staceyg

Hi robbiemoe. I read just the other day on a facebook page for the IV that there isn't a steamer available at the resort. Better bring yours along with you...

Quote: Originally Posted by Outdoor_girl1010 Here are a couple of picture of my dress before alteration Your dress is beautiful! It's made for you!! Well I finally made my decision!! Time was running out and I was starting to worry that I wouldn't find the right dress in time! We're getting married in April and I only ordered the dress this month so I was getting dangerously close to the cut off for ordering. Here it is!!

Quote: Originally Posted by AnyafromCineart Hi Stacey, I will try to answer your questions: 2pm ceremony - yes it will be hot but gazebo will give you a shade. You can check on the slideshow - ceremony was in the beach gazebo, reception in Mediterranean and night pictures in Gazebo at the pool. Jessica and Brandon 5 hours sounds a lot but it will fly. You may need to refresh before the the reception (most of my Brides do this). Is getting dark at about 6:00 pm so you will probably be done with the pictures until than. Dinner - Mediterranean is most intimate and food is really great! Check how it looks like on the slideshow. Dance- If you have enough people to keep party going for sure pool party will be fun. Hoverer disco is great and paying extra may not be necessary. Pictures- Havana is almost 2 hours away from Iberostar, so most of the pictures taken there happen on the other day. Matanzas is little bit closer (30 min)and has real Cuban feel. Taking big taxi (10 people) to Matanzas will cost you about 100 CUC (after bargaining). You can also go to Cardenas which is pretty close. I'm leaving for Cuba on 22nd of November and for sure I will post some more pictures after. All the best with planning! Thanks so much for the information! That's a huge help to me and a relief to know that the 2pm wedding isn't too early in the day! You're pictures are stunning! Quote: Originally Posted by Blooroze Hi Stacey, I'm getting married at the Iberostar Varadero in 2 1/2 weeks, so I'll probably be able to answer most of your questions when I get back!! But we're having our ceremony at 2pm as well, and I chose that so that there would be more daylight for pictures. Our ceremony is going to be on the beach itself, not in any of the gazebos. Our dinner will be at the Mediterranean restaurant, as I've heard it's the most intimate (and dinner is at 6:30pm for us). We're not doing the private pool or disco party, so I can't answer that question. We're just going to the disco when it opens for everyone at 11pm. Anyway I'll write a review when I get back in December, so stay tuned! Thanks Blooroze! Can't wait to hear all abut it when you get back! Hope you have an amazing trip and best wishes for your wedding day! :-)

Tequila shots: Hungover

Hello fellow IV brides! We are in the process of planning our wedding at the Iberostar Varadero for April 2010 and need some help! I've been scouring the site for answers but can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Perhaps my searching skills are a fail and if so, I apologize for the repetition. If any brides out there can help answer my questions or lead me to the answers, it would be greatly appreciated! :-) Here goes; 1. We are booked to be married on April 27th at 2pm, I wanted to be married later in the day but unfortunately, another couple beat us to the later available time. Has anyone else been married at 2pm? Was it still scorching hot? I wonder too about the length of time between the ceremony and the dinner/reception. From my understanding the dinner isn't until 7pm. That's 5 hours! What did everyone do in between? I'm sure pictures will take up a few hours but is there anything else we should be considering doing during that time? 2. Where? There are the 3 gazebos to choose from and my understanding is that the garden is for small intimate groups (less than 10) and both the pool and beach can accommodate larger groups. I really like the what I've seen of the beach gazebo and am thinking this is our choice but want to ensure that it is still private and there will be minimal strangers in speedos around! Has anyone on here chosen the beach gazebo? 3. Dinner. What has been the favorite restaurant to go to? I hear that the Mediterranean is really great and have requested it but want to be sure that it's the right choice. We have a guest list of about 20-25 so accommodation wise I don't think there would be an issue an any of the 3 choices. 4. Dance!! We're debating between the pool party and the disco. FI wants pool and I'm drawn more to the Disco. Of course, this will depend too on what the price is - currently am awaiting an email from Belkis to confirm costs but I've read that its 20 CUC/person? Has anyone done either and if so, what are the reviews? 5. Pictures! This may seem like a silly question but when looking at the pics online, I see a lot of couples who had their pics taken in Havana. I def want pics taken in Havana but my question is this - are they taken on the wedding day or as part of the TTD sessions?? Thanks so much for all your help ladies! Stacey

warm: sunshine

Wow that dress is gorgeous! Great pick for a TTD photo session! Can't wait to hear/see all about it when it arrives!

