Julie & Graeme Hartnell

Written by Julie Hartnell

After a failed marriage and three children I thought I was destined to be single. Not to be. I met the man of my dreams - Graeme.

The funny thing is he is the brother of very good friends of mine and we'd met 13 years previously.

Graeme had been separated from his wife for three years when, by chance, we met again. 

It was like a lightening bolt that struck. We hit it off fantastically.

Within eight months he asked me to marry him and I said "yes" - something I thought I'd never do again...

As we planned our wedding the list got longer and longer. After all, we had to invite relatives and friends and did not want to upset anyone.

At this time I had been planning some wedding groups with my job and the thought struck me 'Why don't we elope and get married?'. 

On a previous trip to Fiji I'd fallen in love with Treasure Island. The first time I went there I thought 'what a wonderful place to get married'. The staff are so friendly and the island is idyllic.

Graeme thought the idea was great - after all, having a combined wedding and honeymoon was going to be a lot more affordable.

The planning suddenly got easier! Milika (Treasure Island's wedding co-ordinator) arranged everything for us.

Thursday

So .... on Thursday the 4th of November we left Auckland and headed for Fiji. On arrival in Nadi our first task was to organise the legalities. Off to the registry office - 45 minutes later we had our licence.

Friday

We boarded our launch for the 45 minute trip to Treasure Island. As usual on Treasure Island, the staff met us with a wonderful welcome committee and serenaders.

Our bure (as with all the bures on Treasure) was magnificent, with our own access to the beach and beautiful blue water. 

Saturday

We were lazing on our private loungers on the beach when we heard "SURPRISE!!!". I knew what the surprise was but Graeme didn't. His brother Norman and sister-in-law Natalee had arrived on the island to surprise Graeme and be at our wedding!!! It was absolutely wonderful having them there to share our perfect day.

Sunday - wedding day!!!!!!

We awoke to the sun shining and everything was perfect for the best day of my life.

At 3pm, Natalee and I walked to a place on the island, by the beach. Graeme, Norman and the marriage celebrant were waiting for us. I wanted to cry with joy.

The setting is a heart shaped garden with flowers and steps going down to the beach, an awesome place to be married. 

Musicians played their guitars and serenaded us with beautiful Fijian ballads. The photographer was busy taking pictures. 

After the ceremony we were pronounced husband and wife and given a glass of champagne to celebrate. I had to pinch myself to check that I wasn't dreaming all of this.

After signing the marriage licence and finishing with photos we headed back to our bure. Well ... you wouldn't believe it. As if the service wasn't enough. The staff of Treasure Island had decorated our bed with two sulus and flowers, and left another bottle of champagne and a fruit basket in our room. This was too much.

That night the island arranged a special secluded spot (one of many that they keep for special dinners, wedding parties, etc.) and served a wonderful meal for the four of us with champagne, candlelight and very special service from the staff. 

We were married and it couldn't have been a more perfect day!!! The sun went down and we watched a perfect sunset. Even the band serenaded us and made us feel special.

The rest of our honeymoon was just as perfect. We stayed on the island for a week and enjoyed every minute of it.

We didn't want to leave. All good things come to an end but the memories go on and the photographs will forever be a constant reminder of the special wedding that we had in paradise!!! And the best thing of all ... I married my soulmate.