A bride-to-be was left crying her eyes out as her dream £20,000 wedding abroad was ruined after TUI cancelled more flights this week and lost their luggage.
Leeds couple Melissa Robinson and Michael Waite's big day is quickly turning into a nightmare after some guests and family have been left without a flight due to the ongoing TUI travel crisis.
The couple invested £20,000 on their dream ceremony in Cyprus, which is planned for next Tuesday, but now face the possibility of calling the special occasion off.
It comes as hundreds of flights from TUI have been cancelled across the country over the school holidays, with hundreds more expected to follow suit.
Heartbroken beauty therapist Melissa, 39, said: “It is a disaster. I have been crying my eyes out. I just want to go home.”
The pair have been planning their big day since March last year after Michael, 32, proposed on Boxing Day the year before, Leeds Live reports.
They had planned to say "I do" at the four-star Nissi Beach Resort in Ayia Napa, but instead of relaxing in the sun, Melissa spent the whole day crying after finding out her and scaffolder Michael's family were stranded in the UK.
Some guests were due to fly out from Manchester Airport - which has been one of the worst affected by the travel chaos - at 7am, but this was delayed four hours until 11am.
However, when they arrived in Larnaca the airline piled on the start of what would be continuous bad news.
First, a vital piece of baggage with Melissa's three children's clothes and wedding gear had been lost.
Then, the couple were told Michael's brother Duane, 28, the groomsman, his daughter Minnie, 4, the flower girl, and the rest of their family had their TUI flights cancelled.
Melissa’s new mother in law, Michael's two sons, his two sisters, their kids, his two brothers, his auntie, and Melissa’s two bridesmaids were due to fly out on Wednesday, but they were on their way to the airport TUI emailed them saying their flights had also been cancelled.
“I was so happy about the wedding. Now I am absolutely in bits," Melissa added.
"The flights were cancelled out of the blue. We are just seeing if we can get them on alternate flights. Otherwise, we will have to cancel it.”
Their wedding has been decimated by the TUI cancellations, with only 15 out of 64 guests successfully making the trip, as well as the family having to fork out hundreds more on clothes which were in the lost luggage.
Melissa said: “My witness for the wedding day has no clothes. All he has is a pair of shorts which his mum had to go to the shops to buy.
“We keep ringing up TUI and they just keep saying they have not heard anything yet.
"It is all down to airport disruption and to TUI cancelling flights out of the blue.
“I am very angry at the airline. It has caused me stress upset and tears. It is all TUI’s fault. It is nightmare.”
Groom Michael added: “Obviously, I am furious with the airline.
"I was so angry how badly the trip started that I was all ready to cancel everything and book a flight home there and then.
“I only stayed to comfort Melissa because she was so upset. It has been a nightmare from start to finish.
"We have been here for two days and TUI are just not interested.”
The flight cancellations have caused heartache and chaos for many others across the UK.
One couple from Wales were forced to cancel their wedding abroad, while another axed their honeymoon after problems from the airline.
A TUI spokesman said: "We’re incredibly sorry to the wedding party who have been impacted by the recent disruption to our operations.
"We understand that last minute delays and cancellations are incredibly disappointing, and we would like to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to get them to enjoy the celebrations as planned.
"We contact all customers impacted by cancellations directly, offering them the option to receive a full refund or re-book their holiday with an incentive.
"Our teams will be speaking with the bride and groom as soon as possible to help find a solution for their wedding, and understand how important this time is for them.
"Whilst every delay and cancellation is regrettable, the vast majority of our flights are operating as planned."