I agree...#2 would be my choice. I like #1 but the fitted cover with the sash looks, in my opinion, much more sleek and modern.

Quote: Originally Posted by thope Ladies I need a bit of advice..I am having a really hard time finding the perfect dress... I am tempted to order a dress online, I havent found anything in the stores I like. Has anyone used store of brides or peri dress. I'm nervous but time is ticking away and I havent put on "the one" yet. I know how you are feeling! I've been on the dress hunt for months now and have tried on ALOT of dresses! I still haven't had the "one" feeling but have come to realize that perhaps I won't and my choice will be based more on what feels the most comfortable, is the best fit and style for my body type and fits the idea of what I'm looking for. Def go out and try a bunch on so you can find out the things that don't work for you and it might help make your choice a bit easier. Here is the dress that I'm considering...really its the only one so far that I've put on that I've really liked and has stuck with me. It could be the one!

Test - study

Oct 31 @ 8:27am - Drinking a cup of tea while browsing BDW and contemplating cleaning the house. KLee147 - Hope you have an amazing trip!!! Congrats on being an almost Mrs!!! Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

I've seen a few group photo pics on here and on other sites. I think if you had a small group it could be easily done ...I see though you have 65 guests booked so far so it might take a bit of work to co-ordinate but I say if you really want to have one done, advise your photographer and guests of when the photo will take place and go for it!

No veil for me...I'm thinking of doing a messy low type bun on the side with a flower. So far, anytime I've tried one on with the gowns, I felt it just wasn't me.

Quote: Originally Posted by caribbeanLover I have a Mori Lee. I just love my dress!!! I've gone through all their dresses. I'm in love with her line. I love the dress!!!!! it's perfect!!!! I say go for it!!! sorry I'm a sucker for Mori Lee's Quote: Originally Posted by shan13 Stacey..if you don't feel it then...don't buy it...if you can push your trip up then do that...what are you looking for as far as a dress...ie style, beading, length..maybe starting there would help...the first dress I tried on I thought was the one..after nother trip to another store..I did find the one..but I had an idea of what I was looking for..I wouldn't concentrate on finding "the one" or having that feeling..what I will say is try to get an idea of what you want and start there..not lots of time left and we def don't want you stressing cause there is more to get done..hopefully you will find your dress..GL!!! Its actually one of the few Mori Lee's that I've tried on! Most of the ones I've been drawn to are Maggies and I thought for sure I'd end up with a Maggie but this dress just seems to fit for all the right reasons! I am too caught up in the thinking i need to feel as though its "the one" and I'm stressing out about not having that feeling and the time crunch! After trying on about 30 dresses (or so it seems like that many!) I do have a pretty good idea of what I don't want so am able to weed things out much more quickly now! There are a few different styles I like and this dress sort of incorporates a little from each of those (ie, strapless, lace, beading, short train, etc). It has been however, 24hours since I've found the dress and I'm still thinking seriously about it so that's a good sign! :-)

Ahhhh...yes that makes much more sense now! I agree with CaribbeanLover - if it were me I'd book in the room for the photographers at the cheaper rate it is at now - better safe than sorry. Would hate for there not be any last minute deals or rooms available at the last minute. Plus, while it sounds like having additional photographers there to get more photos would be nice, I'd be concerned that there could be discomfort or even confusion among them.

