Monica, a recruitment consultant, and Hugh, an architectural facade consultant, continued their friendship through school in Hong Kong and university in Britain. The couple, both 28, met often when they were undergraduates - Hugh in Leeds and Monica in Glasgow.

The close friends returned to Hong Kong for work about three years ago and their relationship started to develop. On their first 'date' they went to a cosy yakitori restaurant in Kennedy Town, where they both used to live.

It wasn't long before they started talking about commitment, so they bought a flat and lived together for two years.

'After that, we both knew it was the right next step,' Monica said.

In April last year, Hugh proposed while they were on holiday in Sri Lanka.

They went on a gruelling overnight hike up Adam's Peak then endured a bumpy, seven-hour bus ride to the coast before arriving at their boutique hotel overlooking the ocean.

After freshening up, Monica went out onto the balcony to look for Hugh, and was met with a big surprise. Hugh was waiting there with a bottle of champagne and a marriage proposal. Not surprisingly, Monica said yes.

'Hugh has been my best friend for many years and I feel I can turn to him with any problem, for which he is always able to offer a solution,' she says. 'He's a great listener, a caring husband and someone who's forever optimistic.'

The couple have just returned from a honeymoon safari in South Africa and Botswana.