Fireweed

We were really lucky when we booked our resort and gave everyone the price. The reaction we got the most was "Oh good! That's not so bad!" Our resort is $1539 plus $200 tax for a 4* all-inclusive for one week. People were saying they were expecting the price to be over $2000. To me $1539 still seems pricey haha, but I'm cheap. I'm happy our guests are good with the price though.

It sounds funny but plain yoghurt is supposed to help sunburns as well. I know my mom put that on us as kids when we got burnt. Just slather some on your shoulders and back, it should feel nice and cool and leave to dry. Just google yogurt for sunburns and you'll find lots of info!

We're not having a social, it's just not our style and seems like way too much work for me. We are having a small AHR that my mom is organizing - basically renting out a little restaurant or room, and inviting family friends who couldn't come to Cuba. As for boudoir pictures, I think there's a bunch of photographers around the city that do them. I know Kamp photography does, just google the name.

Varadero: Excursions & Prices - TripAdvisor Here you go.

Oh no I'm so sorry you had to experience that. That would totally suck, especially on your wedding week. Thanks for the heads up for the other girls, you can't be too careful! I'm glad you had a nice wedding at least!

I've already emailed mine a bunch of times and the wedding is 5 months away. Some stuff I just needed to know so I could plan (ie. the outlet voltages in the room, and the ceremony location options.) She gets back to me right away. I think they're used to brides contacting them months ahead - most girls want to plan everything out in their head, even if that's not entirely possible with a DW.

Hmm I don't see that it should be a problem, because don't the majority of divorce certificates state the person's married name? I think as long as the birth certificate and the passport are the same you should be fine. I've email the Cuban consulate in Toronto and they get back to me pretty quickly. My fiance is divorced, so we're doing the legal bit here first and then having a renewal of vows ceremony in Cuba. It looks identical to your guests but saves you the hassle of doing and paying for the Cuban paperwork. (It was going to cost us $600 to get everything translated and notarized) You could do the legal part here first really quickly (not making it special at all - it's just signing a paper after all). I think if you pay a little extra you'll get your marriage certificate in a day or two. Also, the renewal of vows ceremonies are much cheaper at the hotel. Just something to think about!

Another Winnipeg bride here as well. Hi everyone!

That hotel gets really good reviews on Trip Advisor so you can get some information from there. If you scroll down there is a review from a person who had a wedding there. You can email the hotel directly and ask about their wedding packages and what they include, or even send a private message to the person who reviewed it on Trip Advisor. I've done this in the past, and people are more than happy to help out. Just ask them about their wedding and whatever question you might have about the hotel. Hope that helps! Iberostar hotels are usually highly rated, so you'd probably have a great time there.

Thanks KPitch! Do you have any photos from the wedding you can post? Where was your wedding dinner? Do you get a chance to do a 'first dance' there?

July 2010 truelove4life (Rhea & Curtis) - July 2010 - exact day and resort is yet to be determined Char & Gary - July 3, 2010 - Paradisus Varadero Sarah&Shaun - 12th July 2010 - Iberostar Varadero Oct 2010 Crystalballl - October 20, 2010 - Playa Pesquero, Holguin HopelesslyBlissful - October 10th, 2010 - Blau Costa Verde, Holguin Stephanie & Travis - October 25, 2010 - Melia Varadero December 2010 Krishna69z - December 1, 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul AliciaM - December 2, 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul Richard and Mary (richardparent) - week of Nov 27th- Dec 3d- Melia las Dunas Lisa1981 - December 9 2010 - Iberostar Laguna Azul Fireweed - December 20th, Blau Varadero Caroline & Eric (Cuba Destination Wedding) - December 1st 2010 - Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria February 2011 Alexsbride-Feb.4, 2011 Sirenis La Salina, Varadero, Cuba. Weeks of Feb.1-14 Lindslou - Feb 15 2011 Sirenis Playa Turquesa, Holguin March 2011 Bryan and Kelsey (islandbride_2011) - March 6th - 14th Iberostar Varadero April 2011 Lyndsey & Jeremy -Iberostar Laguna Azul- April 8th May 2011 Ron and Mel - Iberostar Laguna Azul - week of April 30th to May 7th Janet and Larry JNL- Iberostar laguna Azul - week May 1 to May 8th

I don't like flying either. I usually have anxiety about it a couple of days before a trip. Like AnnaBanana I too find it helps to look at other people and especially the flight attendants. Since they all look relaxed it feels like less of a big deal. Plus I remember that the flight attendants do this a couple of times a day, to them it's just a work day. I actually like landing the most, I get so excited because it's almost over! haha

Beautiful pictures! My parents have been to Huatulco a few times and they say it's their favorite vacation spot. We were debating going there for our wedding as well. It looks like you had a wonderful time!

