Destination weddings have gained massive popularity over the last decade and it’s no surprise really. Everyone wants their big day to be special and it doesn’t get any better than whisking away to a gorgeous location with family and friends to celebrate your love for each other.
Fitzroy Island is the ultimate location for a romantic, stress-free destination wedding and in this article we will share what puts Fitzroy Island ahead of the rest when it comes to wedding options.
Location
Fitzroy Island is the epitome of paradise. It is located just off Cairns in Far North Queensland and is situated amongst the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. The Island itself is 97% National Park, covered in lush tropical rainforest, making it one of the few places in the world where the rainforest meets the reef.
Fitzroy (as the locals call it), enjoys a typical North Queensland tropical climate but with the added advantage of the cooling effects of the prevailing South Easterly ocean breezes for the majority of the year. Temperatures range from 24 to 31⁰C (75 to 88⁰F) in summer, and 19 to 25⁰C (66 – 77⁰F) in winter.
Your wedding guests will find it easy to get to the Island, as Cairns Domestic and International Airport is only 10 minutes from the Cairns Marina where the Fitzroy Flyer departs daily to the island. A short 45 minute boat ride will see you and your guests arriving in paradise.
Planning Your Wedding
We all know that planning a wedding can be quite stressful and involves having to make a lot important decisions, which is why Fitzroy Island has a dedicated wedding planner who will work closely together with you and your partner to ensure your wedding will be one to be remembered for a long time.
Fitzroy Island also has their very own wedding celebrant who has been living and conducting weddings on the island since 2014. The celebrant, Adrienne Doyle, has a deep passion for the Island and meeting new people. She will work with you to help to determine your particular wishes and requirements for your special day, and guide you through all the preparations and statutory requirements of having a wedding.
Choice of Ceremony Venue
Fitzroy Island Resort provides a variety of stunning ceremony venues to cater from small and intimate weddings, to larger affairs. All ceremonies include a rehearsal, a wet weather alternative, and crowd control while the ceremony is taking place. Your dedicated wedding coordinator will not only be there during the planning stages, but will by your side on your big day to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
You can choose from one of the following venues for your wedding ceremony:
Garden Ceremony: Set on the manicured grassed lawn of the resort, with garden border surroundings for a picturesque ceremony. Island palms shadow the ceremony area providing shade on those warm tropical days.
Welcome Bay Beach Ceremony: A heavenly stretch of white coral beach that boasts the tranquil blue waters of Welcome Bay. This is the perfect natural scenery for your tropical beach ceremony.
Nudey Beach Ceremony: A secluded, peaceful beach that can be reached via a rainforest nature walk or on our private glass bottom boat. Nudey Beach is the perfect location for an intimate, beach style wedding of up to 35 guests.
Choice of Reception Venue
You can also select your style of wedding reception from an array of venues, including:
Welcome Bay Room: Welcome Bay Room is located on the first floor at Fitzroy Island Resort and boasts natural daylight, wrap-around balconies and sensational views overlooking the magnificent Welcome Bay. Guests can enjoy a spectacular sunset from the outdoor balconies overlooking the Coral Sea. The venue can accommodate a dance floor, entertainment and AV, and caters for up to 120 guests.
Foxy’s Bar & Grill: Foxy’s is a large Pacific Islands bar with a 70’s structural theme, situated right on the beachfront, about 100 metres from the resort buildings. It has a dance floor and is great if you’re looking for a more casual setting.
Zephyr Restaurant: The Resort’s restaurant can be booked for your special day, where they can tailor-make your reception to your specific requests. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace for an alfresco-style setting.
Due to the surrounding tropical environment, Fitzroy Island Resort are able to create their menus from amazing fresh ingredients from local suppliers. Their qualified kitchen brigade will cater to your needs and are ready to make your taste buds dance with various styles of menus, including an alternate-drop set menu, buffet menu, canapés and platter menus.
Accommodation
Fitzroy Island Resort has a wide range of accommodation options from resort studios and suites, to bungalows and cottages. This is great for wedding parties as it allows your guests to choose the accommodation that best suits their budget and needs.
As part of your wedding package, the bride and groom will receive a complimentary night’s stay in an Ocean Suite including a bottle of Australian Sparkling Wine upon arrival (applies to bride and groom only).
Having your wedding at Fitzroy Island will you give peace of mind, knowing that the Island’s dedicated wedding planners have every detail of your wedding covered. This means you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your special day on your picture perfect tropical island.
