free!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 2:08pm
|
I 100% recommend island weddings, they are sooooo EASY! You just need to buy a dress and turn up.
We got married in Fiji and wouldn't have had it any other way. We were in a similar boat to you because DH's family and friends had to travel from Scotland so we figured we would make it fairer so that everyone had to travel. It works well because only your nearest and dearest end up attending 
|
Posted By: kittie
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 2:20pm
|
I had my honeymoon in Raro and can confirm that is was gorgeous!
I stayed at the Edgewater and it to was beautiful. My only recomendation would be that you make sure you get one of the better rooms - ie not the cheapest ones out the back ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 2:33pm
|
We got married at the Edgewater Resort in Rarotonga. It was fabulous. The other resorts all do weddings as well. You can talk to House of Travel or go directly to the Edgewaters website, all the info is on there. They charge you a set amount (different level packages) which includes a wedding planner, ceremony, celebrant, basic flowers (bride and groom) and a few other things. We had a sit down bbq buffet dinner after the ceremony and they were very flexible with the options. We also added on extras. When you book a wedding package you are automatically upgraded to the nice rooms so you only have to pay for basic rooms :) When we went they had a get one room free deal so a few of our guests went halves on their rooms, was a great deal. We had so much fun with the 20 people we invited. Have a look on the weddings.co.nz site forum and search rarotonga weddings, there are lots in there and in the section about actual weddings a few of us had written about ours (mine will be something like 'kmms wedding'. And if you have any questions feel free to ask or PM me. It was the best decision for us and we had a wonderful time! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 2:41pm
|
Most islands require you to be there for a few days before the wedding before they will issue a marriage cert so check that out. We had our honeymoon at The Rarotongan and it was great, had a wonderful time and the facilities were great. They do wedding packages but I think all or most of the resorts do anyway ------------- Lindsey 
|
Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 2:57pm
|
Yeah, you only have to be there for 3 days but you can pay about $50 for an exemption if you need to. I just went and had a look in the weddings website and oh, it brought back lots of memories! So cool and so exciting for you!
btw, my wedding thing is in the 'now that you are married' bit on about page 4. I don't think you can get into the photos anymore but can PM you the link if you want. Diya Welland was our photographer. And most of the restaurants on the island do weddings also but we went with the resort because then it was all in one place ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 11 August 2010 at 4:11pm
|
maysie your enthusiasm cracks me up. In a good way obviously. I just had a look at your photos they look amazing.
I was thinking I'd do my own hair as I have curly curly hair so doubt I'll be able to straighten it BLAH it'll be too humid. So do both my friends who are meant to be bridesmaids lol. I told DP I would do my own make up and he laughed and said I don't wear make up! Yeah I know that lol thats why I said I'd do my own. If you don't mind me asking Maysie how much all up did it cost? I know we're meant to be going to Oz in March as well as our wedding in May. Just found out DPs sis is meant to be getting married next year too Expensive year for us. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 12 August 2010 at 10:00am
|
hehe, I went through all the websites after I posted and got all nostalgic! I love weddings!!
I have no idea the actual cost as we just paid for things as we needed to. But we did decide to do it with only 3 months to plan (which meant lots of people couldn't come at such short notice  ) It was probably about $10-12,000 all up - flights, accomm, honeymoon, dress, table settings, food, drinks, photographer, hair/makeup/nails/toes (for me and hair for bridesmaid & bestwoman and hair/makeup for the mothers), flowers - everything! And our invites cost $12 each, and we paid for the bridal parties clothes. So I think that was pretty cheap. You could definitely do it cheaper though. I personally think that if people are going to make the effort to fly and stay there then you should put on a reception for them, but thats just my opinion  Then we had a party when we came home for all our friends and family who weren't at the wedding and that cost about $3500 (at a venue with finger foods and beer/wine). Was fun too!------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 12 August 2010 at 10:08am
|
DP is under the impression that doing it this way will be cheaper. I'm happy to organise our wedding, I've worked enough functions and as a functions organiser to do it. Considering we weren't going to do a big reception here anyway literally canaps and bar tab at a local and use a local hall for the ceremony.
I think he wants to do it because it means that not many people will come. He's abit meh who ever comes comes. His family are excited so thats something at least. It is in May too so we don't have to stress about people being busy at work too much. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 12 August 2010 at 11:01am
|
Its cool because how often do you go on a proper holiday with close friends and family? We had a lot of fun. And people go off and do their own thing, hire scooters and explore the island. We'd all meet each night for cocktails and have dinner in restaurants around the island. the night before the wedding we all went to one place as like a rehearsal dinner, you just catch the bus back to the resort. It can be done a lot cheaper than what we did. we are def going back to renew our vows at our 10th anniversary, will prob take some friends and our kids. Oh and they use NZ dollar so there is no bother with exchange rates. We honeymooned on Aitutaki, we rented a self-catering cabin at a place called Ranginuis. It was basic and you took care of yourself but it was way cheaper than the resorts (unless you get a package deal, one of the resorts does deals with its Aitutaki resort so you get 7 nights on Raro and 3 on Aitutaki - perfect place to honeymoon!). I had a friend who owns an apartment in Fiji and they go there every year, she didnt really like Raro because it wasn't flash enough for her - she was used to serious resort holidays - but everyone else enjoyed it, nice and relaxed. All the best with your planning. And when you are on the plane make sure you tell them you are getting married (the dress bag is usually a good giveaway!) as then they will be super nice and might even upgrade you - plus they bring you lots of bubbles!! I look forward to hearing all your plans!
oh and i think there are often whales going past Raro in May ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 12 August 2010 at 7:26pm
| As long as it is JUST close friends and family, we were supposed to be going over as a few of us (wedding at The Rarotongan and they require half the guests to stay there = expensive!) and we all thought we were doing the couple a favour cos they couldn't afford all of the guys family there. Turns out now there are 45+ people going and the wedding is costing them 30k, plus the guests an extra 90k all up. Most of the guests are now just going to save face and are pretty pi$$ed with it all. |