What do you need to do before getting married at Iririki Island Resort & Spa?

Weddings at Iririki are made especially easy for the bride, groom and their guests.

Here's what to do: Firstly choose a date, preferred time and which wedding package you'd like. We will confirm if the date and time is available and then help you plan for the special day.

There is just one wedding a day at Iririki – so we guarantee exclusivity and the absolute personalised service you'd expect.

An "Intended Marriage Form", which is available here must be fully completed and witnessed then forwarded to the resort; this form is then lodged with the Port Vila Municipal office to confirm your wedding date. We also need photocopies of the bridal couple's birth certificates and the information pages of your passports.

If you have a certificate for a death or divorce of a previous partner or documentation of a name change we need that too.

If you have a certificate for a death or divorce of a previous partner or documentation of a name change we need that too.

In the months leading up to your wedding, our Wedding Coordinator will assist you with all the arrangements that make this your special day – including hair and makeup bookings, flowers, photography, dinner and reception menus, and more.

It is a requirement that people who intend to get married should arrive in Port Vila, 3 days before the wedding.*

The bridal couple is met at the airport and given an express check-in to the hotel.

Arrangements are finalised the following day in a meeting with our Wedding Coordinator. This is your chance to make any last minute decisions, choose an exact location for your ceremony and prepare for the event to ensure you are relaxed and confident of every detail.

*This condition may be waived in certain exceptional circumstances.

What happens on the day of your wedding?

Even though we're usually in contact from the first day of your stay, our Wedding Coordinator will meet with you on the morning of your wedding day.

If available, the groom is provided with a complimentary room to change in. This allows the bride private use of the hotel room before the ceremony.

Our Wedding Coordinator is on-call to assist you with any last minute requirements – and to manage the flow of other services – such as checking on the arrival of flowers and that other preparations proceed smoothly. Consider our Coordinator your ‘stand-by bridesmaid' – she's even on hand to help with dressing if required.

About 15 minutes before the wedding, your Wedding Coordinator will escort the groom to the ceremony site to meet the celebrant.

Soon after, the bride will be collected and escorted to the ceremony.

Traditionally dressed "Serenaders" guide the bride to the ceremony. Local Ni-Vanuatu witnesses are provided if needed.

The actual service is about 20 minutes long. A non-denominational or civil ceremony is available; services in your preferred faith may also be arranged. A copy of the service can be provided beforehand if required and couples are welcome to write their own vows.

What does the Ultimate Wedding Package Ceremony Include?

1. Witnesses, Celebrant and Registration

Local Ni-Vanuatu, attired in island style shirts and dresses give the ceremony a romantic South Pacific feel – they play a low-key role and of course, you can use your own witnesses. You just need to fill out the "witness" form and lodge this with the rest of the documents. We will arrange registration of your marriage with the Port Vila Municipal, as well as a local celebrant who will officiate. Marriages registered in Vanuatu are recognised in Australia, but cannot be re-registered there.

2. Wedding Leis & Crowns

Made from fresh local flowers, the leis are adorned after the ceremony, in traditional style.

3. Traditional Wedding Arch

The arch is made from fresh local flowers and leaves in the traditional island style – it's ideal for your wedding photos with water views in the background. We also use a traditional matt and have a table for the register signing, with loose flowers and scattered petals.

4. Traditional French Croquembouche Wedding Cake

You'll find this absolutely gorgeous – your Croquembouche is constructed of profiteroles filled with delicious cream, stacked and bound with spun toffee.

5. Melanesian Serenaders

Local Ni-Vanuatu men from Fatuna Island uniquely harmonise their voices. Three escort the bride to the archway, their singing accompanied by acoustic and local wooden guitars, then announce her arrival by blowing the conch shell. They resume playing after the ceremony while the couple sign their marriage certificate and continue whilst the wedding photography is completed, performing for approximately an hour.

6. Champagne

After the ceremony, you are presented with a bottle of French champagne for the wedding toast. This can be substituted for a fresh tropical fruit punch presented in coconut shells if you prefer.