It also briefly touches on the topic of abortion, as Bree Cameron (Juliet Godwin) terminates her pregnancy with the support of Remi Carter (Adam Rowland).
The end of the episode begins a new storyline for Felicity's brother Cash Newman (Nicholas Cartwright), as he believes he has proposed to his girlfriend Eden Fowler (Stephanie Panozzo) while drunk.
Actress Ada Nicodemou (who plays Leah Patterson) praised the decision to make Tane and Felicity's wedding the focus of the 8000th episode, describing it as "a nice payoff for the audience.
"[1] She also thought that it was important for the show to focus on sensitive issues like abortion, as it would start discussions and also help viewers in similar situations.
Members of the Sydney Māori community were asked to help make the wedding as authentically New Zealand as possible, while Browne worked with the scriptwriters to include some personal touches, such as the wearing of traditional Korowai cloaks.
Fellow band member Eden Fowler (Stephanie Panozzo) tells them that their guitarist Remi Carter (Adam Rowland) cannot join them, but not why.
Tane is helping to set up the reception at local restaurant Salt and he receives the wedding cake from Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons).
Felicity finds the perfect dress and Cash arrives to take her and Eden to the forest, where Tane is waiting with a kaikaranga, poi dancers and the celebrant.
[4] In an interview with Anita Anabel of Mediaweek, actress Ada Nicodemou, who plays Leah Patterson in the serial, praised the decision to make the wedding the focus of the 8000th episode.
[5] When the show's scriptwriters informed Purvis that Tane and Felicity would finally get "their happy ending" following their first wedding attempt, she had doubts about it happening until they shot Episode 8000.
[6] She began learning the previous year for the failed wedding with the help of a cultural adviser and co-stars Browne and Kawakawa Fox-Reo, who plays Tane's nephew Nikau Parata.
[9] Purvis told Kerry Harvey of Stuff that she made the producers hire a dialect coach, as she did not want to get it wrong and disrespect the Māori culture.
[10] Tane and Felicity also wear traditional Korowai cloaks during the ceremony, which Browne said was a symbol of unity between the bride and groom, their family and ancestors.
[8] In addition to the wedding, the episode also briefly focuses on the topic of abortion, as Bree Cameron (Juliet Godwin) decides to terminate her pregnancy.
Anabel (Mediaweek) observed that the subject had been "taboo" on television for years, and Nicodemou believed that it was important to show it in order to start "familial discussions".
[1] Andrei Harmsworth of The West Australian stated Felicity and Tane's "long-awaited will-they-or-won't-they-wedding [....] will steal the thunder as the show chalks up its 8000th episode of melodrama".
They noted that the wedding had been "long-awaited" by viewers, writing "it's a big week for any Home And Away fans out there who have been waiting months to see Tane and Felicity tie the knot.
[3] A Woman's Day NZ writer believed the inclusion of te reo Māori during "such a poignant moment" was a first for an Australian soap.
A reporter for the publication wrote: "There wasn't a dry eye while watching this stunning and traditional wedding, as Home and Away fans were so thrilled to see these two finally say 'I do'.