Kiwi-style wedding planned

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 8

Kiwi-style wedding planned

By CATHERINE HARRIS Slipping out in your lunch hour to get married is not your typical Kiwi wedding, especially if you return to work. The bride’s workmates didn’t think so, either, which is why Mika and Katsu Tokita will be married again this afternoon — Kiwi-style. It all began when Mika Okumura, a petite staff member at Guthreys Tours in Christchurch, and her fiance at Newmans, Katsu Tokita, were quietly married one lunch

hour last month. They signed their names at the Japanese Consulate and returned to their respective jobs. The staff at Guthreys, however, were quick to discover the situation. News spread through the office faster than a bullet train, and over hastily organised drinks that evening a Kiwi wedding with all its traditions was suggested. Mika and Katsu, who first met six years ago on holiday in Bali, were surprised but excited by the idea. They had in-

tended to have a small party when they eventually returned to Japan but liked the thought of getting their host country’s blessing. “Most Japanese couples want church weddings when they go overseas so we are very pleased to be able to do it,” said Mika, who admitted to being a little nervous last evening. ' In just a few - weeks, friends believe they have put together the complete wedding package, including garters for the bride, invitations, church cere-

mony, bridal car, photographs, and a reception. Already there has been a “hen party” with the unsuspecting bride receiving a liberal dousing of water and flour. All the plans will culminate in a dedication service at 2.30 p.m. today at St Barnabas’ Church, where about 120 guests are expected to gather. The couple plan to travel to Sydney next month, then tramp through Asia to Japan, but they are keen to return to New Zealand to settle.