Wedding traditions of Tahiti
An island where flower crowns, the pareo and an island-style symbolic ceremony have become part of the wedding.
Tahiti, in French Polynesia, has a mix of Polynesian and French traditions. Legal marriage is a civil ceremony at the town hall under French law, and many couples add a church blessing. A symbolic Tahitian ceremony for visitors, with a pareu, a crown of flowers, and a blessing from a local officiant, is popular for tourists.
A wedding here
The couple wears the tiare, the Tahitian gardenia, in the hair, and a flower lei. A choir sings himene, hymns in Tahitian, and dancers perform the otea. A feast of poisson cru, raw fish with coconut milk, is common.
Law and change
French civil law applies, so same-sex marriage has been legal in French Polynesia since 2013. A symbolic ceremony for visitors does not replace a civil marriage.
Wedding customs of Tahiti
Also part of it, and being written: Tahitian dance (The dance.), Pareo (The wrap.), Tiaré (The flower.), Poisson cru (The dish.).
A wedding trail idea for Tahiti
- Papeete Market A market for flowers and cloth.
- Papeete Cathedral The Catholic cathedral.
- Marae Arahurahu A restored ancient marae.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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