It is rare to see couples in Samoa tie the knot before turning 21, but newlyweds Toaiga Tuato and Dolly Tautiaga bucked the trend and joined in holy matrimony on Sunday.

The 20-year-old groom and 19-year-old bride sealed their love in the sacrament of marriage before family and friends at the Methodist Church in Siusega.

Marriage was an unexpected development for both the bride and the groom, but they had confidence in the foundation of their union.

Mr. Tuato is the son of a Minister of the Methodist Church in Siusega, and the special day brought tears to the eyes of his four big sisters, who have always supported him and financially supported the special day.

The newly-wedded couple are currently studying nursing at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S) and say their shared experience binds them together. 

Each one of them plans to become a nurse in the future and to care for the people of Samoa together with their own family. 

"We've seen how our country struggles and it just pushes us more to become committed nursing students so we can graduate and officially help with not only families but the whole of Samoa," Mr. Tuato added. 

Their journey as a husband and wife on campus will be a new experience, but the two are confident that their love for each other will grow stronger.

For now they are staying at Siusega with Mr. Tuato's family and are helping his father and family serv the Siusega Methodist Church congregation.

Mrs. Tuato said they have taken note of all those who have assisted to make their big day possible and their kindness will be rewarded.

"It's our goal to graduate and pay back all the kindnesses we've received today on our special day and show them that we didn't make the wrong choice,"  she added.

Asked why they decided to get married so early, Mr. Tuato said he wanted to have as much time with his wife to lay the foundations for a strong family ready to face the future.