Sealing their love

After a decade of friendship and courting, Gerard Young and Eleni Tabua finally sealed their love with a wedding surrounded by close friends and family in Suva last month.

The couple’s love journey began back in July 15, 2012 and they tied the knot 10 years later on July 15, 2022.

“We had initially planned for court marriage with just our witnesses and a small lunch afterwards with our nuclear family — but that idea disintegrated and disappeared real quick when we told our families,” Mr Young said.

“When we informed the family about our decision most responded saying ‘F-I-N-A-L-L-Y! before congratulating us.”

The wedding theme was ‘cinnamon and dusty rose.’ The couple said they faced a lot of trials and heartbreaks together but overcome obstacles because of a ‘crazy little thing called love’.

“Eleni’s mum passed away just two months shy of their big day. When we informed her about the news of the wedding plan earlier this year, one of her wishes was for ‘good health’ so she could be present at the wedding. She was one of the biggest cheerleaders in our relationship and her presence was felt on wedding day.”

The couple juggled part-time jobs and pursued their Bachelors of Engineering (Civil) degree studies at the Fiji National University while they prepared for the wedding. The wedding fell on examination week.

“Leni had an exam paper scheduled on the wedding day but with the help of her lecturer, Ms Swetha, it was shifted to the following week — so she had one paper a couple of days before the wedding and two papers after the wedding.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral bells rang joyously marking an end to a long 10-year wait and the start to a new beginning as newly weds.

“It was worth the wait and we can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together, for many more decades to come,” said Mr Young.

The bride’s stunning ‘YASA Fiji’ wedding dress was designed by Edwin Saladoka. Edwin created a traditional look using masi prints, handmade necklace and earrings of freshwater pearls.

The wedding party’s attire was done by the amazing ‘Kuiviti’ team with their Ca’au prints. The team was led by Epeli Tuibeqa — who is also a good friend of the bride.