Salamander

To all of the Laguna Azul Brides; Did anyone have guests coming to the hotel for the wedding on a day pass? If they did or maybe Yahimara has given others this information; how late were those guests able to stay at the resort? I want to make sure they are able to stay late at night for dancing and celebrations, and don't want to pay $50 a person for a day pass and they will have to leave right after dinner. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Has anyone heard from Yahimara lately? I'm assuming she's very busy since there are many weddings going on right now and I'm used to e-mails taking forever to come from Cuba but it has been 3 weeks and I have not heard a response.

Quote: Originally Posted by cacp Hi I NEED HELP! I want to get married 10/10/10 but Blau Varadero said NO to getting married on a sunday.. we are waiting on a quote for Laguna Azul right now- they haven't answered me yet but do they marry couple on the weekend? I believe if you are doing a symbolic ceremony some hotels may do it, but it would depend on the wedding coordinator. I could be wrong but I believe the issue you are going to have is that to have a legal civil ceremony you will need the notary to perform the ceremony and in Varadero there are two and they work Mon-Fri.

Wow! Doesn't that just bring a tear to your eye, that has got to be the most romantic thing you've ever heard! (Note Sarcasm) Has anyone asked Yahimara how she would feel about providing a script of wedding vows to say to make the ceremony a little less "legal"and like you're reading about traffic tickets and a little more romantic?

If you are wanting a Father Daughter dance in Spanish you could be very traditional and go with Julio Iglasias De Niña A Mujer YouTube - Julio Iglesias - De Niña A Mujer The next one is a Marc Anthony song (God I love him) it is not specifically in Spanish but is also an idea "My Baby You" YouTube - Marc Anthony - My Baby You with lyrics Hope those help.

There is a spanish version of "A Song For Mama" by Boyz 2 Men YouTube - B2M song for mama-spanish version

I'm torn between two songs; I Need You by Marc Anthony YouTube - I need you, I love you - Marc Anthony With Lyrics Or By You Side by Sade YouTube - Sade By your side I love them both although By Your Side would be from the Bride's perspective and I Need You from the groom's perspective I suppose.

I found the name of the store in Chinatown Toronto; it is called B & J Trading and the address is 378 Spadina. They had some a couple of weeks ago, I'm hoping for your sake they still have them. If it is close to your work it will be worthwhile looking.

I can not remember the exact name of the shop (something trading of course like several shops in Chinatown). It is on Spadina, west side, north of Dundas I just can't remember if it was one or two blocks north. On my way to work tomorrow I will keep my eye open and double check.

I notice you live in Ontario, do you live in the GTA? I was in Chinatown the other day looking for fans and there was a shop close to Kesington market that had some, and I've noticed that sometimes Michael's has them.

I have also ordered chair sashes and bows in aqua, I found a deal on another website that ships to Canada and the sashes work out to 0.75 each. I don't think I could have even gotten the fabric for them that cheap. I am taking down a lot of my decorations and leaving them there (many will be dollar store purchases, and Michael's using their 40% off coupons). Here is the website I used for my organza chair bows; tablecloths Table Linens Chair Covers Sashes I ordered 35, I was thinking after the ceremony mybe they could be brought into the restaurant and used there as well.

I am also a ILA Varadero bride. I have found myself in a splurge/save situation. I am having a late ceremony (6:30pm) and am paying an extra $150 for it since it is outside the notary hours, the trade off is that I will have a later seating for dinner (8:30pm) which is free (where you would have to pay a fee for dinner during prime time). The benefit of the later seating is that by the time dinner is finished the disco should be open so we do not have to pay for a private reception............ therefore after this long winded explanation I will pay for lobster for my guests who choose to have it. Maybe you can find a way to save money somewhere else to splurge on your guests for lobster dinner?

