Sadie Olive – The Blog

I wanted to share some photos from the Tongan ceremony I mentioned in my last past. Mike’s family went all out to make it special for us and it really was amazing to see. Mike’s mother made special garments for them to wear, and they both looked beautiful in them.

The ceremony wasn’t in English for us to understand, but the customs were very fun to watch and learn about. It typically is a ceremony just for men, but they invited three of Morgan’s family members to join in (Mom, Dad, and sister Lindsey who was the maid of honor). I think it’s called a Cava ceremony, if I remember right? They make a special drink (alcoholic) that they offer up to God to bless and then pass on to each man in sort of a highest ranking order. As the bride to be, Morgan was offered the first drink by Mike.

The most beautiful part of the ceremony is when they all break out in song ( a few songs also not in English). They have the most harmonious voices and the baritone of all the men singing with only a few women brought me to tears. It was an amazing experience to say the least.

And then it was on to the feast. We were seated at the table of honor and showered with offerings, including Wilbur above.

Mike and Morgan were also given handmade quilts and blankets as offerings for their wedding. There were toasts to welcome us to their family and island dancing. An amazing experience all around. Thank you Liti family for a special night! :)      

This last week was a whirlwind of events to prepare for my sister, Morgan’s wedding. Thursday was the rehearsal dinner and Tongan ceremony, Friday was girls day at the tanning and nail salon, Saturday was the wedding and Sunday was Disneyland. It was a blast, but I am exhausted! I can only imagine how the bride is feeling this morning….

Morgan married her high school sweetheart, Mike after dating for five years through high school and college. He is Tongan and his family hosted the rehearsal dinner at their home and gave us a Tongan ceremony and feast fit for royalty. I have a ba-zillion pictures to share, so I thought I would break them up in a few posts.

I was in charge of photos for the rehearsal dinner and the pre-wedding activities all the way up until ceremony time. So most of my photos are of the bride… but she should be the center of attention anyway! :)

First a few getting ready shots….

Morgan wore the necklace I bought for my wedding, as did my sister Lindsey for her wedding, which is very special to me. She also wore her grandmothers pearl necklace on her wrist, and our other grandmothers ring. That took care of the something old, and something borrowed.

We got ready at Disneyland hotel (which is also where the ceremony was) so we had to walk quite a ways to get to the car to head for the church. It was quite the spectacle, but made for some fun shots.

The flower girls in the brides room waiting for the wedding to start. (They both forgot to drop the rose petals until after the wedding was over). …lol…

The programs.

I have no wedding shots, since I was in the wedding…. and I thought it would be tacky if I had my camera on the alter, but here are a few reception shots….

The bride and groom…..

Josh and I all dressed up.

My sisters and I. Morgan is wearing her Minnie Mouse bride ears. :)

Our husbands. They all get along great, so these were fun shots to take. They hammed it up the whole time (of course!).

Thanks for letting me share with you. Congrats Morgan and Mike!