BURLINGTON, ON — It wasn’t Punta Cana but the weather and location were beautiful nonetheless for Helen Krasic and Andrew Cordeiro’s wedding. Their nuptials took place Oct. 10 in the Burlington, ON backyard of their travel agent, Corinne Wilson-Daly.

Wilson-Daly, a veteran travel advisor and destination wedding specialist who works with Romantic Planet Vacations, a member of Ensemble Travel Group, reached out to help Krasic and Cordeiro after their Sept. 1 destination wedding in the D.R. was unable to proceed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newlyweds Helen Krasic and Andrew Cordeiro

Krasic and Cordeiro thought they would have to delay their wedding until 2021. But Wilson-Daly had another idea. Working with Romantic Planet Vacations’ Judith Blair, an officiant, and Romantic Planet Vacations owner Laurie Keith, Wilson-Daly and her husband Jim offered up their backyard for the ceremony.

“When I called Helen to offer her my backyard, with our beautiful weeping willow, for their local wedding ceremony, she cried,” said Wilson-Daly. “She was so happy.”

The enterprising agent took care of everything, including the wedding cake, monogramed champagne flutes and a wedding backdrop. Wilson-Daly also asked her daughter, wedding dress designer Amanda Garrett of A.M.E.G. Designs, to make some custom face masks for the event. All COVID-19 health and safety protocols were adhered to.

 Wilson-Daly offered up her backyard and her services for free. “It’s not fair what happened to this wonderful couple,” she said. “I just want to continue to help them in any way that I can.”

Krasic sent a thank-you letter on Oct. 11 to Corinne, Laurie, Judith and the rest of the team at Romantic Planet Vacations. “From both Andrew and I, we wanted to thank everyone for everything that was done to pull off our COVID wedding yesterday,” said Krasic. “It truly meant so much to us to be able to make yesterday amazing. You all really did go above and beyond, we honestly don’t have any words to describe how grateful we are for all of your hard work.”

Krasic added: “Corinne, you have been amazing throughout this whole process. You are truly the best and we are so lucky to have you as our agent. We cannot thank you and Jim enough for your hospitality and welcoming us into your home.” 

Krasic said she and Andrew are still hopeful that they can make their D.R. destination wedding a reality in 2021.