The Deadly Virus

Heyy, 

Coming back down to earth and to the daily grind was hard last week, but heaven knows how hard Mr Warehouse and I were about to fall. Last week I said that I supposed our next beachy holiday will be our Honeymoon, however, with recent developments, this is looking unlikely. It is so hard for me to write this, even now as I type I am brushing tears from my eyes for I know the inevitable, and yet at the same time I know nothing at all. 

Since banning all weddings and marriage celebrations from 23 March 2020, the UK government has been sketchy at best on Weddings or civil partnerships, however, since 4 July in England weddings can now take place with up to 30 guests. At this point, hours away from our holiday to Cornwall, Mr Warehouse and I considered it. Obviously, it is an option and for many, this could work fine, and for many, many more they would have to make it work, if at all. Others simple refuse and make the heartbreaking decision to postpone their date. 

As quoted from the Gov.uk website, "legally-valid ceremonies or formations are strongly advised to go ahead only where they can be done in a COVID-19 secure environment (Whatever that means and thanks BoJo for the clarity). It is also advised that the ceremonies are kept as short as reasonably possible and limited as far as reasonably possible to the parts of the ceremonies that are required in order for the marriage or civil partnership to be legally binding. No more than 30 people should attend a marriage or civil partnership, where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 secure venue." In short, this means no singing, no choir (namely in our circumstances due to age and health issues which would consider them in a COVID-vulnerable category, not to mention being unable to learn 2 new songs by the time our day rolled around). It also means for us that it would not even be 30 people as we need to include in that group our photographer, videographer, Reverand and at least 2 witnesses. 

In conjunction with this, "Large wedding receptions or parties should not currently be taking place and any celebration after the ceremony should follow the broader social distancing guidance of involving no more than two households in any location or if outdoors, up to six people from different households" and again would need to include photographer, videographer, bar staff & waiting staff, taking our total down to even less. We calculated just 19 people could come to our special day.  

Following the UK Government Coronavirus announcement late last week and drafted on the basis of the scientific evidence available, from 1 August, "small wedding receptions will be able to take place". What does this mean? What is small? What is a reception inclusive or exclusive of? The guidance means that a sit-down-meal for no more than 30 people is to take place, again subject to COVID-19 Secure guidance.

For us as a couple, the thirty guests allowance simply would not work, and for many reasons. As the Gov.uk website states "Marriages and civil partnerships are a vital part of our society, uniting couples to start their new life together and affording certain legal rights. However, by their very nature, in bringing families and friends together, they are particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19." How can I have a wedding with only a handful of our nearest and dearest? It is simple we cant. As frustrating as it is, I cannot simply cut my guest list and tell someone they were invited but now "really sorry you have not made the final cut". That is just not fair. Almost as much so that Mr Warehouse and I even need to consider this as a damned option on what should be the happiest few months of our lives. 

For us, as a couple trying to marry in 2020 it is a huge uphill struggle; Every. Single. Day. The constant questions are creeping in and I fathom their anxiety and awkwardness in asking as much as being asked. Or what is worse is the hesitation from friends and family we are slowly starting to meet up with again is agonising to watch them wrestle with themselves about whether they do or dont ask about wedding planning and how it is all going for fear of upsetting us. As I sit here thinking, sighing loudly so Number 10 can hear, I think about what it may be like, A Corona-Wedding?! I am not sure how I feel about it. Masks everywhere, no hugging and limited celebrating if you can even call it that. 

Since Lockdown began, over 73,600 weddings and same-sex civil partnership ceremonies have been postponed. I am just hoping that I am not one of them ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Farce or future?

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Mini-Moon for the new Bride & Groom!

Heyy, 

With the last few months of Christmas, New Years and the last few bits of Wedding planning one of the last few big things we needed to book and research was our first few nights as a married couple. Some newlyweds now have nicknamed this the Mini-Moon, a short break or weekend away following getting hitched. 

Now whilst I spoke of last week's blog the beautiful Cornish setting and surroundings of the Retallack Resort & Spa with its bars, free WiFi and beautiful beaches nearby it would have been perfect if not for the four-odd hour journey. And so with this in mind, we took a look closer to home and in particular the Wyboston Lakes Spa and Golf Resort Complex. We are staying at one of three hotels on the 350-acre resort called The Waterfront Hotel Spa & Golf. Located just off the A1 and just a twenty-minute journey by car from our venue at Stagsden, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, good food, an 18-hole golf course and driving range as well as plentiful leisure facilities, an incredible spa and ample free parking. 

