Getting Married in Tahiti…It’s Not That Easy

Photo courtesy of honeymooncruiseshopper.com

Many couples dream of getting married in Tahiti but when you learn what the requirement are you might want to think twice. Weddings in the islands of Tahiti are legally binding for Americans and Canadians. More important is that the 30 day residency requirement has been discarded. However, you should know that it can take up to six months to complete all of the paperwork.

Most resorts offer wedding packages, including a minister and a celebrant, assistance in obtaining a marriage license, flowers, champagne, and a candle lit dinner. However, many couples do not want to deal with all of the paperwork, so they  decide to get married in a legal ceremony at home and then  have a wedding or symbolic ceremony in Tahiti which makes for a romantic experience but requires no paperwork. Remember these marriage can be a true Tahitian experience but they are not recognized as legal or binding marriages.

Tahiti Weddings

However, below are the steps and documentation required for a legal ceremony in French Polynesia. It usually takes three to five months to complete the paper work.

To Be Eligible to Get Married in Tahiti

• Both spouses must be at least 18 years old


• Neither spouse can be currently married.


• Spouses must be of the opposite sex


• The couple cannot be related by direct lineage


• The couple cannot be French nationals for residents of France or its territories


• The bride and the groom must each choose a witness who must be 18 years of age or older (if the chosen witness is not present, the mayor’s office will provide the witness)

Required documentation

• The “Marriage of Foreign Citizens in French Polynesia” application must be completed


•  A letter signed and dated by both future spouses, addressed to the mayor of the commune  chosen for the marriage ceremony


• Certificate of residency (one month of residency minimum)


• Birth certificate for bride and groom (issued within the last six months) including translation into French


• An Apostle authenticating the certified copy of the birth certificate


• A prenuptial agreement ( optional)

Cost for Processing the Legal Work

The cost is from $700 to $1300 approximately when  including in such things as a translator, lawyer fees, ordering and sending documents

What Happens Next?

The entire process should take between  3 – 5 months from the time  you order to documents to the day you get marries. Please remember that certifies copies of the birth certificate are valid in Tahiti for 6 months from the date of issue only. Be sure not to order certified copies of your birth certificate more than six months from you wedding date.

What Happens on Your Wedding Day?

On the day of you ceremony, the bridal couple, their guests, and their witnesses will go to city hall which is called Mairie.

The mayor or an appointed representative from the mayor’s office  will perform the ceremony, in the presence of the two witnesses in the language chosen by the wedding couple.

After the ceremony, the mayor will give the couple a Marriage Certificate. The certificate is dates and signed by the mayor’s office of the commune in which the marriage takes place. This will prove that the marriage is legal when returning to your country of origin.

The ceremony at city hall take about 15 minutes and is mandatory. After it is completed , you can have your traditional ceremony at the resort of your choice.

If you live in Canada contact the French Consulates in Canada – contact for translation of documents, certifying documents, further advice: Vancouver office: 604-637-5300, www.consulfrance-vancouver.org . This office serves AB, BC, NT. Toronto office: 416-847-1900, http://www.consulfrance-toronto.org/. This office serves ON, MB, SK.

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Muriel MacRae plans exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners and families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans weddings, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her attravelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.

Just Plain Relaxation in the South Pacific

All of us have different reasons to travel. Some people prefer the excitement of travelling to new places to explore the unknown or to immerse themselves in the culture. Others want the adventure and can’t wait to try out white water rafting, hiking the Annapurna Circuit, or going bungee jumping. I am the kind of person who prefers to relax on a beautiful tropical beach without a lot of activities planned. If your motivation is to seek relaxation and to get away from the hectic pace of everyday life, some of the islands of the South Pacific are perfect to serve your desires, preferences, and personality.

Below are five of my favourite destinations in the South Pacific that are perfect for just plain relaxing:

Australia’s Islands of the Great Barrier Reef: Relax, unwind, and discover yourself and a natural beauty beyond compare on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Experience glorious weather, azure waters, brilliant beaches, awe-inspiring coral reefs, and fascinating flora and fauna. Time spent on a Great Barrier Reef Island is time out in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. From the world of privacy and luxury of five-star resorts to the back-to-nature simplicity of tented accommodations in sublime natural settings, the reef’s islands offer a retreat from the demands of everyday life.

