Michael Leishman and Maree Constantinou
The Accommodation: The Rarotongan Beach Resort
The Ceremony Location: Aroa Beach
The Length of Stay: 6 nights
Why did you choose a destination wedding?
We wanted our special day to be more intimate and meaningful to us. We didn’t want a huge build up for just one day, but rather for ten days – our wedding and honeymoon in paradise.
Why did you choose the Cook Islands?
It wasn’t as commercial as some of the other Pacific Islands and suited our budget. Friends of ours had honeymooned in the Cook Islands a few years ago and loved it.
How did your friends and family react?
After the initial shock they were very pleased, proud and excited for us, that we followed our hearts in what we wanted for our day, regardless of the beliefs or expectations of others.
How long did it take to plan?
Three months. The only downfall was the urgency of finding my wedding dress. We married barefoot so not having to find shoes was a bonus!
How did your Wedding Planner at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa help with your planning?
The Wedding Planner at The Rarotongan was very helpful with a lot of email correspondence leading up to our day, and fine tuning once we arrived at the resort. The day itself was stress-free and easy which was just what we wanted.
Describe the special touches you chose for your ceremony.
We had an Island Warrior and a traditional Vaka (outrigger canoe) which was loads of fun and a unique way to make an entrance! It made me as the bride feel extra special – definitely one of the highlights.
Anything you would have done differently?
We would love to have stayed longer to explore Rarotonga further and enjoy the beautiful water; two to three weeks in total would have been ideal.
Describe your reception/wedding dinner.
To celebrate we had a secluded candlelit dinner for two in The Rarotongan’s Aroa Beach gazebo. The food was amazing. We ate, drank and danced to our special songs, in wedded bliss.
Where did you go for your honeymoon?
For our honeymoon we took the 45 minute flight to Aitutaki and stayed at the sister resort, Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa. We went on a cruise of Aitutaki Lagoon – words can’t describe the beauty of this place, it’s another world.
Any advice for couples planning a similar wedding?
Just book it and do it! You’ll have surreal memories and stories to share with your loved ones. You won’t regret it!