Turtle Island Wedding: An Epic Wedding in a Fijian Paradise

When I first stepped off the seaplane onto the beach at Turtle Island to photograph a wedding there eight years ago, I knew I’d found paradise. Fiji is full of beautiful islands . . . so it’s not just the beach that takes your breath away (although it’s perfection). It’s the people, the culture, and the story of this island that make it a truly remarkable destination. It’s a place where everyone knows your name (and what you like to drink!). A place that your heart will long to return to.

In 1972 American visionary Richard Evanson, Sr. came to Fiji . . . and bought an island. At that point, he likely had little idea of the legacy that he would leave in Fiji. After surviving a cyclone by strapping himself to a giant tree with his Fijian friend Joe, he got to work; building, clearing and dreaming. When the 1980’s movie The Blue Lagoon was filmed there, the world began to notice Richard’s paradise and Richard began to invite guests to his island.

Racheli, one of Richard’s daughters, grew up on Turtle Island as a child. Even after leaving Fiji to attend school in Australia, she would return to her island home as often as she could. Racheli’s father trained her well in the art of hospitality, hard work, and respect for the culture and the native environment. She now is the Marketing Director for Turtle Island.

Racheli and Will met in Australia while at university and fell in love. As they began to plan their wedding, they knew that Turtle Island would, of course, be the only place for it. Racheli wanted their friends and family to be able to experience her island home for themselves. The couple planned an epic three day celebration including a cultural celebration held the night before, the beautiful wedding day, and a recovery day the next morning complete with games, drinks and fun.

Turtle Island itself offers only 14 private bures (bungalows) on the beach, keeping it exclusive and family-style. The bride and groom played travel agent, coordinating nearby resorts, sea planes and boats to get all of their guests accommodated nearby. Turtle Island also boasts 12 private beaches, so Racheli and Will had their pick for their wedding ceremony. They chose to get married on one beach and have their cultural evening and their reception on two others (one of them is even named for Racheli!).

I could write pages about the beauty of the island and the beauty of the day, but at this point I think it’s best to let the images speak for themselves. Congratulations, Will and Racheli! It was truly an honor to come alongside you and celebrate your love together with your friends and family. All of your creativity, planning and vision paid off. Racheli, if your dad could have been there, he would have been so proud to see continue to respect the culture, the people and the vision of the island and of your family.

~ Peace and Light, Laura

P.S. To see the photos from Racheli and Will’s “Recovery Day” (day after this wedding), click here!