truelove4life

Me again ... I am full of questions!! Has anyone had a Symbolic Ceremony at the ILA? Were your quests aware ahead of time that it would be symbolic? If not, did it look like the "real thing"?

For those of you who were already married at the ILA .. would you recommend bringing your own table decorations or just going with what they provide for the dinner/reception? I am starting to put all of my stuff together and I am realizing I have WAY too much stuff to bring ... I'm not sure what I should leave behind.

I just added you on facebook as well (my name is Rhea) but it says that it is awaiting confirmation ... I can't wait to see your pics. I am leaving in 6 days and I am starting to get a bit anxious ....

I would love to see some pics as well!! [email protected]

I have been way out of the loop ... there is a wedding gazebo now

AliciaM Don't be alarmed. This has been something we have all been experiencing the last while with Yahimara. It seems to take a week or two before getting any sort of reply back from her. Remember to keep all of your emails between the two of you as well and to bring them to the resort with you, in case they try to change things upon arrival after you have them planned with Yahimara. Rhea

Hey Ladies!! It's been a while since I have been on here ... It's only 3 months away for me now and I am still a bit frustrated with the whole planning thing with Yahamira. Not only is she super difficult to get in touch with BUT she keeps giving me mixed information. I asked her last week about booking a rehearsal dinner in advance and she said that I had to wait to get there to book it!! She also said that my 8:30 dinner will not be private if the hotel is busy and that we will only know when the time comes. Is anyone else still experiencing these little issues?? For my wedding favours, I was thinking of doing personalized travel mugs as well as welcome bags. Has anyone looked into travel mugs or the pricing to get them done?? I wanted to give them something practical that they will use again ... and I know when I go on a trip, I always remember to bring a travel mug to keep my all inclusive drinks nice and cold!!

thanks Barrierunner! i think I am going to go with the private and free dinner at 8:30. that seems like the most worthwhile, price wise. so many decisions!!!!

Is the dinner at 8:30 private or public?

I'm wondering if a section of the steak house, for example, could be reserved.(i.e. the outside area) I am also wondering if an hour and a half is enough time to do a few short speeches, the traditional dances, and eat the meal. ?? I am now considering a private dinner and paying the extra $150, which may be better than having a dinner at 8:30 with other resort guests plus renting out the disco or conference room for some privacy. Especially with this crazy charge of $8pp.

I am really confused now, too. I had no idea it was an additional 150 to have dinner at 6:30. I would rather eat at 8:00 if that is the case! My head is spinning. lol.

Hey Chevy14! I asked Yahimara the other day if there was any way to have a beach reception. The answer was no. I also asked her about having the dinner/reception somewhere other than in one of the restaurants. She said no. lol. She said that after dinner, I could "rent" out the disco or the conference room from 9-11 for an additional $150. On top of that price, if you want drinks served in the disco or the conference room, you need to pay an extra $8cuc per person, which didn't make any sense to me since it is an all inclusive resort and you would already be paying $150 to use the facility. If anyone can clarify that for me, or has any additional information, please let me know!! I am starting to realize that this is going to cost me a bit more than I expected in order to have the day that I want!! I'm sure it will all be worth it and turn out perfect in the end.

Barrierunner ... here is something to possibly consider ... we could share the disco from 9-11. we could go half on the cost and you could have one hour and I the other hour .... Just an idea!! What is the gala dinner that a few of you have mentioned??

I still have no idea what I am doing for a photographer, either. I have contacted several and checked out so many of the adds on here and on facebook and for the most part, you have to pay their travel expenses PLUS an additional price for the photography package. Since my FI and I are already paying for our whole wedding and we are staying an extra week, this is definitely not in the cards. A relative was supposed to do the photography for us but she is unable to take time off of work so we are back at square one. ugh! Has anyone heard anything about the resort photographer? Or the cost of using the resort photographer?? The kind of packages they offer?

I am wondering about the gap as well ... from 8-11. I wanted to do the traditional dances and speeches but how the heck am I supposed to do that if I am having dinner in the steakhouse with other guests there!! ugh. There is so much time in between - they must have evening entertainment, though, that we could go watch before the disco?? As for the private dinner ... how do you arrange for that? I was under the impression that my dinner is in the restaurant while other guests come and go as well. That doesn't sound too intimate to me, having dinner with other people watching and eating dinner as well. And how are we supposed to decorate some tables and stuff?? lol. Now, I am starting to stress!! Barrierunner! I think it is pretty cool that we are getting on the same day too!! We will have to get together later on ... maybe in the evening ... and get a few pictures together! As for my colours, they are white and purple but I haven't gone as far as to ask Yahamira about whether or not they have purple, yet. I should probably get on that. I would also like to know about the material for the chairs. - where to get it or any suggestions on how to make them -is it just really wide ribbon?? It is really hard to figure out how to decorate when we can't really bring much with us on top of our usual travel luggage. I was thinking of bringing flower petals in purple from Michaels as well as small tea lights and tea light holders and some seashells to decorate the tables for dinner. Some small stuff that won't take up too much space or weight in my suitcase. On the one hand, it feels like I have so much time to get things organized ... but really, time is just flying by and I am getting a bit anxious!! aaaaah!!!

