A Polynesian Wedding
What could be more romantic than exchanging vows on the Islands of Love? This Garden of Eden, caressed by trade winds rustling the palms to the rhythm of the crashing waves, is worlds away from the hustle & bustle of busy cities and everyday lives …
Let Sheraton’s Tahiti recreate a true island wedding – or vow renewal -- for you and your beloved, following the traditions of a marital ceremony in an authentic Polynesian Village. Imagine…
As the couple arrives at the Tiki Village aboard their own outrigger canoe, local musicians and villagers dressed for the festive occasion line the beach to welcome them ashore. The bride is then taken to a grass hut (or ‘fare’) to be prepared for the ceremony – much the same as island royalty would be. She is massaged with manoi (floral infused coconut oil) and dressed like a Tahitian princess. Meanwhile, the groom is taken by canoe to a small beach where he is tattooed (with harmless, removable ink) and dressed like a Tahitian Chief.
The couple is then reunited in front of the Marae (Tahitian stone temple) overlooking the lagoon so the High Priest can take them inside for the ceremony. The Priest performs the ceremony in Tahitian while an interpreter translates the ancient incantations as women of the village perform their very moving traditional chants.
After having received the High Priest’s blessing and Tahitian names for both themselves and their future children, the couple – who have been sumptuously covered in perfumed flower leis and garlands -- proceed to the Royal Chair to be carried through the village by four noble warriors.
They then receive their traditional Marriage Certificate written on tapa (bark of the breadfruit tree) as a sign of their eternal vows. Champagne is served while young women of the village offer a dance show in their honor. The couple is invited to join the maidens in their dance before embarking on the Royal Canoe in a romantic processional accompanied by the sounds of ukelele and guitar.
The newlyweds then board a richly appointed Royal Floating “Fare” (house) to contemplate the sun setting on their new union while vividly colored fish swim by. If they wish, they can be served a meal brought to them by canoe and then spend their wedding night on their own floating house, with breakfast in bed to again be delivered by Tahiti’s very own kind of “room” service.
** Please note, couples can choose to be married in their own wedding attire or rent a more traditional white gown from the village.
** Polynesian village weddings can be enjoyed at both the Sheraton Tahiti and the Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa…
** Videographers and photographers are also available to record these precious moments.
Spend your honeymoon at Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa and receive a free registry from TheBigDay.com.
To request information or contact one of our on-staff wedding coordinators, please contact us at info.moorea@sheraton.pf.
