There is nothing more romantic than saying your vows at a majestic beachside ceremony. As you and your partner think about having a destination wedding, your research might bring you to various places: the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the world-renowned shores of Bali, or the South Pacific archipelago of Fiji.
Fiji is known for its breathtaking tropical beauty, making it a gorgeous choice for a destination wedding. The average Fiji wedding costs anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000 (FJ$ 11,091.50–44,366.00).
However, this figure can easily go above $30,000 (FJ$ 66,549) depending on your and your partner’s preferences.
The cost of marrying in Fiji is provided below, including the cost of typical wedding packages and a complete breakdown of expenses. Some essential tips for saving money are also listed.
How Much Does a Fiji Wedding Cost? Packages
Fiji Wedding Packages Cost
Naturally, couples want to lessen the stress of wedding planning. As such, most of them want to avail of a wedding package from a venue. Not only will this make the entire process easier and more convenient, but it might also end up saving you some money.
Some of the most affordable packages start at $695 (FJ$ 1,541.72), such as the Totoka “Beautiful” Wedding Package at Namale Resort & Spa. Some of the inclusions are a wedding concierge to assist you, a welcome bottle of bubbly, a celebrant, and bridal flowers.
You will find the majority of packages around the several thousand mark. OUTRIGGER Beach Resort’s Dream Wedding Package is priced at $5,300 (FJ$ 11,756.99). This package gives you a personal wedding coordinator, legal assistance, bridal flowers, live entertainment, a wedding cake, catering service, and more.
The more expensive the package, the more lavish the celebration. Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa’s Vou Wedding package sits at $13,456.66 (FJ$ 29,850), giving you various luxurious options for your ceremony and reception location, along with styling, photography, catering, entertainment, floral arrangements, and more.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Fiji? Breakdown
The cost of a wedding package in Fiji gives you a ballpark figure to work with. However, having a detailed breakdown of each expense can also be useful. For one, you may have the option to add a la carte services to your package—or even outsource these services from another vendor.
| Category | Average Cost |
| Venue | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| Catering | $100 to $150 per guest (meal) $50 to $100 per guest (drinks) |
| Attire | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Flowers and Decorations | $500 to $2,000 |
| Photography and Videography | $2,000 to $4,000 (photographer) $1,000 to $3,000 (videographer) |
| Wedding Planner | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| Accommodation | $150 to $500 per night |
| Legalities | At least $325 |
| Wedding Insurance | $200 to $800 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,000 to $3,000 |
Your Magical Wedding Venue
Before anything else, keep in mind that Fiji is a large archipelago; the country consists of over 300 islands, with each one boasting unique features. As such, the cost of a Fiji wedding will be influenced by which island you choose.
On average, beachside venues will cost around $3,000–$5,000 (FJ$ 6,654.90–11,091.50). Ballroom and resort venues can go upwards of $5,000 (FJ$ 11,091.50).
Catering: A Feast of Food and Drinks
Fiji has a rich and beautiful array of cuisine, but catering services can adjust to your taste palette and preferences. Either way, food and drinks are not something you should skimp on, as they will make your celebration even more memorable.
Standard wedding buffets typically cost $100–$150 (FJ$ 221.83–332.74) per head, with an additional $50–$100 (FJ$ 110.91–221.83) per guest for a selection of beverages.
Wedding Attire: Dressed for the Occasion
If you do not want the hassle of carrying your wedding attire on a plane, you can buy everything you will wear in Fiji. This may add to your Fiji wedding costs, but you can decide based on your preferences and convenience.
For standard outfits, you may want to budget $2,000–$4,000 (FJ$ 4,436.60–8,873.20) for you and your partner. This figure accounts for your main attire and accessories, along with the cost of alteration and customization.
Flowers and Decor: Island Bloom
Depending on the scale and complexity of your desired floral arrangements and decorations, you might be looking at adding $500–$2,000 (FJ$ 1,109.15–4,436.60) to your Fiji wedding costs.
Photography and Videography: For the Memories
A magical moment like a destination wedding in Fiji deserves all the pictures and videos that can capture its beauty. To get the best results, you should invest in a photography and videography team with the right skills, experience, and expertise in the area.
Prepare around $2,000–$4,000 (FJ$ 4,436.60–8,873.20) for a wedding photographer. Keep in mind that you might also have to pay for their transportation and meals. Additionally, you might need to pay additional fees for extra coverage.
Meanwhile, the cost of a Fiji wedding videographer might range from $1,000–$3,000 (FJ$ 2,218.30–6,654.90). The final price depends on the amount of coverage, your desired outputs—many want a same-day edit—and other factors.
Wedding Planner: Your Guardian Angel
Navigating the wedding planning process can be tough, and the stress can quickly pile up—especially for a destination ceremony. You may want to invest in a local wedding planner who will sort all the details out for you.
