a084596

I would definately play two songs so that it highlights the entrance of the bride. I had canon d for the bridesmaids and here comes the bride for my entrance.  They will stop the music and start the new song when you appear.
 

Originally Posted by mekanabr 

question for previous brides: how many songs did you play for your processional?  I only have two bridesmaids so I was going to play one song for them, one for me, but now I'm wondering if maybe that will take too long? Is it ok to just play one song for all of us?

The 2500 is if you want a private reception.  They will close down the restaurant and only your party will be there.  Totally not worth it for a small wedding.  You will not feel awkward at either restaurant.

 

Originally Posted by tamandrob 

I wasn't planning on having a dinner rehearsal either, I think I will say we can meet at the buffet and who ever comes, comes. But I think I remember reading somewhere not to sure where that you call three weeks ahead and make a reservation it didn't say anything about having to pay the $2500.

we recently got married at this resort and booked without Chandlyn at the grill for our rehearsal.  we were 17 in total,however, the dolce vita was closed for our wedding day and the only other restaurant they have weddings is at the grill and I did n't want to have my rehearsal same place as my wedding.  we asked chandlyn to make a reservation for us at the buffet and she said she would but she didn't.  when we got there we just asked the waiters and they put a few tables together for us.  it all works out.

Can anyone who has been here recommend any good excursions?

do you have a photo of your vases?
 

Originally Posted by AwayDC 

just went and bought the vases - they are perfect for centerpieces. Thank you so much for sharing

erin,

were your centerpieces actual vases or drinking glasses - I can't tell the height by your photos.  I really love them and want to copy them.

I;m not sure where to look at zellers.  I couldn't find them but I will go to another zellers.

Erin,

I love those centrepieces.  I just can't figure how big they are because you said you used  glasses and not vases and how do you put the light underneath?  Is the glass not flat?

erin,

do you have a photo of your centrepieces.  I don't want to bring glass so I'm not sure what to do.  What did you do for your flowers?  Are they from Tai? They look real nice.

What a gorgeous dress - you look absolutely beautiful!
 

Originally Posted by ehpage 

Ok, 1st off.. I looked into the webstream too cause my sister too was pregnant and couldn't come.. it is 100% NOT live.. basically they will video it, and then broadcast it (like youtube) later on.. it is by no means a LIVE FEED.. and the same guy who the hotel would have put you in touch with offered it to me for 150.. knock him down if you really want to do it.. but it's NOT LIVE.

 

The sand ceremony, yes they set everything up for me. I dropped everything off at the front desk and even drew a diagram how my centerpieces went together.. it was perfect when I arrived.. however they did loose my centerpieces.. which wasn't a major deal cause i prob would have left them anyways.. but they DID loose them...

 

If you DO happen to choose the hotel photographer you MUST go see them the next day to get your pictures printed... They told me that you must give 3 days notice.. and if you get married within the 3 days god knows how you get your photos.. I argued with the guy (who was VERY ignorant) and he finally put them on a disc for me...

 

I had caprese salad, penne napeleno (sp), chicken risotto, and tiramisu and it was all delish!!!

 

pics attached!!!

 

What kind of gift did you bring for Chandlyn and how much did you tip?  I have never been away so I'm not sure who and how much I'm supposed to tip.

Was her assistant present as well?
 

Originally Posted by TMwedding2011 

I just had a free wedding, It was $200 for the legal fees and $150.00extra for getting the pics on a CD. I rented sashes and had 6 extra people at the dinner/wedding, over the 16 ppl so I had to pay this fee. For 22 people with the chair sashes, 83 pics on a CD, the 5 free wedding pics and legal feels it came to about $500 dollars and of course tipped Chandlynn and provided a gift. They threw in the chair covers for ceremony and dinner, Chandlynn told me that soo many people wanted the chair covers they started including them for free. I did not see that the other pkgs were worth it for me but this is a personal choice. I did not like their included bouquets for free. I used mine as the throwaway bouquet.  I would recommend bringing silk or ordering some special flowers from Tai Floral or Jan's. Happy planning, I loved every moment of it. Now I am planning our reception for over 100 people back home. And I am still loving it. Just relax and everything will be irie !

 

 

glad to hear you say that - I was so diasppointed.  I will try again.  I can't believe I cannot find a photo of daisy boquet.  I thought it would be so simple.  I do love orchids too though - but my favourite colour is yellow so I'm going with yellow roses for my boquet. 

