sarafish81

Quote: Originally Posted by Constance Hi I am getting married in Playa Pesquero in April 09 ..My name is Constance and I am from Calgary Canada ...This is also a 2nd marriage for both of us ..my fiance's name is John ...I am so excited but also a little nervous after hearing about the damage done due to IKE ....I have been to the UK twice..I love it ...even though is it wet ...Its beautiful as you said ...I would love to hear from you .take care Constance Hi Constance, I'm also from Calgary and am getting married 8 days after you! Maybe we will see each other there! How is your planning coming along?

Thanks!! I can't imagine how excited you must be right now....I hope your wedding is fantastic and can't wait to see pictures and hear how everything went!!

So fun - we are starting Latin dance classes tonight that run every Wed from now until about a week before the wedding....hopefully we will learn something in that time

For anyone who has stayed at Playa Pesquero in Holguin, Cuba, do we need the travel adapters? According to the above website (gocuba.ca): "Cuba’s electricity is 110 volts, 60Hz, but most hotels and resorts have 220 volts. Electrical outlets take flat plug prongs. If you’re bringing an electrical appliance, check before you leave to see if you need an adaptor or converter." I'm wondering what the resort has... Thanks!!

My dress also has only a one-point bustle...however, it is tafetta and very light so I'm sure it will be fine. I will definitely keep some safety pins on-hand just in case!

Here is mine....I ordered it back in August and got it in November....the back is a corset style and I'm taking the panel out for the wedding because I figure we're in Cuba! Who needs a panel? It was the third one I tried on and I love it.

You have gorgeous hair! I would say I like the first one the best.

Thank you so much - I was trying to reformat spanish phrases from a website and make them small enough to fit in a booklet...this saves me the hassle! Less work is great!

Jenn (JenniferLynn) - May 10, 2007 Julie (JulieG) - October 24, 2007 Sherry (Sherry) - October 4, 2008 Tameika (mrs.r2be) Oct 11 ,2008 Kaylee (kamay)-October 16, 2008 Fannie (royfa) - October 23, 2008 Jessica (zoeysmom1204) - November 5, 2008 Lisa (Chiquita) - November 5, 2008 Sonia (Sonia81) - November 24, 2008 - Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Melissa (MissyR) - November 27, 2008 Erica (EricaG) - November 30, 2008 Dianna (Destination0) - December 11, 2008 Daina(dainanewell)- December 12, 2008 Andrea (kevsgirl) - December 12, 2008 Rebecca (rebecca120) - December 17th, 2008 Terri (babyg) - December 29, 2008 Connie (teacherbride) - January 19, 2009 Lindsay (Linzibella) - January 20, 2009 Jennifer (jcarson) - January 22, 2009 Tara (mexicobride2009) - January 23, 2009 Lindsay (seaprincess) - January 28, 2009 Amy (Amarillis) - January 28, 2009 Chantal (Chantal85) - January 30, 2009 Kate (kleslie5) - February 6, 2009 Ana (Ana) - April 1, 2009 Kristin (ryan's girl) - April 1, 2009 Sara (sarafish81) April 18, 2009 Marnie (Marnie&Peter)- April 21, 2009 Michelle (shellb) - April 24, 2009 Melissa (PrettyPeaches) - April 28, 2009 Bahia Principe Jamaica Donna (Dursula) - May 6, 2009 Shannon (Shay2679) - May 7, 2009 Karen (GPBride2009) - May 12, 2009 Corvette (Corvette79) - May27, 2009 Bahia Principe Akumal! Fran (MayanButterfly) - June 11, 2009 Bahia Principe Tulum Sorcha (townie princess) - June 12, 2009 Virginia & Mike (Virg) June 30 2009 Michelle C (michellepicksbrent) - August 19, 2009 Heather (*Heather*) - October 22, 2009 Leslie (lscilley) - November 16, 2009 Joanne (jpitts7 - Nov 19, 2009 Michelle (shelly) - January 13, 2010 Louise (trance_angelx0x - January 16 or 17, 2010 Amy (hamster627) - January/February 2010 Rachel(ret2010) - April/May, 2010 Lori (gossip girl) - October 10, 2010 Chris (sunstarsmoon) - Dec 01 2010 Denise (FutureMrsLewis) - April 26, 2011 Sabrina (NotYourAverageDW) - Dec/2011 Zaneta(JNL2011)- may 2011

