CHARMING MAORI WEDDING

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1947, Page 3

CHARMING MAORI WEDDING

KOPUA— RAWENATA A eharming ,\ and picturesque wedding took place at the pretty . Maori - Church, Moutoa, Shannon, cn Saturday, April 12, when it linked together *two well-known tribes, Ngati7wfiakatere of Shannon, and .Ngati-porou of Tokomaru Bay. ;The bride, Hinewairangi, eldest daughter of Ihapera Nepia .and the late Rawenata Atanatui, • ' of Shannon, was betrothed to Hira Sid, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Kopua,, of Tokomaru Biay. For her wedding the bride wore a graceful close-fitting gown of figured satin, falling softly in a trained effect, and over this her long veil of embroideyed- net, caught in a crown of_ begonias on her head, fell to from a second train, and she carried a bouquet of white and pale lemon dahlias, Inlaid in maidenhair fern. She was escorted to the church by her cousin, George Te Whiti, of Greytown, Wairarapa. Attending her was her cousin, parla Ropoama, as bridesmaid; Hrfessed in a powder blue and shell piri^ organdie, with matching picture/hat. She carried a bouquet of belladona lflies, while Wikitoria Ropoama, ' flower girl, wore a mauve taffeta froek with a Juliet sequin cap and a small matching bouquet. The 'groomawas attended by his cousin, Mr.°B. Kopua. A short Maori service was conducted and solemnised by Rev. P. Temuera, of Otaki, following the traditional custom of greetings by the visiting tribes -at the Poutu Pa, Shannon, where the reception and banquet array was held. Master of ceremonies was Rev. P. Temuera. Many toasts were given and the three-tiered * cake was embossed with pale blue and white decorations, stately in form, and majestic in colour. The presents were viewed ah.d drew much comment and praise. The wedding breakfast catered for 700. Among the many visitors were Mr. Tamihana Manaia, of Otorohanga, cousin of the bride, and many relatives and friends of both the bride and bridegroom from as far as Tokomaru Bay, Wellington, Greytown, Porirua, Tokorangi! Ohkkune, Taumaranui and surrounding districts.