Le Meridien Tahiti is the ideal place for a wedding ceremony. Experience the traditional Polynesian wedding. In a picturesque environment your Tahitian wedding ceremony is complete with traditional attire, songs, and dances.
Before the ceremony, Tahitian mamas will give the groom a relaxing massage using monoi oil (oil from the oito coconut) and when finished, they will dress you in the traditional ceremonial apparel. Once the bride is ready, a lovely bouquet will be offered to her. The bride along with her bridesmaids leave for the beach where the tahua (Tahitian priest) awaits. When they arrive, he will invoke the gods as well as the three elements of life: Earth, Water, and Air. Standing on a canoe rowed by a Tahitian dancer, the groom or tane joins his bride or vahine on the beach at the sound of the pou and pahu shells.
Now that the tane and the vahine are reunited, they are to follow the tahua to the marae (general name of ancient Tahitian temples; in this case it is used to indicate the site of the wedding ritual) where the actual ceremony takes place. The tahua begins by invoking the god Taaroa and asks that He bestow blessings upon you, the newlyweds. Following the invocation, the tahua will baptize you by showering your hands with coconut water. You are wreathed with gorgeous heis (a necklace made of fresh flowers). The tahua concludes by presenting you with your new Tahitian names. To finalize the ceremony, you will be wrapped in a tifaifai (a typical Tahitian patchwork) which symbolizes the union of the vahine and the tane.
Time for the entertainment! The vahine dancers will mesmerize you with their graceful aparima (word which literally means «kiss of the hands»; the aparima is a Tahitian dance where the hands tell the story). As the ever enchanting show comes to an end, you will be accompanied back to your room where there will be a wedding cake and a bottle of Champagne for the two lovers to enjoy.
A Royal Wedding – Le Meridien Tahiti
Includes:
Traditional Wedding Ceremony as listed above including wedding cake and a bottle of Champagne
3 Nights in Panoramic Lagoon View Room with guaranteed upgrade to Overwater Bungalow
Welcome gift and Flower upon arrival in your Overwater Bungalow
Daily Buffet Breakfast
Note: Weddings in Tahiti are legally non-binding