Quote: Originally Posted by echo2_62 Okay I need some help here... but a little back story first. Fi's opinion - who needs a photographer? They too f!@#ing expensive anyways! My opinion - ceremony: meh, guests, cake, reception: meh, pictures of us two & TTD type pics - DEFINITELY REQ'D So I have my photographers booked for two hours which we are planning to use between the ceremony and reception Dilemna - what to do about booking a room for my photographers (or not!) and how early should I book the room. I have a couple options. A) First and most simply, I book the room for a night. There is a good sale on right now ($300/nt) compared to what prices usually (lately, $500/nt) are BUT I checked out the last minute rates that are available for, say, November and those are about $200/nt. So do I book while there is a sale or chance it and try to get something good last minute? Option I can get my photographers a day pass for the resort if I also use the resort photographer and purchase one of his packages. This is basically a more expensive route to go (would probably cost about $600) but then at least i would get some additional pictures out of the deal in return. Also - do photographers who live in mexico actually usually stay the night at the resort, considering their own beds are just a short drive away? I mean sure its a resort and you get all the food and amenities, but I really am not sure!!! AGGGHHHH! HELP ME!!! I feel your frustration on the FI's opinion of photography! Mine says, "If there is going to be pictures, there will be no wedding" and my response is "if there aren't any pictures then there will be no wedding!" haha Does your photographer live in Mexico and close to your wedding location? Is the photographer requesting a room? I may be missing something but why would you need to use the resort photographer if you get a day pass for the ones you hired?

Here is the link to the website; Bridal

We were planning to go towards the end of November (21st) but now that I really understand the time frame I have to work with, it is leaving it way to late - I need to leave min 4-5 months and right now is the 5 month mark! Plus time for any alterations that will be required and being short, skinny and small busted, I'm sure there will be alterations required! Honestly, I can't think of anything that I'd change about the dress. I really like everything about it. The dress is a Mori Lee (style 2215). Sorry I don't have a picture to post yet! It seems to has alot of things that I seemed to be drawn to in other dresses I've looked at (lace, beading, strapless, lightweight, etc) so it seems almost perfect! I think perhaps I just need to think on it for a day or two....maybe go try it on again...

Okay...here's an update and a request for opinions! I posted a few weeks back about not having a dress yet and thanks to everyone for the responses! I live in a small town and there aren't alot of bridal places within close range so I was planning on doing a trip (4 hour drive!) with some friends in November (only time we could all work our schedules out!) to try some more dresses. In the meantime though, I've been panicking a bit about dresses and made a few phone calls to some of the bridal shops I had been to and planned on going to and they all had the same response "Get there NOW!". ACK. Really started to worry that my time to find a dress was running out! So we made an "emergency" trip back to one of the bridal shops I had already been to to see if they had any new stock in. Turns out they did and I found a dress that I've taken a liking to. I didn't have the "this is the one" feeling when I tried it on either time (I tried it twice just to be sure I did like it!) but have been thinking about it ever since and I think I've probably looked at it online about 20 times since last night! haha So my problem now is this; do I like the dress because I just actually really like it OR do I like the dress because I just want to have found one and not have to worry anymore? Should I go try more on? What should I do!?! I really like the one I tried last night but am scared I like it for the wrong reason and worry about committing to it! Thoughts?

My FI and I found it overwhelming too trying to choose a resort! The free wedding package is tempting but we chose to narrow our search based on the overall rating of the resort (A LOT of internet researching!) and total cost per person. We ended up choosing the Iberostar Varadero because it had such great reviews, and it had a reasonable price for ourselves and our guests - plus too we just fell in love with everything about it! If we had of narrowed it down based on the free wedding packages alone, we would have missed out on this resort and some other really great ones we considered. In my opinion - keep the free wedding packages in mind but don't limit your search based on that - there are some really great resorts that may not offer free weddings and the wedding packages can be a very reasonable cost. Once you narrow your list down to maybe top 3 or 4, then check with the resorts on what is included in their wedding packages, what types of extras you would need, etc to see what type of costs you would be looking at and then go from there. Good Luck with your search!!

