Te Mana O Te Peu Tupuna - "The Power of Cook Islands Culture"
Highland Paradise, was an abandoned, ancient mountain village retreat with stupendous sea and valley views and of huge significant spiritual value. It is a unique wedding venue. 30 acres of manicured lawns, gardens and native forest are available to you. Our discreet, understanding, wedding planners are at your beck and call before, during and after your big day and able to advise on EVERYTHING!
They can tailor make your arrangements to suit your budget and personal preferences. For centuries, Cook Islanders have become betrothed here in this special place and now visitors to Rarotonga are welcome to follow the age old traditions, combine them with a modern wedding ceremony and experience a true blend of history, tradition and today!
We have highly experienced wedding celebrants who will perform ceremonies in Cook Islands Maori, in English, or in a combination of both.
They are sensitive to the site and traditions of our ancestors, who were also married here. They will ensure that your special day is one that is absolutely unique to you and you alone!
If you wish to be married elsewhere, such as on the beach or in a village Church, we are able to offer you this spectacular setting for your private cocktails, dinner party and cultural shows.
We are sometimes requested to perform an ancient ceremony to follow your modern one – thus merging two worlds and cultures into one!
NOTHING IS MORE PHOTOGENIC THAN A WEDDING OR FUNCTION AT HIGHLAND PARADISE!
A wedding ceremony with cultural overtones, performed on this sacred site.
- Traditional Turou (welcome) by The Mountain Warrior
- The Wedding Ceremony – At the sacred Wedding Altar (Are Akaipoipo) or gardens surrounded by Tropical Gardens
& spectacular aerial views of our beautiful lagoon
- Liaison with your personal Wedding Planner
- Return transfers to the Registrar of marriages
- Marriage License and certificate
- Multi-lingual Wedding Celebrant / Minister to conduct the wedding ceremony
- Witnesses (Optional and complimentary)
- Customary lifting of the Tapu on the Marae
- Tropical round blossoms bouquet for the Bride
- Matching buttonhole or Neck Garland (Ei) for the Groom
- Signing table adorned with white linen cloth and coloured bow of choice
- 2 piece string band
- Highland Paradise Wedding Gift
A mountain top wedding with ocean views forever.
- Mountain Warrior – The sounding of the Conch horn shell
- Traditional Turou (welcome) by The Mountain Warrior
- The Wedding Ceremony -At the sacred Wedding Altar (Are Akaipoipo) or gardens surrounded by Tropical Gardens
& spectacular aerial views of our beautiful lagoon
- Liaison with your personal Wedding Planner
- Return transfers to the Registrar of marriages
- Marriage License and certificate
- Multi-lingual Wedding Celebrant / Minister to conduct the wedding ceremony
- Witnesses (Optional and complimentary)
- Transfers for the Bride to Highland Paradise – Dressed Wedding Car with complimentary Bubbles
- Customary lifting of the Tapu on the Marae
- Archway using tropical blossoms and lush greenery
- Tropical blossoms round bouquet for the Bride
- Matching Button hole or Neck Garland (Ei) for the Groom
- 50 Photo Package presented in an album with CD Rom with music of your choice
- A bottle of Champagne
- One Tier Wedding Cake beautified with a selection of Tropical Blossoms from our gardens
- Signing table adorned with white linen cloth and coloured bow of choice
- Local Cultural String Band
- Express Hair and Makeup Package
- Highland Paradise Wedding Gift
A centuries old traditional wedding ceremony
- Mountain Warrior – The sounding of the Conch horn shell
- Traditional Turou (welcome) by The Mountain Warrior
- The Wedding Ceremony - At the sacred Wedding Altar (Are Akaipoipo) or gardens surrounded by tropical flowers
& spectacular aerial views of our beautiful lagoon
- Liaison with your personal Wedding Planner
- Return transfers to the Registrar of marriages
- Marriage License and certificate
- Transfers for the Bride to Highland Paradise – Dressed Wedding Car with complimentary Bubbles
- Wedding Tapa Cloth (for 2) Optional
- Traditional Costume (kiriau) or Rauti – Optional
