Photography: Bethany Lewis Media, www.bethanylewismedia.com
Māori All Blacks and Blues rugby star Cameron Suafoa couldn’t wipe the smile off his face, locking eyes with his gorgeous bride Brittany Hastings Kutty as she slowly made her way down the aisle. Fittingly surrounded by bright blue flowers, Brittany was a vision in her stunning gown, led by the pair’s beloved pup Arlo, who, when he spotted the 45 gathered guests, bolted towards Cameron, leaving a laughing Brittany to make the final part of the walk alone.
“Britt was just so beautiful,” a beaming Cameron later tells Woman’s Day.
“What a moment.”
But no tears escaped his slightly damp eyes as Brittany finally made it to the altar to exchange vows after almost 10 years together. This day, despite the tragic circumstances, was a happy one. It’s been just over four months since the couple received the devastating diagnosis that
Cameron has terminal cancer. His sarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer that affects connective tissue, had recurred in March 2025, following a successful battle two years previously. He beat it again, but in December, he was told it had returned for a third time and had now spread, becoming incurable. Cameron and Brittany were, and are, heartbroken.
Facing the unexpected
“We’re only 27 years old,” says Brittany.
“This obviously isn’t the life we planned to have – or should have. It’s a shitty card to be dealt.”
But they refuse to be only heartbroken, instead, choosing to focus on what they have now, rather than what they will lose.
“This is not a sad story,” insists the rugby hard man firmly as he and his new wife show off their brand-new wedding rings, custom designed by Four Words.
A bittersweet wedding
Brittany adds, “Our wedding was such a beautiful day and we’re really trying to celebrate the good things, rather than just dwell on the negative. Obviously, there is a lot of negative about it. “If I’m honest, throughout all of the planning, I did have this feeling of… sadness, I guess. In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have rushed it – and we’d have longer than two months to plan a wedding! “I was scared that I wasn’t going to be able to enjoy the day and that I’d be sad. But I was worried about nothing. I was just so, so happy.”
Since Cameron’s diagnosis, the pair is now focused on fitting a lifetime into what little time Cameron has left. Priority number one was travel. Seeing as Cameron had never been to Europe, he and Brittany embarked on a two-month trip around 15 countries.
Living life now
“We were told by the doctors to go do the big things,” says Cameron.
“So we booked the flights to Europe and we had an amazing time.”
Priority two was a wedding – something Cameron and Brittany hadn’t budgeted for, but they were determined to pull it off by the end of summer. Happily, they’d already got engaged following a romantic trip to Fiji last July.
A hesitant start
“I didn’t want to go,” nods Brittany.
“It was only six weeks after Cam had a big surgery and I was worried about medical access, but he was determined. I now know he had a plan, but I had no idea what he was up to at the time. He even told me to get my nails done and I still didn’t clock it!”
The actual proposal turned out a little differently than Cameron expected.
Laughing sheepishly, he admits, “The night I was meant to do it, we ended up having a cocktail night, so I ended up getting a little too drunk and forgetting about it.”
Rolling her eyes, Brittany grins. “It was a good night!”
A second chance
Cameron continues, “So I thought we’d get up the next morning and watch the sun rise. Britt loves a sunrise. But we overslept a little and didn’t quite catch it, but I really wanted to do it, so as the sun was going up, I asked her.”
Brittany was stunned as Cameron dropped to one knee and froze up, silently holding out a closed ring box.
She laughs, “I had to ask him if it was a joke. But eventually he asked if I’d make him the happiest man in the world – and of course I said yes.”
Racing against time
When they realised that time wasn’t on their side, the duo set out to make their dream wedding day a reality.
“I don’t know how we did it,” Brittany says, shaking her head.
“Actually, yes, I do – our friends. They were incredible.”
With the couple in Europe for most of the planning process, Cameron and Brittany relied on an army of incredible mates to help organise their big day – from family sorting the catering through to friends sourcing floral arrangements from community Facebook pages.
A village behind them
“Our friends Hareta and Tinei did so much,” Brittany says.
“They organised our venue Te Tumu Estate, who were so incredible, and sorted out so much while we were overseas. We’re so grateful. It wouldn’t have happened without them and the rest of our village.”
Last month, in the Bay of Plenty, Cameron, looking dapper in a Barkers suit, and Brittany, beautiful in a gown from Bridal Brilliance, exchanged deeply personal, heartwarming vows in front of their nearest and dearest, including their dogs, Arlo and new puppy Draco.
Words from the heart
Brittany promised, “While our future may be uncertain, one thing I do know is that I will be there to make sure you never have to go through it alone. I will make sure we will always have milk for you to practise your coffee art and that there is always a jar of Nutella in the cupboard… But above all else, I will love you unconditionally through it all. “You continue to inspire me every day. You’ve gone through what nobody should ever have to endure, but time and time again, you’ve shown me how resilient you truly are. You are strength personified and everybody here can attest to that. I am incredibly lucky that I get to call you my husband.”
At his turn, Cameron vowed, “Thank you for your constant love and support, to push me to grow personally and professionally, and for saving my life. You’ve seen me at my weakest – from the times you had to help me to learn to walk again, to driving 10 hours to Wellington to come watch me play rugby. Your unwavering support never goes unnoticed and I’m deeply grateful to have you in my life.”
Sealed with a kiss
With a kiss, the new Mr and Mrs Suafoa then embarked on an intimate but rowdy reception – well, until the poor best man accidentally unplugged the DJ deck and no one could figure out how to get it going again!
The pair repeated their celebrations just a few days later in a bigger, more casual party at Auckland’s Wakatere Boating Club, so Cameron’s Blues teammates and other rugby pals could also attend.
Now husband and wife, life is sunnier for the pair who plan on taking each day as it comes, with a lot of time dedicated not only to Cameron’s chemotherapy but also training unruly pup Draco.
Holding on to gratitude
“It’s a tough situation, but we have amazing people behind us and awesome memories of our day,” says Cameron.
Brittany concludes, “We’re making the most of every day. Life is short – unfortunately, we’re the poster children for that. But we had the day – days, really – of our dreams.”
