AT LAST, IT’S TIME TO SET THE DATE

WEDDING bells are finally drawing near for this couple, who feel they have at last locked in the perfect time for their geographically dispersed family to join in their big day.

Liz Crane and Pat Waters became engaged 12 months ago and set their party for March, before COVID- 19 struck.

The couple held off booking a wedding date because of Victoria’s deadly second wave.

“My parents are in NSW, I’ve got a brother, uncle, aunty and cousins in Adelaide, and we’re hoping they come,” Ms Crane said.

“We’ve got family in Japan and the US … not sure how that’s going to go.”

Mr Waters almost couldn’t bear the wait, suggesting the pair elope in Launceston

“That got nipped in the bud,” he said.

The loved- up pair took last week’s border reopening with most other Australian states and territories — and Friday’s opening to NSW — as a sign of hope, booking in their wedding date for November next year at Hobart’s new Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“We’re really excited about that because nobody we know has gotten married there,” Ms Crane said.

“It’s been great to actually have a date to have something to look forward to.”

The couples’ three children have been eagerly anticipating the event, with their daughter already looking at dresses and shoes.

“We’re hoping my mum can come home for Christmas this year from NSW, she hasn’t seen our kids in almost a year now,” Ms Crane said.

As for the honeymoon, the couple have decided to play it safe with an Aussie getaway and are crossing their fingers for some cheap flights to the Queensland tropics.