Bora Bora is considered as one of the most awe inspiring places in the world. However its scenic beauty isn’t the only thing that attracts thousands of visitors to the island every year. The island has a very strong and rich Tahitian culture. When you are in Bora Bora you will feel the vibrant culture flow through you. One of the best ways to experience the local culture is to arrange a Tahitian Wedding on the island.
Your wedding is going to be the most important day of your life so why not enjoy it with a bit of traditional Tahitian touch with a beautiful backdrop of Mount Otemanu. If you are planning to arrange a wedding in Bora Bora then you should be familiar with the local wedding traditions and culture.
STEP 01
step 02
step 03
Arrival at The Venue
step 04
The Tahitians have a very unique way of arriving at the wedding venue. Traditionally the groom reached the wedding venue before the bride and the bride arrived later in a canoe called va’a. The locals then escorted the bride from the Va’a to the groom. These days you can even see the groom arrive in the canoe or in some cases the couple arrives together in va’a.
No wedding is complete without a priest officiating the wedding. Tahitian Priest are an important part of the wedding. They are usually dressed in a yellow and red robe with a beautiful and feathery headwear.
step 06
step 05
Blowing of the Conch Shell
The Tahitians have a very unique way of arriving at the wedding venue. Traditionally the groom reached the wedding venue before the bride and the bride arrived later in a canoe called va’a. The locals then escorted the bride from the Va’a to the groom. These days you can even see the groom arrive in the canoe or in some cases the couple arrives together in va’a.
One specific location at the venue is decorated with Polynesian flowers in the shape of a heart. The bride and the groom both stand inside the heart while the priest officiates the wedding. In most of the cases the flowers are decorated in the heart shape however you might also see circles and other shapes as well.
step 08
Exchange Leis
step 07
Auti Leaves
The bride and the groom then exchange leis. A lei is a beautiful piece of item made with the help of flowers. Usually the rings are presented to each other in the form of Lei. After exchanging the rings, the couple is announced husband and wife and they both kiss each other.
After the priest starts officiating the wedding. The hands of groom and bride are tied and held together with Auti leaves. Auti leaves are also culturally very significant in Bora Bora and the Tahitian culture. When their hands are tied with the leaves, the priest pours water on the hand to bless the couple and to strengthen the relationship. Some people use the water from the beautiful and clear lagoon while other use coconut water.
step 10
Arm Chair Pomare
step 09
Tahitian Names
The new husband and wife are then seated on a large arm chair pomare made with high quality Polynesian wood. Everyone feasts and dances on the floor while the bride and the groom view everything while sitting on their Arm Chair Pomare. After some time the couple also joins in and dances along with the guests and locals at the beach. Special songs are sung by the local in honor of the new couple and their new Tahitian names are used in those songs which adds a great cultural touch to an already beautiful wedding
Once the couple has been pronounced husband and wife they are given special Tahitian names. It is the officiating priest that gives them the names. It is believed that the priest sees the Tahitians names for both the bride and groom in a dream before the day of the wedding.
step 11
Tifaifai: handcrafted quilt
step 12
Just Married
The new couple is then wrapped in a Tifaifai while they dance on the beach. Tifaifai is a handcrafted quilt and shows another important aspect of the Tahitian culture. It shows that the couple is no longer two different people living their individual lives but a single family. It shows that they are one soul with two different bodies.
The couple sign the wedding certificate presented to them by the priest. After enjoying the dance, the food and the local culture it’s time for the couple to head to their resort, first time as a family. On their way out fresh petals are tossed on them from both sides. The couple’s exit will mark the end of the ceremony.
If you are thinking about experiencing a culturally rich Tahitian wedding in Bora then you need to have a professional photographer with you who can capture all the important moments of the day. Photographs can tell a great story. Many years from now, when you are looking at your wedding photographs you will travel back in time and relive every moment of the special day once again.
Do you picture your special day spent on the hot tropical beaches of the French Polynesian?
For a wedding day (and honeymoon) to remember for the rest of your lives, give Bora Bora a try. There’s a reason why it’s known as the paradise island for couples! The romance and luxury you will experience from this magical island will be like that of no other. Relax, enjoy the culture, and don’t forget to capture every single moment of joy with a local Bora Bora photographer. Create unique memories and share new experiences that will last forever - you won’t find a better place to kickstart your new lives together as newlyweds than the luxurious island of Bora Bora.
