Need expert help?
Born in the Southwest, raised in the Northwest, I have called the South Pacific home for nearly 30 years. I founded J2 Travels in the late 1990s to share our knowledge with other like minded travelers – remembering always, that the joy is in the journey. I currently live on Maui, I'm endorsed by IATA, and am a member of the Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand Tourism Boards.
We'll Match Any Price
We have access to virtually every travel special out there.
Our agents make a commission from the travel wholesalers, same
as every other agent or online travel site.
Why wouldn't you want a real travel expert on your side...for free? |
Destination Weddings in Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora BoraExplore > Travel Planning Articles > Destination Weddings in TahitiDate published: 2021-1-26
![]() View of Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora from the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora - photo courtesy Four Seasons. Destination Weddings in French PolynesiaFrench Polynesia is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world to get married. Certainly the stunning scenery lends itself to jaw-dropping photos for your wedding album. Exotic, luxurious accommodations, French and Polynesian food, and incredible opportunities (both underwater and on land) for you and your guests to explore the the beautiful islands of the South Pacific makes Tahiti one of the most desirable places for a destination wedding. How to Get Married in Tahiti
Until recently, government restrictions made it very challenging to legally get married in French Polynesia, so
most "Tahiti weddings" were really just the ceremony and celebration, with the legal marriage and all its paperwork happening back home.
Legal Requirements, Documents, Etc.If you choose to have your legal wedding on Tahiti Nui, Bora Bora, Moorea, or one of the other islands in French Polynesia, here's a list of the documents you'll need:
Tahiti Tourisme has an excellent FAQs page on marriage requirements here. Popular Wedding Locations in Tahiti
Certainly Mount Otemanu, on Bora Bora, makes a spectacular backdrop for your ceremony and your photos. But don't rule out
the other islands, especially Moorea. Moorea's mountains are similar in size and appearance to Bora Bora's mountains.
Tahiti NuiThe big, main island of French Polynesia is technically "Tahiti" - the collection of islands there is officially called "French Polynesia". The island of Tahiti is split into two chunks, joined by a narrow isthmus: Tahiti Nui ("nui" means "big") is the larger, western-most part, where most of the population is, and where the main airport is, in Papeete. Tahiti Iti is the other part, and you can guess what "iti" means.This island has some resorts, but they tend not to be as luxurious as the ones on the other islands. Most resorts are your typical multi-room hotel, although a few have overwater bungalows. Mostly people stay in these as a small part of their vacation, either to make the transit to the outer islands more do-able, or so that they can spend a day or so seeing Papeete, the market, and the famous Les Roulottes food carts. See photos, maps, reviews etc. for all of the hotels on Tahiti Nui here. Show Wedding Packages on Tahiti Nui ![]() Looking east over Opunohu Bay on the north shore of Moorea - photo copyright Michael Cottam.
MooreaThis is the closest island to Tahiti itself, can you can get there either by ferry (up to 8 times a day, takes about 30 minutes, and costs about $10 USD; schedule etc. is here), or by plane (Air Tahiti, about $100 USD round trip, about 10 flights a day; schedule etc. is here). That's a pretty minimal additional cost for you and your wedding guests either way, and a minimal extra bit of transit time, too.On Moorea, like on the other islands, you'll find that most resorts' accommodations are individual units. You'll get your own separate bungalow--whether it's overwater, or beach or garden, you're going to find it's pretty private, romantic, and luxurious. Most beaches aren't public, which means mostly all you're going to see on the beach at your resort is guests of the same resort. And since most resorts are going to have between about 50 and 150 rooms, the beaches and pools never get crowded like they'd be if it was your typical hi-rise resort with 500 rooms. There's also a lot to do on Moorea: besides the watersports (snorkeling, diving, jet skis, swimming with sharks and sting rays), there's great hiking with fabulous views, ATV tours (our kids' favorite thing we did there) through the mountains and plantations, ziplining (a new attraction--another favorite of our kids), plus a number of cool local restaurants to try. And since the resorts are all on the main island itself, it's easy to drive (or bicycle) around the island--unlike many other parts of French Polynesia, where resorts are each perched on their own separate motu. This also means that it's easier for your wedding guests to stay at other resorts, and get to your resort for the wedding and other events. See photos, maps, reviews etc. for all of the hotels on Moorea here. Show Wedding Packages on Moorea
Hide Wedding Packages on Moorea
6 Nights in an Overwater Bungalow and a Beach Wedding Ceremony from $4,890PP Airfare Included
![]() Hotel: Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa.
