heidi_lk

Quote: Originally Posted by Corvette79 HI, do you mind my asking how much more are your guests having to pay for the new date? we were supposed to be flying air transat may 24th for our may 27th wedding but we have moved it to June 10th wedding flying out on the 7th but our guests have to pay $288 per couple. UGH!!!! thanks Ya we were very much not impressed. Our first quote was $388 a person, per week!!!!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS?? So after lengthy discussions and some changing of resorts I got it down to $185 a person. The worst thing is I tried to get our "all inclusive" insurance to cover it, and they called it an "upgrade" (even though a lower star hotel, and it was my only option) and refused to help!! Last time I pay for insurance. I am still going to take up the matter with Airtransat when I return, but just really really really happy to be going. (just upset because certain guest are students and only work part time at minimum wage and worked so hard just to come at the first price). Can't believe they take advantage of people like this.... But again, CUBA here we come!!

Quote: Originally Posted by emme Wonderful news Heidi...I'm so very happy for you!! You'll have to fill us in on the Cuba planning now Which resort / location did you choose? Hi all, We are going to Varadero and staying at the Barcelo Solymar. Its a much smaller resort that the Bahia, but I got a wedding date!! Which was all that really mattered. They have a great wedding package, a beautiful gazebo, and one of the best beaches I have ever seen. Done some mini planning and looks like they have some great tours and things to do. The best part is that the wedding package is about $600 cheaper, which helps off set some money we lost. Not impressed with Airtransat charging all my guests more money, but better than losing out!!! Can't wait to go, should be interesting handing out my May 21st, Mexico wedding favours on May 20th in Cuba... lol. My sister has named this the "Cubico" wedding... half Cuban half Mexican...lol Heidi

Hello All, We were unfortunately made to cancel but happy to report that we were able to reschedule and have a May 20th date in Cuba!!! Its not my well planned Gran Bahia wedding, but it’s a wedding!! Even better was all but 2 guests were able to rebook. Not impressed with Airtransat charging all my guests and us an extra $200... but better than losing money!! And the Cuban resort has been great accommodating our wedding and us. I am planning on doing my 1st year anniversary at the Bahia Coba though, as they were also absolutely wonderful handling this situation! Heidi

Quote: Originally Posted by Jules Heidi I'm so sad for you. I've only just begun my planning and would be devastated to know all that work is not going to pay off now. I was looking forward to seeing your pictures and review too! Keep positive about Cuba, I'm sure you will be able to pull it off and have just as amazing a wedding as your Coba one would have been! Hang in there, Jules Thanks Jules, and everyone else who has supported us! Happy to say I got a May 20th wedding date in Cuba, all but 2 guests rebooked... which isn't too bad. If I can find a photographer I promise to post a link of our photos... lol. It has taught me one thing though, I spent nine months stressing and planning and planning, and now I have (hopefully) just as beautiful of a wedding planned in just under 3 days! Amazing how quick you can make a decision when you are pressed for time Wish all you girls the same luck, and remember its marrying the one we love that really counts!!! Heidi

Well, I am sad to say I am no longer a Bahia Bride But to you other girls I encourage you to follow through with this resort. I received what I thought to be a wonderful email from the resort and was nothing but pleased about how they handled everything...prior to and after this incident... wish I could go (Airtransat on the other hand, that is a very different story... not impressed) My only positive is that it looks like we may get to go to Cuba the same dates, but lets hope I can plan a wedding in 3 weeks, if it is even an option... so sad. But I wanted to thank you girls for all your help and hope nothing but the best for the rest of you... If anyone has any scoop or advise for Cuba please PM me. I've attached the letter we received from the bahia. Hopefully I can honeymoon here next year! Quote: Dears Heidi & Darcy, While sending you a warm greeting on behalf of everyone at the Gran Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Resort, I would like to express how profoundly sorry I am for the current situation which has coincided with the time you have chosen for the celebration of your so much awaited wedding. I can perfectly imagine the big disappointment you, your family and friends, must be going through at this very moment. It is well understood that as a precautionary measure, some governments have issued an alert to their citizens with respect to traveling to Mexico, particularly countries in Europe, Canada and the Unite States. In fact some flights have been cancelled, most of them, to the capital of the nation. Unfortunately although we understand the fear and panic which currently predominates among citizens of the world with respect to the sweine flu, the world media has reported the current events or news in a way which is little reflective of the true reach of the sweine flu. As of today, Quitana Roo which is the state in which we are located, has remain until this point, virus free and no a single case have been identified. Authorities in our state are taking very effective and strong actions aimed at keeping the people well informed on how to prevent or minimize getting infected and are monitoring very closely any signs which may suggest of possible individuals presenting symptoms of the flu. We are hopeful and confident that sooner rather than later this situation will be fully controlled. Although we understand that given the fact that your wedding celebration may have coincided with the vacation time for you, your fiancé and some of the members who were suppose to come with you, we would have not problem in offering you the possibility to reschedule the wedding date in the event that this idea was ever entertained by you. Just let us know please if you will proceed with other destination in order to close your file, although we very much hope to be your host for such a special occasion in your lives. I really want to meet you personally and enjoy with you this special moment!! Hopefully things will work fine and your plans will no be fully disrupted as a result of this much unwelcome unprecedented situation. Receive my very best wishes,

Quote: Originally Posted by calchik i'm with you heidi. i was supposed to leave in 10 days. i've been crying for the last 3 hours. wtf are we supposed to do now? trying to find another destination but even if we do are we going to find a wedding? photographer? probably not. ffs. back to crying I've been crying for about 7 now, had to call in sick to work, couldn't even think about going in. Have you been presented with any other options. I am bare minium hoping the trip can be replaced for the sake of our guest, but awfully sad that all my wedding planning, gifts, dates, ceremony, the works, is out the window. My only hope now is that "IF" I get a new destination I can bribe someone into offering some sort of ceremony... back to answering phone calls and crying...

