How much does a wedding in Fiji cost?

What couples from New Zealand and Australia actually pay for, line by line, and where the money is worth spending.

"How much will it cost?" is the first question nearly every couple asks me, usually before they have picked a date or an island. The honest answer is that a Fiji wedding can be surprisingly affordable or very expensive, and the difference comes down to a handful of choices. After about fifteen years of photographing weddings at places like the Sheraton, InterContinental and First Landing, here is how the costs usually break down.

The three things that decide your budget

Guest numbers, the resort you choose, and how many days you build around the wedding. Twenty guests at a mid-range Coral Coast resort is a very different bill from eighty guests at a five-star Denarau property with a three-night celebration. Settle those three first and the rest falls into place.

The resort ceremony package

Most couples book a ceremony package through their resort. These normally cover the ceremony site, basic styling, a wedding coordinator, and sometimes a cake, bouquet and a bottle of bubbles. Published packages range from a little over AUD 2,000 at smaller resorts to AUD 7,000 or more at the large Denarau resorts, and the price usually assumes a small group. Read the inclusions carefully, because two packages at the same price can include very different things.

Food, drinks and the reception

This is where budgets grow fastest. Reception dinners are usually charged per guest, and drinks packages are charged per guest per hour. With a big guest list, the reception can easily cost more than the ceremony package itself. Ask the resort for a per-head quote early, and ask whether a lovo (Fijian earth oven) feast or a buffet works out cheaper than a plated menu. It often does.

The marriage licence and paperwork

The legal side is the cheapest part. The marriage licence application fee paid to the Births, Deaths and Marriages office is F$57.50 at the time of writing. You will also want to budget for document certification or translations if any of your papers need them. I covered the full process in my article on how to legally get married in Fiji.

Source: Plantation Island Resort, Marriage Licence Requirements 2025 (fee payable to the Fiji BDM office). Fees can change, so confirm with your resort coordinator or the BDM office before you travel.

Photography and video

Many resorts offer an in-house photographer, and some couples bring one from home, which means paying for flights and accommodation on top of the fee. Hiring a local photographer avoids those travel costs and gets you someone who already knows the light, the tides and the best spots at your venue. My own packages start at FJD 2,200 for Simple, FJD 3,100 for Standard and FJD 5,100 for Premium, and I offer both photo and video, with drone coverage too.

Celebrant, flowers, music and decoration

Some resort packages include a celebrant and some do not. Extra flowers, an arch upgrade, a DJ or a string trio, and reception styling are usually extras. These smaller lines add up, so list them all before you compare quotes. When couples book their photography with me, I help them find a celebrant, DJ, decorators or a venue at no extra charge, because I have worked alongside most of the good ones for years.

Flights and accommodation

Most guests pay their own way, which is one of the reasons Fiji weddings can cost less than a big wedding at home. Your own costs will usually include your room for the week and anything you choose to cover for the bridal party. Travelling outside school holidays and booking a group rate through the resort can make a real difference.

Where to save, and where not to

You can save by keeping the guest list tight, choosing a weekday, picking a resort whose package already includes what you want, and letting Fiji's beaches do the decorating. Where I would not cut corners is the coordinator, the photographer, and a good wet-weather plan. The day goes by quickly, and the photos and film are what you keep.

Talk to me about your plans

If you are working out a budget for your Fiji wedding, I am happy to give you an honest idea of what things cost at the resort you are looking at. Send me a message on WhatsApp at +679 900 5575, or use the enquiry form on the home page, and I will get back to you.