Cook Islands Wedding 101<\/h2>\n
Getting there:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Just a quick six-hour flight direct from Sydney and you\u2019ll be in tropical paradise. This somewhat of an underrated gem easy is actual very easy to get to.<\/p>\n Legal Basics:<\/strong><\/p>\n To get married in the Cook Islands you need to arrive in the country three working days before the ceremony so you can apply for your marriage license. Expedia\u2019s Aussie travellers usually spend 5-6 nights in the Cook Islands so make sure you apply straight away if you\u2019re staying for just one week.<\/p>\n Bring your birth certificate, passport and any divorce or death certificates (if you\u2019ve been previously been married). All of these documents must be in English or translated to English.<\/p>\n Marriages that have taken place in the Cook Islands are recognised internationally (Although some countries will require an Apostille Seal to make it so.) Most resort wedding coordinators will assist you in getting the paperwork sorted upon your arrival in the Cook Islands\u2013 from taking you to the registry office when you arrive to helping finalise it all post ceremony.<\/p>\n Now that the legal jargon is out of the way, you\u2019re ready to tie the knot in tropical bliss. Where should you say the words? I found out! The new kid on the block, Nautilus Resort is located on the pristine Muri lagoon. It\u2019s designed to be the ultimate in tropical bliss \u2013 a chic, sophisticated feel with tropical roots.<\/p>\n The resort has 17 villas, each with private plunge pool, luxurious bathroom (rain shower, deep free standing bath and double sinks) and basic kitchen facilities (including a coffee machine). And a private deck!<\/p>\n Couples can book out the entire resort for their guests. They can choose to enjoy a beach front ceremony, or set up overlooking the divine infinity pool or take a Vaku cruise to the uninhabited Koromiri Motu and then return to the resort for a reception in the restaurant, under a poolside marquee, the beach front marquee or the palm fronted outdoor patio. Plenty of options for every bride!<\/p>\n The wedding team is there to cater to your every whim \u2013 with a huge range of decorative elements. Hair, makeup and music is looked after before you even arrive.<\/p>\n The newly built Crystal Blue Lagoon Villas are the perfect setting for a wedding of pure luxury. Comprising of four double story villas (two with beach frontage and two with lagoon views) beautiful gardens and an infinity pool, this resort provides true secluded luxury for your I\u2019dos.<\/p>\n As for accommodation? Book the entire resort out for your guests \u2013 each villa is as big as a townhouse and can sleep four guests (two bedrooms), a fully contained kitchen and laundry with Bosch appliances, home theatre systems with surround sound, master suites complete with private balconies and ensuite bathrooms equipped with rainfall shower heads and free standing baths.<\/p>\n Located within the gardens is the resort\u2019s private infinity pool \u2013 a spectacular backdrop for your wedding ceremony, which can conclude with poolside drinks before guests celebrate at a garden reception. If you\u2019re looking for a resort with everything at your fingertips, then Pacific Resort is it. Comprised of 64 studio rooms, suites, two and three bedroom villas, the resort has a barefoot restaurant, active kid\u2019s club, full array of water sports equipment, daily lagoon cruises, daily activities, and massage and beauty services.<\/p>\n The rooms are private and can accommodate children easily (or for a more romantic honeymoon style, try the Beachfront Premium Suite with private lagoon fronted deck, air conditioning, flat screen TVs, and basic kitchen facilities)<\/p>\n As for weddings \u2013 this is a space where everyone can stay on site and be very well looked after. Whether it\u2019s just for two or you\u2019re bringing 100 of your nearest and dearest, they\u2019ll accommodate beachside ceremonies, a secluded space in the huge tropical gardens or a ceremony on the secluded island Koromiri Motu (with traditional Vaku arrival for the bride).<\/p>\n Continue your celebrations under a marquee barefoot in the sand on Muri beach or amongst the resort\u2019s gardens decorated in true tropical style. The wedding team on hand will work with you to not only create a menu that suits your desires, but also use their contacts to ensure every element is looked after for your day.<\/p>\n Located on the \u201csunset\u201d side of the island, Crown Beach Resort offers a range of wedding packages from simple elopements to more traditional receptions for up to 120 guests. The beach and gardens provide all the island-style backdrops you\u2019ll desire for an island wedding, along with a range of spaces (from a private dinner for two on a platform on the beach to a marquee on the sand or the onsite function center) for your reception.<\/p>\n The resort is adults only for complete relaxation (although children are considered for weddings if under supervision) with rooms ranging from the private courtyard pool suites each complete with it\u2019s own swimming pool, to the tropical inspired beachfront villas with stunning views of the brilliantly blue lagoon.<\/p>\n The resort has two restaurants on site, perfectly situated to watch the famous Cook Islands sunsets, an onsite day spa and regular activities like water sports, yoga and themed dinner nights. Muri\u2019 Beach\u2019s eco friendly (the resort is run on 100% solar power) gem, Muri Beach resort is set with a range of villas and apartments, each with a kitchen and dining area, and a Jacuzzi spa bath set into landscaped, lush tropical gardens.<\/p>\n The quiet surrounds lend themselves to complete relaxation, but if you\u2019re more into making use of the convenient location, the resort offers bicycle hire, onsite message services, water sport equipment and even scuba diving lessons.<\/p>\n When it comes to getting married, the resort\u2019s wedding team can organise everything for you. The prime spot for a ceremony is on the deck overlooking the lagoon or the beach below (although the resort can also arrange ceremonies on the Koromiri Motu).<\/p>\n Enjoy cocktails and champagne in the gardens before heading to the poolside restaurant for your reception; enjoy a cocktail party in the gardens or a marquee on the beach or by the pool. Catering to groups up to 90, the resort offers both cocktail and sit down receptions with a focus on island style cuisine.<\/p>\n The wedding team has access to a range of decorations allowing them to create a wedding styled to the look and feel you desire.<\/p>\n Expedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here’s the low down on exactly how a wedding can take place in the stunning Cook Islands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,25,6,2,18],"tags":[292,58,293],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-asia","category-celebration","category-destination","category-experiences","category-relax","tag-cook-islands","tag-tips","tag-weddings","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/p>\n
Nautilus Resort<\/a><\/h2>\n
Crystal Blue Lagoon Villas<\/h2>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Pacific Resort Rarotonga<\/a><\/h2>\n
Crown Beach Resort<\/a><\/h2>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Muri Beach Resort<\/a><\/h2>\n