You are looking at an additional $2,000–$5,000 (FJ$ 4,436.60–11,091.50) for their services, depending on how extensive their work will be. However, rest assured that every cent you spend on an expert planner will be worth it.
Entertainment: Keeping the Vibe Alive
When you think of wedding entertainment, what comes to mind is often a DJ playing various romantic songs. Other forms of entertainment include live musicians, dancers, local Fijian performers, and specialty acts.
Expect to allot $500–$2,000 (FJ$ 1,109.15–4,436.60) of your Fiji wedding budget for entertainment. However, take note that the rates can vary according to the season, the duration, the performer’s reputation, and so on.
Accommodation: Home for the Moment
Otherwise, set aside $150–$500 (FJ$ 332.74–1,109.15) per night to secure your accommodation. This might be a hotel room, an Airbnb, a lodge, or whatever you prefer.
Legalities: Ensuring a Smooth Union
Different countries have requirements for foreign nationals hoping to get married on their soil. Generally, this includes some documents, a marriage officiant, a license, and so on.
For a Fiji destination wedding, set aside around $25 (FJ$ 55.46) to apply for a marriage license.
Meanwhile, a Fijian celebrant might charge anywhere between $300–$1,000 (FJ$ 665.49–2,218.30) for their services. Remember, only Fijian celebrants can officiate your wedding; you cannot bring a friend or an officiant from your city.
Visit this guide prepared by the Fiji High Commission for more information regarding the entire legal process.
Wedding Insurance: A Safety Net
If there is anything the last few years have taught us, it is that things can unexpectedly go downhill quite fast. No matter how thorough you and your wedding planner are, certain circumstances can arise and derail your plans.
That said, consider availing of wedding insurance. This will add around $200–$800 (FJ$ 443.66–1,774.64) to your Fiji wedding cost, but depending on the coverage, your insurance will protect you from instances like
- Sudden extreme rain
- Injury
- Illness
- Accidents
- Vendor issues (e.g., sudden cancellations)
- Unexpected events within a specific timeframe (e.g., 48 hours before and after the wedding)
- Property damage
Miscellaneous Budget: Another Layer of Safety
Wedding insurance protects you from unexpected drastic events. Meanwhile, a miscellaneous budget protects you from unexpected minor events. In other words, these events might not lead to the cancellation of your wedding, but they will cause you some stress.
Think running out of mascara the night before your wedding, needing to arrange transportation for some guests, or paying the catering service additional fees for unannounced guests.
Add $1,000–$3,000 (FJ$ 2,218.30–6,654.90) to your initial Fiji wedding budget and set it aside for miscellaneous matters. Think of it as pocket money.
In the end, you might not need it for anything serious. However, it is better to be safe than sorry; in any case, you can simply buy Fijian souvenirs to take home with you.
Planning a Fiji Wedding: Important Tips to Keep in Mind
You Do Not Have to Cover Everyone’s Costs
As you watch your Fiji wedding costs grow bigger, you might worry about your guests’ expenses. However, remember that you are not obligated to shoulder your guests’ travel and accommodation costs.
Nonetheless, covering costs can also be a great way to show your gratitude to your bridal party or have someone who cannot afford the expenses on their own.
As a courtesy, you should look around for group discounts and special offers. This will lessen the amount of money your guests need to prepare to attend your destination wedding.
Get the Timing Right
As you research, pay attention to the specific venue’s peak seasons. You may want to avoid the most popular months, as you might find encounter more expensive fees.
You should also make reservations and purchases—such as plane tickets—as early as possible. Not only does leaving these for the last minute cause more stress, but rates also become more expensive the nearer the dates are.
Choose Local
Embracing local culture, cuisine, and motifs will give your celebrations an authentic flair. Likewise, you can also save money by working with local vendors. In a way, you are also promoting the beauty of Fiji—a win-win for everyone involved.
Communicate With Your Guests Clearly
With a destination wedding, you must maintain a constant and clear line of communication with your guests. Tell them expectations regarding finances—what should they expect to pay for themselves? How much do they need to prepare?
Advise them to avail of travel insurance to protect themselves from unexpected circumstances.
Many couples opt to tell their guests not to bring any gifts. This lessens the amount of money they need to spend just to attend your destination wedding.
Meticulously Keep a Spreadsheet
The thought of keeping a spreadsheet for your Fiji wedding costs is understandably overwhelming. However, doing so will stop you from overspending and going beyond your budget.
Ask your partner and your planner for assistance. Software like Google Sheets allows you to collaborate on one spreadsheet, making the process easier.
In the same vein, keep all your receipts and contracts in one place. An expanding folder or some envelopes can go a long way.
Final Thoughts
A destination wedding is the stuff of dreams—people keep Pinterest boards dedicated to a romantic beachside ceremony or an elopement in the woods. However, planning a destination wedding can get expensive really quickly.
You and your partner should have an open, honest, and thorough conversation about your must-haves and must-not-haves. This way, you get to spend your money on the aspects that really matter to you.