My maid of honour's daughter will be 9 months old at our wedding. I bought her a cute floatie on Ebay that has an adjustable sunshade for sun protection. I think floaties are a great idea for kids or adults and don't take up too much room in your luggage. We brought air mattresses with us to Mexico this year and loved them.

Maybe this will work better. Trying to do this while I'm at work wasn't the smartest plan...I thought you had to put it in manage attachments. Anyhow, here is mine in a few different views! I got it in July and still can't stop looking at it! The thing that made me know it was "mine" was right under the center stone are angel wings. I love angels and as soon as the Tacori rep pointed them out, I was sold!

My mom threw us an engagement party in September. She kind of got the idea and ran with it and for us, the only people invited were the ones not invited to the wedding, besides our families of course! Initially, I felt a bit unsettled about that, but I asked my mom that she put "no gifts please" on the invites. I thought it was tacky to say, "please come to our engagement party, you're not invited to the wedding, and where is our present by the way??" Of course, we got a few gifts anyways and it was a lovely party. I know there are etiquette rules, etc., but sometimes if the mother of the bride wants to do something, it's best just to let her do it...that's been my experience anyways!

I think it's a great idea as well! I keep telling myself I'm done with the OOT bag contents, but how can I as a Canadian pass this idea up?? Thanks for the idea!

Saraece I love that song too - that is what we are walking back up the aisle to (recessional?) after the ceremony. It is beachy and happy and I love it! I am walking down the aisle to "Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk. The trick for me will be not to cry since when I hear that song, I tend to get teary!

I definitely will! Thank you!

I had the same questions! I went on a website called cubajunky.com and found some info on currency that I in turn included on our wedding website. It answers a few of your questions. On the cubajunky.com website, under the tab "Travellers Info" go to "FAQ" and then scroll down to "Currency". Anyhow, I grabbed some info off there for our website that is below: Currency In Cuba, there are two different currencies: -Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC's) -Cuban Pesos 1 CUC = 24 Cuban Pesos You may exchange Canadian dollars for both CUC's and Cuban Pesos. The exchange rates are set in accordance with the exchange rates on the international market. You can acquire CUC's at the airport, banks and at the money exchange offices, called "CADECA" (you can find these offices everywhere in the country). You can obtain Cuban Pesos also in the CADECA's or at any local bank. You will need Cuban Pesos to take buses (guaguas), to buy vegetables and fruits at the local market, perhaps some juice or a pizza in the streets. There are places that accept only CUC's and other places only Cuban Pesos. In tourist facilities and other service units, prices are set in CUC's. You can exchange your left-over CUC's and Cuban Pesos at the airport when you leave but it is expensive, and many times they’re short of foreign currency. A better way to handle it is to budget wisely during the last few days of your trip so you don’t arrive at the airport loaded with useless CUC's. Remember, you need 25 CUC per person for airport departure tax. As always, credit cards are also welcome! Hope that helps - cheers!

Yes that makes total sense. I'm glad that you and I are understanding the same thing. I am totally ok with signing papers and being "legally" married on the 17th but then having a symbolic ceremony in front of our friends and family on the 18th. Now that we have the date/time and the beach bbq set, can you think of anything else that we should take care of at the moment, or are we good until we get to the resort?

