From Return to the Blue Lagoon to Fiji
Coming to Fiji was always a childhood dream for couple Lisa Marie and Chad Pisha. The American couple got married 20 years ago in their little town of Naperville, Illinois, US.
On Tuesday, the couple renewed their vows in an intimate ceremony with their three children Ava, 16, Graham, 14 and Hudson, 11, as part of the bridal party.
They got married at the Turtle Island Resort in the Yasawa Group.
For Lisa, Fiji had always been on her mind for an intimate event as such.
The idea was born when she was in Sixth Grade after watching the 1991 romantic adventure film Return to the Blue Lagoon,’ which was shot in Fiji.
“The beauty of the set amazed me ever since the sixth grade,” Lisa recalled.
“I think I watched the movie 32 times just because of its location.
“I would wait for the end credits just to see where the location of the movie was set, ever since.
“I didn’t even know what Fiji was or if it even existed!” she giggled The couple met through mutual friends back in college and never looked back after their first meeting. It took sheer sacrifice and planning to be where they
are now but it all panned out well for them and their young family.
The college sweethearts never thought in their wildest dreams that they would be renewing their vows in Fiji, let alone Turtle island Resort.
But when the plan to travel from the other side of the world was in their favour, they went for it.
“Nothing would dampen our spirits, even COVID-19 didn’t stop us from coming to Fiji!” Chad said.
When asked if they were going to make another trip the couple looked at each other and said almost in unison: “We don’t want to go!
Chad said: “When I first came here I thought it was all a show until I realised everywhere I go, everybody was so welcoming and I love how family-orientated Fiji is and how they welcome other people into their family too which just blows my mind!
“We just feel so welcomed all the time!” explained Chad
The marriage vow renewal itself was magically set up and this made the couple feel at awe.
“Oh gosh! It is hard to describe. It was totally exhilarating and at the same time really relaxing, it felt right and made us feel like we were at home,” said Lisa.
The couple leave for the US this weekend and will take tons of memories with them and the beauty of Fiji and its people.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Hair, make-up, nails and flowers:
Turtle Island Resort
Groom and grooms men’s shirts –
Tabuadrau Designs
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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