Tropical Fete Wedding

A more than stunning wedding cake decorated in flowers, flamingoes and pineapples, a groom with a very tropical boutonniere, and a dessert table full of colour and fruit – these are the signs of a tropical fete!

This Fiji destination wedding photo shoot has colours galore and one can taste the luscious fruit almost through the images! We adore the groom’s bow tie and the sweet simplicity of the bride’s dress. The wonderful colours of Fiji are truly highlighted in this wedding inspiration and should be celebrated. Take ideas from this photo shoot for your own wedding in the tropics, no matter where you live.

Details for a Tropical Fete Wedding

A tropical wedding can take place any time of year, and it need not be a destination wedding to invoke the feel of the tropics! When planning a tropical fete wedding, think sandy beaches, seashells, leis, and brightly coloured tropical flowers.

A tropical wedding can take place any time, any place; all it takes is the right attitude. The day should be laid back and fun. Dress can be as casual or as dressy as you’d prefer. The guest list may be long, or it may be only close friends and family. Bridesmaids’ dresses need not follow a strict code, and you may even say “I do” in bare feet! The key to a tropical wedding is simply having fun and enjoying the day, no matter your exact location.  

What to Look for in a Venue for a Tropical Fete Wedding

Typically, a tropical wedding often takes place outdoors, but, indoor locales can also be transformed into a paradise. Any basic venue can be made into a tropical paradise when you add fronds and palms as well as brightly coloured flowers.

If your dream is to host a tropical wedding outside, then any beach will do. The scenery will serve as the perfect backdrop with very little additional decor on your part. When you look at various venues, it’s always a good idea to ask the venue representative what is included in the rental. Brides looking to save a few pennies should inquire about the use of a reception area, any furniture included in the venue rental, and the use of a sound system.

Colour Palettes for a Tropical Fete Wedding

Bright, vibrant colours make the perfect colour palette for a tropical fete wedding. Furthermore, any colour of the rainbow can be included. Choose an array of reds, pinks, and purples, or go for bright yellow and orange. Coral is also a great colour for a tropical fete wedding.

Greenery is also a necessity, so be sure to mix and match your colour palette with green as you settle on the decor. You may also want to choose pastel colours for a tropical wedding held during the spring. Lavender and peach are great pastel colours for a ceremony full of colour and fun.

Food for a Tropical Fete Wedding

You can get inspiration for food from the same menu one might serve at a luau in Oahu. Pork makes for a great main dish and can be served in a multitude of ways. Another great main dish with tropical flair would be jerk chicken, a popular Jamaican inspired dish.

You’ll definitely want to prepare a great deal of fruit for a tropical fete wedding. Pineapples, mangoes, and most citrus fruits are considered tropical; they can be served a la carte or as an ingredient in dishes. Dishes that incorporate coconut in the recipe are also great for a sun filled wedding reception.

Wedding Dresses & Accessories for a Tropical Fete Wedding

A wedding dress for a tropical wedding can be as formal or as casual as you desire. However, since the mood is typically one of relaxation, the dress should also be comfortable. This is why many brides opt for a dressy yet Boho design for their wedding gown.

The Boho dress may be full length or even knee-length. It is typically flowy and is often cap sleeve or sleeveless, although there are some long-sleeved Boho dresses that will fit the occasion. Tropical flowers in the bride’s hair are the perfect accessory for a tropical fete wedding. Keep your jewellry simple and summery.

Bridesmaid Dresses for a Tropical Fete Wedding

The bridesmaids’ dresses will need to follow the lead of the bride’s gown – as dressy or as casual as the bride wishes. Many bridesmaids participating in a tropical fete wedding also wear a Boho or vintage dress. If your nuptials are taking place on the beach, you’ll want the dress material to be thin yet appropriate to the occasion, such as linen.

Because an outdoor wedding in a sunny destination calls for comfort and a laid-back attitude, you may consider suggesting the bridesmaids wear dresses of the same style but different colours. An alternate idea is to allow them to wear the same colour with a slightly different design.