Hey Girls It looks like we are getting married on the exact same day, Barrierunner. We are at 2:00 and I have booked the steakhouse for 6:30 for dinner. I am finding it difficult to figure out what to do as well and it seems like everything I have thought of doing, is just another additional cost. You can rent the disco or the conference room for 150 and then she said that to have a bar, you have to pay an extra 8cuc per person for the bar!! Also, I am having a VERY small group go ... so far only 10 including my FI and I. I know I still have time to figure things out but I am starting to get a bit worried about the finer details now. It looks like we are all in the same boat.

thanks!! i just found out from my travel agent that it is three, as well. now, i need to try and change the ceremony date!! eek. hopefully there are still available dates at laguna azul the week of the 4th-11th of July. wish me luck!!

I have booked my trip and we are departing on July 4th. We are staying at the Iberostar Laguna Azul. I have also set the ceremony for 4pm on the 6th. I was wondering if 2 days is all you need to be in Cuba before getting married. Some people are saying two days and some are saying minimum three days. Anyone have a definite answer for this one??

I have finally booked my wedding at ILA on July 6th at 4pm!! I am super pumped about that however after seeing the pics from the recent weddings there, I am a bit unimpressed at the same time. Although I think at some resorts, the beach wedding looks fabulous, I have had my heart set on getting married in a gazebo overlooking the water. Apparently they are in the process of getting a gazebo built .... anybody else here about that .... or whether or not that is in the works right now??

I wouldn't worry too much about the bad reviews. It is hard to please everyone ... some people are just not open minded and have high expectations when we have to realize that this is a communist country and they don't have the luxuries that we have. I have been to Cuba twice and I just love it there and have no complaints about either of the places I have stayed at. If you look at any resort anywhere, they all have some bad reviews but I really think for this resort, all of the really great reviews outweigh the few bad ones. It is an amazing place and I have no reservations about going. We have confirmed our date to be married on July 6th at 2pm and I couldn't be happier!! I am so excited!!!!!

Thanks for all the responses. I just think it is such a unique idea ... and it keeps you a bit separated from other resort guests, which is nice and private. We haven't booked our resort yet but we are 98% sure it will be the new Iberostar Laguna Azul. I wonder if they would do a beach reception there ....

I'm not quite sure how it works either but would be interested to hear from anyone who has done that or is planning on it. Barrierunner: We have been quoted for departure on July 4th. Is that about when you were going as well? Yahamira said she had something available on July 6th for a wedding at 4 but I'm not quite sure how long you have to be in Cuba before you can get married. 2 or 3 days??

Hi There! I am also getting married in July and have decided on the Laguna Azul as well but we have yet to book it!! I am in the same boat as per legalities. Let me know what you find out!!

I am almost positive that my FI and I will be getting married at the Laguna Azul the beginning of July. I am wondering if there are any other Varadero brides getting married during that time that would like to possibly share a photographer?!?

Cuban Brides ** Please cut and paste, and add your date. ________________________________________ 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 Oct 2009 LIW - October 28, 2009 - Melia Las Dunas Nov 2009 itsfinallyhere - mid-November 2009 - Sirenis La Salina, Varadero Blooroze (Beth) - November 25, 2009 - Iberostar Varadero Jan 2010 Melissa & Kent - January 5, 2010- Playa Pesquero C & I - January 22, 2010 - Playa Pesquero Feb 2010 Mark and Lolita Feb 12 2010 Iberostar Laguna Azul. Lori and Travis-February 14th, 2010-Barcelo Marina Palace March 2010 jackobelle - March 18th 2010 - Blau Varadero Michelle and Jason- March 17th- Location to be confirmed soon!! May 2010 Krista & Josh (K'osh) - May 4, 2010 - Playa Pesquero Lisa & Paul - May 5 (ish), 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul June 2010 Stephanie&Luke - June 2, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas, Santa Clara Oct 2009 LIW - October 28, 2009 - Melia Las Dunas Nov 2009 itsfinallyhere - mid-November 2009 - Sirenis La Salina, Varadero Blooroze (Beth) - November 25, 2009 - Iberostar Varadero Jan 2010 Melissa & Kent - January 5, 2010- Playa Pesquero C & I - January 22, 2010 - Playa Pesquero Feb 2010 Mark and Lolita Feb 12 2010 Iberostar Laguna Azul. Lori and Travis-February 14th, 2010-Barcelo Marina Palace March 2010 jackobelle - March 18th 2010 - Blau Varadero Michelle and Jason- March 17th- Location to be confirmed soon!! May 2010 Krista & Josh (K'osh) - May 4, 2010 - Playa Pesquero Lisa & Paul - May 5 (ish), 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul June 2010 Stephanie&Luke - June 2, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas, Santa Clara July 2010 truelove4life (Rhea & Curtis) - July 2010 - exact day and resort is yet to be determined