Kay6356

Originally Posted by csho 

 

 

 

Thanks so much! You guys are so right... I have been to CUba 6 times and have never been upset by our choice in resort (only one I didn't really like- we still had a good time, just that I wouldn't go back to because I didn't find the staff very good... and its not that they were bad but just nothing special) whereas everywhere else I've always found some staff we've connected to. Anyhow thanks so much for helping ease my anxiety over this! I had talked to my mom about it and she was like, you can always change resorts but what happens when a month or two down the road there are bad reviews there... I totally thought I'd be the stress free bride, but that doesn't seem to be the case... but I am going to try and just be flexible and go with the flow otherwise I think I'll go crazy loL! Thanks so much!

Im glad you feel better!  There will always be some bad reviews for any resort ... Like I said you will be very pleased with the ILA.  That's okay I'm sure all of us are going to have stress at points throughout the planning process, I almost had a meltdown before our group rate was secured.  lol, FI calmed me down, and everything worked out and than I felt like a crazy women (bridezilla) lol

*best food

*best food

Kay, I am having some reservations about getting married at the Laguna Azul - probably because I haven't been there and am only going by reviews. It had been #1 on my list and then I have been flip flopping between the ILA and Playa Pesquero. I haven't put down our deposit yet, but have booked our wedding at ILA for May 5th, 2014. I was pretty set on it, but then recently I've been reading reviews and it seems the rooms aren't the greatest and I find the reviews on the staff very hit and miss... and recently reviews coming back about weddings, although they aren't bad and still said they have had an amazing time, have obviously had their issues... I guess what I am looking to know since you've been there is how did you find the staff at the resorts? For me that is the most important thing... I don't spend much time in my room as long as it works and there aren't bed bugs I am fine lol, but I have been to beautiful resorts and the staff wasn't the best and thats what would make me not return to a resort. I am not sure if people just expect 5 stars because thats what its rated and they are not used to Cuban standards but I have been the 3.5 stars that I have loved so I am sure it will be fine once I am there, but just now knowing before makes me nervous when I am bringing a big group of people. So I guess I just want affirmation that a typical person would like this resort and find the staff friendly and nice!

Kay, I am having some reservations about getting married at the Laguna Azul - probably because I haven't been there and am only going by reviews. It had been #1 on my list and then I have been flip flopping between the ILA and Playa Pesquero. I haven't put down our deposit yet, but have booked our wedding at ILA for May 5th, 2014. I was pretty set on it, but then recently I've been reading reviews and it seems the rooms aren't the greatest and I find the reviews on the staff very hit and miss... and recently reviews coming back about weddings, although they aren't bad and still said they have had an amazing time, have obviously had their issues... I guess what I am looking to know since you've been there is how did you find the staff at the resorts? For me that is the most important thing... I don't spend much time in my room as long as it works and there aren't bed bugs I am fine lol, but I have been to beautiful resorts and the staff wasn't the best and thats what would make me not return to a resort. I am not sure if people just expect 5 stars because thats what its rated and they are not used to Cuban standards but I have been the 3.5 stars that I have loved so I am sure it will be fine once I am there, but just now knowing before makes me nervous when I am bringing a big group of people. So I guess I just want affirmation that a typical person would like this resort and find the staff friendly and nice!

Originally Posted by Jamdrea 

 

Hi ladies,

 

So we are getting married Dec 3, 2013 in punta cana. I have requested group quotes through a TA who a friend recommended. We are probably going to have between 14-30 ppl coming to the wedding.

 

Basically the TA gets a group quote which is only valid for 2 weeks (in order to lock in the quote for 90 days everyone has to put down a $200 deposit) Since I'm not sure how many people are actually going to travelling on the same date and same flight I don't want to pay the $200 (plus then are we supposed to ask our guests to re-imburse use the $200?) But if we don't then we don't really have a group rate locked in anymore and I'm not sure when people are booking. Its really frusturating and I don't find the TA very helpful.

 

Does anyone have the email or phone number for the TA Kelly? Just want to know what you guys are doing that might make the group booking less stressful. Plus I also want to make sure the whole group is in the same building at the resort since its a huge resort.

 

Thanks

Andrea 

Hi Andrea,

Kelly is our travel agent as well, and she is AMAZING!  You will not be disappointed with her.  For our group rate we had the same, we put down our deposits of $150 which saved 30 seats for 90 days.