Finally have my date booked! Nov 2009 itsfinallyhere - November 16th, 2009 - Sirenis La Salina, Varadero Blooroze (Beth) - November 25, 2009 - Iberostar Varadero Dec 2009 ltoxopeu (Lori & Don) - December 3rd 2009 - Playa Pesquero, Holguin Niclec - December 16/09 - Melia Las Dunas Santa Maria Cuba Jan 2010 Melissa & Kent - January 5, 2010- Playa Pesquero Kat & Daryl - January 17, 2010 - Tryp Peninsula Amelie & Chad - January 20, 2010 - Breezes Bella Costa C & I - January 22, 2010 - Playa Pesquero N & R - January 25, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas K & G - January 26, 2010 - Iberostar Daiquiri Shannon & Phill - January 27, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas Feb 2010 Kevin and Dwana Feb 03, 2010 Bella Costa Varadero Tracy and Colin Feb 03, 2010 Iberostar Laguna Azul, Varadero Mark and Lolita Feb 12 2010 Iberostar Laguna Azul, Varadero Lori and Travis-February 14th, 2010-Barcelo Marina Palace Gladys and Hycy - February 15, 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul, Varadero Erin and Grant-February 16, 2010-Melia Las Dunas Erin and Francis-February 18, 2010-Melia Las Dunas March 2010 Jenna & Derek - March 1, 2010 - Barcelo Marina Palace Lillian & Mike - March 4 2010 - Blau Varadero Jennifer & Kris- March 17, 2010- Iberostar Laguna Azul 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 Bethany & Jon - April 14 - Playa Costa Verde Jenny & Casey - April 15 - Barcelo Marina Palace Julie & Justin - April 20 - Brisas Guardalavaca Eric & Sylvie - April 27 - Melia Las Dunas Stacey & Ron (staceyg) - April 27 - Iberostar Varadero Melidell- April 28th - Melia Las Dunas May 2010 Anandie & Peter (Mrsaiello2b) - May 3, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas Krista & Josh (K'osh) - May 4, 2010 - Playa Pesquero Amanda & Adam - May 4, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas, Cayo Santa Maria Sonya & Leon - May 4, 2010 - Iberostar Varasero Jessica & Jason - May 4, 2010 - Melia Las Dunas, Cayo Santa Maria Lisa & Paul - May 5, 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul Grace and Adrian - May 6th, 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul Mandi & Mark - May 11th, 2010- Melia Las Dunas, Santa Clara, Cuba Sarah & Andrew - May 12th, 2010 - Paradisus Rio de Oro, Guardalavaca Jill & Alex (JTAlberta) - May 19, 2010 - Playa Persquero Chantelle & George - May 18, 2010 - Melia Varadero or Iberostar Laguna Azul Amanda & Alex (Salamander) - May 26, 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 Sarah&Shaun - 12th July 2010 - Iberostar Varadero Oct 2010 Crystalballl - October 20, 2010 - Playa Pesquero, Holguin HopelesslyBlissful - October 10th, 2010 - Blau Costa Verde, Holguin December 2010 Krishna69z - December 1, 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul Richard and Mary (richardparent) - week of Nov 27th- Dec 3d- Melia las Dunas Lisa1981 - December 9 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul April 2011 Janet and Larry(JNL)- Unknown May 2011 Ron and Mel - Iberostar Laguna Azul - week of April 30th to May 7th

That is a beautiful ring. I would love to find something similar for my FI.

Thank you so much for the threads, I did a search but I guess I didn't have the right keywords. This helps.

How did brides find they were able to manage walking down the isle and getting around in wedge heels. I will be wearing for the reception and the rest of the night salsa/ballroom heels to dance in that are 3'' in height. I will not be able to wear those to walk down the isle because I imagine I would sink into the sand. My solution I thought would be to wear wedge heels at the same height (to not to worry about what length to hem my dress) but I was worried about falling on my a**. I have good balance and coordination but the sand/beach has me a little worried. I thought I would ask the advice of brides who have done it how they managed?