My FI and I found it overwhelming too trying to choose a resort! The free wedding package is tempting but we chose to narrow our search based on the overall rating of the resort (A LOT of internet researching!) and total cost per person. We ended up choosing the Iberostar Varadero because it had such great reviews, and it had a reasonable price for ourselves and our guests - plus too we just fell in love with everything about it! If we had of narrowed it down based on the free wedding packages alone, we would have missed out on this resort and some other really great ones we considered. In my opinion - keep the free wedding packages in mind but don't limit your search based on that - there are some really great resorts that may not offer free weddings and the wedding packages can be a very reasonable cost. Once you narrow your list down to maybe top 3 or 4, then check with the resorts on what is included in their wedding packages, what types of extras you would need, etc to see what type of costs you would be looking at and then go from there. Good Luck with your search!!

Quote: Originally Posted by echo2_62 Stacey I can TOTALLY relate to how you feel about finding your dress, and the debate between light and simple or more formal. I had the same problem! On one hand I really liked the light ones because more often they had a dropped back as well which was really flattering BUT since I'm a little bit small chested, the more formal ones allowed for some 'improvement' in that area which has its obvious advantages I say just keep getting out to dry dresses on. I think the more you get on, the more quickly you can narrow down what you like or not. Honestly it took me at least seven trips before I found mine! And when I did, I was out with a girlfriend who was amazed that I could practically whip the dresses on and off again, knowing they weren't right. But when I tried it on, we both knew that was it! The best part, I got my more formal looking dress, but it also had a more dropped back like I wanted but is still fitted enough up front to help me out a little!! And as a bonus, its very lightweight because it is taffeta (which I never, ever thought I would get because it reminds me of high school grad dresses!! LOL!) so I'm not even worried at all. Keep at it, even just a little at a time. You'll find your dress Haha..I know exactly what you mean about the "improvement" that the formal dress gives! That's so great that you found your dress! I like the idea of a more formal yet lightweight one - the best of both worlds! Perhaps that is something I need to be considering but like you taffeta does make me think of high school! I hear so many stories of people who tried on only a few and found the "one" and I think it's got me all worked up that I've tried on a lot so far and haven't found THE dress. I'm trying be relaxed about it and be positive, the dress is out there and when the time is right, I'll find it. I just hope it's sooner rather than later though so I can keep my sanity! LOL

I think its a great idea....makes it much more intimate for a smaller group. If it were me, I'd just let everyone choose their own seat but maybe "reserve" ones for bridal party, parents, etc.

Quote: Originally Posted by ebredhawk stacey... i think you'll be okay, but you may have to get something off the rack... not a bad option and sometimes cheaper. if it helps you at all, i tried to look at magazines and no particular dress or style really stood out to me. i just went and tried some on and found one that made me feel beautiful! i didn't go in with any pre-conceived notion about what i wanted, which i think can help sometimes! that way you're not so focused on THE dress and you can have an open mind about everything you try on! good luck! Quote: I wish you the best in luck in finding that special dress for you. I have high hopes for you, and finger's crossed. Tho I am sure you'll find something you like. Seems like it might be easier for you, to go try a few different types of dress. My SIL was like you, had no idea what she liked, color, bead work or not. We narrowed it down everytime she tryed a dress on, she would say what she likes about it and didn't, she tryed on 3 dress and found hers. So there is hope for you Thanks girls! I'm keeping my fingers crossed too! I've tried some dresses on and have eliminated some styles but there are just so many to choose from! I'm so torn between wanting something light weight and simple and something a little more formal. I'm really hoping my next attempt at finding one will be my last!!

OMG .... only 6 months to go! I can't believe there is so little time left and so much to do!! I better get my act together and get moving on this stuff! My to do list is WAY longer than my Done list....Panic is setting in! Here are the major items on my lists; Done: - resort booked and guests currently booking - wedding date and time confirmed - Photographer - Wedding website up and running To Do: - WEDDING DRESS!!!! (I can't believe I haven't found it yet!) - OOT bags - Wedding bands to be bought - Grooms attire - Ipod playlist (partially started) - Invitations - decide on hair/make-up - reception menu Okay...yup..panic...I keep thinking I still have lots of time, but really, I'm running out and very quickly!!!!! These are just the major things....I'm sure there are going to be a ton more that I'll need to do! Thankfully we have decided to keep it fairly simple and aren't having a wedding party or taking extra decorations for the reception (although there are so many great ideas on this site, I may change my mind!!) so hopefully that will help keep the to do list minimal!