Mt Eden, home to the highest natural point in Auckland, overflowed with love and affection for two Samoan lovebirds Anastassia Malifa and Jarrett Malifa on their wedding day. 

The wedding ceremony was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland's central business district last Wednesday and was followed by an evening reception at the Mantells, Mt. Eden.

The newlyweds were blessed and celebrated their wedding in the company of their parents, close families and friends.

“We are happy to have both of our parents here for our special day,” said the couple. 

The father of the bride, Sulufaiga Devoe thanked his wife Felisha Ott Devoe for doing a remarkable job of raising their five children, three girls of which Anastassia is the youngest, and two boys. 

Of his youngest daughter, the bride, he said, “Looking at Anastassia today, she is a very confident, outgoing, loving and caring young woman. 

"I can assure you that, that didn’t just happen by chance. 

"The wife (Lisha) sacrificed more than 10 years working life to stay home, take care of the children from when they were born, and mould them as it were, into who they are today so thank you Lish.

“Marriage is a beautiful and complex thing, the joining of two hearts and two souls into one – today we celebrate that union and the beginning of Jarrett and Anastassia’s journey together.”

Sulufaiga Devoe is a senior station officer at the Auckland City Fire Department while his father (the bride's maternal grandfather), the late Letaa Sulufaiga Devoe, was previously the chief fire officer in Samoa.

 One of the many highlights of the wedding was the fire department turning up at the wedding reception to present flowers to the newlyweds.

Anastassia’s  older sisters Shannah and Marlena Devoe were both bridesmaids. The groomsmen were Arnold Meredith and Herbert Punivalu.

Jarrett is the youngest son of the Editor-in-Chief of the Samoa Observer, Gatoaitele Savea Sano Malifa and the Publisher, Muliaga Jean Malifa. Gatoaitele and Muliaga were able to make it to N.Z. on the one-way travel bubble between Samoa and N.Z.

“We’re happy to be here for Anastassia and Jarrett’s wedding and can’t wait for them to come home to Samoa," added Gatoaitele and Muliaga.

Anastassia is also a granddaughter to Leali’iee Rudy and Beatrice Ott.

The new Mr and Mrs Malifa said that they met in Samoa when Anastassia was on a holiday to visit her family but did not date then. They started dating when Anastassia moved back to Auckland from London and Jarrett decided to move to N.Z. to be with her. 

After a year of being together in Auckland, they decided to get married. 

“But with COVID-19, everything was too difficult, like inviting our family and friends and also finding a venue," said the couple. "When COVID-19 restrictions eased, we booked the church and venue in November and got married in December. 

"We literally only had one month to plan.”

As part of the wedding ceremony Franz Schubert’s 1825 popular composition, Ave Maria, was sung by the famous Samoan opera singer, Amitai Pati for the bride’s entrance. 

Guests at the wedding ceremony were treated to beautiful décor and memorable music and readings.

The newly-wedded couple made reference to a Psalm response: “Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me: and in God's house for evermore my dwelling place shall be.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day - it was magical!”