Sosefina and Fisipuna vowed to spend the rest of their lives together in front of their friends and family, and their day was filled with so much love and joy. The photos from the day capture the couple celebrating their love and beautifully incorporating aspects of their culture into their special celebration.
Sosefina captivated in Nashville by Forget Me Knot – a smooth satin A-line dress with a dreamy full skirt and wide shoulder wrap. The boning detail and corset lace-up back added just the right touch of romance, and the pockets were a lovely, practical detail. She completed her look with our pearl drop earrings, a timeless addition that perfectly complemented the elegant feel of her gown.
We hope you enjoy reading about their beautiful wedding journey and find some fun wedding inspiration along the way!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
It’s true what they say—when you know, you know. It was the first wedding dress that truly captured my heart.
The elegance of the silk and the beautiful drape off the shoulders were everything. And to top it off, it had pockets. It was everything I wanted and more. I felt like a princess.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I had an amazing experience finding my dress at Astra! Ilyese and her team were fantastic—so supportive and fun to be around. They made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the process. I shared my inspiration pictures with Ilyese, and when I arrived, she had already picked out several gowns she thought I’d love. She really considered my style and body type and helped me find the perfect dress! I highly recommend this place!
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
My husband and I first met 16 years ago in Sunday school when we were just 13. His friends often joked about how Sunday school could be the place to meet your future spouse. At that time, my dad had been called to minister at a church in the village of Fasi-moe-Afi, where my husband grew up, and his parents served as church stewards.
Fast forward to mid-2009, when my dad fell seriously ill and passed away from a heart attack. We moved back to New Zealand later that year. Over the years, we occasionally interacted on social media but didn’t really communicate until 2020, when we reconnected. A few months later, he flew over from Japan to officially ask my mum for permission to date me. A year later, we got engaged, and now, a year after that, we are happily married. It’s amazing to think I met my soulmate and best friend at just 13!
What was your favourite part of the day?
Despite the technical issues, my favourite part of the day was hearing my little sisters sing me down the aisle to one of our favorite songs, "Bless the Broken Road." It was a beautiful moment that I will always cherish. It was also heartwarming to see our families and friends, who have supported us throughout our journey, as well as meeting new loved ones as we embarked on this new chapter together.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Our day started with predictions of rain, but thankfully, it turned out to be beautiful. From the moment I woke up, I was filled with nerves, hoping everything would go as planned. Having the royal family of Tonga attend our wedding was an incredible honour.
When one of our favourite songs started playing and I heard my little sisters singing, I knew it was my time to walk down the aisle. It felt like everything we had prayed for was about to come true. There was a funny moment during our vows when I forgot my lines, and my soon-to-be husband had to help me out—a memory that brings us both laughter and warmth every time we talk about it.
My brother arranged fancy rides for us to the reception, which was a nice touch. Before the festivities began, we held our kava ceremony. I loved the moment my husband walked up to hand me my first cup of kava, symbolising our love and our commitment to grow old together.
Seeing our families so happy made the day even more special. Family members we thought wouldn’t make it traveled from far and wide, adding to the joy of the day. As we sat during the ceremony, we couldn’t help but reflect on how fortunate we were to have so many people come together to celebrate our love.
As the day came to a close, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything we had overcome. Watching each other, knowing all we had gone through to get to this day, made it all truly unforgettable.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
My biggest piece of advice is to remember that you only get married once, so ensure it’s everything you desire. Your wedding day is your day, so cherish every moment!
Marriage is a joy. It’s not an easy thing, but in that lies the beauty of it.
Enjoy the journey, and never stop learning!
