FuturemrsD

Amazing thread. You have given me lots to think about :-)

Everything looks amazing - great photos!

Lovely pics!

I have heard good things about the Barcelo & Iberostar hotels, but without the proper reviews etc its hard to make a decision. I guess its just a case of taking the plunge & going with the one that suits your budget and needs the most. I have heard there are a few facebook groups out there for Cuba Brides (although don't ask me which hotels - I have been reading furiously and have forgotten where I saw what lol). I wish there were more reviews out there, I am terrible at making decisions :-) Have you found out prices of weddings/packages they offer at the two you mentioned? I have Iberostar in mind too, but just cant decide. I will post if I find out anything. At least you can rule one place out (I have never heard of Salina)!

Heels Robert Pattinson or Johnny Depp?

Its not too long till your big day. I am sure it will be amazing, it looks it in the brochure (but unfortunately out of our budget). I have relatives that stayed at Paradisis Varadero and they said it was fantastic (was a few years ago tho). I agree all the hotels in that chain do look lovely and are of a good standard, so I am sure whichever is picked will be great. Cant wait to see your review when you get back.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with these troubles:-) Whichever resort we pick, it seems there is always a problem with: we need single rooms (never realised this was such an issue?), ppl coming 1 week and some for 2 weeks (can only get some hols for 2 weeks?), kids are coming (so no adult only resorts) and then there is the pressure of whether everybody will like it etc its very tricky. I think the Melia hotels have a good reputation and you generally know what you are getting with them, so they are probably a good choice (plus there website is pretty good for wedding info/prices). We were originally looking at Mexico and the forums there are amazing. It would be so much easier if there was lots of reviews, pics etc to help make the decision easier. Good luck, keep us updated! :-)

I have just realised that you posted some pics :-) (I am a bit slow today lol). They look brilliant & I love the idea about putting a little note in the bag too, cute.

Thanks Peach, I just wasn't sure where to start. I think I need to go out and buy some supplies & start experimenting! I like the idea of the stretchy cord (I hadn't thought of that). I like the ones with the larger beads too.

I will check out that facebook page, thanks :-) You sort of confirmed my suspicions that Sol is the more basic of the two. Do you know whether the Melia Las Dunas & Melia Cayo Santa are next to each other & are similar? (I am sure I read that somewhere?) I prefer the MLD (it has better reviews etc) but they did not have the dates I wanted, so it's a case of picking a different date or going to the Cayo Santa Maria instead. All these decisions - it's sooo hard! Yeah I noticed the lack of posts about Cuba in general :-( it's a shame, it would be really helpful (& I am impatient haha). Thanks for the help.

Great idea for the guest book. It all looks fab.

What a lovely idea - they look great.

Great thread I am always up for money saving tips. The ones you can buy are so expensive. How did you go about making these? Did you just experiment getting the length right etc. What material are people using to string the beads on to? Has anyone got instructions on how to make? (sorry for all the questions) :-)

LOL @ Italian wedding Jitters. Its nice to read some funnies mid-stress.

Bobbi Brown do some amazing blotting papers which, for me personally, are a wise investment. I have oily skin and they absorb excess oil and perspiration really well (& I don't want to look shiny on my photos lol). Another must for me will be false eyelashes, although I will be getting semi-permanents as I am hopeless at putting the stick on ones on myself ;-)

What a great idea, I have been scouring Ebay for dried starfish but this is a much better idea! A few cotes of varnish makes them last, so they can be made well in advance too.

After months of headaches we finally decided on a wedding in Mexico. However due to various issues cropping up, we had to re-think and have now decided on Cuba (October 2013)! We have narrowed it down to Melia Cayo Santa Maria and the Sol Rio de Luna & Mares Resort (we have the problem of needing a single room & have kids with us - there is always something!). I can't find much info about either of these. I wondered if anyone has had their wedding or just stayed at these hotels? Is there a reason why I can't find any reviews or anything else about these hotels, or is it just me? ;-)

Hello I wanted to share an article I read today on projectwedding.com about an easy way to track your RSVP's. Number your guest list and write the corresponding number (with a UV pen) on the RSVP cards of your invites/or save the date cards. That way if someone forgets to put their name on RSVP you will know exactly who it's from ( they won't be able to see it). I think this is a brilliant idea, especially if you've invited lots of guests. You can get the pens on dirt cheap on Amazon and they come with the UV light on the lid.

Some great ideas on this thread. I am also on the hunt for some fun reception activites/games. Most games I have found are bordering tacky, but I suppose it depends on what type of guests you have coming and what they like to do. I think I will have some "game plans" as a back up, just in case (many found on Google). We are all probably worrying about nothing. I'm sure everything will be perfect on the day. Good luck everybody.

I can't think of anything you haven't already covered, you've been so thorough! It's been such a help - thanks Trisha

Thanks, will do! Still got just over 12 months till our wedding :-( but they are in my scrapbook and to do list :-)

Thanks deniden.

Hi everyone I'm from the UK too! We have decided on GBP for our wedding. I have found Thomas Cook to be the cheapest so far (we are looking at Oct 13). Still waiting for wedding brochure from the resort (6 days and counting...I'm impatient haha). I will be booking my wedding directly with the hotel, not through the TA. Just thought I'd mention this thread, which has more or less told me everything I need to know: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75549/official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread RE photographer: I found this - "Local outside photographers are NOT allowed, however you can fly in your photographer and have them stay at the resort as a guest." I have heard mixed reviews about the photographer but it seems as though we do not have a choice. The prices are on the above link and I have to agree they seem quite expensive! They have a facebook page where you can view their work, and it all looks good IMO. Good luck with the planning, keep us updated x

You are definitely in the right place for some inspiration. I m totally additcted :-) The Secret resorts are beautiful but as you say, are pricey. Some others I have come across, which are 'adult only' are (not sure how prices compare): Excellence Playa Mujeres 5* - Playa Mujeres area Excellence Riviera Cancun 5* - Riviera Maya (RM) Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso 5* - RM Other resorts (for everyone) that we liked (we have kids in our wedding party) are: Gran Bahia Principe 5* - RM (the most reasonably priced I have found and has excellent reviews from brides on here and Trip Advisor - my personal favourite because of its size) Grand Sirenis 5* - RM Dreams Riviera Cancun 5* - RM Happy planning :-)

Forgot to mention, there is a link in the second thread of a photographic tour of the Akumal, Coba & Tulum hotels, which I found really useful - it really helps you to get a feels for the place.