InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa Launches New Facebook Page: Bora Bora Wedding Romance Experiences

Through stunning photography and video, Bora Bora Wedding Romance Experiences documents a variety of weddings, vow renewals, blessing ceremonies, and romantic escapades that were held at the renowned resort, which is a favorite of couples and honeymooners. 

The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa lies on a virgin beach on Motu Piti Aau (meaning "two hearts" in Tahitian) with breathtaking views of Bora Bora's majestic Mount Otemanu. Not only does the resort provide exemplary service to its guests, it features a number of unique attributes, including: 80 luxurious overwater villas each with a split-level terrace and sundeck for easy access to the turquoise waters of the lagoon; one of the finest culinary experiences in French Polynesia at its restaurant Reef; and the first overwater wedding chapel with glass bottom floor in French Polynesia. 

Wedding Ceremonies
The resort offers custom-tailored wedding ceremonies at its private beach, Blue Lagoon Chapel with glass bottom floor or secluded islet and can accommodate wedding groups from 2 to 80 guests. A host of wedding ceremonies and wedding packages are offered including a Beach Ceremony; Chapel Ceremony; Ocean Ceremony; Royal Beach Package; Deep Blue Package; and a Civil Ceremony that is part of the Legal Wedding Package.   

The Beach Ceremony takes places on a private, white-sand beach adorned with colorful flowers and coconut palms and views of Mount Otemanu. The couple dress in white pareos and enjoy a voyage by outrigger canoe to the beach from their villa for the ceremony. The Priest, speaking in Tahitian, unifies the couple in pure Polynesian tradition. He joins the couple's hands with a piece of sacred "Auti" (coconut leaf), and blesses them by pouring sea water as a sign of unity. The Priest then gives the couple flower necklaces and crowns, which they exchange, as they say their vows. They are then baptized with Polynesian names and receive a wedding certificate. Dancers surround the couple with the traditional "Tifaifai," a Polynesian wedding quilt which symbolizes their union, before the Priest gives them the last benediction. The couple then enjoys a Polynesian dance show and punch served in a coconut.  At the end of the ceremony, the couple is escorted back to their villa where they celebrate their union with a delicious wedding cake and a bottle of Champagne.

The Royal Beach Package includes everything in the Beach Ceremony along with a romantic four-course dinner and exquisite bottle of Champagne in an intimate setting that is framed with candles, flowers, and firelights, under the stars, on a private beach.  

The Chapel Ceremony commences in the resort's famed overwater, glass-bottom chapel showcases the turquoise lagoon along with floor-to-ceiling views of Mount Otemanu.  A Tahitian Priest conducts the ceremony using a mix of Polynesian traditions and symbols of marriage. After the couple exchanges flower necklaces and crowns, they are baptized with their unique Polynesian names and receive a wedding certificate. After the nuptials, the couple is wrapped in a "Tifaifai" and local entertainers perform Polynesian dances and songs, before the couple enjoys wedding cake and a bottle of Champagne in the privacy of their villa. 

The Deep Blue Package includes everything in a Chapel Ceremony with spa treatments at the resort's award-winning Deep Ocean Spa. This spa is the first in the world to use deep seawater extracted from 3,000 feet below sea level in its signature treatments. Another unique attribute of it is its glass-floored overwater Spa Suites where guests can admire maritime flora and fauna during treatment sessions. Services for the couple include a Deep Aromatherapy Bath, Deep Radiance Facials, Relaxing Body Massages and half day access to the spa facilities. Following the wedding ceremony, the couple enjoys a romantic four-course, beach dinner.

The Civil Ceremony with the Legal Wedding Package includes paperwork assistance by a wedding coordinator; preparatory meeting with the couple upon arrival; legal wedding coordination at City Hall with the wedding coordinator, two witnesses, and translator; a bride's bouquet with colorful tropical flowers; a groom's boutonnière; two white leis flower necklaces to exchange at the end of the Civil Ceremony under the sign "Mairie de Bora Bora;" transfers between the resort and City Hall by luxury boat; and a half bottle of Champagne served on the boat on the way back to the resort.

Blessing Ceremonies are also available and can be held on the beach, in the Blue Lagoon Chapel, on the motu ocean side, on the villa terrace, or on a private yacht.

Renewal of Vows Ceremony
For couples who want to reaffirm their love, the resort offers a Renewal of Vows Ceremony.  Dressed in white pareos, the pair journey from their villa by outrigger canoe to a private beach for the ceremony. Following Polynesian tradition, a Tahitian Priest performs a blessing using authentic Polynesian love symbols. An exchange of flower necklaces and crowns follows, before the Priest baptizes the couple with unique Polynesian names, and the couple is wrapped in a "Tifaifai" while being serenaded by a Ukulele. 

Romantic Touches
Other romantic touches that the resort can arrange include a private sunset cruise on a jet boat or catamaran; a private tour of the lagoon by boat with photo shoot; or a cruise on a traditional pirogue to a private motu to enjoy a four-course gourmet menu by sunset. Couples can also opt for a photo session aboard the resort's signature "World of Weddings" pink canoe, enjoying a signature "Pink Wow" cocktail. The resort also offers romantic dinners for two in a selection of private settings.

The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa was recently honored on Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Service" list for 2012 and as "French Polynesia's Leading Spa Resort" in the 2012 World Travel Awards. For information and rates for the resort, call 1-888 IC HOTELS (1-888-424-6835) or visit www.tahiti.intercontinental.com.

Images of the resort are available at www.flickr.com/photos/icfp/sets/72157630644820852/.

About InterContinental Resorts French Polynesia
Owned and operated by Richard H. Bailey and his company, Pacific Beachcomber S.C., there are four InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in French Polynesia: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, InterContinental Tahiti Resort, and InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa.  Each of the resorts has completed multimillion dollar enhancements over the course of the last five years and all have achieved "Earthcheck Silver Certification," recognizing their significant commitment towards achieving environmental and social sustainability.

For additional information, visit www.tahiti.intercontinental.com.

Media Contact:
Vanessa Bloy | InterContinental Resorts French Polynesia | T: 425-440-6255 | E: [email protected]

SOURCE InterContinental Resorts French Polynesia