Why The Islands of Tahiti has the Best Beach Weddings
With stunning white sand beaches, fresh tropical cuisine, so many romantic activities for couples and a rich island culture, The Islands of Tahiti offers the best beach weddings in the world and is a highly sought after location for destination weddings and vow renewals.
Where you tie the knot matters. It’s one of the most special days of your life and one you want to remember forever. And whether your dream wedding is an intimate sunset ceremony on a private beach or a grand wedding party at an island resort with friends and family The Islands of Tahiti is the perfect place to celebrate your love.
Planning Your Island Wedding in Tahiti
Planning an island wedding in The Islands of Tahiti is a breeze. In Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti there are many beach wedding venues that include everything from the cake and flowers to photos and decorations. And while there are some official documents that are required, the opportunity to have a wedding on your own private island or at a beach resort with overwater bungalows is well worth it.
Wedding Requirements in French Polynesia
In order to have an island wedding in The Islands of Tahiti both parties must be at least 18 years of age to be married. The law requires that neither party can currently be married nor can they be directly related. Each spouse should be physically present for the marriage and must exchange vows in front of a witness who is 18 years or older.
It’s important to note that all wedding and elopement ceremonies are performed in French. If the couple isn’t fluent in French they can choose an interpreter to be present to translate all questions in the ceremony. Ceremonies for French nationals or residents of a French territory are not permitted. Once all the rules have been followed the couple can choose which commune they wish to be married in and submit two sets of dates. Note that in French Polynesia you can’t get married or elope on a Sunday or a national holiday.
Tahiti or Bora Bora Wedding Legal Documents
In order to have an island wedding or elopement in The Islands of Tahiti wedding requirements include a form of ID and birth certificates dated no more than six months prior to the date of the wedding accompanied by an “apostille” (or internationally accepted legal document) with a certified French translation for both documents. If the birth certificates do not specify a certificate of custom non-married status or capacity to be married must be supplied attesting that the parties are not already married. If necessary death certificates or divorce documents translated into French must be presented as well as proof of residence and a certificate of a legal announcement with non-opposition (concerns only countries where announcement publications are required by law).
In addition, to have their island wedding or Tahiti elopement either the couple or their wedding planner will also need to write a letter to the mayor of the commune in which they wish to be married then fill out and mail the “Foreign Weddings in French Polynesia” document. Each of these documents must be sent to the mayor’s office of your chosen commune at least 45 days before the wedding date and the mayor’s office will confirm the time and date of the ceremony.
Once all the administrative details are taken care of the mayor’s office will declare the wedding or elopement ceremony by putting an announcement on their bulletin board.
On the day of the island wedding the couple witnesses and guests must be at the mayor’s office at the scheduled time for the ceremony. According to public law the doors must remain open during the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony the mayor will give the new married couple official documents that certify the union.
After this it’s up to the future married couple to bring the French documents to their own country of residence and legalize the wedding under those laws.
Download the required documents here.
Traditional Polynesian Wedding Ceremonies
This unique cultural experience will turn your island wedding into the romantic authentic and magical day you’ve always dreamed of.
You’ll find details of the steps necessary for foreigners to get married in French Polynesia as well as a list of people and agencies that can help you with the event. These agencies can also help organize a civil ceremony and a traditional Polynesian wedding ceremony in The Islands of Tahiti.
