The latest real wedding to capture our hearts is a truly unforgettable celebration that exudes romance and intimacy. Against the breathtaking backdrop of a Tahitian mountaintop, Marc and Jo exchanged vows in an unplugged ceremony that was as charming as it was unique. The couple’s personal touch shone through in every detail, from the decor they collected and created themselves to their stylish bridal party attire. The latter included Jo’s stunning Grace Loves Lace gown, which perfectly complemented the lush garden greenery and cool signage that added a touch of elegance to the proceedings. What truly sets this wedding apart, however, is the love story behind it all. From Marc’s public proposal to the couple’s secluded ceremony and subsequent Tahitian party into the night, we’ve fallen head over heels for Marc and Jo just as much as we have for their beautiful union.
Wedding Day Snapshot
How We Met
Marc, a man of mixed French-Spanish-Vietnamese descent, was raised in French Polynesia from birth. I, on the other hand, am New Zealand-born with Taiwanese roots, but spent my formative years in Australia. Our paths crossed in church, where we discovered a shared passion for hiking and nature. This common interest led to group outings with friends, eventually blossoming into a romantic relationship. Marc’s scholarship to study in Australia brought him to my hometown of Wollongong, a serendipitous encounter that changed the course of our lives. Despite the challenges posed by long-distance relationships – we navigated six months apart when I pursued exchange studies in Norway and another six-month stint when Marc returned to Tahiti after completing his Australian scholarship – our love remained unshaken. This perseverance proved to us that, together, we could overcome any obstacle. With this experience as a crucible, we solidified our commitment to one another. Fast-forward to February of this year, I made the leap and relocated to Tahiti, where I’m now immersed in learning French and adapting to the local culture. Our love ultimately prevailed, culminating in a wedding at the end of April, after which we’ll reside indefinitely in this Pacific paradise, embracing our new life together.
The Proposal
It’s a romantic tale that Marc had been crafting for a long time, and one that would leave me pleasantly surprised. Little did I know, he had been secretly planning an elaborate proposal story. The night it all went down was a typical Tuesday – May 12th, 2015 – after I finished work, Marc and I had planned to catch Pitch Perfect 2 at the cinema. As we settled in for the show, Marc excused himself to grab some snacks from the candy bar, leaving me to wonder what was going on when the pre-movie trailers started playing. That’s when I saw it – a video featuring none other than Marc’s face and shoes taking center stage on the big screen. Confusion turned to shock as Marc appeared in the clip, his voice declaring that ‘the star of the movie tonight… is you.’ The audience around me was just as perplexed as I was, with one woman behind me even asking her friend if we’d stumbled into the wrong cinema! As the video progressed, Marc began speaking about taking the next step together, and it suddenly dawned on me – this was no ordinary trailer, it was a proposal in disguise. By the time the clip finished playing, the crowd had erupted into cheers and wolf whistles. And that’s when Marc reappeared, dressed to impress, got down on one knee, and popped the question. I said yes, of course! But what made this moment truly unforgettable was the realization that our entire section of the cinema was actually a gathering of all my closest friends and family – a surprise arranged by Marc, who just so happens to be a professional videographer and wedding filmmaker. His plan had been months in the making, and I was completely oblivious to it until that magical night.
The Inspiration
A rustic and whimsical atmosphere permeated the wedding celebration, as the couple’s love for nature and the great outdoors was beautifully woven into every detail. The color palette was characterized by a serene blend of neutral whites, soft off-whites, and rich browns reminiscent of weathered wood, all complemented by the lush greens of foliage.
The Venue
We opted for a mountain wedding at Over the Rainbow Park, which was nestled in the mountains and offered breathtaking views of valleys and waterfalls on one side, and the city, ocean, and Moorea Island in the distance on the other. The surrounding landscape of tall pine trees created a serene atmosphere that felt worlds away from the tropical heat of the island. Despite being in Tahiti, we deliberately avoided any coastal or beach-inspired elements to create a truly unique and memorable experience for our special day.
Favourite Moments
We share a rich cultural heritage, having grown up surrounded by diverse influences from around the world. Our wedding guest list read like a travel brochure, featuring friends from Australia, France, New Caledonia, Netherlands, and Tahiti. The linguistic diversity was just as impressive, with French-to-English translations woven throughout the celebration. At one point, we had simultaneous interpretations in French, English, and Tahitian – it was a truly unique experience. Our mountainous setting added to the adventure, with rain and mud creating a picturesque backdrop. We encouraged our guests to dress comfortably, and they responded by donning gumboots, thongs, or even going barefoot with muddy feet. Marc and I were happy to get dirty alongside them, embracing the carefree spirit of the day. In the end, it was all about laughter, joy, and a sense of liberation from traditional wedding expectations.
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place in a picturesque setting, surrounded by towering pine trees that framed the breathtaking view of Papeete and the ocean. The rustic charm of the venue was further enhanced by the careful preparation of the space, which included repurposing old tree trunks as benches for seating. A delicate balance of simplicity and elegance was achieved through the use of hessian cloth to line the aisle, adorned with a scattering of flower petals. Additional touches included small logs placed along the aisles, topped with mason jars filled with fresh flowers. The couple’s decision to make the ceremony an unplugged one meant that guests were encouraged to put away their phones and fully immerse themselves in the experience. In hindsight, this choice was instrumental in creating a sense of intimacy and connection among the gathering, allowing the wedding photos to capture the genuine joy and emotion of the day.
