jackobelle

Cuba is so safe! I feel WAY safer there than in Jamaica, Mexico or the DR. You can go off resort no problem...even at night. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Another thing I like is that no one bugs you to buy things on the beach, unlike other places I have been. The safe & welcoming feeling is why we love it so much and chose it for our wedding. When I was there there a few years ago there actually were a couple Americans who flew through Canada. They just asked not to get their passport stamped so the US government wouldn't know they were there.

Quote: Originally Posted by Amarillis Definately cheaper through the resort... but not by any means cheap. In our second week (honeymoon) we golfed. Green fees were around $90CUC (this was a 'deal' through the hotel), and club rental was $50 (or maybe $75) CUC's - this is an expensive outing when you consider that we were getting $0.63/on the CDN dollar at the time. So... for about $200+ we can say we golfed 18 at the Varadero golf course... it was fun, the scenery was gorgous, but do inform your guests to be ready to fork out some cash. PS> if you are going to rent... bring your own golf balls from home.. the ones they have at the course are ridiculously priced and crappy. Thanks for the info...I think most people will be bringing their clubs down. It is free with our airline. That is expensive, but we have some avid golfers (FI included) who will gladly pay that much to golf in March!

starve : hungry

muskoka : my grandma

I just emailed a TON of screening companies in Ontario asking if they do travel mugs and/or tote bags. I will let you know if I find any good deals!

Quote: Originally Posted by jim Hey we are trying to get married in Veradero. We want to leave here on Dec 8th. We are lost on what documents we need to have, how many days we have to be in Cuba before we can get married, and what has to be translated in Spanish and what does that cost? Any help would be awesome as we are running outta time. Thanks Jim and Janna I just "bumped" the thread "is your marriage in Cuba legal in Canada?" for you. That one should be a good one for you to look through as many of your questions were discussed there. Also, here are a couple websites with information on the legal requirements, documents required, etc.....I believe it is 3 days in Cuba before you can get married. Getting Married In Cuba Travel Tips - GoCuba.ca - Cuba Tourist Board in Canada

Bumping this thread for new Cuba couples!

Quote: Originally Posted by Scott-Pierre Blackrose222- This is so crazy! She is purposely ignoring us so that way she doesn't have to deal with us and possibly refund our money. Legal action is looking like the only option at this point. Please file a complaint with the BBB so that other people that aren't on this forum can become aware of these issues. Good idea, but how do you check the BBB to see if there are complaints against a company?

I just saw this thread now...I have visited all of the resorts you were debating between and have some photos and info on the wedding packages, policies, etc. Let me know if you still need some info!

Thanks for all the info Jax...And welcome back! We missed you! As long as they do do chairs, I am happy. Was it hard to convince them once you were there? That's too bad about your photos, but if I remember correctly, they got the teasers to you really quick, didn't they? Hope you are enjoying married life so far!

Quote: Originally Posted by Erent2B I'm getting married there in less than 6 weeks (YAY!), so if you have any questions you want answered, just ask and I'll try to find them out for you. Wow! It is getting close!! You must be excited. I am wondering which a la carte to book the wedding dinner. If you could scope them out & let me know what one might be more "weddingish" that would be great! (we decided not to pay the extra money for the lobster dinner at the new beach restaurant) Also, are you getting married on the beach? If you are, are you getting chairs? I know this has been an issue for other Blau weddings.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dmitri_Markine From my experience it's cheaper through the resort as they are open to package deals. Thanks! I will look into it.

Quote: Originally Posted by pkitch hI, We just wondered can you get married on the beach,grounds or any place you like and also what happens if it rains!!!! Are you using their photographer? Are you having music and if so do they arrange this?sorry for all the questions but we have not heard from anyone regarding our wedding yet. What time of day are you planning your wedding and will they let you use the al a carte restaurant after? Good to hear someone else is going!! Many thanks,paul. Hi Paul! You can get married on the beach, although if you do, it might be tricky convincing them to put chairs out for guests. You can also get married on the grounds, they will put chairs there and I think they have a Gazebo....they will pretty much put you anywhere you want! If it rains, they will put you inside, maybe in the a la carte restaurant, or even the lobby has nice gardens inside. I got the feeling they would do whatever you wanted. I am not using their photographer, I am using this one: BEST DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BY AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER PETER VAN DE MAELE SPECIALIZES IN DESTINATION WEDDINGS ACROSS THE GLOBE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS CUBA JAMAICA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MEXICO CANCUN RIVIERA MAYA PDC PLAYA DEL CARMEN EUROPE LONDON Weddings can go pretty much all day until 4pm. After 4pm there is an extra charge. They let you use an a la cart restaurant (might depend on your group size though) I am planning on having music, I want some live music for the ceremony and to play CDs for the first dance and have a dance with our guests after dinner. I have to ask the WC at the Blau about this - thanks for reminding me! I'll let you know what I find out. Do you have her email address? She is really good at replying quickly to emails. Hope this helps!