I am sure that with its delightful lakeside setting and modern but spacious bedrooms we are sure to relax in style. All rooms feature as standard en suite bathrooms and a flat-screen TV's with good food prepared by expert chefs available at a tap of a finger using the in-room iPad and full use of a gym and small indoor swimming pool. The room itself we have chosen to upgrade because you know why not - It's our wedding night / Mini-Moon. Junior Suites at The Waterfront are not just luxurious hotel rooms with super king-size beds but host lavish Hungarian down-topped mattresses and choice of accompanying pillows. These rooms are larger than both Superior and Deluxe Rooms the hotel offers but appointed in the same pastel colours and styling with the addition of some extra storage. Sitting rooms/areas and work stations are included as well as a comfortable armchair, footstool, coffee table and sofa which can fold out into an extra double bed. Now that really is the kind of place I want to wake up on my first morning as a Mrs.

The Y Spa is really why I wanted to book though as after being there a couple of times to visit I have never had the opportunity of indulging in the outdoor hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam rooms, mist showers, ice rooms, relaxing areas and water beds. The website states that "Y Spa has created a fabulous space which will stimulate all of the senses. Expansive areas filled with natural light and a warm ambient atmosphere. The area incorporates large picture windows to the terrace, bringing the outside in, whatever the weather. This little bit of luxury allows you to use hot and cold experiences as therapy, the benefits of which are far-reaching and include: improved respiration and circulation, relief of rheumatic aches, pains and stiff joints as well as improvements to skin texture with benefits to those suffering from eczema or skin conditions. Combining heat followed by cold boosts the body's natural defences, shifting your entire metabolism up a gear."

The Steam Room. A 42-degrees and with 100% humidity, the combination of high humidity and radiant heat gently invigorates the skin, respiratory and circulation system, all within a magical cavern, shrouded in iridescent mosaics and colour changing mood lighting to purify and relax both body and mind. Or maybe a Sauna would be more your cup of tea? With the slightly more warming, 55-degrees and humid the "soft" sauna has a lower temperature than Y Spa's traditional outdoor sauna. The humidity provides a gentler heat and softer experience to the traditional sauna allowing to relax and to recharge your batteries as well as a skin detox. Improving circulation and allowing muscles to relax, providing a peaceful space away from everyday life. 

Not hot enough? Cranking it up a gear to the 85-degrees (or hotter) and low humidity the beautiful Kelo wood sauna, made with one-hundred-year-old logs gives the hottest of the  Y Spa experiences. Not for the faint-hearted, its location outdoors in the Spa Garden can be accessed via the Hydrotherapy pool or the Garden terrace and is the perfect route to pure relaxation post-exercise or for weight loss and detoxification.

Hydrotherapy has been around for thousands of years and in its simplest form can be described as therapy through water - Obviously. However, being much warmer than a swimming pool, Y Spa's Hydrotherapy Pool is a place to relax and let the bubbling waters still your body. Used to treat common ailments such as muscle cramps, circulatory diseases, arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain, balance, and stress-related disorders; hydrotherapy is a great way to spend some time, relaxing on the bubble bed or massage tension away using the body jets and revel in the wonders of nature enjoying the outdoor Hydrotherapy Pool all year round in the snow or the rain too.

On top of all of those, Y Spa's experience showers are used as a breather between treatment rooms. "The Chill Zone" allows guests to cool off either with a gentle blowing mist or invigorating tropical showers, raining from above like a monsoon. If you're brave enough maybe a visit to the ice wall in order to constrict blood vessels, increase oxygen flow and stimulating circulation. The Hotel's Spa also boasts the "Time Out Area" is perfect for unwinding, lounging and sitting back to read a good book, or two, all in the comfort of waterbeds, warmed perfectly to your body temperature. The Relaxation rooms with ergonomic loungers and cosy fireplaces it's the perfect place to curl up or unwind for a schnooze. 

With eight months to the day as I write to you now, I cannot wait to stay at this beautiful resort and with the added benefit that my Husband will be right there alongside me!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx