chevy14

I am curious to know how many brides are letting their guests know a gift isn't necessary? My parents think that we should be telling people know that we consider their presence at our wedding our gift. We are paying extra for our 60 guests to have a special meal at the resort, plus favours, welcome bags, ceremony etc....is it rude to expect gifts? Also, how do we let our booked guests know that gifts aren't expected without being awkward? Thanks!

Thanks Erin - and trust me, we are shocked that so many have booked so soon! Big families! I am still trying to negotiate with our tour operator (Air Transat) to allow more guests at our group rate price, so I'll let you know if I get anywhere. Can you tell where got your monograms done, or did you do it yourself? Siobhan

Hello Fellow April 2010 Brides I am getting married on April 27th, 2010 at the Iberostar Laguna Azul. We booked at the beginning of June and so far have 50 friends and family members booked to join us. One of my best friends is also getting married the same week at the same resort and she has about 40 booked, so there with definitely be a lot of familiar faces! We haven't sent out of invites yet - I have a huge family and my fiance is a social butterfly lol so word-of-mouth was all it took. We do plan on sending out invites in the next couple months. The only let-down so far has been that our tour operator is only allowing 50 guests to book at our group rate price, so I know a few people have called since we hit 50 and have decided not to book since it is almost $300 more Not much we can do though. I have my dress but that's as far as we have gone. I have an idea for bridesmaid dresses, flowers, welcome bags and favours, but feel like it's too soon to make those decisions in case I see something in a few months I like better! We have booked out photographer as well, he is a friend who has offered to photograph our wedding if we paid his way. Good deal! It's fun hearing of the trials and tribulations of other destination brides, all going through all the same things as us! I'm glad to be here

Thanks everyone for your advice. I wouldn't dream of trying to organize all of this without a TA and, to be honest, when she was available she was great! I have tried to reach the manager at her agency and was told she is "on sabbatical". I asked who I could speak with instead and was referred to a customer service rep who I explained my concerns to yesterday. She is looking into it for me though she did say it "might take a while" to get some answers. I guess I just have to hope no one calls to book while she's figuring things out! I will let you know how it all turns out!

Hi ladies, We booked with TripCentral on June 6. Our wedding is April 24-May 1 2010. We were given a deadline of June 26 for our guests to book in order to take advantage of the group rate. Is this the norm, a 20-day deadline Our agent also told us that our group rate is only good for the first 50 guests (anyone booking beyond that is paying almost $400 more!) Is this the norm?? My main issue is that our travel agent informed us 3 days before the deadline that she was going away for 4 weeks...so now we are at 50 guests booked, and, while our agent SAID someone would be taking care of our group in her absence, the poor girl she told me to contact has no idea what is going on, she has no access to our agent's files so she can't even tell me what our actual # is and is now telling guests who call that we are full!!!! It is so frustrating and I have guests calling us asking what is going on, is it too late to come etc. I just do not think our agent should have taken our wedding group on knowing she would be gone for 4 weeks just 20 days after we booked... Any advice??

Thanks so much everyone!!

January 2009 Amarillis (Amy) - January 28, 2009 Barcelo Marina Palace April 2009 Fudgie - April 13, 2009 - Sol Palmeras, Varadero Sarafish (Sara and Jeff) - April 18, 2009, Playa Pesquero, Holguin Erin0409 (Erin & Stuart) - April 29, 2009 Superclub Breezes, Jibacoa Pardisia (Karen & Mark) - April 22, 2009 Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa, Holguin May 2009 jax_the_beach_bride- May 8, 2009- Blau Varadero, Varadero BlissfulMsMiranda - May 12, 2009 - Melia Cayo Guillermo DWbride09 - May 21, 2009 - Sirenis La Salina, Varadero June 2009 Amelia & David - June 18 2009 - Iberostar, Varadero Virg – June 30 2009 – Melia Las Dunas Ash -- June 30, 2009- Melia Las Dunas, Cayo Santa Maria (TWINS!) July 2009 sweetie_bri - July 8, 2009 (7-8-9), Playa Costa Verde, Holguin maryyy -- July 28, 2009 - Melia las Dunas Oct 2009 LIW - October 28, 2009 - Melia Las Dunas Nov 2009 itsfinallyhere - November 16th, 2009 - Sirenis La Salina, Varadero Blooroze (Beth) - November 25, 2009 - Iberostar Varadero Jan 2010 Melissa & Kent - January 5, 2010- Playa Pesquero Kat & Daryl - January 17, 2010 - Tryp Peninsula C & I - January 22, 2010 - Playa Pesquero Feb 2010 Mark and Lolita Feb 12 2010 Iberostar Laguna Azul, Varadero. Lori and Travis-February 14th, 2010-Barcelo Marina Palace March 2010 jackobelle - March 17th 2010 - Blau Varadero Michelle and Jason- March 17th- Location to be confirmed soon!! April 2010 Lana&Craig- April 28th, 2010- Iberostar Varadero Krista & David - April 2 - Melia Varadero Siobhan & Robin - April 27 - Iberostar Laguna Azul May 2010 Krista & Josh (K'osh) - May 4, 2010 - Playa Pesquero Lisa & Paul - May 5, 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul Jill & Alex (JTAlberta) - May 19, 2010 - Playa Persquero June 2010 Stephanie&Luke - June 2, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas, Santa Clara Oct 2010 Crystalballl - October 20, 2010 - Playa Pesquero, Holguin

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the site and wanted to introduce myself. I am getting married on April 27, 2010 at the Iberostar Laguna Azul in Varadero, Cuba - only 294 days to go! LOL One of my best friends is also getting married that week at the same resort - we had a number of family and friends on both our guest lists, so we decided to make it easy for everyone and do it together! We booked on June 6 and so each have around 40 guests booked to join us, so we expect a great turn-out. There has been some snags in our plans during the past couple weeks, so one things I have learned is island brides have to be flexible! Let me know if you have any question about invites or booking, I'd be happy to help! SE