I was wondering if anyone has any info./tips about golf in Varadero. Is it better to book your tee time from Canada through a TA, or book it through the resort? Do you need to book ahead of time, or can you do it the week of? I know I can book through my TA, but am wondering if it would be cheaper through the resort. We have several avad golfers in our wedding group (especially my FI and father!) Thanks!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by pkitch Hi all I am getting married at the blau varadero next year going out june 25th,we would also love any info or tips from people who have been there as i think this hotel doesnt seem to do that many weddings compared with the others! Hope its ok.... Congrats! It will be great at the Blau. What kind of tips are you looking for? I am getting married there in March so let me know if there is anything specific you would like me to check out for you.

Quote: Originally Posted by daughter_of_the_bride Hi Blau Brides and Brides-to-be, My mother, Lillian, is getting married at the Blau on March 4, 2010. I'm looking for any recommendations or tips you have from planning your weddings at this resort that I can pass along to her. She doesn't have easy access to the internet so I'm doing what I can to help out. Also, she is booking the photographer from the resort - does anyone have photos that they can share? Thanks in Advance! Heather Hi Heather! I am getting married at the Blau a couple weeks after you mother! What kinds of tips are you looking for? I have visited the Blau once (I stayed at the Melia next door) The WC seems great to deal with so far. I am not getting the resort photog. I am going with another local one.

Great ideas thanks for posting!

Thanks for all the great ideas! I am going to ask whoever makes my realtouch bouquet if they can also make me a hair flower clip. But now I know the prices online, so it really helps. They are all so beautiful!

Wow! I am sorry this happened to you, but glad that the resort flowers worked out. Congrats on your wedding!!! Any advice on a good Canadian vendor for realtouch flowers other than them?

Quote: Originally Posted by jackobelle I was going to order from this vendor, but after reading all of think I think I will go with someone local to avoid the whole shipping issue. oops - I meant to say after reading all of this... I hope everyone gets this issue sorted out! Being stressed out about things to do with your wedding not working out as they should have is not nice! I am glad I searched here before I went ahead and ordered. Thanks for sharing ladies.

I was going to order from thi vendor, but after reading all of think I think I will go with someone local to avoid the whole shipping issue.

Quote: Originally Posted by budgetjamaicabride I was in the same boat... flattering and up because other wise I will be a frizz ball but nothing too tight so it looks like there is no hair to soften my face. At my trial we did not acheive it completely, but know what went wrong and she is confident in what to change to do it for the final. The key is to have many sections of hair in the front so it is not one piece. Then let some pieces fall in the front and make sure the hair sits in a way in the back that will be seen from the front. Mine will be in sections like this picture and then gathers to a soft ponytail with lots of curls. I love this style. I think if you have it up it is best if the hair at the back off to the side so it can be seen to make your face less round. A flower at the side of your head behind your ear might help off-set the roundness too. I am dealing with the exact same problem so any other suggestions are very much welcomed!

Hi Ladies! Sorry I have been MIA lately. I've been super busy with our buck & doe. But that is all done now. It was a blast and we made good $$$ for the wedding!

Quote: Originally Posted by hockeymom97 I have a feeling I'll be investing in some Spanx for the DW!! I've never tried them before but so far have only heard positive things. And even though I haven't went dress shopping yet, the majority of the dresses I've been looking at online are flowy, chiffon type dresses which (when the wind blows) will show every little bump...uggggg!! Any "chunky chicks" (lol - I love that) have experiences with trying on dresses made of light, flowy fabrics, versus something more structured and which looked better on? My original thought is that something flowy would be good at hiding my tummy, but for all I know it could just make me look pregnant!! You will LOVE spanx if you've never tried them! I was also looking at flowy dresses, but when I went to try some on, I found out that the more structured ones were more slimming on me. Especially the ones that are gathered to one side at the waist. The chiffon looked good standing still in the store, but I was worried it would cling to me in the wind, and also walking down the isle...I had a MOH dress last summer in chiffon at an outdoor wedding and it did just that. I did have spanx on so it wasn't as bad, but the beach will be windy so I didn't want to take any chances. Good luck trying them on...you WILL find the perfect dress!

brush my teeth : beautiful smile