A fairytale wedding in the Caribbean is in danger of turning into a “nightmare” for Dundee newlyweds who face a race against time to make it home for their reception on Saturday.
Robbie Watson and Nicola Bryson tied the knot in idyllic circumstances at Negril on Jamaica and should have flown back to Dundee last Saturday in plenty of time to celebrate their wedding with more than 170 guests at David Lloyd’s sports centre at Ethiebeaton Park.
However, after that perfect beginning, the Icelandic volcanic eruption grounded flights to Europe and it now looks as if Robbie and Nicola, barring a last-minute flight, will be unable to make it back in time for the reception.
Robbie, a surveyor with Robertson Construction, said British Airways was giving priority for return flights to passengers who had booked directly with them, leaving his party, who booked through Thomas Cook, waiting for the next available plane.
“There’s not much we can do about it, so we just have to sit it out and hopefully something will happen and we’ll get a flight back.
“It’s turning into a bit of a disaster all round. We’ve got the reception hall booked, a band ready to play, the buffet all arranged but we might have no choice but to cancel the whole thing.
“Trying to get another day when everyone would be able to make it to another reception might be a nightmare. It would be like having to organise everything all over again.”
The couple, who met as season ticket holders at Dens Park, thought they might have a more immediate emergency on their hands when Nicola’s father Neil, who was due to fly back a week ago, ran out of his angina medicine.
Thankfully, though, Robbie said he is feeling quite well and has decided not to source an alternative supply in Jamaica.Waiting it outRobbie and Nicola, who works as a secretary with Dundee City Council, have voiced their displeasure about BA’s priority status for directly-booked passengers but have now resigned themselves to waiting it out.
He added, “We’ve all paid our money for the flight whether it was directly through BA or through Thomas Cook and I would hate to think that someone due to return later than I was could get an earlier flight home.
“You can stamp your feet and cry all you like but they won’t change their policy just because we’re unhappy. Thomas Cook have picked up the tab for us all staying out here a bit longer so that’s something.
“I’m sure it will all work out in the end. “A miracle might happen and we will get a flight home in time for the reception but I can’t see it at the moment.”
Back at her home in Barry, Robbie’s mum Linda, who left Jamaica just before the volcano erupted, is also putting on a brave face.
She is holding out some hope that a plane might yet be provided in time for the party to make it home for the reception but says the 23-hour journey time between the Caribbean and Dundee mitigates against that.
She said, “At this moment in time, it’s looking like a non-starter for the reception. There are more than 170 people confirmed as guests and I might just need to have a word with my husband and find a nice, white frock to put on!”
If you have been affected by the travel chaos, The Courier wants to hear from you. Phone 01382 575291 or email online@thecourier.co.uk
Pictured used under the Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Beadmobile.