Excerpt from My Solo Wedding in Santorini:
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt
I am a girl who loves pink and Barbie! I even grew up as a Barbie Club member, I wore clothes with her effigy like some little girls today display Queen Elsa. A school friend gave me my first doll at the age of 6, for my birthday, and not just anyone, Barbie Dream glow, whose stars on her dress shine in the dark. One of my best memories. It was as if today, someone offered me Louboutin pumps!
Nowadays, we find a Barbie astronaut, veterinarian, to counter the sexist side that some people found to these dolls. Very honestly it is a false debate, because from all my 6 years of age, I had perfectly converted my Princess Barbie into a successful businesswoman!
[...]
My Barbie was never a writer, even less a blogger, I built a career plan with her and I held it, but dreams change, that is all the beauty and magic that Eleonor Roosevelt mentioned. Never stop believing in your dreams, exploring your imagination and creativity, with or without the assistance of a model doll.
Laetitia Nguyen

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“May 27, 2017, Santorini, Aegean Island (Greece). I am about to go down the magnificent stone stairs holding my father's arm, to participate in the wedding I have been waiting for, and preparing for a year and a half. The guests are seated. The weather is capricious. However, this ceremony is special, the groom is not here. He left the marital ship three months before, and I took the decision to marry without him, to marry myself!”
 
Sounds like a fictional romantic comedy, nevertheless, it is a true story!

In my Solo Wedding in Santorini, Laëtitia Nguyen shares her incredible experience through a luminous and brave autobiography, telling all the details of a dream wedding ceremony that started with drama and a broken heart.

But this is also a refreshing candid adventure with lots of funny anecdotes, taking you to Australia, Vietnam, Paris, London, Greece…

Not to mention heartfelt memories from her childhood, the story with this man, and her transformative journey through adversity, to become an amazing woman who finally listened to her soul and changed the narrative of her love story.

A fantastic life lesson as the author overcame her heartbreak with its flow of emotions (sadness, anger, frustration, blame, guilt), by turning the most painful day of her life into a bright and empowering self-marriage event, full of hope and happiness.

A feel-good book for anyone, women, men, young adults, who have had a broken heart, and want more courage and joy in their lives, but most of all for those who are willing to experience self-love.
​
Discover now her inspiring Solo Wedding in Santorini!

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"Oh my goodness, thank you for this! You're a gorgeous lady and your story is breathtaking!" A.

I want to tell you that you are an inspiration, you're wonderful and you're worthy. Keep going, you have a beautiful life story!!!

Truly is a powerful message to be sent to the world. Continue being you and celebrate who you are!

"Keep growing to bloom" L.

"When my fiancé left me, I was ashamed, embarrassed, I know I shouldn’t have been, but I was.
But that’s ok, even if we shouldn’t be ashamed, feelings are what they are, and our strength is to transform them.

Tv host, Eleonora Meleti asked me, during the late night show in Athens, if I had blamed myself, of course I did, but it didn’t last, I was strong enough, confident enough to know that I didn’t do anything wrong. It helped me.
But the shame stayed for a while though.

I didn’t talk too much to people before my solo wedding, that’s why my guest list was small. I never mentioned solo wedding or self-marriage in my vows, I said "rebirth", in fact the entire event was called like that.

The following year, I couldn’t talk easily - as I do today - about my ceremony and everything that happened. The pain from the heartbreak, but not only, again, the shame. 

And I had a double challenge, first saying that I married myself, which seemed very weird for people who had no idea of what it was, plus explaining the breakup.
That was so embarrassing. 

I’m not easily afraid of being judged, and I can say that this experience even made disappear what could have left of fear. “Live your life unapologetically” was my new rule.

It’s important for me to talk about it because I realise so many people are experiencing shame under different circumstances, and that’s not easy to get rid of.

I know I’m strong and courageous, I look like I can do anything, but believe me it doesn’t happen without challenges, hard decisions, patience and sometimes shame and blame.
I’m human, I have feelings and what I learned since my solo wedding in Santorini, is to accept all my emotions. Nothing to be ashamed of. I am who I am.

When I started the blog and the linked social media, it was so hard to share my photos. During the TV interview (mentioned before), during an hour I fought back my emotional state and my tears. 

I was proud of what I did for myself, it really empowered me in many ways, but this is really when I saw the response and the impact, inspiration that I was giving to people, that I realised I should be very proud.
The shame vanished and my purpose, my mission began. 

During the interview, I said one must continue to smile despite the pain, the sorrow, because life is a precious gift. Today, I’d like to add, despite the shame, keep shining!
There’s no better way to overcome it that to accept it, embrace it and release it. 
Shame and blame can’t live in a healthy, loving, proud environment...
​
And today, I’m a Proud Solo Bride!" Laëtitia Nguyen

“It's penicillin that heals men, but it's the good wine that makes them happy.”
Alexander Fleming

"Give me some coffee to change things that I can change. And wine to accept those that I cannot change. "
Unknown author

Already from the car park, I could not believe my eyes. The view of the caldera was breathtaking. A large stone staircase led to a magnificent terrace, the place for the ceremony, I imagined myself completely, holding my father’s arm to go down the stairs to join my future husband, with the sea as a witness. It was elegant and classic with these old stones everywhere, there was a big circle of seven metres in diameter, in pebbles drawn on the ground, perfect to determine the dance floor, and to suit any choreography.
 
The facilities were combined with the landscape, integrated into the cliff, which gave an undeniable and authentic charm to the place. The 250 square metre-terrace was wide enough to accommodate our ceremony, then all the reception after. I was captivated. The view, the space, the atmosphere, everything spoke to my heart and my mind. In addition, far from the city and the passage, the place seemed very intimate.
 
 
After the visit, I was treated to a tasting of the wines of the property, I was already conquered before, but it ended up convincing me that it was the ideal place. Sitting comfortably, watching the cliffs of Santorini, the caldera and the sea, I watched the ballet of the cruise ships below. I was surprised to imagine the moment, in a year I will be there again, drinking the same wine, admiring the same view, with my husband and our guests. A great feeling of joy and serenity overwhelmed me. [...]
  
Choosing this place was a decision that was going to change my life, and I did not know it yet…

“Love yourself to change the world. " L.

"Open your heart to open your mind!" L.

May 27, 2017, Santorini, Aegean island (Greece). I am about to go down the magnificent stone stairs holding my father's arm, to participate in the wedding I have been waiting for, and preparing for a year and a half. The guests are seated. The weather is capricious. However, this ceremony is special, the groom is not here. He left the marital ship three months before, and I took the decision to marry without him, to marry myself!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

I am often asked how I felt on the wedding day, and if I thought of E, if I had regrets or sorrow. Yes, I thought of him when I got up that morning, I thought that he had made the mistake of his life. I felt deeply lonely at that moment, but absolutely convinced that marrying myself was the right thing to do.
 
Planning a wedding is extremely enjoyable, even if stressful because we want to do our best and satisfy everyone. Being able to project myself into a happy and hopeful event, this is what helped me to cope for three months. All these beautiful services reserved, this extraordinary place, my outfit with so many wonderful accessories, this was what made me get up every morning.
 
“How are you staying positive?”
“I have no other choice ...”
 
Having a purpose is fundamental after a breakup, especially do not give yourself time to feel sorry for yourself, it does not prevent pain or tears, but it helps not to collapse. Some people take refuge in work, I preferred to focus on myself only. My personal life had just crumbled, I had decided to devote fully to myself for the rest of the year. I was going to put my energy to the benefit of my quest for happiness, all those things that I wanted to accomplish and that I kept postponing. Taking time for me, thinking about what I really expected from life, what would make me happy again, the things I was dreaming of, but also what I would like to do in the near future and more distant, either personally or professionally. Above all, listening to my heart and asking what it wanted, taking time for my feelings, letting my emotions express themselves. Then, to this year I added twelve more months, and a few more ...
 
James Arthur's "Recovery" describes how alone one is to rebuild oneself, one must seek strength within to recover. Healing is up to us.
 
I did not have a predetermined to-do-list, first I needed to rest, to relax, to meet new people, to enjoy life for sure, with even more fear attached to the heart, but this unwavering determination, that I will know how to stretch my limits again and again. You must already know yourself and understand your expectations before taking decisions. A wonderful period of introspection began, writing with.
 
I had lived many years away from my family and friends, I wanted to spend time with them, see their children growing up, create new memories, make tons of photos. More than ever, love from my loved ones was vital to go through this period of grief.
During the press interviews I kept saying how much life was a gift and that we had to enjoy it. There are always several angles to see things, and I learned to look from every angle and choose the most positive of them. In addition, when we think about it, there are a lot of little things that make us smile every day, you just must learn to open your eyes and your heart.