Originally Posted by mekanabr 

I used Jan's and they were great.  You just have to work with them, I think it took about 5 emails back and forth before they came up with all the flowers I was happy with.  Just tell them exactly what you want with pictures if possible.  And- tell them what you DON'T want.  They sent me similar things...carnations mums, but I def didn't want any of those in my bouquets lol.    Now we've got it all figured out... bouquets for both myself and my 2 BMs of different types of orchids and calla lilies.  Can't wait to see what they create!

 

also- thanks for posting your shower ideas, so pretty! 

I'm sharing my shower favours for ideas.........

Here is my message in a bottle.

I asked Jan's for bridesmaids bouquet of daisies - I didn't think this would be complicated as it is such a simple flower but she sent me the photo and it had mums in it and carnations and a coloured rose? I'm afraid to use them now.  What is everyone doing for flowers?  Please share if you are bringing from home or if you are using a different vendor.

Thanks

what is the email for the spa?

Any May brides?

Your pictures are gorgeous! Wow! Some of the best I've seen.  You and your husband both have amazing eyes and the kids - wow - cuuuuuuute!!! You are a very fortunate woman.

Congratulations again.
 

Originally Posted by AlexsBride 

It has been nearly three months since our Destination Wedding in Cuba and I am so excited to finally be able to share with my fellow BDW Brides...our photos! The decision to take a Pro Photographer was an easy one, but it was made even easier when I saw another BDW Bride's (Tilly In The Sun) photos. The look and style of her photos were EXACTLY what I was looking for! Everything fell into place and I hired Toronto-area photographer Heather Windsor (www.heatherwindsor.com) to travel with my crazy group to Cuba.

 

A few words on Heather...She is beautiful (inside & out) and talented. From the moment we met her, it was like hanging out with a long lost friend. She is professional, courteous and always responded to emails and answered my questions. On the day of the wedding she was not only taking pictures, but she was also like an "unofficial" bridesmaid, giving advice on hair & make-up and keeping me calm when I burst into tears at the hair salon over my frustration that my limited Spanish was not getting through to the hairdresser on how I wanted my hair to look!

 

Well that is enough gushing...they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are SEVERAL pictures from our wedding! Enjoy. I will post the Trash the Dress blog when it is up!

 

http://www.heatherwindsor.com/blog/2011/04/25/sirenis-la-salina-varadero-cuba-destination-wedding-brooke-sandy/

 

 

unfortunately I cannot see any of your photos.  could you please post for all of us to see your boquet, etc.  Also, what kind of vase did you bring? Im looking for plastic but can't find anywhere........grrrrr

Originally Posted by TMwedding2011 

 

 

 

I brought rose petals and votives from home and used our bouquets as decoration, they did not have vases so bring your own from home

 

 

 

I asked if they had vases because I'm going to use the bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces

and they told me they didn't have any???? I find that really odd because they must put flowers on the tables every day???
 

Originally Posted by sskelly 

Are u planning on putting the lanterns and luminaries at the gazebo? They sure would add a nice touch. I was looking at having some tiki torches but the candles would add a more romantic look for sure.

 

I definitely want to have the tables at the reception lined with candles. Just not sure whether it is worth bringing them down or getting them from the resort. Any thoughts?

 

Also I had one last question: have you had any thoughts about what song you will have playing when they pronounce you husband and wife? I am still trying to pick this one.

 

Less than three months and we will be there!!

When you bring your own sashes, does anyone know if Chandlyn will put them on chairs and gazebo or do we have to do ourselves.

Anyone know how far a walk it is to the gazebo?

Also, how many sashes do we need in the gazeboitself?

Thanks girls..........

How long does it take for shipment to arrive?

Originally Posted by katelynn 

Is it because when you fill out the options your billing addy is different from the location you are sending it to as I think they have to be the same???? I ordered it and everything was fine so I have no clue...
 

 

Do you know how many sashes we need for the gazebo?  I guess its nice to have your own because you can have them for your dinner reception as well.

Originally Posted by katelynn 

I think mine with shipping was like $70 for 60 sashes I believe...I cant remember if I had to pay duty though?!

 

 

the coloured sashes they use at the gazebo to decorate - does anyone know if they are used for dinner as well?

does anyone know if this is the usual set up with the yellow flowers?  iF SO, I won't have to change anything and probably don't need centrepieces because yellow is my colour theme.  IT has been so difficult to find anything yellow here.

Originally Posted by FleetMac bride 

Thanks so much Steph the timeline really helps out alot. I think I am going to push my dinner back by a half hour is possible.

 

Thanks,

 

 

What is everyone doing as far as centrepieces at dinner?  I don't really want to pack anything but looking for some ideas from other brides.