Rob&Sue

Just wondering when you`re giving out your bags?

We are heading to Panama for our wedding in January. Most of our guests are flying out of Toronto with us. Our flight leaves at around 6 am on a Monday morning, which means we have to be at the airport between 3 and 4 am. We booked a hotel in Toronto for Sunday night, where a lot of people will be congregating before we head to the airport.

I really don`t want to have to bring the OOT bags all the way to our resort with us... given the weight restrictions for carrying stuff with us on the plane. So, we were thinking of giving the bags out at the hotel on the night before departure. Then, people can just pack the stuff they want to bring with them into their luggage... and leave the other stuff behind in their cars.

I am so far behind on getting stuff for the bags.... but I think our bags will include a welcome letter, itiniary, list of tours, sunscreen, luggage tags, bug spray, cards, snacks... and a few other items that we haven`t decided on yet.

Only this is... how should I handle getting the bags to those who are flying from other cities, or are coming later in the week on another flight?

Any suggestions would be welcome! Thanks!!

New idea - fanny packs!

Thanks for the list and excel spreadsheet. Awesome ideas!!!

Thanks for sharing! These are great.

We're trying to decide between "Love of a Lifetime' by Firehouse and 'Wonderful Tonight' by Eric Clapton. We really love both of these songs.... and just can't make a decision!

Thanks to everyone for your help. The information is very helpful. We are waiting for more information from the embassy as they have changed some things for next year. I'll share anything else we find out. I'm sure it will help others down the road.

we're getting married in Panama in January, and will have about 30 family and friends there to celebrate with us. we're planning an AHR for the late spring of 2009 - between 4 and 5 months after we come back.

we really wanted something informal and fun, but don't want guests to have to travel a long way without giving them food. So, we decided on a picnic/ garden party reception. We're renting a group campsite with a huge picnic shelter at a local park, and hosting a big BBQ with live music and games like bocce ball. We want friends and family to feel welcome to bring their kids and pets. And, they can enjoy the facilities in the park all day too - hiking, swimming, bird watching, etc.

I agree with everyone here that you should talk to your mom and see if you can compromise, or even just share your feelings.

Good luck with everything!

Yes... one of my fiance's good friends (he wasn't my fiance at the time though)! We went to Playa Costa Verde in Cuba... it was fantastic! We had such a great week!!!

Hello all.

We were wondering if anyone has heard of anyone failing the blood tests or medical exam and had their wedding canceled in Panama. We'll be getting married at the Royal DeCameron beach and golf resort In January 2009.

We've heard they test for fertility and ability to have children, STD's, HIV. We know we definitely don't have an STD but are worried about something stupid ruining our day. We've got 30 family and friends coming and are very nervous Murphy's law will bite us in the rear.

We hope we don't have to revert to a symbolic wedding. We've put so much work into getting all the paperwork in order. But for peace of mind we might have to. I'm just not keen on a cheese ball ceremony in front of a Justice of the peace. As well we'd have to keep this secret from family and friends so we don't ruin the experience for them.

Any information would be of great help. I have our coordinator working on this too.

Thanks so much

Rob & Sue

I am a January 2009 bride as well. We sent out our invites and travel info a long time ago. Most of our guests are now booked - except the few that will be doing the last-minute-deal thing.

Got my dress, bridesmaid dresses, rings, and most of the documentation in order. We're getting married in Panama, which means long form birth certificates, civil status certificates, notarized passports, police record checks, and more... which are all authenticated by Foreign Affairs and then again by the Panama Consulate. It's a ton of work, but will definitely pay off in the end.

The only things we really need to do is get our documentation finished up, choose our witnesses, and give the resort info on specifically what we want for the ceremony.

Oh yeah... and get wedding favours. What's everyone else doing in that regard?

Susannah

Sounds wonderful! Enjoy planning everything!

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations, and enjoy planning!!

Hello there,

We are getting married in January 2009 at the Royal Decameron Beach Resort & Spa in Fallaron, Panama!! We are really excited, and are busy preparing for everything. We have around 30 friends and family coming with us for the experience, so it should be really fun!

We'd love to hear from anyone whose been to this resort, whose planning on getting married there, or whose gotten married there before.... and, of course, from everyone else!

Take care,

Susannah & Rob

Hi Heather.

My fiancee Susannah and myself are getting married at the Royal Decameron beach resort in Panama as well. Our wedding is in January of 2009. Less than 3 months to go. We are both very excited. We have around 30 family and friends coming with us. It will be a really fantastic week. Every person we've talked with raves about this resort. Not a bad word said.

I'd love to exchange information with you. There seems to be a lot of confusion about the proper documentation that is required. Maybe you have some information that we might not know. We look forward to hearing from you and anyone else who might know.

We are currently getting the following translated and authenticated. passports, birth certificate long forms, civil status certificates.

We're just not sure about aids test and CPIC. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks, Rob&Sue