Menswear for a Tropical Fete Wedding

The guys usually enjoy the tropical fete wedding theme because they don’t necessarily have to get dressed up, either! Some grooms do opt for a tux, but the laid-back mood of the moment makes dress pants and a white button down shirt appropriate too. Grooms and the members of their party may enjoy choosing clothing made from linen as it is much more comfortable in a tropical climate.

Some grooms do opt for suit pants, a white dress shirt, and a vest that matches the suit pants. This matches brides who opt for a more traditional dress but is also fitting with a less casual dress code, too.

Bouquets & Boutonnieres for a Tropical Fete Wedding

The beauty of a tropical fete wedding bouquet is the brightly coloured floral choices, of which there are many! Bouquets will need a bit of greenery, but the larger, brightly coloured tropical flowers in the arrangement will steal the show. The Amaryllis is a large flower that comes in a variety of colours, and, when paired with the Bird of Paradise as well as some smaller flowers, makes a beautiful bouquet.

The hibiscus, however, is probably one of the most popular tropical flowers, but, most often, the hibiscus is red in colour. Many tropical flower bouquets include the aforementioned Bird of Paradise, along with the orchid and the Pin Cushion Protea. Alternates are the Heliconia and Bromeliad.

Wedding Cake Ideas for a Tropical Fete Wedding

There are many ways for your wedding cake to lend to the tropical fete wedding theme. First, a traditional white cake can be topped with large, tropical flowers (even better if the flowers are crafted from sugar and fondant). Smaller similar coloured flowers may be strewn around the bottom or as accents on a bottom layer as well.

An ombre cake (darker colour at the bottom that fades into a lighter colour toward the top of the cake) is also quite popular. This design can be done in a turquoise blue that lightens from bottom to top, and it looks like the blue water of tropical locales. A plain white cake with sugared fruit as a topper is also a tropical wedding cake choice.

Wedding Reception Music and Entertainment for a Tropical Fete Wedding

Any song with a beach day theme is fitting for tropical wedding reception music and entertainment. Anything by the Beach Boys is fitting, especially Wouldn’t It Be Nice. Other beachy-themed songs for the reception include Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat, and Here Comes the Sun, by The Beatles.

For a fun dance number, Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves is a perfect choice. Any type of reggae music is appropriate for the Tropical wedding reception, so that means Bob Marley is appropriate as is UB40’s Can’t Help Falling in Love.

A Tropical Fete

Today’s tropical fete wedding inspiration shoot from Kama Catch Me has completely stolen my heart. From its darling pink flamingoes to creative styling and abundance of colours, it shows a destination wedding in Fiji that isn’t typical, but as unique and beautiful as the couples it’s bound to inspire.

From Kama Catch Me – “The inspiration for this styled tropical fete wedding shoot was the two pink flamingoes you see throughout. The bright pink and soft orange palette got us thinking about a shoot that uses vibrant Fiji colours and locally sourced goods and services.

Being destination-wedding photographers, we have the pleasure of capturing wedding set-up in various locations. What we found is that with many resorts you get a ‘package deal’ with a set styling. The aim of this shoot isn’t to take away from those package deals, but to inspire, encourage, and challenge future destination brides to look locally and really see what’s available creatively here in Fiji!”

Credits: Photography, Concept, Styling, & Art Direction: Kama Catch Me* // Cake Table: Fiji Cakes // Models: Miss World Fiji Finalist Salanieta Koro and Teresia Weeks & Chris Gutersberger and Aston Prescott // Set Up, Flowers, & Dispenser: Grace Creations // Wedding Bouquets & Buttonhole: Tadra Flowers // Paper Goods: Kama Catch Me Etsy // Hair and Makeup: Hairfirst Fiji Hair n Makeup // Cushions + Artifacts Cross and Palm Tree tile by Ahoy Trader from Cocoon Shop (located at Sheraton Fiji Denarau and Tokoriki + Fiji Beach Resort managed by The Hilton) // Wedding Favors: Tassel Necklaces from Cocoon Shop // Glassware: Hot Glass Fiji // Dress, Jewelry, & Belts: Cocoon Shop // Groom’s Attire: Shirt by Paul Smith + Rip Curl Shorts // Venue: Eds Bar Nadi in Fiji.