Originally Posted by Jamdrea 

 

Hi ladies,

 

So we are getting married Dec 3, 2013 in punta cana. I have requested group quotes through a TA who a friend recommended. We are probably going to have between 14-30 ppl coming to the wedding.

 

Basically the TA gets a group quote which is only valid for 2 weeks (in order to lock in the quote for 90 days everyone has to put down a $200 deposit) Since I'm not sure how many people are actually going to travelling on the same date and same flight I don't want to pay the $200 (plus then are we supposed to ask our guests to re-imburse use the $200?) But if we don't then we don't really have a group rate locked in anymore and I'm not sure when people are booking. Its really frusturating and I don't find the TA very helpful.

 

Does anyone have the email or phone number for the TA Kelly? Just want to know what you guys are doing that might make the group booking less stressful. Plus I also want to make sure the whole group is in the same building at the resort since its a huge resort.

 

Thanks

Andrea 

Hi Andrea,

Kelly is our travel agent as well, and she is AMAZING!  You will not be disappointed with her.  For our group rate we had the same, we put down our deposits of $150 which saved 30 seats for 90 days.

Anyway this dress is still available?

Hi Ladies,

My best friend was married in January and is selling her Sophia Tollie wedding dress, size 8-10.

The dress as NO wear on it at all and looks brand new.  It is a lace up back & a bustle is already in place.

$700 OBO

Thank you, I can get them cheaper somewhere else, too bad shipping is so much, but I'm sure it is a heavy package.  Thanks for checking for me!

Originally Posted by jolene028 

 

I did finally choose dresses, but I am not sure the style or who makes them, hopefully the girls and I can go this weekend and they can make sure they are all happy with them and then I can get a picture, I asked the woman at the store but I think that she just wrote down her inventory number LOL.

 

Ladies I am panicking a little I still havent heard back from the resort and I need to change my date, I am going to give her until Friday to get back to me and then I am going to have to email her again, I dont like this feeling LOL I was so happy and stress free and then they go and change my flights so annoying!

I know how your feeling Jolene!!! Before my date was reserved and we decided on a group rate, etc. I was anxious and stressed out.   Just stay calm and everything will fall into place xo

Originally Posted by csho 

 

Ohhh I love them!!! Are those the original ones you were looking at? They look so pretty and comfortable!

Yes, I picked them out a while ago and my girls have tried on different dresses and they want those ones! Were getting them in purple I want one too lol!!!

Kay and Jolene, I can't remember - but did you guys ever decide on bridesmaid dresses yet?

Originally Posted by csho 

 

Yeah I used Kelly Neonakis-Morash and when we originally spoke, she said  its still early, but we should get the quotes so we have an idea of pricing and then we could just re-quote later, but when we got that price she was like if that's where you want to go you should definitely book!

 

I love travelling down south so I tend to keep an eye on prices and that was definitely a lot lower I thought it would be. So really we couldn't pass it up! We're just waiting til the end of the month to put our deposit down so that it gives our guests a bit of extra time to get their deposits down!

Kelly is amazing, she is our travel agent as well.  You will be so happy with her!

Hi there, interested in the chair covers.. how much for shipping to Canada, postal code L9T6H2 thank you

Thanks ladies

Originally Posted by csho 

 

I had my wedding date and time confirmed today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May 5th , 2014 at 2pm! I am soooo excited! I was feeling so anxious all day and as soon as I heard that news it just disappeared!

YAY! congrats on the confirmation!! That's awesome!!! Now your ready for all the fun stuff like invites, decor, etc.  PS your rate is amazing from Halifax, cheapest I've herd from anyone for this resort out of Hali!!!

Originally Posted by csho 

 

Oh thats awesome!!! So glad to know!

Not college LMAO ... I ment colleague.

Originally Posted by csho 

 

Hey Kay,

 

I just was reading a post you made in another Laguna Azul thread about all of these things! So no need to repeat it! But so glad to hear it was amazing! I am SUPER excited now that I have made a decision!

Glad you found my review, your going to love the ILA!  And Alex is amazing, just so your not concerned.  In order to book with Alex you have to send a deposit by cheque to his college in Canada (Whitby to be exact).  It is totally legit and you have nothing to worry about!

Originally Posted by csho 

 

Kay... at the Laguna Azul did you notice if they had coral coloured sashes and tulle?

