An Irvine couple’s plans for a dream wedding in Mexico were left in tatters after the collapse of Thomas Cook – a week before their big day.
Toni-Louise McEvoy and her fiance Jamie Turner were set to fly out to Cancun with friends and family to celebrate their nuptials.
But news that the 178-year-old travel firm had ceased trading with immediate effect left their £40k wedding plans in chaos.
With the help of Stewart Travel in Irvine, they managed to salvage their big day abroad. But they may have to do it without their best man Barry McMullen who is struggling to rearrange a new flight.
On top of that, the replacement flights will cost £500 per couple – adding £5000 to the wedding party bill.
Tearful Toni, who owns The TLM Beauty salon in Irvine said: “When I first heard the news, I was completely calm and Jamie was panicking.
“I thought since they’re such a big business they would be bailed out, there would be some plan in place.
“We waited up on the Saturday till 2am for news and when I learned there would be no bailout I burst in to tears. It’s been a nightmare.”
“Jamie was on the phone to Thomas Cook for ages. They put him on hold and after 20 minutes they just hung up on him.
“It’s disgusting. We’ve planned our wedding with this company.
“The week before the big day is supposed to be about us tying up loose ends, not trying to organise our full wedding again.
“They could’ve at least sent an email apologising.”
The devastated couple headed to Stewart Travel in Irvine – who they booked the Thomas Cook wedding through - and the team worked hard to find a solution. Ten hours and a lock-in later at the travel agents, wedding plans are back on.
Toni said: “Julie at Stewart Travel was amazing, she was really empathetic and managed to get our flights for our dates we needed.
“We were at the point where we didn’t care about the extra cost or flight time, we just want to get there and finally have our wedding.”
Julie from Stewart Travel said: “They’re such a lovely couple and I was happy to help – I was just doing my job.”
The race is now on to ensure best man Barry can make the wedding.
Toni added: “Jamie has not been able to sleep much – he was awake at 4am looking at flights but there is nothing at the moment we can secure.
“Another couple we are hoping will join us are also in the same position. All we can do is hope as the days go on that more flights will be released.”
The couple's thoughts however are also with the thousands of Thomas Cook staff who have lost their jobs.
Toni added: "It's an awful situation for them. Your heart goes out to them."
