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Take part in other Fijian traditions
Aside from the singularly gorgeous, screensaver-worthy seaside setting, the first indication to guests that they’d arrived in Fiji was seeing the wedding party all dressed in the same pink-and-purple leaf pattern at the couple’s welcome event—a tradition known as kalavata. “In Fijian culture, when there’s a special event, a family or a group of friends will dress in the same pattern or in matching outfits to symbolize unity,” Racheli says, who worked with the fashion designer Malia Fiji to create the outfits.
It was only the beginning of the cultural nods. The duo hosted a kava ceremony, a typical welcome that involves serving the country’s national drink, which is made from the crushed roots of the yaqona plant. “If you go to a village, people gather around a kava bowl and casually drink, share stories, and sing songs together. That’s just part of Fijian life,” Racheli says.
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For this event, they wore traditional outfits called masi kuvui, made by Susana Kata on the nearby Vatulele Island, and carried woven fans (or iri ni daku) made by Iperiu Matanitu from Daku Village. They gifted their guests Fijian seashell necklaces, and the night’s entertainment included a meke, a warrior dance, and hula. The music continued—singing being an essential aspect of Fiji, the couple say—on the wedding day itself, when a local choir sang Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as they entered the ceremony.
Create an Australian-American schedule of events
Those vibrant customs aside, the itinerary for the weekend was influenced by the couple’s Australian and American heritages and experiences. The concept of holding a rehearsal dinner the night before their ceremony was an American one, while a “recovery beach day” for all the guests post-wedding is very Aussie, says Will. “I think a lot of the drinking [style] was more Australian, to be honest with you,” the groom laughs. The general arrangement of a ceremony followed by dinner and dancing was also more western, they reckon.
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Snorkel to calm your nerves
On the morning of their wedding, Will led a large group of loved ones on a snorkeling adventure around the island’s coral reefs while the bridal party got ready. The activity served a few purposes. “There were a few hungover heads from the night before,” he says, “and I’ve always said snorkeling is the best way to beat a hangover.” It also soothed the anxious groom, and got everybody out of the staff’s hair while they were trying to get organized on the island.
Cross your fingers for (a little) rain
Last but certainly not least, there was the unpredictable Fijian weather. Racheli and Will arrived at Turtle Island five days before the ceremony—and watched in horror as a category-three cyclone came through just as their guests were heading in from their respective locations. “We spent basically the two days before the wedding being travel agents,” the bride says. Luckily, no one in the local community was hurt and no buildings were seriously damaged, so as soon as the storm passed the Turtle Island crew and couple were all hands on deck to clean up before the wedding.
While the situation was “extremely stressful,” Will says, it wound up being a gift: “The best thing about a cyclone is the perfect weather after,” he says.
It also helped the couple step out of the hamster wheel of wedding planning and recenter around their love and joy. “Nothing like a cyclone to really take you back to what matters!” Racheli says. “At the end of the day, it was about being together, having our friends and family there safely, and celebrating our love.”