​I have always been naturally optimistic, but to tell the truth, it was a trip that resolutely converted me to the half-full glass vision. I have been to Thailand several times in my life, one of my friends lived in Bangkok. I am used to be interested in community and charity projects, including when I travel, the result of an altruistic firefighter father. I try as much as possible to give some time or money for causes that speak to me, both in the field of medicine and art. Years ago, I went to a centre near Bangkok that takes care of people with AIDS. I was made to visit the premises, explained the concept, and then they asked me if I would like to go to the building with patients in their final stage. All these persons at the end of their life, men essentially, one is never prepared for death, whether strangers or relatives, being human means compassion and fear. A man wanted me to approach and sit next to him, he spoke English, we exchanged banalities, I do not remember exactly what, it was a long time ago. When I left, I politely said goodbye to him, what to say to someone who only has a few days to live? He concluded our conversation by saying that my smile had illuminated his day. This man has taught me my greatest life lesson, the important things are not always the ones we believe, a smile is sometimes the only thing we need. So since then, I smile every single day, no matter what. I smile at people, I smile at life and at myself!
 
“By being happy, we anonymously spread the good in the world.” Robert Louis Stevenson.
 
I know why I wanted to marry him, even if I followed my heart more than my reason. He often said that there were only two women on earth who knew him, his mother and me. And it was true. I accepted him entirely, with its great qualities but also his shameful flaws. I did not lie to myself, I agreed to take the risk, for love. That is why I do not regret anything. For months I thought I would never love again, I knew it was not true, but the pain was too big, too deep. There were ups and downs ... When I was crying, I was saying that my tears were tears of courage and determination. In my darkest moments, I kept telling myself how beautiful and incredible I was. Yet, most of the time I felt like dead inside. I have long believed that in marrying someone I would lose my independence, in fact I used it as an excuse not to commit, I was afraid of being disappointed and hurt. I had built a wall to protect myself, it was easier. I realised with my solo wedding, that getting married was much more than a commitment, it was a promise to oneself to be happy. Life is full of opportunities, even if during hard times it is difficult to see them, it is nevertheless necessary to know how to seize them at the right moment. Like a phoenix, I had to reborn from my ashes to start all over again and fly with my own wings.

In my childhood, I was an overweight and shy mixed-race girl. All the ingredients to be bullied and a victim of discrimination at school. Add to that my hypersensitivity and emotivity, and you get a kid who cried and blushed over any little thing. It was not easy to build an identity in these circumstances. And yet, locked in my bubble of survival, I took refuge in my imaginary world, I prepared myself for the battle, like a Trojan horse, it is from within that my strength would spring. This was in this bubble that I went back, to find myself again, some time less to gather my strength than to find calm and serenity, to let my sorrow dilute. I will rise stronger than ever by the force of my courage and determination, I was going to dream bigger and fight to realise my dreams, my recovery was near and happiness in my hands.

Life is precious and we only have one, we must make good use of it. What has happened is profoundly dramatic and it will affect my life forever. It is up to me to make sure that my future is positive and bright. I know it is not always easy, but I must force myself, happiness is built, it does not appear by magic. Being positive does not mean that I was not afraid, oh yes, I was scared, I was even terrified, I had spent five years planning projects for two, inventing dreams together, building solid foundations for our future. And now, not only was I alone, but I had lost everything: my life, my dreams, my future. How to rebuild, reinvent myself? Everything was going to start with my solo wedding. My personal fight began and I refused to surrender.

"The worst brings out the best in me ..." L.

"Chasing your dreams is the biggest fight of your life. "L

“There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” George Sand

"The fireworks were launched below the terrace, along the cliff, which made the rockets explode almost before our eyes, it was just magical and so private. It is like going to a concert in a very small venue. We are so close to the stage that we could touch the artist. Three minutes of pure happiness accompanied by a song that I love.
 
I do not regret this expense; it is one of the strongest moments of my wedding party.
Rockets had been fired before, at other places on the island, probably for weddings as well. It had put us in the mood with my guests, many said that I was lucky, they did not know about mine, it was a surprise.
 
We organised it with the wedding planner after dinner and cake for the night to be dark.
It was beautiful, it was grandiose, bright, colourful. As if my joy was exploding in everyone's eyes. The air was cool, but it was not cold. At the sound of the first rocket launch, my heartbeat accelerated, my heart jumped from my chest. Katy Perry's “Firework” was playing. During these few minutes, I was these fireworks, the explosions were none other than the projection of my emotions that came out from my body. My best friend took a picture of me from behind at that moment, I am alone, and a shiny red star pops up above me. A perfect communion between the heavens and me." L.

