Coming home for a Fiji wedding: your jewellery timeline

The invitation has arrived, the flights are booked, and the family group chat is full of questions. Who is buying the bride's bangles? Does anyone know Mum's ring size? What should we look for once we land?

If you're coming home from Australia, New Zealand, the USA or Canada for a wedding, choosing the jewellery together in Fiji is one of the best parts of the trip. A little planning makes it relaxed and enjoyable. Here is a timeline that works for most families.

2–3 months before: family talks and sizes

This is the time for the conversations that are easier to have before you're standing at the counter.

Agree on a budget

Decide roughly what you'd like to spend and who is contributing to which pieces. Heavier or more detailed pieces cost more, and we'll show you options to suit whatever budget you have in mind.

Talk to the other side of the family

Traditions about who gives what vary between families. A quick conversation now means the bride ends up with a complete look rather than two similar necklaces. Our Fiji Indian wedding jewellery guide covers the common pieces and who traditionally gives them.

Measure sizes at home

Rings and bangles should fit comfortably, and it is easy to get sizes right at home. Measure a ring and a bangle that already fit well, for everyone you're buying for. Our guide to finding your ring and bangle size before you fly shows you how.

Make a simple list

Write down, for each person:

• the pieces you're looking for (for example, a set, bangles, a chain, earrings or rings)
• sizes
• the outfit colours and necklines, with photos if you have them

2–4 weeks before: message us

Once your list is settled, call, email or message us on Viber with what you need and your travel dates. We'll tell you what we currently have in store, so you'll arrive knowing what's waiting for you.

Things worth mentioning:

• the types of piece you want (for example 22ct necklace sets, bangles or mangalsutra)
• the sizes you've measured
• the purity you'd like: 22ct, 18ct or 9ct

If you need anything beyond what's in stock, just ask.

Your first days in Fiji: visit early

It's tempting to leave shopping until the wedding week, when everyone has arrived. The days before a wedding fill up quickly with functions, cooking and visitors, so plan a visit in the first few days of your trip instead:

• Bring the right people. The bride and whoever is helping to choose, ideally together.
• Bring your list, your sizes and your outfit photos.
• Bring any heirloom pieces you want to match, so you can see the gold side by side.
• Leave room for a second visit. It's normal to want to sleep on a big decision, and you'll be welcome back.

If you land at Nadi International Airport, Nadi town is about 10 km away, roughly 15–20 minutes by taxi, so it's easy to call in once you've rested.

The wedding week: keep it simple

Once the jewellery is chosen, it often moves between houses, halls and hotel rooms. A few easy habits:

• Keep pieces in their boxes or pouches until they're needed.
• Have one person look after the jewellery at each function.
• Take a few photos of each piece. They're lovely to have alongside the wedding photos.

A note on the VAT refund

We are an approved retailer under Fiji's Tourist VAT Refund Scheme. It's for visitors on non-Fiji passports, and pieces need to be unused when you leave, so jewellery worn at the wedding doesn't qualify. Fiji citizens are not eligible. If you're eligible, it can be worth it for gifts you're carrying home unworn.

Visiting Shreeji Jewellers in Nadi

When you come in, bring your list, the sizes you measured at home and photos of the outfits and necklines. If you're matching an heirloom, bring it along. We'll bring out pieces to try together, so the whole family can see how they look before the big day.