MARRIAGE for Ratu Williame Vuidreketi and Charlotte Talatoka Vakalala represents new beginnings.
Nurtured in their strong faith in God, the couple’s relationship has enjoyed the purest form of love.
Ratu William 26, who hails from Burebasaga, Rewa with maternal links to Nadrau in Navosa is a diamond driller at mining company Lion One. Charlotte 30, is a chef. Charlotte also runs a business called Mawe Creatives where she does photography and Christian dance choreography. She hails from Navunimono in Verata, Tailevu and has maternal links to Salia in Nayau, Lau.
The couple had met at an Easter production in 2021 at the Vatukoula Assemblies of God Church.
Charlotte was invited to choreograph a few dance items for the Easter production of which William played the role of Jesus, this was the initial step to what later became a budding relationship.
The couple who became friends and later, a couple, built their relationship on a foundation of trust and respect – God being the focal point of their relationship.
Charlotte describes her husband as a man of few words, respectful and kind.
“I knew he was the one because he respected my boundaries when we dated,” she said.
“Before even dating he pursued me a few times and I kept turning him down because I just couldn’t see myself dating someone younger than me.
“Since we had God in the centre of our lives, William requested I pray about it since he knew me as a friend who prayed for anything and everything.
Overwhelmed, Charlotte took to fasting and praying.
“Surprisingly, I found myself crying in prayer and I felt this peace over me. There was a voice echoing to take the risk and that I just needed to trust God.”
During their encounter in 2021, Charlotte said she was too busy to notice anything special about William. However, the pair started dating in November 2023 and after a few rejections she finally said yes.
“It did take me a while to accept that I was in one of those healthy relationship because of William’s emotional intelligence.
“His love for Jesus was evident with how he respected my physical boundaries, this made me realise he was the one as we both waited until marriage.”
William describes his wife as ‘beautiful, independent and talented’.
“When I started to pursue Charlotte, she made it clear that she loved God more than me and that God will always be first in her life. That made me realise that she was the one because I valued the same as she did, God before anything else,” he said.
William said he first saw Charlotte during a youth meeting at the Vatukoula AOG Church in 2018 where she was invited to speak to the youths.
“I found her to be very confident and quite humble. She took the time to socialise with everyone. Unfortunately, she doesn’t remember me from that meeting.
“We met again in 2021 at the Easter Production. I reached out to her on social media, and I tried befriending her but had no luck. It was until 2022 through my cousin Mary Mario,that I was able to become close to Charlotte.”
William said it was a challenge getting to know Charlotte.
“I prioritised showing her that my intentions were pure from the very beginning and that I was pursuing her not only to date but to one day marry her.
“Grateful to God that she eventually believed me. One of the ways I showed her my love was by respecting her boundaries. I had the same values too.”
The couple dated for one year and six months.
William told Charlotte during one of their lunch dates that he didn’t need to date her for years to know she was the one.
His intention was to marry her, so the couple did the unthinkable, they planned their wedding a month after that conversation.
The ilakovi was done by William’s dad four days before the wedding.
Charlotte said it was the simplest thing she ever witnessed, and she loved it.
The couple had a small intimate wedding at the International Full Gospel Tabernacle Church (IFGTC) in Nadi.
The wedding was special as they got to kiss for the first time – representing the purity and sanctity of marriage.
“It was a joy to be surrounded by our loved ones. It was just perfect, exactly how we wanted it to be,” the couple said.
“It was followed by a simple wedding reception at the Nakurakura Church Hall. We enjoyed the delicious food prepared by the groom’s family.”
The couple decided to tie the knot this year as they couldn’t find the reason to wait any longer.
“To know that God has blessed you with someone who values you, we didn’t find a reason to wait,” they said.
“We didn’t know what to expect, knowing it was a bold step to a new season, but we took it in faith.”
Now the couple hopes to embrace their new season together and feels excited for what God has planned for them.
The couple thanks God for his faithfulness in their love and for being the source of strength in their journey together.
The couple with the maid of honour, Mere Bale and best man, Joe Buatava with their ring/flower girl, Princess Aileen Work.
Picture: SCENIC WEDDINGS CINEMATOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
The couple first met at an Easter Production in 2021.
Picture: SCENIC WEDDINGS CINEMATOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
The beautiful bride, Charlotte Talatoka Vakalala. Picture: SCENIC WEDDINGS CINEMATOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