Just a note to the Canadian girls, I'm also getting married here first and then doing a renewal of vows ceremony in Cuba. I was talking to my wedding coordinator and she requires a copy of the marriage certificate faxed over prior to the ceremony date, so we'll be getting married about a month before we leave. It can take a few weeks for the marriage certificate to arrive in the mail after you send away for it, but here in Manitoba we also have the option of paying $50 extra to have it expedited, and basically get it the next day. I'm sure there's something like it in the other provinces as well, it's worth taking a look!

Hey girls! We're getting married December 23, at the Blau Varadero in Cuba. Right before Christmas day. That week was the only time we could get everyone we wanted to come. At first I thought it might be weird to get married around Christmas, but now I think it'll be fun as it'll be a whole week of celebration. We get to celebrate our wedding and Christmas with our friends and family in the most beautiful place! So far I have my dress and we've made our group booking with all our guests (around 20 people are coming). I haven't done much else. Still need to buy rings, make OOT bags, tell my bridesmaids what colour of dress to wear....arghh.....

Please post a review once you`re back!

Our budget is definitely low, but we're lucky that our parents are paying our air+hotel as a wedding gift. We're going to Varadero, Cuba, and for our second week my fiance and I are going to Havana and staying in a casa (their version of bed and breakfast) So we have: Charge for coming back on a later flight: $300/each - $600 Wedding dress - $170 - from Unique Vintage. I love it, and it looks perfect and won't need many alterations at all. Shoes - $70 My ring: $450 His ring: $300 Casa stay in Havana for our honeymoon: $30/day for 6 days = $180 (so affordable and includes breakfast every morning!) Wedding package at the resort: $250 for renewal of vows (doing the legal part here before we go) Extras for the ceremony including live music and videographer: $350 Hair dresser for me at the resort: $50 Gifts for groomsmen/bridesmaids: $250 His suit: $400 OOT Bags - roughly around $200 (still waiting for final guest list) So roughly around $3500. Plus spending money for Cuba so we're looking at close to but under $5000. Not bad!

I confess that I've totally freaked myself out about the bad reviews about my resort on Trip Advisor and am in the process of talking to my travel agent about switching resorts. There'll probably be a penalty and if it's too pricey I can't go ahead with it, but I just feel like if we were to only switch to this other resort, everything would be perfect. I don't know why but ever since I booked this resort I've had a bad feeling about it. I'm sure it's probably fine and if we have to stay with it, we'll have a good time anyways, but it just doesn't feel 'right'. In my head it's like this entity that I hate. "The Resort" haunts my dreams. Pretty sure I'm totally loosing my mind. haha

If you still prefer to get married in the US legally first, I'm pretty sure you can put a rush on the marriage certificate. We're doing our legal papers in Canada first before we go to Cuba and I think for around $60 you can get your marriage certificate the next day. I assume that option should be available in the States as well.

It can take 3 months or sometimes even more to get your marriage certificate in the mail, just depends on the place you get married. You do need a copy of the marriage certificate to change your name and do insurance stuff. If you're in a hurry to do this, then you might want to consider getting married legally at home first, and then do a non-legal ceremony in Mexico. You don't even have to tell anyone about it. The ceremony is identical except for the piece of paper you sign in Mexico wouldn't be legal.

I've heard that it takes some people 5-6 months to get it in the mail. Wait a little while longer and then contact your wedding coordinator at the resort. If that doesn't work, then contact the Cuban Embassy in Toronto! But you should get it soon, I've heard it just takes a ridiculously long time!

Wow Greenland! I've always wanted to visit there, but it seems just about impossible from Canada. Welcome, I hope you enjoy the forums here!

jprincess, there is a Facebook group for Sirenis la Salina brides. You'll find lots of pictures there: Login | Facebook

I know don't get me started. It's so frustrating. I think what they're saying right now is that due to the currents the oil is not likely to hit Cuba but who knows how bad this will get.... The whole situation is just sickening.

greysgirl, I think it fits to a pretty true street size 8. I usually wear 29" jeans and 36C bra. I'm about 5'8 and the dress just touches the floor. Eliana - Thanks for the offer, but $100 is definitely too low It's going on other sites for $350 or more.