The words of the Diana Ross waiata, “Ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no river wide enough…that will keep me from you” rang true over Labour Weekend when Marie Mahuika-Forsyth became Mrs T following her marriage to Neville Tahuaroa.
Thunder, lightning, hail, torrential rain, brief periods of sun, and a missing marriage license all helped to add a little drama to a very happy celebration. More than 70 whānau and friends gathered in Kaipo to witness their marriage.
The bride was fashionably late, and the couple flanked by their wedding party exchanged vows, rings and a kiss, when declared husband and wife by upoko rūnanga, Archdeacon Richard Wallace.
Photos, nibbles and drinks followed, before everyone moved into Poke for the wedding dinner. The decorating crew had transformed our wharekai. Speeches, waiata, kai, cake cutting and toasts were the order of the evening, before the wharekai was reset for the party.
He mihi kau atu ki ngā ringawera, ngā kaitautoko, rātou ngā kaimahi katoa. He mihi hoki ki a Marie rāua ko Neville.
Marie and Neville on their wedding day.