Features: - 6 Nights in an Overwater Bungalow - Daily Breakfast for Two - Tiare Wedding Ceremony with a Polynesian Priest Officiant, Musicians and Dancers, Pareo, Flower Leis and Crown, a Wedding Certificate Inscribed on Local Tapa, a Champagne Sundowner and a Flower Bed Decoration - Wedding Photos of Ceremony - Full-Day Captain Taina Lagoon Cruise with Motu Picnic Lunch - One Canoe Breakfast Delivered to your Overwater Bungalow - One 3-Course Romantic Dinner on the Beach - Complimentary Minibar on Arrival with Soda, Beer and Water - Additional Inclusion for Honeymoon Clients: Bottle of Champagne upon Arrival - Business Class Lounge Access upon Departure from Papeete - Round-trip International Airfare from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui - Inter-Island Transport by Passenger Ferry - Round-trip Private Ground Transfers from Airport to Ferry Dock in Tahiti - Round-trip Private Ground Transfers from Ferry Dock to Hotel in Moorea ![]() Overwater Wedding Chapel at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa - photo copyright Stephen Debelle. Bora Bora
Show Wedding Packages on Bora Bora
Hide Wedding Packages on Bora Bora
Bora Bora Wedding at Pearl Resort From $4,979 per person
![]() Hotel: Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa.
Inclusions: - Round trip airfare from Los Angeles to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui - Round trip airfare from Tahiti to Bora Bora - Airport Meet & Greet - 6 Nights at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa in Otemanu View Overwater Bungalow - American Breakfast daily - All hotel transfers - All hotel and ticket taxes (except City Tax payable by the guest to hotels upon check-out : approx. 1.26 euros per person per night) - Bora Bora Wedding Ceremony - Walk down the aisle - Master of ceremony (non-denominational) - Ceremony at the Chapel or on the Beach - Walkway sprinkled with flower petals - Bride's bouquet & groom's boutonniere - Traditional wedding music (CD) - Wedding certificate - Champagne toast - Wedding cake - 1 Tahitian pearl - 50 Photos of the wedding on CD - Romantic Dinner on the Beach (a romantic table for two, elaborately decorated, set on the resort's private beach. 3-course gourmet dinner proposed by the chef. A bottle of wine (75cl) is included. Operating days: everyday except Mondays & Fridays) *Optional Upgrades: Hair and Make-up $450, Video of the ceremony $800 Le Meridien Bora Bora Classic Wedding: 5 Nights from $4,997 per person
![]() Hotel: Le Meridien Bora Bora.
Inclusions: - Round trip airfare from Los Angeles to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui - Roundrip Airfare on Air Tahiti from Papeete to Bora Bora - Airport Meet & Greet - 5 Nights at Le Meridien Bora Bora Resort in and Otemanu View Overwater Bungalow - Breakfast Daily - All hotel transfers Wedding Ceremony: - Black pearl jewelry rental from the resort boutique selection for your ceremony day - ?Escort by Polynesian canoe or golf car to the ceremony location - Polynesian meet and greet with flower crowns, leis and classic bridal bouquet - Ceremony set up with complete floral arrangement - Traditional (folkloric) ceremony with a non-official Polynesian priest - TAPA wedding certificate - Classic wedding photo shooting (50 photos) - 2 glasses of Champagne after the ceremony - Crossing of the inner lagoon on a traditional boat - Polynesian musician show - Flower petals basket - Romantic dinner on the Beach facing Mount Otemanu - Romance amenities delivered to your bungalow - Wedding assistance - Canoe Breakfast delivered to your bungalow on the morning ![]() Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort in the Tuamotu Atolls - photo copyright Loic Lagarde. Tuamotu Atolls
This is a bucket-list destination for scuba divers--famous for sharks, amazing reefs, etc.
The resorts are focused less on luxury and weddings and honeymoons, and more on the location and the undersea life.
You'll take about an hour flight from Papeete to get here, at a cost of about $450 per person, round-trip.
Other islands
Huahine and Le Taha'a are not quite as far out as Bora Bora, but you'll still need to fly there from Papeete. Huahine is more laid-back, and has a number of resorts;
Taha'a is super-private and luxurious (Bill Gates apparently likes to play tennis with the gardener there).
The Brando is one of the newest ultra-luxury resorts in French Polynesia, and is located about 50 miles north of Tahiti Nui--you'll need to take a plane from Papeete for this resort as well.
How we work with you to plan the perfect trip:
Map of all Resorts in French Polynesia
|
|