The Location 

Fiji  has  long  been  a  favourite  among  island  hoppers,  beach  lovers  and  those  seeking  a  little peace and quiet among the coconut palms. It has represented Hollywood’s vision of the perfect‘deserted island paradise’ in films like Castaway and Blue Lagoon, and has been a favourite among brides and grooms as a destination for both weddings and honeymoons for decades. 

Ideally located in the South Pacific Ocean about 2000 kilometres northeast of New Zealand’s North Island and an easy four hour flight from Australia’s East Coast, Fiji is an archipelago made up of more than 330 islands, less than a third of which are permanently inhabited and home to some of the most beautiful resorts in the world. The juxtaposition of the luxurious resorts against the lush rainforests, pristine  white  sand  beaches  and  rugged  mountain  terrain  is  simply  amazing,  and the  rich  cultural diversity  of  the  islanders  crystallises  in  many  a  desire  to  inhabit  the  shores permanently.  Often considered the hub of the  South West Pacific, the Fiji islands stretch midway between Vanuatu and Tonga. 

Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are the two major islands, accounting for more than three quarters of the nation’s population. Viti Levu is home to the capital and largest city, Suva and the city of Nadi (home to the international airport and a large transient population of foreign tourists, as it’s the main port of entry for travelers to Fiji, even though it’s on the opposite side of the island to Suva). 

Fiji  is  spread  across  an area  of  194,000  square  kilometers,  only  10%  of  which  is  land.  The 180th meridian  runs  through  Taveuni  (the  third  largest  island)  but  the  International  Date  Line is  actually bent to ensure that all the islands are within the same time zone. 

The Climate 

Fiji is warm throughout most of  the  year, the tropical marine climate ensuring minimal extremes  in 

temperature. The warmest part of the year is from November to April and the cooler months are from 

May to October, although temperatures in the cool season still clock in at a very comfortable 22C (72 Fahrenheit).  The  water  temperature  is  pleasant  all  year  round – typically  25C  during  the winter months  (June,  July,  August)  and  29C  during  the  summer  (December,  January,  and  February). 

Although  technically  a  tropical  climate,  rainfall  is  variable:  the  warmer  season  tends  to experience heavier falls, particularly inland, meaning Fiji is perfect for weddings on the beach all year round. 

Why Fiji? 

Fiji  has  absolutely  perfected  the  island  escape.  The  nation  has  been  in the  tourism  business for decades and their hop-skip-and-a-jump-from-one-divine-isle-to-another formula is positively spot on. If  you’re  daydreaming  of  fragrant  ocean  breezes,  warm  turquoise  water,  untouched deserted beaches,  fresh  fruit,  luscious  seafood  and  delicious  cocktails  with  your  toes  wiggling  in alabaster sand, you will not be disappointed. 

The  sun  is  warm  and  welcoming,  but  never  scalding,  the  people  are  friendly  and  fiercely proud  of their culture and their home. The service you’ll receive is incredible. Everything is done with a smile on the face and a generous, gracious heart. You can’t help but smile yourself. The locals who staff the resorts, restaurants, hotels and hideaways effortlessly deliver exquisite five star service. They are attentive, aware and vigilant, without ever making you feel crowded or rushed 

What you’ll need 

To enter Fiji 

Australian residents are not required to obtain a visa before entering Fiji as a visitor. The visa will be issued on arrival in Fiji on the condition that you hold: a passport that is valid for at least six months 

from  the  intended  date  of  departure  from  Fiji,  adequate  funds  to  support  yourself  during  your stay and  evidence  of  a  return  or  outbound  ticket  (sorry  to  disappoint  any  aspirations  to become  a permanent local), as well as a re-entry or entry visa to a country other than their own (for example: permanent residents of Australia must produce a valid re-entry visa for Australia.) 

To be married in Fiji 

To be legally married in Fiji you must be in Fiji for three working days prior to the intended wedding day, obtain a marriage license from the nearest marriage registry and be able to provide the following documentation: 

Passports 

• Original or certified copies of both of your birth certificates 

• A confirmation  letter  of  your  current  marital  status which you can get from the marriage  registry where  you  live,  OR  a  statutory  declaration  signed  by  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Notary Public  or  a Solicitor to prove that you have not previously entered into a marriage 

• Consent of your father if you’re less than 18 years of age, or your mother if your father is deceased 

• A Decree Absolute document, if you have previously been married and divorced 

• The names of two witnesses who are over 21 years of age 

While you’re there 

Fiji  is  famous  for  its  soft  coral  diving,  surfing,  parasailing,  scuba  diving  and  water  sports. You  can swim  with  manta  rays  and  dive  with  sharks,  go  horse  riding  on  the  shores  of  this idyllic  island paradise,  enjoy  a  trek  through  the  rainforest  to  a hidden  waterfall,  take  a  cruise to  some  of the lesser-known islands, hike through some of the more untouched mountainous regions, play golf, learn how to walk on hot coals, soak in the famous therapeutic warm mud baths or simply recharge with a day at the spa. 

Visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, about half an hour from Nadi. The late Raymond Burr, star of Perry Mason and Ironside, started the garden in 1977 to house his orchid collection and it is now the 

largest collection in Fiji. 

Visit the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple: the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, in Nadi. The Nadi markets also provide a wonderful way to while away an afternoon, shop for fresh 

fruit and vegetables, luscious fresh flowers, and check out the section completely dedicated to Kava: 

a local narcotic drink made from the crushed roots of a plant from the pepper family. The drink is said to have psychoactive and healing properties and was the beverage of choice for the royal families of the South Pacific. Take care though, it’s also a powerful sedative with anaesthetic properties, so you might find yourself more ‘collapsed’ than ‘relaxed’. 

Make sure you stop by the beautiful palm-fringed Natadola Beach: reputed to be one of the best and 

most beautiful beaches in the world. This picture perfect crescent of powdery sand and azure seas is 

a mere 36km from Nadi. Just be aware that the surf can be rough at times and keep an eye out for 

rips. 

You’ll find plenty of shopping and fine dining in Port Denarau, as well as an opportunity  for exhilarating  Jet  Boat  Rides.  Denarau  Marina  is  the  place  to  go  for  day  trips  to  other  island groups: most of the boats depart from here. 

Whether you’re indulging in a local cooking class, having lunch and taking in the panoramic ocean views, walking barefoot on one of the many untouched, uninhabited beaches or simply kicking back by the pool with your new hubby and family, Fiji will stay in your mind and your heart for many years to come. And when your anniversary rolls around? What better way to celebrate than to pop back to your  perfect  island  paradise  and  leave  new  footprints  in  the  sand  and  new  memories imprinted  on your heart.

Source : Modern Wedding