So, I just heard from Yaly and we are having our ceremony on April 18 at 4pm. She said that the notary doesn't work weekends, so we are signing the papers on the 17th at 10:00 a.m. and then the ceremony will be the next day. JulieG, what is involved with the signing of the papers? I'm thinking that's essentially our marriage license and then the next day is more of a symbolic ceremony? Anyhow, I'm super excited and I have my first dress fitting in 2 weeks so things are great!

Yes 10am just seems to early, especially considering I will need to get my hair done (along with my maid of honor) that morning. Plus, like you said, I don't think I would want to hang out in my dress all day until dinner! Initially I was asking for 4pm as I think that would be great in terms of temperature and then having the beach bbq at 6pm would allow a few hours for pictures, drinks, etc. Well, maybe the 18th will work for that time. We have a few days to play with.

I'm happy to say I heard from Yaly today and everyone is right, she is lovely to deal with. Unfortunately, the time available for the date I want is 10:00am which is not ideal, so I've asked her what is available on April 18 instead. I know 10:00am might be nice in that it won't be too hot, but then what to do for the rest of the day until the reception? Anyhow, faith is restored...thanks girls!

LOL thanks you guys...I hope I'm not too high-maintenance. I just have had such bad luck with our original planner/travel agent and I'm hoping it won't be the same. I won't freak out...yet!

Just wondering how long it took to get a response from Yaly the first time you contacted her via email? I'm thinking Cuba, like Mexico, runs on "island time" and it may take awhile...thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by JulieG I do have Yaly's email address, I loved her so much and she was so amazing that we still keep in contact. [email protected] is her email address. I can't remember how far in advance I booked my date, but as soon as I knew the exact week we would be there and were booked I booked my date and time with her. I wanted it to be in the afternoon at 4 and on the Wednesday, it was important to me, so I booked it right away and I got it. I booked the beach BBQ with her and told her I wanted my wedding on the beach and asked for the DJ and the dance floor well in advance. Other than that, I did everything else when I got there. She is amazing and you have nothing to worry about, I promise you. She is way more on the ball than I thought she would be and everything was PERFECT!!! The hairdresser is great and my hair was totally amazing. Do a search on here under my name to find my pics. Rest assured your wedding will be perfect. Thanks so much! I actually found Yaly's email on another site this morning and it is the same as you just provided me so something's going my way! I want the 4pm ceremony as well since it won't be in the heat of the day and we also want the beach bbq! What did you think of the food? I've heard conflicting reviews (not necessarily for Playa Pesquero, but Cuba in general). Thank you again for restoring my confidence - it's tough not being in control of what's happening and it's nice to know that Yaly is trustworthy and great to deal with. Now I'm excited again

Hi JulieG, thanks for your reply. We are using our travel agent to act as a go-between for us and the resort, however, I think it would be easier to deal with Yaly directly. Do you happen to still have her email address? Also, since you got married there, did you have to plan quite a bit in advance to get the date you wanted for the wedding as well as time of day? How did you find planning the reception? We booked our trip from Apr 13-20, but some guests are flying in from other locations and their only choice was Apr 15-22, so we are trying to ensure all of our guests are there for the wedding. Thanks for your help

Hi, I'm looking for advice from any Canadians that have been married or are getting married at this resort. Did you plan/organize the wedding yourself directly with Yaly at the resort, or are you dealing with a wedding planner/travel agent? Our planner has caused us so many headaches resulting from not paying attention to what we've requested, being rude to our guests (who have to book through them) and have changed the wedding date on us numerous times. In addition, they've now started charging our guests the full amount of their packages when we were told that the balance was due in 2009, closer to the date of the wedding. We are now dealing with frustrated guests and credit card companies regarding fraudulent activity on the part of our agent...the worst part is, we are only inviting our close friends/family and they are the ones getting screwed over!! It's not like some 4th cousin we don't even know Anyhow, I just thought that planning a wedding on a beach shouldn't be so stressful but I suppose weddings at home and destination weddings each carry a degree of stress....mostly just venting!!