NRL superstar Stephen Crichton married his high school sweetheart in a dream ceremony with lots of tears, laughter and dancing at a reception full of Samoan traditions.
The three-time NRL premiership winner with the Penrith Panthers and current Canterbury Bulldogs star married Leone Seumanu Lauafia Crichton in front of a host of NRL stars.
So many football players attended that the wedding forced the delay of the international test series between England and Samoa because many representatives from Toa Samoa had already planned to be at the wedding.
The two-match series was postponed by a week and will now begin on October 27 to give the players enough time to travel and prepare for the matches.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was at the ceremony and reception along with Panthers players Jarome Luai, Scott Sorensen, Moses Leota, Izack Tago and Sunia Turuva to name a few.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was also seen along with players like Kurt Morrin and Harry Hayes.
Panthers winger Brian To’o was best man on the day, while Roosters prop and former Penrith star Spencer Leniu was also in the wedding party.
The reception was unforgettable, with Crichton and Leone wearing traditional Samoan costumes and performing traditional dances for the friends and family in attendance.
The couple were showered with cash, with notes pressed against their bodies and then picked up from the floor to help them get off to the best start in married life.
Former Penrith and current Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton has married his high school sweetheart Leona.
Samoa would have struggled to field a team if the match against England had gone ahead as planned.
Crichton and Leona perform traditional Samoan dances at the reception following their recent wedding.
To’o spoke fondly about his ‘brother’ Crichton, but also revealed that they were not close when they first met at a school basketball competition.
“It went from three-on-three to one-on-one between me and Stephen,” To’o said.
“Knowing how Stephen plays, he always goes for the three-pointer, he’s a high-quality player, that’s what he does.”
“He made the shot, he faked it, he turned me around, he bounced the ball off my head, he caught it and he shot the three-pointer that won them the game.
“So I spent the next three years hating him.”
Best man Brian To’o spoke about how a rivalry turned into friendship and then brotherhood with Stephen Crichton.
The crowd laughed, but To’o quickly moved on to the brotherhood that blossomed later.
‘Luckily we reconnected in 2017… because I hadn’t seen him in a long time, I offered him some of my lunch,’ she said.
‘That was the very beginning of our brotherhood.
“Since then we have achieved a lot together playing together for the Penrith Panthers, New South Wales Blues and Toa Samoa.
‘Your greatness continues to shine on those around you, that is what makes you the leader.
‘Off the field, he is a very devoted family man and a man of faith.
“I thank my brother for the friendship and memories we have made together that will last a lifetime.”
Outgoing Penrith Panthers star Jarome Luai with Brian To’o’s son Atreus who was the wedding ring bearer.
The happy couple shares their first dance as husband and wife in their formal attire
To’o also couldn’t resist being a little cheeky in his speech.
“There are many ways to describe Stephen, but I came up with three,” he said.
‘Loyal, selfless, childish and annoying.
‘Did I say three? Or were there four? It says five here, but there are too many kids here, so I’ll leave them out.
‘Stephen has played a huge role in my life, not only as a rugby player but also as a person.
“He will always do everything he can to put others before himself and that is something I really admire about Stephen.
‘His love for his family and friends, the love he shows for his godson, my son Atreus.
‘God willing, one day they will have their own children and without a doubt, he will become the best father.’
Traditional Samoan dancing was also an important part of the wedding reception for Crichton and his new wife Leona.
Crichton also made special mention of To’o in his speech.
“To my godfather Bizza, the fart machine,” he joked.
‘Thank you for everything you have done for my special day, my brother. I asked for many things to be done and not once did you flinch.
“I am very grateful to have you in my life to share these moments together, I will always have your back as I know you will always have mine.”
But the biggest applause came for his loving speech to his new wife.
“Last but not least, my wife Leona Crichton,” he said.
‘It feels so good to say that.
‘From the day we met at 711 Mount Druitt after school… we always met early in the morning before school to have our $20 Maccas breakfast and just talked about which school was better.
‘At the beginning of our relationship I discovered very quickly that I had been blessed with someone special.
‘It wasn’t always sunshine and good days for us, we’ve also had our fair share of bad days.
“But I thank God for his protection and guidance over us to get us to where we are today.”