There were times over the past two years when Jody Tuchan thought her long-delayed wedding would go ahead without her best mate. She had pushed the big day back four times, mainly due to COVID-19 restrictions, but even as the rules relaxed, the international border was still shut to US-based R.J. Landis.

As the final block to Mr Landis’ arrival came crumbling down on Monday morning, with fully vaccinated visa holders now allowed into Australia, Ms Tuchan waited as Qantas flight QF12 from Los Angeles touched down in Sydney at 6.20am.