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was dressed in full flag attire for the day.
The
Moorea Swing Boy's dance club were hired to put on our wedding. Mike
got ready in the “men's room” over in Kevin's hut and I got ready
in another room with several of the girls coming in to dress me in
the costume. Mike was to arrive in an outrigger canoe and they gave
him a new “temporary” tattoo with a magic marker. Once he
arrived on the beach the girls escorted me to the beach to be with
him.
The
dancers blew the Triton conch horn to call us together.
One
of the girls went in front of us throwing flowers all over the
ground.
Once
we were seated the Tahitian priest began the ceremony.
We
felt like King and Queen for the day!! He talked about how the gods
were blessing us and that the winds blew in our favor (it stopped
raining just long enough for the ceremony and it was very windy !)
The
priest had us stand up and then wrapped our hands in the sacred leaf.
He chanted as he released the coconut milk on our hands tied
together, as it is considered the sacred water of the gods. He tore
the leaf in two and tied each side around us. (this is what they used
before rings)
Then
he gave us our Tahitian names. Mataihere Tane and Mataihere Vahine.
Mataihere means “Lover's Wind” and Tane means man and Vahine
means woman.
We
were then wrapped in the “Tifaifai” which is a hand made quilt,
which we special ordered from a local lady 3 months ago. She did an
amazing job!!
The
priest spun us and we danced in circles with the drummers drumming to
symbolize our oneness wrapped up together.
With
a kiss, it was official we were married.
Our
big headdresses were removed and we were crowned with flowers.
The
priest blessed us again and then the dancers started putting on our
show.
The
Vahines dance to my favorite Tahitian song.
The
Tanes did the traditional Haka dance, which is a very tribal dance
where the drumming pounds in your chest.
Then
they got Mike up to dance the wedding dance where he shook his bootie
and pareo right in front of me! It was awesome!
Then
we both got up and all the dancers surrounded us to wish us luck and
a long marriage.
The
priest then blessed our whole family and the ceremony was over.
We
posed for many photos. First with the Tifaifai which shows the Baja
on the right side, Moorea in the center and the Eyes of Buddha (on
the bow of Avatar) embedded in the sun to the left. The double
hulled Polynesian Sailing canoe and all the creatures of the sea were
included as well. It turned out fantastic!! And is now on our
settee in the main salon.
Then
of course we had photos with all the dancers.
And
then the family.
Our
friends, Rick and Jasna, aboard Calypso, posed for this shot.
After
a great meal of Swordfish or Steak for lunch/dinner at the Club Bali
Hai restaurant, Mike and I made our promises to each other and
exchanged our rings.
Mike's
son Kevin made a great toast, calling us “two pieces of a puzzle
that fit together perfectly”. So sweet!
The
wedding cake had a great double hulled Polynesian Ocean Sailing Canoe
and it turned out beautiful. Not to mention the chocolate cake was
incredible!!
We
drank a lot of wine with dinner and had champagne with the cake.
We
then danced to our song “Southern Cross” by Crosby Stills and
Nash.
We
each danced with my parents to “It's a Wonderful Life”.
Then
everyone got up to dance! My friend, Angelique, a local English
teacher and her boyfriend.
Our
friend, Tahani, with her daughter and boyfriend, Scott.
Even
Jaye got Irwin from Windsome up on the dance floor!
The
rings were custom made. Mine is a black pearl with a wave and Mike's
is a Turks Head knot ring from Israel. I also wore my Grandma's
emerald and a diamond nautical bracelet that my mom gave me. It was
truly a very special day.