The Music
As I reflect on the journey of walking down the aisle, a song that has become synonymous with this milestone is ‘Mango Tree’ by Angus and Julia Stone. The gentle rhythm and heartfelt lyrics perfectly capture the emotions of exchanging vows with the one you love. Meanwhile, ‘You’re On’ by Madeon, which played a significant role in our proposal video, takes on a new meaning as I think about the excitement of walking up the aisle together.
The Photography
While browsing Pinterest, I came across SV Photograph’s visually striking profile, which led me to explore their website and Instagram further. Their contemporary photography style truly caught my attention, prompting us to reach out and initiate a conversation with the team. We were impressed by their excellent communication skills, ultimately resulting in some outstanding photographs that exceeded our expectations.
In addition, we collaborated with Georges Tobella, a friend of Marc’s, who kindly provided us with raw footage for the video. Although we haven’t had a chance to review the footage yet, we’re confident that he’s captured some fantastic moments.
The Attire
The dress I chose for the occasion was a stunning Clare design from Grace Loves Lace. Its simplicity and beauty made it incredibly comfortable to move around in, even on uneven terrain like the mountain. What’s more, its versatility allowed me to easily modify it to knee length, making it suitable for future formal events.
To complement my dress, I wore Steve Madden tan sandals and a striking necklace from independent Sydney-based designer Doury. The latter added a touch of elegance to my overall look.
For the bridesmaids, I gave them the freedom to choose their own dresses that were knee-length or slightly shorter, with a focus on white, off-white, ivory, or cream colors. This way, each woman could select something that not only suited her taste but also allowed her to wear it again in the future.
On the other hand, the groomsmen opted for attire from ASOS.
The Flowers
In Tahiti, tropical flowers dominate the landscape, making it a challenge to find alternatives that stray from this theme. I struggled with finding flowers that didn’t fit into the tropical category, only to discover that even non-tropical blooms are expensive due to being imported. The selection was also limited, forcing me to get creative. I ultimately settled on gerberas, roses, and alstroemeria for our arrangements.
In search of the perfect foliage, we visited multiple florists only to be met with disappointment. However, Marc’s sister came to the rescue by providing us with beautiful olive tree leaves from her backyard. We took these unique leaves to the florist and asked them to incorporate them into the bouquet, along with reference photos that showcased the imperfect and messy arrangements I was envisioning.
The result was a stunning bouquet that incorporated the olive leaves in a way that exceeded my expectations. In fact, we used these leaves to create decorations for the wedding, including a crown and cake embellishments.
The Refreshments
Our reception’s culinary spread was an authentic Ma’a Tahiti – a traditional Tahitian feast cooked in a firepit dug into the ground. The dishes were skillfully wrapped in banana leaves and featured an array of flavorsome ingredients such as pork, fish, veal, breadfruit, and po’e. To add richness to each bite, generous amounts of coconut milk were generously applied. As is customary with this type of celebration, we indulged in the feast using our fingers, fully embracing the cultural tradition.To complement our meal, Millésime provided a selection of premium beverages, including Champagne, organic rum, and red and white wine. This thoughtful gesture was made possible due to Marc’s professional work for the company, which he had requested be compensated not with money, but with alcohol for our special day.
Advice for Other Couples
While Pinterest is often a treasure trove of creative inspiration, it’s also a fantastic resource for DIY wedding ideas on a budget. However, as lovely as these concepts may be, they do require a considerable amount of effort and planning. Our experience was no exception, as we meticulously organized every detail using an online Google sheet specifically designed for wedding planning. This allowed us to effortlessly share essential information with all the stakeholders involved in the preparation, streamlining the entire process.
The Decor & Details
As we didn’t have to exert much effort to decorate the venue, it was already a stunning backdrop for our celebration. However, my creative side as a graphic designer and lettering artist kicked in, and I designed various signage elements for the day. With the help of my brother-in-law, we crafted wooden framed chalkboards and easels months prior, which I then decorated with chisel-like letters. To add some whimsy, we created little wooden picket signs painted with playful warnings like ‘Watch your step’ and hand-painted directional signage. A showstopper was the giant feature chalkboard that doubled as a photo backdrop. I also got creative by foraging for leaves to use as foliage decorations and spent hours stripping labels off empty beer and wine bottles to repurpose them as flower vases. Nature even lent us some materials – I collected rocks from the beach and hand-painted designs on them. The pièce de résistance was our DIY wedding arch, constructed from foraged branches and leaves, which became a unique focal point.
The Budget
When it comes to planning our wedding, we faced significant expenses in venue hire, photographers, and catering. However, there were several aspects that allowed us to save substantially. One of the key areas where we cut costs was on designs and decorations. As a graphic designer and hand/chalk letterer, I was able to take charge of creating all signage, designs, and most decorations, which proved to be a huge cost-saver. Moreover, our family and friends were incredibly supportive, helping us with setup duties and covering some of the expenses for us.
The Honeymoon
We embarked on an unforgettable honeymoon adventure to Vietnam and Taiwan, driven by a desire to connect with our roots. If you’re considering a similar journey, I wholeheartedly endorse this path. The often-overlooked Taiwan stole our hearts with its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality. With approximately 80% of the island comprising mountains, it’s an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and hiking aficionados.Vietnam, on the other hand, offers an unparalleled value proposition for travelers on a budget. Its stunning scenery, rich cultural heritage, and delectable cuisine make it an excellent choice. We highly recommend exploring Dalat’s French-inspired charm, Sapa’s picturesque rice fields, and Ha Long Bay’s majestic beauty.What made our experience truly unforgettable was the unique celebration we witnessed – fire dancers, piggyback rides on mountainsides, and vows exchanged in the mud! Don’t miss their captivating proposal video either. A huge thank you to SV Photograph and Marc & Jo for sharing their enchanting Tahiti wedding with us!