I had the opportunity to interview Anna from Our Pacific, a travel company that specialises in holiday deals to the Pacific Islands. She is a Wedding Specialist and will help you organise your Fiji wedding smoothly. Future brides and grooms, here is an interview full of information that will comfort you with the idea of getting help from such an expert.

For how long have you been working for Our Pacific?

I started working for Our Pacific in October 2006, so that makes it around 17 years in the travel industry. During my 10 years with Our Pacific, I have been a Senior Travel Specialist, I had a break to travel the world, I was General Manager/Director of Our Asia, the sister company to Our Pacific, and have had a baby… It’s been a fun 10 years!

Portrait of Anna at her sister’s wedding in Fiji.

I am back now doing what I love the most… assisting people to make their dreams come true!

How did you become an event manager/wedding planner?

After plenty of experience booking destination weddings over the years, I was involved in my sister’s wedding in Fiji as a travel agent and bridesmaid a couple of years ago. I knew after the wedding that it might be something I would like to look at specialising in. When the opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance to lead our destination wedding business.

What are the specificities about Our Pacific?

Our Pacific is a 100% Kiwi-owned and operated company located in Grafton, Auckland. We are a specialist boutique South Pacific Wholesale Tour Operator offering quality holiday, wedding, honeymoon, conference, incentive/reward programmes and special interest packages at great value prices to our customers, and we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and expert advice.

What are your favourite parts of the job?

Bridal party jumping at Anna’s sister wedding in Fiji.

I love all of my job, and the whole process! From the initial conversation where I find out what they have in mind, negotiating on their behalf the best possible rates with the resorts, assisting their loved ones with their bookings, until they all arrive safely home.

I feel so lucky to be involved in such a special time in my clients’ lives, and assisting them in making the most amazing memories with their family and friends.

How many guests can your client have?

As many people as they would like, depending on their venue choice and the number of rooms they might have. Or it could just be the bride and groom.

What budget would you recommend for a couple who wants to get married in Fiji?

It really depends on where and what the couple has in mind, as there are so many options! As a rough guide, a Fiji Island all-inclusive package from NZ$10,000 could provide a wedding couple with flights, accommodation, wedding ceremony, reception dinner, and drinks for up to 30 guests, plus some more added extras.

If the event is outdoors, do you offer options if it’s raining?

Yes, the resorts always have a backup plan in case of rain.

What is the common timeline?

Usually, wedding couples like to make their decision and book their wedding venue and accommodation between 18-12 months out, and send a save the date to guests.

We can then provide firm pricing to guests and flight schedules approx. 11 months out from their departure from New Zealand.

Can you tell me about your different packages? What extra do you offer? (fireworks, celebrant…)

They can have a basic package that includes the licence and celebrant, to rent a whole entire resort with all the bells and whistles!

We can provide almost anything the brides and grooms desire.

Do you offer different options for the decoration/setup?

The resorts have plenty of options for decoration and setup. Couples can also send through any ideas they have or take things with them if they like too.

Do you organise a wedding rehearsal?

Once they get to the resort, they will meet with their personal wedding coordinator, who will run through everything with the bridal party.

Do any of your packages include a honeymoon?

We tailor-make packages to suit the wedding couple, we can arrange almost anything they require!

I hope that this interview has been helpful. Feel free to contact Anna if you would like to have any more information. She will happily reply: anna@ourworld.travel

And contact me for your Fiji wedding photography!

Love,