Andrew & Claire first met when they were working together at the Carindale Golf Club. Andrew was the chef and Claire was working as a waitress while she was studying at university. Andrew’s best friend James (my husband) use to go up to visit quite regularly and Andrew always use to claim that whenever James would visit he would never meet any girls. Now anyone who knows these two would know that was because they have a Bromance going and so would have been too distracted with each other to notice any girls. However one night someone else did manage to capture Andrews’ eye and four years later they are getting married.
Andrew and Claire had trouble finding a location for their wedding with places closing down, being already booked or just not right. Claire joked that if one more place fell through they were having their wedding in Fiji and I must say I am so glad that they did. They chose the Outrigger on the Lagoon at the Coral coast for their Fiji Wedding. It was such a beautiful resort and the perfect location for their thirty five guests who had flown over to celebrate this magical day with them.
The ceremony was held at the resorts amazing hilltop Bure Ni Loloma Chapel which overlooks thePacific Ocean. It was one of the most breath taking chapels that I have been to. However as beautiful as the view was no one could take their eyes off Claire as she walked in in her elegant silver wedding gown and her bouquet of frangipanis. It was a very moving ceremony with not a dry eye in the chapel.
Once all the formalities were over we went up to the bar that sat above the chapel so that the bridal party could have a couple of quiet drinks and also to escape the strong wind that was outside. It was so peaceful at the top of the mountain that we all could have easily sat up, there sipping on champagne, and watched the sunset. However we had a whole resort to play in. After catching the golf buggy down to the bottom of the hill we started making our way around various locations in the resort. The Outrigger on the Lagoon is such a huge place so there was plenty to choose from. We got some photos in the garden, out the front of one of the bungalows, down by the beach and by the swimming pool. Claire was so patient with me and didn’t even hesitate when I asked her to climb up the life saving tower in her gorgeous wedding dress. The shots we got of them up there was well worth it.
Eventually it was time to head back to the main building for the reception. Andrew and his two groomsmen changed down into their Fijian Sulu for the reception which looked, um, interesting with socks and dress shoes.
Claire had done a wonderful job making all the decorations for the wedding themselves. There were paper pom poms hanging from the roof, butterflies on ever glass and a lovely seating chart made of ribbons. The whole room was blue and white which was perfect for the Outriggers’ terrace room overlooking the Pacific Ocean. After a yummy dinner we watched as Andrew and Claire had their first dance as husband and wife to Love you till the end by The Pogues and then we all joined in and spent the rest of the night dancing to the classics such as the “Time Warp”, “Barbie Girl” and “Twist & Shout”.
The following day Andrew & Claire left for Taveuni – Lomani where they were to spend a week for their honeymoon. It was the perfect way to relax after all the wedding planning.
Other friends of the wedding
Claire’s Dress: After 5 Bridal in Underwood
Bridesmaid’s Outfits: Review
Boys Outfits: Tarocash
Rings: Angus & Coote
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