Weddings Parties eVrisamting Director Helen Politis & Samara Birch

Australians and New Zealanders interested in getting hitched in Vanuatu has increased significantly causing a boom in the wedding business in recent years due to comparatively lower costs, better services and easy access, according to wedding organiser, Helen Poliitis.

Representing Weddings Parties eVrisamting at Tok Tok in Port Vila, Ms Politis said the booming trade has resulted in over 350 weddings hosted on the islands last year, with her business organizing 50 in 2009, and are hopeful for an increase to 70 by the end of 2010.

"There is a lot more independent co-ordinators, but due to high turnover at hotels and resorts for wedding planners, we give the continuity of dealing with the same people to our clients," Ms Politis said. Ms Politis said the biggest drawback for a wedding in Vanuatu was "not having enough Pastors around", which did not outweigh the numerous benefits of lower costs, exotic location and allowing the couple and guests to experience a holiday at the same time.

"We are very competitively priced against other island destinations, with weddings starting at only AUD$1000," she said.

Enquiries have increased for smaller island style weddings in Ratu and Tanna, according to Ms Politis.