After years of courtship and three unsuccessful proposals, Henrietta Fa’asaolouola Denzel Tamapua finally said “yes” to the love of her life, Auimatagi Puipuifatu Vincent Vaiaso.

The couple tied the knot in front of families and friends yesterday, followed by a reception at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa multipurpose hall at Sogi.

Henrietta told of their first meeting at Vincent’s workplace at Ministry of Revenue (MOR), while she was running errands for her mother’s business, Arlene’s Fashion House.

“So we met at MOR where he works; MOR was our client that time, so when we went to get measurements for their work uniform, he was the only one that actually talked to me during those errands with MOR, and we started talking ever since then,” she said with a giggle. 

“And then a while later he asked me out and that was the beginning of everything.”

After a few years of dating, Henrietta, 23, and Vincent, 27, were sure they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

“It feels different with him, he feels different and you just know when he’s the one,” she said with a smile.

Vincent echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Etta is my gift from God, I felt that she was the one because she was best friend who knew me inside out — both my strengths and weaknesses. And I have always believed she was going to be my wife.”

The groom told Samoa Observer that God is the foundation of their marriage and they look forward to being servants of God, relying on him for guidance and blessings upon their relationship now and into the future.

The Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, was among the guests present at the nuptials, together over 400 families and friends.

There were 18 bridesmaids and groomsmen altogether with the couple’s younger siblings, Sarah Tamapua and Salua Vaiaso as their maid of honor and best man.

Vincent is the second youngest of five children of Reverend Napoleone and Sita Vaiaso of Manono Uta, while Henrietta is the second eldest of seven children of Member of Parliament, Lenatai Victor Faafoi and Arlene Palu Tamapua of Vaimauga West.