December 2, 2015, is a date forever etched in the hearts of newly-weds – Osea Korovou and Ma’ata Matavewa.

The date is special because it was the day Ms Matavewa agreed to become Mr Korovou’s girlfriend when he formally asked her at the Nadi International Airport departure lounge, hours before she was due to fly out for a short trip to Australia.

The thought of her being away for weeks did not sit well with Mr Korovou and he knew it was either now or never. So, he offered to drop her off at the airport and mustered up enough courage
to ask her out.

Bridesmaid Grace Loanakadavu (left) bride Ma’ata Matavewa and bridesmaid Michelle Balaikanaca at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva last week. Photo: Leon Lord

Ms Matavewa’s weeks that followed in Australia were a breeze as the couple bonded and kept in touch via the phone 24/7.

Work brought them together when they first met at the opening of the Fiji National Provident Fund Office in Nausori on June 18, 2015.

The couple work at FNPF, but based at different branches at the time and only saw each other during special office gatherings.

Groomsman Taniela Waqavere (left) groom Osea Korovou and Micheal Watta at the GPH in Suva last week. Photo: Leon Lord

Two years down the line at the beginning of 2018, Mr Korovou approached Ma’ata’s father with a sevusevu, to inform him that he was dating his daughter.

Months later, he said he found himself in a jewellery shop secretly looking for a ring for his fiance-to-be.

When asked how he knew that Ma’ata was the one for him, the soft-spoken man said it came to him naturally after spending quality time with her.

Sadly, Ma’ata’s father succumbed to kidney failure in August of 2018 and died in hospital.

From then on, Mr Korovou said he took it upon himself to make sure that she never lacked anything.

From left: Bridesmaids Grace Loanakadavu and Michelle Balaikanaca, bride Ma’ata Matavewa, groom Osea Korovou, with groomsmen Taniela Waqavere and Michael Watta outside the GPH in Suva last week. Photo: Leon Lord

Their wedding on November 14, 2020 was a grand affair and a culmination of two years of wedding preparations after they initially planned to marry last year.

With a more than 500 guests, they hosted three separate receptions – at the Grand Pacific Hotel, New Peking Restaurant and Albert Park Pavilion – last week to cater for all their family members from Lau, Savusavu and Rewa.

“It was a magical wedding and I felt like a princess,” Mrs Korovou said.

Sealed with a kiss! … newly-weds Osea Korovou and Ma’ata Matavewa. Photos: Leon Lord

The couple thanked those who played an important role in making sure their wedding day went as planned without any hiccups, especially their siblings and immediate families.

Their three-day honeymoon was spent in the West frolicking on the beach and soaking in the sun.

Newly-weds Osea Korovou and Ma’ata Matavewa. Photos: Leon Lord

Moving forward, the couple said they would leave everything in God’s hands and take each day as they come, with the hopes of hearing the patter of tiny feet in the near future.

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