Hello friends and family,

It has been one hell of a roller coaster ride over the past few months, and we thank you for staying with us on our journey.

As our wedding day has come and gone, we have taken the time to reflect on what would have been, so that we can begin to adjust plans for what is yet to come.

Our original plan for a private beach wedding on a secluded Thai island, followed by an intimate reception at The Nai Harn hotel and after-party at Chinoiserie was so close, right up until five days before the big day we were able to negotiate with vendors to reduce the planned event to accommodate our ever-changing details. We had taken the decision to fly out three weeks earlier with our children from our home country to ensure that we could attend our own wedding, and make final arrangements. We tried our best to keep hope alive and, even though the overseas guestlist had taken a devastating blow due to flight restrictions, we were honoured to hold a smaller event in the company of friends who were lucky enough to fly out.

Unfortunately, one hotel had to cancel our reservation three-four days before due to a change in hotel social distancing policies, and we were forced to cancel the other for the same reasons. The ceremony coordinator encouraged us to remain positive, as our ceremony was due to take place in a different area not under local restrictions. But just three days before, a government announcement declared a ban on sea travel to neighbouring islands. So that was it for plan A; we are probably halfway through the alphabet by now.

Initially, it felt as though someone was continually pulling cards from our house, and all we could do is try to catch them as they fell around us. But we realised that, this was now all completely out of our hands, and that everyone was affected in some way, from the vendors who were forced to close, to guests who were now at loggerheads with tour companies to obtain refunds.

We were blessed enough for our children to mark the original wedding date with a garden dinner, where we were served a 3-course meal (no cooking from mum and dad- woohoo) in the moonlight. They even made some use of the case of redundant decorations that were gathering dust.

The new plan (Plan N) is to wait it out, here in Thailand as we cannot fly out until restrictions have been lifted. To wait until we can travel to our flawless beach that curves to create a hook shape from above, with the untouched sands and water that twinkles when the sun hits it just right. To wait until we can say 'I do' in a place that we had both dreamed of, surrounded by loved ones- even if it is just our children. We want to hold a reception back in our home country so that those who cannot attend can still have a part of our special day, and once we are able to make those arrangements it'll feel all the more like an event that connects us to our nearest and earset who have been with us in some way every step of the way. But if any of that does not come to blossom into a grand day, then I am sure we be creative and utilise the remaining letters of the alphabet!

We are so grateful to our friends and family who had gone above and beyond to try to get us down the aisle. They were kind enough to have helped pack and ship dresses, decorations and accessories to add little finishing touches to our big day. Even though the wedding favours are (still) held at customs, and our couples pre-wedding spa day is a distant memory, we have to take stock of the fact that we can still be together! The pandemic has caused a great amount of stress on many relationships, as people are spending a lot more time with their other half, and to learn more about what actually makes the other tick. After sixteen years together, we have realised just how different we are, but more so now that we are two halves of the same whole (apple, melon- you choose a fruit).

So, we have decided to enter the competition- because hey, what do we have left to lose?!

We have been in self-isolation with our three children, studying and working in Thailand now for almost five months. Winning this contest would give us a chance to look forward to actually having some time together- just the two of us to focus on each other again. To cherish the time we have with one another and continue to remind ourselves of why we have been

But to stand a chance of winning we need your help. Please continue to support us by leaving a comment, as every comment counts!

Much love, miss you all!

Onika and Martin

xxx