- Tiki Fire Torches placed around the marriage altar or inside the sacred gardens for your ceremony
- Customary lifting of the Tapu on the Marae
- Multi-lingual Wedding Celebrant / Minister to conduct the wedding ceremony
- Witnesses (Optional and complimentary)
- Archway using tropical blossoms and lush greenery
- Tropical blossoms trailing bouquet for the bride
- Signing table adorned with white linen cloth and coloured bow of choice
- A Bottle of Moet Champagne
- Two Tier Wedding Cake beautified with a selection of Tropical Blossoms from our gardens
- Local Wedding Drummers
- Local Island String Band & Singers
- Private Polynesian Dance Troupe show ½ hour
- DVD Package up to a 2 – hour shoot covers preparations, the ceremony and part of the photo shoot
- Deluxe Photo Package, presented in an album and CD Rom with music of your choice as well as full use of thetropical gardens
- A delightful 1 hour His and Hers massage
- Shimmer Beauty Hair and Makeup Package
- Highland Paradise Wedding Gift
Fully authentic 600 year old Royal ceremony
- Mountain Warrior – The sounding of the Conch horn shell
- Traditional Turou (welcome) by The Mountain Warrior
- The Wedding Ceremony - At the sacred Wedding Altar (Are Akaipoipo) or gardens surrounded by tropical flowers
& spectacular aerial views of our beautiful lagoon
- Liaison with yourpersonal Wedding Planner
- Return transfers to the Registrar of marriages
- Marriage License and Certificate
- Tiki Fire Torches placed around the marriage altar or inside the sacred gardens for your ceremony
- Transfers for the Bride & Groom to Highland Paradise – Dressed Wedding Car with complimentary Bubbles
- Wedding Tapa cloth (For 2) Optional
- Traditional costume (kiriau) or Rauti / Optional
- Multi-lingual Wedding Celebrant / Minister to conduct the wedding ceremony
- Witnesses (Optional and complimentary)
- Customary lifting of the Tapu on the Marae
- Archway using tropical blossoms and lush greenery
- Tropical trailing blossoms bouquet for the bride
- A traditional Paata (royal chair) in which the bride to be carried aloft by the Mountain Warriors to the ceremony.
- Bridal Mountain Warrior Chant
- The Bridal walk on the backs of the Mountain Warriors
- Signing table adorned with white linen cloth and coloured bow of choice
- A Bottle of Moet Champagne
- Two Tier Wedding Cake beautified with a selection of Tropical Blossoms from our gardens
- Local Island String Band and Singers
- Local Wedding Drummers
- Private Polynesian Dance Troupe show 1 hour
- DVD Package up to a 5 hour shoot covers preparations, the ceremony and part of the photo shoot, cutting of cake,
first dance
- Deluxe Photo Package, presented in an album and CD Rom with music of your choice. Full use of the tropical gardens
- A delightful 1 hour His and Hers Massage
- Deluxe Beauty Hair and Makeup Package
- Bride Pedicure & Manicure package
- Highland Paradise Wedding Gift
Documentation Required: To get married in the Cook Islands there is a three-day requirement from the day of license application to the days of your wedding. The requirement can sometimes be waived by the Registrar office (e.g. you can get married within the 2 days from the day of application to the day of your wedding) but only with good reason and with a written request in advance. The cost of this waiver is $45.00 and can be organized through your Wedding Planner.
Birth Certificates – or Certified copies of them, Passports, Divorce papers if previously married, or death certificate of previous spouse, these must translated into English.
Deposits and Payment Terms: A deposit of 50% of the total Wedding Package is required at the time of booking with full payment of the wedding package and any additional options due prior to wedding day.
Cancellation Policy: (fees set as % of Wedding Packages booked) A $300 non-refundable administration fee for any cancellations. A 30% cancellation fee is change if Cancellation is received 30 days from booked Wedding Date. A 50% Cancellation fee is charged if Cancellation is received 14 days from booked Wedding Date. Full cancellation fee is charged if cancellations is received in less then 14 days or now show. All cancellations must be received in writing either by letter, email or fax.