I am 90% sure they did, but I will check for you when I go for my wedding since I am before you!

Originally Posted by csho 

 

Oh one more question.... how early did you guys buy your dress? My wedding isn't til next May but I am going dress shopping this weekend. It feels like its so early to buy it, but I am just so excited I can't wait to go!

I got mine last spring .... so around this time last year & I am getting married January 24, 2014.  I couldn't give up the deal!!! I am having my dress bustled for the whole wedding the train is too long for me $75 alterations

Hi Ladies,

For the brides that already have there wedding dress, I thought it would be fun to show each other!

Here's mine

Here is the link for my Passport Invitations

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/85813/kay6356s-diy-passport-invites-pictures-tips

Kay xo

Hi Ladies,

I just mailed out my Passport invitations, WHEW!  I have been working on these for way to long, but now that they are on there way to our guests, I am SO happy I did them.  

First off I used Alyee's free template as a starting point.

http://www.ayleebits.com/2009/03/09/passport-invitation-template/

I ended up totally revamping the passport template, as it is for a US bride, not Canada.

WHAT I USED

- HP Officejet 6600 printer

(Originally the plan was to get these printed at Staples or something, but ended up being cheaper to print ourselves).

- stapler

(I used a purple sharpie marker to colour the staples).

-Paper cutter - $20 ON SALE (Reg. $60-70) from Staples

- Martha Stewart mini scoring board - $9 (Used 40% off coupon).

- Stamps from Ebay - $10 & Stamp pads from Michaels - $10 for both using coupons.

- Martha Stewart puntch from Ebay for $10.

PAPER

- Passport Cover:  Staples Brand card stock, 65lb. - $16.99 for 250 sheets (Too many, but a good price).

- Inside Pages:  Royal Resource Wasusau brand, 32lb - Bought from Target for $8.99 for 100 Sheets (Bought 2, used 150 sheets).

INSTRUCTIONS

I used Aylee free template for these, which gives a good base to start with, quite a bit of rearranging is needed once you have your pages completed. You don't just simply print page 2 on page 3, ect. like the instructions say.  I am glad I started these really early when I did to give myself some time to figure them out.

This was what I found the easiest way to figure out printing/getting it all organized.

I wrote down how many pages I needed, once i had my sub-titles for each page, I took blank scrap paper and put them into a booklet type assortment like the passport invite would be. like so:

After I knew where I wanted everything, i than set out each "page" so I could see what needed to be where on the computer for printing.  Don't Forget to write front and back on "scrap paper."

Than design & print.  (I did about 5 trial prints until I liked how everything looked on cheap printer paper).

Next step was using my paper cutter to cut out all the pages like so....

Than onto Scoring each of my pages with my scoring board for a fresh folding line.

Than I had FI use the corner punch, to make the rounded corners.

Around $11 from Michaels (Used a 50% off coupon).

Next was stapling the binding together & using the paper cutter to ensure all passport pages were flush with each other.

FINISHED PRODUCT

ENVELOPES

Bought from Michaels for $5.99/pack of 50. (used 50% off coupon)

My Lovely bridesmaid used the stamps to create the starfish on the front.

Front

Back

(Used the Martha Stewart punch to make the cut out on the back in purple and glued it on).

RSVP

We were originally going to use a boarding pass RSVP I had done in word, but I didn't fancy it completely, so we ordered these postcards from Vistaprint.ca for $20/100.

CHANGES MADE ALONG THE WAY

I was pretty set on purple for my cover page, but FI suggested the beige and I LOVED it.

(Don't mind the bad stapling, this is a sample passport).

The End - Kay xo

*If you have any questions feel free to ask

Originally Posted by csho 

 

I am going wedding dress shopping for the first time this weekend and I am so excited!!! I can't wait! Any tips ladies?

YAY! That is so exciting.. good luck with the dress hunt! I randomly stumbled upon my dress on Kijiji for $300-brand new with tags.  It had everything I wanted, so my MOH and I went to look at it.  I LOVED IT and still do  You will know when its the one... I've tried on a couple of other dresses for fun, and nothing comes closes. 

The crazy thing is I want to get my train bustled - I went in to a boutique to see what we could do about this and its going to cost $350 for the alterations :/ CRAZY lol... more than the dress costed me. OH WELL!  Do any of you ladies live in the GTA (Toronto) area and know a good boutique where I could get altering done?