Faitohi

On 8th February 2007, the faitohi ceremony for Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho (groom-to-be) and Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita (bride-to-be) was held at the residence of Hon. Tuita and HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu (parents of the bride-to-be).

During the faitohi, Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho and his family approached the Hon. Tuita to seek permission to ask for Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita's  hand in marriage.  Kiu's family prepared and brought the 'umu puaka (cooked pig), kava toho (Kava tree) and kau 'ufi 'e tolu (30 yams).  Women from Kiu's side of the family also had to make cakes and present handicrafts such as fala (mats), ngatu (tapa) and a fihu (white mat). 

Guests were welcomed to the house by the Hon. Tuita and speeches were made by Matapule (Talking Chiefs) from both families - Ulamatatoa from Vava'u's side and Taimi Folau from Kiu's side.

 
'A'ahi Tohi

On 15th March 2007, the 'A'ahi Tohi ceremony which is a follow up to the Faitohi was held at the residence of Hon. Tuita and HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu (parents of the bride-to-be). 

The family of Hon. Tu'ivakano (Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho's father) was in attendance and prepared a puaka (pig) and some handicrafts, but not on the same scale as was prepared and presented at the faitohi. Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho's family came to the ceremony with Taimi Folau, their Matapule (Talking Chief).  Taimi Folou spoke on behalf of Hon. Tu'ivakano to see if Hon. Tuita and HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu (parents of the bride-to-be) agreed to the presentations made at the faitohi.

Ulamatatoa, the Matapule of Hon Tuita and his family, spoke on behalf of Hon Tuita and acknowledged that the family agreed with the faitohi and informed them of the date and time that the wedding could be held.  In return, Taimi Folau agreed to this date and time and the preparations for the wedding could officially begin.


Ma'u Tohi

On 30th April 2007 at 10.00am, the Ma'utohi, or registration service, was held in the Free Wesleyan Church of Fasi mo e Afi.  'Alifeleti Tuita and Justice Laurence from the Registrar's Office presided over the registration of the couple for marriage. 

HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu, HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu, Hon Fatafehi Tuita and Hon. Salote Maumautaimi were in attendance from Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita's side of the family.  Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho's mother, Robin Kaho, and a group of aunties were there.   The aunties from both sides of the family, known as fa'e, wore vala (ngatu and white mats).  A fa'e huki (the person the bride/groom can sit on to rest – either female or male) were also in attendance.

Ulamatatoa (Hon. Tuita's Matapule) and Taimi Folau (Hon. Tu'ivakano's Matapule) attended on behalf of their respective families.


Mali (Wedding)

On Thursday 3rd May 2007 at 10.00am in the Free Church of Tonga Nuku'alofa, approximately 400 guests, including His Majesty King Siaosi Tupou V, attended the wedding ceremony of Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho and Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita. 

Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho's cousin, Saul James, was his Best Man and the eight groomsmen were relatives from both his and Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita's family.  Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita's Maid of Honour was her sister, Hon. Halaevalu Moheofo Tuita, and there were eight Bridesmaids. Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita's eldest sisters (Hon. Lupepau'u Tuita) daughter (Hon. 'Anaseini Tupou Vaihola Fusitu'a) was the flower girl and there were two male ring bearers.

Arriving at 10.15am, Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita, wearing an ivory wedding dress and vail, was escorted down the aisle by her father, Hon. Tuita.  The band and choir of the Free Church of Tonga supported the service.

After a short western style ceremony, the newly married couple walked back down the aisle to the waiting crowd outside.  A wedding reception was held at the International Dateline Hotel in Nuku'alofa.

Kava e Mali

The Kava e Mali (Wedding Kava) was held on Friday 4th May 2007 in Nukunuku village.  The Kava e Mali is the traditional Tongan wedding ceremony, and is attended by members of both families.  The Matapule (Talking Chiefs) from both sides of the family sit in the circle and at the head, the couple sit on 'epa (piles of tapa).  While the kava is being strained, the Matapule from the Hon. Tuita's side (Lutui) gave a speech to the circle.  Following on from Lutui's speech, Hon. Tu'ivakano's Matapule (Totohoumafisi) started to talk.  The couple were then served kava to confirm their marriage.


'Uluaki Sapate (First Sunday)

On Sunday 6th May 2007, Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho and Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita attended their first church service in Nukunuku village as a married couple.  On 'Uluaki Sapate, or First Sunday, the couple have to wear a very important and valuable ta'ovala (woven mat worn around the waist over clothes) to the church service in which the Minister bases his sermon on the newly wed couple.

After the Sunday service, the couple celebrated with a big feast for approximately 500 guests at Hon. Tu'ivakano's residence in Nukunuku village. There were four big tents in the front of Hon. Tu'ivakano's house for the guests and five smaller gazebos in front of these tents for the Queen Mother, newly wed couple and members of the Royal Family.

The ta'ovala's worn by both Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho and Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita were swapped between the families. Kiu Tau 'i Vai Kaho's aunt gave her families handicrafts and ta'ovala to the Queen Mother and when Hon. Titilupe Fanetupou Vava'u Tuita was given, she also gave this to the Queen Mother.