I got a lovely set of pictures recently from Nerida McMurray. Nerida is a Sydney photographer who romantically decided to run away with her fiance, Matt  and marry at Tokoriki Island in Fiji. Tokoriki is an Adults Only resort in the Mamanuca Island Group.

Having shot many weddings, Nerida wanted something different for her own wedding day. The couple even got dressed together- surprising their photographer Isoa Tokalautawa of Tokman Images who had never seen a groom help a bride into a gown before!

Nerida’s wedding gown was from Chic Collections and her mother’s diamond bracelet. Video was taken by Ocean Studios Fiji and photos today are by Isoa Tokalautawa of Tokman Images.

A beautiful way to spend a Saturday! Happy weekend!

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Nerida and Matt met through a mutual friend- also a photographer. Originally from Zimbabwe, Matt had just moved to Australia from London. The attraction was instant!

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After getting ready together, Matt and Nerida walked barefoot to the “famous coconut tree” where a Fijian minister was waiting for them.

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After being on the mainland a few days to get their marriage certificate, the minister discovered no one had written a license number on it! He refused to marry the couple until they had the number . Luckily their wedding planner (based at the resort) stepped in, called the registry office and sorted it out half an hour before the wedding!

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Nerida and Matt wanted to make their ceremony very personal and wrote their own vows. The ceremony was light hearted with the minster struggling to get Nerida’s name right and pronouncing it “Merinda”. Nerida also dug her feet into the sand to make herself the same height as Matt! The minster had insisted Nerida stand on the higher side of the beach- as is their tradition!

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Nerida’s mother made her veil, sewing tulle onto a comb with vintage crystals she had been keeping for a special occasion. Nerida’s parents sent a surprise bottle of Pol Roger champagne with a Shakespeare sonnet on it as a gift to the couple.

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Nerida and Matt finished their wedding day with a wedding dinner at a private table on the beach. Nerida describes her wedding as the most special and romantic time in her life.

Thank you for sharing your special day with us Nerida! I wish you all the best for a beautiful marriage together!

Photos by Tokman Images