‘Anga Fakatonga
“In the Tongan Way” -
Culture, Traditions, & What to Expect
At the heart of Tongan culture are family, respect, generosity, community, and honoring one another. In Tongan, fakaʻapaʻapa means respect, courtesy, and honor—values that are deeply woven into everyday life and celebrations. Tongan traditions place great value on showing love through service and hospitality to celebrate important milestones as a community. Celebrations like weddings are often shared experiences where extended family and loved ones come together in demonstrations of joy and respect.
As our families become one, we’re excited to share these traditions and values with all of you and create a celebration that reflects both of our backgrounds and the people we love most. You may hear some speeches, blessings, and moments throughout the evening shared in the Tongan language. We will do our best to include both English and Tongan whenever possible so all of our guests can feel welcomed and part of this special day.
Tongan weddings are known for being joyful, lively celebrations centered around family, culture, music, dancing, and community. Throughout our celebration, you will see traditional performances including a bridal tauʻolunga (a graceful dance traditionally performed by the bride), along with other cultural dances performed by family and loved ones. One beautiful tradition you may notice is guests placing or “tossing” money onto performers during dances and dancing behind them. This is a meaningful way of honoring, celebrating, and showing support for the dancer and their family—it’s a gesture of love and appreciation rather than a requirement.
If you’d like to take part in this tradition, consider bringing a few paper bills so you can participate in the celebration and join in this special cultural experience with us.
Please enjoy the experience, cheer loudly, & celebrate alongside us!