At a reception packed of Samoan customs, NRL player Stephen Crichton married his high school girlfriend in a fantasy ceremony that included many emotions, laughter, and dancing.
In front of numerous NRL players, the three-time NRL premiership champion with the Penrith Panthers and current Canterbury Bulldogs player married Leone Seumanu Lauafia Crichton.
Because so many representatives from Toa Samoa had previously made plans to attend the wedding, the international Test series between England and Samoa had to be postponed due to the large number of football players in attendance.
To give players enough time to travel and get ready for the matches, the two-match series was postponed by one week, starting on October 27.
Along with Panthers players Jarome Luai, Scott Sorensen, Moses Leota, Izack Tago, and Sunia Turuva, among others, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary attended the ceremony and reception.
Along with players Kurt Morrin and Harry Hayes, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was also visible.
Former Penrith star and Roosters prop Spencer Leniu was part of the bridal party, and Panthers winger Brian To’o served as the day’s best man.
Both Crichton and Leone dressed in traditional Samoan clothing and performed traditional dances for the friends and relatives present, making the reception an unforgettable event.
To help them start their married life off right, the pair was slathered with cash, with notes rubbed against their bodies and then gathered from the floor.