THE glitz and glamour of the wedding industry was on full display yesterday at the Sheraton Resort and Spa on Denarau Island.
Wedding planners, photographers, disc jockeys and pastry chefs brought their best displays for a chance to market their product at the 2018 Wedding Expo.
Organisers, Paradise Bride Fiji, held the event for industry partners to sample products for the wedding market.
Wedding and Events co-ordinator Charlotte Chandra said the response had been better than the event earlier this year.
“We have 24 industry partners here and the focus this year is mainly on bringing together all of our partners like the wedding photographer, the make-up artist, the wedding cake supplier and putting all in one place where our visitors here at Sheraton Resort could sample what Fiji has on offer,” she said.
“We are looking at Western-based weddings but if people are looking at religious weddings, we still do that and we still hold traditional iTaukei and the Indian weddings for those who want to go on a more traditional route.
“This year we are trying to provide a one-stop shop for our weddings and that is reflected in our industry partners that are here for the expo.”
Jack’s of Fiji’s Fashion and Little India marketing officer Rayna Chandra said couples getting hitched in Fiji had also been attracted to adopting the two prominent cultures as a theme for their wedding.
“As everybody knows Little India is a destination for Indian ethnic wear shopping and we have brought it to the local market in Fiji, but in the tourism industry, we offer our product to a very niche market,” Ms Chandra said.
“We get requests from bridal parties who want a more ethnic Indian wedding and we find ourselves providing their attire for the couple and the wedding party. It is a very specific request but there is a demand for it.”
Cakes Fiji director Ashika Rao said providing a successful service for wedding parties depended on the client.
“Most of the business that I have gotten has been through word of mouth and referrals and it is something that businesses like mine depends on,” she said.
“So far it has been good because my work is recognised by groups such as Paradise Bridge Fiji and I partner with hotel properties that have a specific taste or when the couple like what the cakes that we make.”