 Hayman Island - Photo courtesy of Hayman Island  

Bora Bora: Home to one of the Pacific’s most desirable destinations and claimed to be “one of the most beautiful islands in the world,” Bora Bora is truly an experience worth having. With your first sight of the barrier reef that encloses a lagoon resembling an artist’s pallet of blues and greens, the pristine white beaches, and the two magnificent peaks, Pahia and Otemanu, you will fall in love with this captivating island. Life here is casual and relaxed. You will find this a place of dramatic beauty, warm waters, and a gentle climate. From the extraordinary scenery to the privacy and amenities of the overwater bungalows, Bora Bora is unquestionably the most romantic of the Pacific Islands.

Photo courtesy of Viajes Mundoparaiso

The Cook Islands: The Cook Islands are the perfect choice for singles, couples, and families who are looking for a laid-back, safe, and unhurried vacation where the local islanders will welcome you with their warmth and hospitality. Comprised of 15 lovely islands in the South Pacific, these stunning islands are wonderful places to unwind with palm-fringed, white sandy beaches, spectacular turquoise lagoons, clear water, and a relaxed pace of life. Your biggest decision of the day will be whether you want to relax by the beach and soak up the sun’s rays, go on a lagoon cruise to explore the numerous small islets and enjoy the marine on the way, or swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and get close to the wildlife in the spectacular lagoons. A visit to the Cook Islands is not complete without experiencing the stunning island of Aitutaki, with the world’s most beautiful lagoon.

One Foot Lagoon – Aitutaki - Photo courtesy of Paolo Motta

Fiji: Beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts will love Fiji. From a tranquil afternoon on the beach to snorkelling in fabulous coral gardens and azure lagoons, or a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach to a leisurely stroll along the pristine white sand beaches, Fiji epitomizes an idyllic tropical island. The genuine friendliness and hospitality of the people is legendary and their infectious smiles and the gentle pace of life are irresistibly seductive. To take your mind and body to a deeper state of relaxation, enjoy a soothing massage in a spectacular setting open to the sea breezes and the sounds of the waves.

Photo courtesy of David Grant

Tahiti: The islands of Tahiti, officially known as French Polynesia, are a gorgeous selection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn across 4 million square kilometres (1.5 million square miles) of the grand South Pacific Ocean. For hundreds of years, explorers, travelers, and lovers have been consumed with a passionate desire to seek and experience the magical beauty of Tahiti and her islands. Do you consider relaxation to be sipping a cool drink on a secluded beach as you stroll for seashells on white sand beaches overlooking breathtaking turquoise lagoons? If so, Tahiti and her islands are your haven.

Whether you dream of a romantic hideaway far from the stress of everyday life where you can blissfully relax in the arms of your loved one as you gaze at the blue horizon or whether you dream of discovering an ancient culture entrenched in South Pacific legends, Tahiti can help fulfill your own personal dream of discovering Paradise.

                                         Black Sand Beach in Tahiti - Photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

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Muriel MacRae plans exciting getaways and customized vacations for honeymooners and families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans weddings, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.

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Recreate Ali’s Bora Bora Bachelorette Experience

Article taken from the Tahiti Times August 3, 2010.

Photo courtesy of Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa

No other destination in the world is better suited for a Honeymoon than French Polynesia. More commonly known by the name of its main island Tahiti, each island in this region is as unique as it is beautiful. Millions of people saw this first hand last night on The Bachelorette where the finale was held at the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa.

Whether you approach it by air or sea, Bora Bora’s multi-colored lagoon will captivate you with its coral reefs dotted with emerald islets that encircle the main island like a string of pearls. At the center of the island is Mount Otemanu that towers majestically over the unimaginable turquoise and blue lagoon.

Experience luxury on this unforgettable island in an over-water bungalow, built directly over the turquoise lagoon water. These bungalows possess different amenities and many even have glass panel floors to view the coral and fish below. Celebrate your Anniversary, take a once in a lifetime Honeymoon, renew your vows, or take the kids- there is something for everyone in Bora Bora!

To learn more about this extraordinary island please call Del Sol Travel at 403-477-0643 or e-mail travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca  for more information.

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon,  or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.