My resolutions for 2020: to sustain my momentum, not to plan anything and to live driven by opportunities, new people, and of course to continue to realise old dreams and create new ones.
Continue to inspire people
See a new Ballet
The publication of my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini

“I was born to inspire people to be themselves! "L.

"Courage is when we are afraid, but we go anyway". Unknown author

“I am myself and proud, I live my life and make my own decisions accordingly, without worrying about what people can think. Yet this does not mean that critics do not affect me, I am human like everyone else. We learn to accept, to listen to them when the remarks are constructive and to let them go when they are unpleasant. Of course, some people do not understand what I did, especially those who only read the articles in newspapers or online. When you meet me, many more things make sense, my personality and my smile can lift mountains, and convince the most refractory person.
 
I was pleasantly surprised by man’s reaction, many confessed to me that they would never have had this courage in the same situation. I was expecting them to take me for a capricious madwoman who just wanted to wear a wedding dress. In fact, they identified themselves with my drama, whereas no one could foresee that. We talk about wedding here and in its wildest version! They were very appreciative and respectful. And while I would have thought of repelling men by telling them about my marriage, the opposite has happened. They recognised themselves in my pain, everyone had a broken heart once in their life, and some have already gone through difficult separations or divorces. They asked me a lot of questions about me, how I coped to keep a strong mindset and positive energy, if I had anger and especially how I have managed to be happy after.
 
I confess I have often thought that men were recovering from a breakup with difficulty. Man or woman, we forget too often, that regardless of our gender, we feel the same way when someone breaks our heart.” L.

“I have surpassed fears that many would like to overcome. Especially, I have shown the way. It cannot be so scary now; I hope others will follow my example to keep on hoping and being happy. I do not necessarily mean a solo wedding, everyone can create their own beneficial event, something that speaks to them and has a symbolic meaning. The respect I have for myself has determined my courage many times in my life. To love, respect, listen, accept who you are and pursue your dreams is for me the combination of courage. I did something extraordinary in an ordinary world to cope with a universal drama. All this in a magical place.” L.

"Step outside the box and you’ll find love, hope, wisdom and happiness ..." L.

“Go where you feel the most alive.” Unknown author
 
I could not leave this paradise, my paradise. I had not planned anything, honestly after a breakup so painful, I needed to rebuild myself and to reconnect with myself. I had enough savings not to work for a while, so I made the decision to do nothing for a year and just go with the flow. Going where I wanted at the time or staying where I felt good.
 
I needed new memories, the kind that we do not need to forget because a certain person cowardly abandoned us. During weeks, I spent time discovering, taking pictures, eating and sleeping. Sleeping, it had happened so little during the past three months, tormented, tortured, quartered, bruised in my flesh and in my heart. Finally, a moment of tranquillity, a haven of peace, no longer thinking, no longer questioning, just breathing, living. This was in June that I have started writing. A long period of introspection then began, to learn to know myself better in order to heal and make a fresh start. To see life in colour again with this fascinating and hypnotising blue. I planned to stay a week, I stayed for five months and I have never stopped going back. So yes, I could say that it was my honeymoon.  L.
​

"The future can awaken in a more beautiful way than the past." George Sand

"Having a purpose is fundamental after a breakup, especially do not give yourself time to feel sorry for yourself, it does not prevent pain or tears, but it helps not to collapse. Some people take refuge in work, I preferred to focus on myself only. My personal life had just crumbled, I had decided to devote fully to myself for the rest of the year. I was going to put my energy to the benefit of my quest for happiness, all those things that I wanted to accomplish and that I kept postponing. Taking time for me, thinking about what I really expected from life, what would make me happy again, the things I was dreaming of, but also what I would like to do in the near future and more distant, either personally or professionally. Above all, listening to my heart and asking what it wanted, taking the time for my feelings, letting my emotions express themselves." L.

When I finally passed the ceremonial table to stand behind, I noticed my ring. It was arranged on a small marble tile with the effigy of Santorini, and a wreath of bay leaves drawn on it. I had found it a few days before, in a small souvenir shop in Pyrgos. We went to visit this small traditional village on the heights of Santorini, with my sister and her fiancé. I fell in love with the place, its ruined old castle at the top of the hill, its ramparts, its 48 churches ... A peaceful and mystical atmosphere. This magic that I cannot explain but that enchants the whole island.