Moment · Bora Bora
Bora Bora: Marrying on the Lagoon
Marry legally at the Bora Bora town hall, then take a Polynesian blessing on the lagoon with Mount Otemanu behind you.
A Legal Wedding in Bora Bora
French Polynesia is part of France, and same-sex marriage has been legal there since 2013. Couples who are not French nationals can marry legally in the islands, which means your wedding in Bora Bora can be recognised at home.
Bora Bora is one of the most romantic places in the Pacific, with a lagoon of shifting blues and Mount Otemanu rising at its centre.
Pairing the legal ceremony with a traditional blessing on the water gives you both a marriage and a celebration.
The Ceremony at the Mairie
The legal wedding takes place at the town hall, or mairie, on the island where you marry. The mayor or a representative performs the ceremony in the presence of at least two witnesses, in the language you choose.
It is short and personal, and many couples bring only a few friends before moving on to the larger celebration. An interpreter can be provided if you would like the ceremony translated, and you leave with a French marriage certificate to register at home.
The Paperwork
You will need certified birth certificates with an apostille, a certificate showing you are free to marry and an application for foreign citizens marrying in French Polynesia. Documents must be translated into French by an approved translator.
Everything must be received in the islands at least 45 days before the ceremony, and some resorts recommend sending it far earlier. It is the most involved part of the process, so starting several months ahead makes it straightforward.
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Request a quote →A Polynesian Blessing
Many couples follow the legal ceremony with a traditional Polynesian blessing. Couples may arrive by outrigger canoe, receive flower garlands, and be wrapped together in a tifaifai, a patchwork quilt that symbolizes love and union.
A priest may give you Tahitian names, and dancers and musicians often perform. The blessing can be held on the beach, on a private motu or on the water at sunset.
Celebrating on the Lagoon
Afterward, the lagoon is yours. A private catamaran can carry you to a motu for a dinner on the sand, or you can return to your overwater villa for a quiet evening. The next morning, breakfast can arrive by canoe, a Bora Bora tradition that many couples remember long after the trip.
French Polynesia has never had laws against same-sex relationships, and Tahiti Tourisme joined the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association in 2024. Couples are welcomed here, and the islands are among the easiest in the world for a same-sex wedding.
Planning Your Bora Bora Wedding Experience
The drier months, from May to October, are the most popular for weddings. Flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco reach Papeete in around eight hours, with a short connection to Bora Bora.
Out Of Office can coordinate your paperwork, the ceremony at the mairie, a Polynesian blessing, and a stay at a resort that welcomes same-sex couples through our weddings abroad. Your LGBTQ+ travel specialist can also plan a honeymoon in French Polynesia around it, with time on Bora Bora and beyond.
Tell us how you like to travel. We will shape the trip around it.
How long you want to be away, how much you want to move, and what you would rather leave out entirely.
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Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of travelling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
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