I will need a party dress for the reception. I have a formal dress for the ceremony and dinner, but our wedding will be in Cuba and we will be salsa dancing the night away. There is no slow dancing at Cuban weddings I was thinking of ordering a bridesmaid dress in ivory that I can add a little beading to dress it up, for the remainder of the night, I am hoping that will be the most cost effective option to having a second dress. I would love to hear any other suggestions though.

I just contacted the wedding coordinator Yahimara to see available dates left for April/May ( I have to book last minute because of my fiance's unpredictable schedule). ILA has become so popular that there are only 2 slots left! Obviously we're choosing a great place since everyone wants to get married here! Unfortunately those dates do not coincide with deals I have found on line. Those who have already booked, did you find that there was a significant discount with the group booking?

I agree with the last poster that Cubans will be appreciative of any monetary tipping regardless of currency, but the banks in Cuba will not accept Canadian coins. What the resort staff have to do is find a tourist from Canada (or wherever the currency is from) and trade all of the coin tips to bills so they can exchange them at the bank (FYI they charge a 10% surcharge exchanging American money). What I mentioned above is that it is PREFERRED that you tip in CUC then they do not have to go to a bank/CADECA to exchange money. I am getting my information from my fiancee who works at a resort in Cuba. If others have any questions please just PM me.

I am sure everyone has been on this site but just in case Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor is a great resource for your guests for everything Cuba including resorts, nightlife, tourist attractions, electricity at resorts and if you need a converter, the good, the bad and the ugly Either type in Cuba or plug in the specific area you are staying ie; Varadero, Cayo Coco ect. They have information on excursions and the forums (much like this one) can be a great source for information.

What you have heard is true it is preferred that you not tip in Canadian dollars, resort workers if they are lucky can convert small amounts at the CADECA (currency exchange) at the hotel but not loonies and toonies. If not many will have to travel a great distance and wait in line all day at a bank to exchange to a local currency. It is preferred that you tip in CUC's the currency that tourists use in Cuba. The best exchange rate is at the airport on arrival or at the bank. As far as gifts vs. money it is a personal choice. The maids at the resorts I'm sure by this point have entire closets full of toothpaste, soap, and nail polish donated by Canadians, but can sell them on the black market for much needed cash. I used to bring toiletries as tips, but also have been nailed too many times by overweight luggage. Cash is very much appreciated. As far as etiquette, not really different than you would behave here. Por Favor and gracias goes a long way.

I have heard that the construction has not been completed on the Wedding Gazebo yet. Has anyone heard when that will be, or the location of it? I like the idea of having the ceremony on the beach, but at the same time if the gazebo is overlooking the water you get the benefit of the view and can still walk around and dance in heels

I saw some of those negative reviews too, but to be honest with you some of the things they complained about are not really fair. One guy complained about mosquitoes......... I hate to sound harsh but bring bug repellent for at night! You wouldn't go camping in Canada in the summer months without it. Some people were complaining about the food, I have never had a problem with the food in Cuba (I love seafood). I think the problem with many people is they expect the same food as they have in Canada. They do not have "The Keg" in Cuba so please do not expect the same type of restuarant. Cuba just does not have the same access to resources. The country is beautiful, the beaches are phenomenal, and the people are incredibly friendly. Plus I feel safer walking at night in Varadero than I do in Toronto. I think there are some people who write reviews that can not be pleased no matter where they go. I try not to let those reviews from one or two people get me worried because the rest have sounded so great!

Thank you Jackobelle, that's not the one I saw before but it's even more helpful. At least I know it isn't just made up and does exist. I am just hoping that some of the other resorts will offer this too (Iberostar L.A, Melia V., or Blau). I might just have to contact the WC's from those resorts to see if they offer it as well, Maybe that will help narrow down my choice and be my deciding factor for "The" place.

Thanks ladies for the suggestions. I thought I had remembered seeing it from one of the Barcello Marina Palace brides as one of the wedding reception options sent to them from the WC there. I did a search and can't seem to find it. I was hoping it would be something that the other resorts offered as well.