A Dublin married-couple-to-be have had what should have been an unrivaled excitement turn into six months of "constant limbo and uncertainty" as they still prepare, for now, to tie the knot in two weeks' time.
Aodhan O'Dea from Dublin and fiancée Alison sent invites out based on previous Government advice that the country would be entered into Phase Four of the exit-map by mid-August.
But yesterday's news that limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings would not be increased next week as initially planned has left them with a nightmare wedding situation.
Now, they must decide whether to "uninvite" half of their 100 guests or call off the wedding entirely in a conundrum that will be playing on the mind of many couples who had held some hope for their 2020 wedding.
Aodhan told Newstalk Breakfast: "I'm supposed to be getting married in around two weeks' time. It has been a bit of a disappointing announcement for us.
"We were supposed to be in phase four, and [it] was supposed to be 100 people.
"Now we have to maybe uninvite half the people, or maybe call it off altogether.
The pair are considering entering the already extra busy 2021 wedding season but have to think about the deposits they will lose if they decide to wash their hands of their August date once and for all.
He added: "Our venue has been great... we have to talk to them today, and try and work it all out. It's a really hard call to make."
"At this stage, it could be impossible to get anywhere next year - and there's no guarantee next year or the year after that it would be COVID-free.
"For a lot of couples like ourselves, we have deposits on bands, venues, photographers and musicians... it's hard to cancel or move them, as they have to make a living too."
