Andrea proposes to Matt before Fiji destination wedding

By:
Content Team
/
Updated on: March 8, 2024

Andrea Halkett and Matt Forsyth may have met the ‘old-fashioned’ way – in a bar – but nothing much else about their road to married was too conventional after that.

For one, their first dates involved Matt graciously showing Andrea around his hometown Hobart after she’d moved there from New Zealand. And then when the pair moved together to Sydney, Andrea took her future into her own hands by proposing.

“I planned it all, dropped to one knee with a ring and he was very surprised and pleased and of course said ‘yes,'” she smiles.

With loved ones spread across the two countries, the vet and IT engineer, both 28, decided on a Fiji destination wedding, where their respective families and friends could meet on “mutual territory” for a wedding come beach holiday.

“The InterContinental situated on the gorgeous Natadola Bay was better than any of us expected,” praises Andrea. “We had a lovo and bonfire on the beach the night before and married in the chapel lawn overlooking the ocean.”

Near on forty guests joined the couple for their vows on May 21, 2015. Andrea’s church pastors flew from New Zealand to officiate the day which gave it an intimate and family feel, but it was the extra mile the resort went that impressed these newlyweds the most.

“When we got back to our room the staff had dimmed the lights, put on a nice CD and filled the whole bath with flowers and hundreds of candles – it was like a fire hazard!” she jokes. “Then we went skinny-dipping in the sea – it was so nice!”

Photos courtesy of Cheer Wedding Photography, Fiji.

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_002

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_004

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_006

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_001

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_009 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_003
Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_010 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_007
Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_007 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_004

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_011

Andrea says wedding planner Chelsea Jane Weddings was the “best investment I made,” and the locals were also a huge part of her day’s success.

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_012Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_011

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_014

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_015

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_016

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_017

“Fiji time really exists,” smiles Andrea. Her advice: “Be patient and have faith that they’ll pull out all the stops once you’re there.”

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_014 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_015

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_020

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_017 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_018

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_019

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_024

Andrea says one of the other reasons they chose a destination wedding was to ensure all the guests who were there really wanted to be.

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_026

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_025 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_023

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_029

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_028

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_031

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_032

Andrea had two gowns, Lilli Marcs and Maggie Sorreto, so she could ‘trash’ one.

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_025

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_033

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_034

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_031

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_030

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_036 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_037
Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_038 Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_039

Andrea_Matt_Destination-Wedding_SBS_040

“The Fijian fire dancers wowed the guests and got everyone up and dancing the rest of the night away,” smiles Andrea.

Featured Suppliers:

Brides Gown Brides Gown: Lilli Marcs , Maggie Sottero

Brides Shoes Brides Shoes: Panache Bridal Shoes , Shoes of Prey

Bridesmaids Dresses Bridesmaids Dresses: JJ's House

Celebrant Celebrant: Emily Wotton

Entertainment Entertainment: Fijian fire dancers

Hair Hair: Hair and Makeup Perfectionist

Honeymoon Honeymoon: Lomani Island Resort

Invitations Invitations: Polkadot Stationary

Makeup Makeup: Hair and Makeup Perfectionist

Photographer Photographer: Cheer Wedding Photography, Fiji

Rings Rings: Michael Hill Jeweller

Transport Transport: Fiji Hens Party

Venue Venue: InterContinental Fiji

Wedding Planner Wedding Planner: Chelsea Jayne Weddings