Andrew & Donna’s Raja Ampat Wedding Tale at Papua Diving Resorts

Once in Raja Ampat, we decided to visit Papua Diving Resorts and meet the team. With fingers crossed, as we had already booked and paid our deposit, we arrived to find the resort even more stunning than first impressions from the website. The traditional Papuan-style construction was beautiful but unpretentious, with private chalets right on the water’s edge, against a backdrop of lush jungle. Baby sharks, many other fish, and bright coral peeked from beneath the long wooden jetty entrance to Sorido Bay Resort.

The staff were incredibly friendly and listened attentively as we discussed our wedding plans. We had a choice of several locations - at the resort, a nearby island, or a tiny sandspit in the middle of the ocean that disappeared rapidly once the tide came up – perfect for us! Within a couple of days, we were sent several special wedding dinner menu options, images of mouth-watering wedding cakes, pictures of bridal flowers, and details about entertainment for the ceremony and reception.   

After a few emails and phone calls our plans were finalised. A couple of days prior to the wedding day we arrived at the resort with Andrew’s sister and her husband, who had flown in from Australia, and another couple who are great friends, so we had a wedding party of six. 

Our wedding day was even more amazing than we had imagined. The resort staff ensured we were all looked after from the moment we began getting ready – a special lunch delivered to our rooms with chilled champagne, massage therapists making sure my two bridesmaids and I were pampered, cold beers for the boys, and anything else we wanted. 

The rain cleared just in time for our ceremony to begin on a patch of powdery white sand with a palm-frond archway, literally in the middle of the ocean. Local Papuan man, James, played guitar and sang local love songs, as I walked towards Andrew, my soon-to-be “suami” (husband), holding a beautiful bouquet of bright yellow flowers provided by the local village adjacent to the resort. It felt like a dream.   

Then, as the tide rose and the sand disappeared, we were whisked back to the resort and greeted by loudly cheering staff. 

Our group of six enjoyed champagne and scrumptious canapes in a private seating area on the jetty, while James and his band provided an intimate party atmosphere.