Saimone and Jacqueline | Two hearts beat as one

Saimone Koroi from the boy group Yanu Boyz came under the limelight again this time not as a singer, but as a groom marrying his bride Jacqueline Koroi.

The couple tied the knot last week in front of family, friends in a beautiful wedding ceremony at Natogadravu Village in Nuku, Tailevu.

Saimone — who hails from Lamiti Village in Gau, Lomaiviti with maternal links to Bukuya Village in Magodro, Ba — is a self-employed artist. His new wife Jacqueline hails from Lami Village, Rewa with maternal links to Navasobu Village in Macuata, Vanualevu. She is a support specialist officer.

The lovely couple, who had been dating for four years, finally decided to settle down with each other and start a family of their own this year.

Their special day followed all the traditional protocols of an ‘iTaukei wedding’ from the wedding service to the tevutevu and tataunaki.

The couple first met in 2021 at Jacqueline’s former workplace. Saimone said his wife is an open-hearted person, kind of a hustler and loves everyone the same.

When meeting his wife for the first time, Saimone said he was very shy, but he realised talking to her helped him overcome his shyness.

“She is the one because she pushes me every time, during my bad days and good days,” he said.

Jacqueline in describing her husband said Saimone has five characteristics that she adores.

She said her husband is kind-hearted.

“He treats me and others with warmth and great respect. He listens and shows up when you need him.

“He’s very supportive, whether I’m thriving or struggling, he is always in my corner. He believes in me even when I forget to believe in myself.

“His funny (well kind of funny). His humour lifts my mood, and I find joy in just being around him.

“His trustworthy. His someone you can rely on, very dependable. With him I feel safe and his authentic.”

She said Saimone was the one for her because he loves her just the way she is.

“Especially when I’m having mood swings, he knows how to calm me down,” she said.

When she first met her husband, she felt intrigued.

“I felt like I wanted to know more about him, not just the surface stuff.

“In our dating stage, everything was new — the messages and every moment together was tinged with excitement and possibility.

“From having butterflies in my stomach to the late-night talks to the little surprises I didn’t expect, those were all just so special in our relationship.”

Saimone and his family did the traditional bulubulutaki before the couple agreed on their nuptial.

Apart from their wedding, the couple had a special ceremony, a baptism for the groom’s namesake and nephew – Saimone Koroi Naitini. The couple wanted to include the special moment as part of their wedding ceremony.

The wedding was followed by the tevutevu and tataunaki.

To the couple, marriage is a promise they have made to each other – to always stay together through the good times, hard times and everything in between.

They thanked a lot of people who helped support them during their wedding, most importantly, God.

“We thank God for his providence and guidance through the season of our preparation until the wedding day,” they said.

“We also thank our parents for raising us and supporting us throughout our journeys and our family and friends that have contributed to the success of our wedding.”

The couple will now focus on building a strong foundation for their new family.