Quote: Originally Posted by Kara&Ryan not sure yet. we have to stay with the same vacation company, sunquest... they seem to be booked for at least 2 months. this really sucks Hi kara, we were date twins... and cancelled as well. So devasted, we are looking at other options but not looking good. And a legal wedding is basically out of the question... so sad.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jacilynda I am SO sorry honey!!! {{HUGS}} Why wouldn't you be able to go somewhere else? That just seems crazy! The Dreams Tulum girls last year had a hard time but were able to move everything in a matter of days I don't see why they couldn't do something for you! This is so crazy that they are all suspending and cancelling flights til JUNE!!! I could understand a couple weeks but over a month, c'mon!!!! I just read on CNN that Mexico City has closed all venues, they are really trying to nip it in the butt. i really don't think suspending flights will help much! I understand that Mexico is the epicenter, but it spread in Mexico over a week and then has leveled out quite a bit. Its already gone across the US and Canada, i personally don't think suspending flights will do any good. i could see to Mexico city, oh I don't know i'm so frustrated w/ all of this! Thanks, I appreciate everyones support. This forum is the only thing keeping me going right now. The reason it doesnt look good for May is because there are 26 of us going and no flights have that many free seats. I guess everyone is scrambling and trying to rebook. To make matters worse the company I am travelling with has said absolutely NO REFUNDS, just issuing travel vouchers. If the airline doesnt come up with something I am goingto make it my life mission to ensure no one flies with them again.... so frustrated!

Quote: Originally Posted by yoAzul Thanks for this! Its nice to see some people have common sense and can be rational Too bad the airline people couldn't see things this way!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jananaz Really!? I'm so sorry to hear that. Can you do a civil ceremony at home and then post-pone the destination part? Was is BP that cancelled or the airline? It was the airline that suspended all travel. Our TA is trying to send us somewhere else, but she is giving us a 2% chance of that working out. I'm just so sad, sitting here looking at my box of wedding favours and such, a home ceremony is a good idea though, with a later destination part, not not what I had envisioned... never felt so lost. To make matters worse the travel company is being horrible. I paid for most of my family and I couldnt afford insurance for everyone and they are saying absolutely NO REFUNDS. I was hoping to get refunds and all take off to Vegas but they have made that impossible. If this doesn't get fixed I will make it my life mission to discourage any one from ever using this company, can't believe they have no sympathy when this was completly out of my control....

Our travel agent is working on trying to get us something. Its just so sad, every wedding favor, invitations, the sentimental wedding date, all lost. She said its doubtful we will be able to go anywhere in May. Can't believe this happened.

Just found out my wedding is officially cancelled. All travel is banned until June 4th. Never been so depressed.....

I am with AirTransat in Canada, and all travel has been suspended until June 4th, my wedding is officially cancelled, never been so sad....

I am leaving in 3 weeks, and holding out hope... no plan B for me So far there is still no advisory, in Canada, to not go, so fingers crossed. Maybe all you girls could also cross them for us, for extra luck!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by JoLo908 You can pay for the wedding and reception and everything on credit card right?? I don't feel comfortable carrying around a ton of cash... We've been told the DJ must be cash, the trio cash/ travellors checks, and the photographer cash or travellors checks. Everything else from the hotel goes on the room and can be paid by credit card.

Quote: Originally Posted by calchik i just sent this email below to my guests to ward off any freaking out on me about our trip since we leave in 2 weeks. i'm not concerned but will just be more careful not to get sick. alcohol will kill all germs anyways Calchik, you have me LMAO!!! I sent an email to my sister last night saying that vodka would be my medicine... and not to worry!!! Nice to see we think alike... lol

So far its just an advisory and warning to becareful. Apparently there have been no new cases in several days. But I was worried about my guests... One guest already posted a warning on his facebook page... come on, don't need to scare people. He did take it down though when we asked, we leave in 20 days dont need a bunch of fearful guests. I'm sure there would be a much stricter warning if it was a serious threat to tourists.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jules Hi Heidi, Sorry, I don't know how to quote messages yet! Thanks for replying. We too have Karla, so I am happy to hear when the time comes to talk with her that things should go quickly. We were also wanting to have a private reception by the pool, and based on what I've read here DJ Bob is the man. Who do you have DJing? How about photographers? Again, based from what I've read the Claudia Rodriguez group is great, I've looked at Citalli's work and it looks great. I'm hoping to get a reply from them and book her. Even though as you said it could change, we have been given a 4 pm ceremony time, which works great for me, because we hope to do exactly what you are doing with dinner and reception. Keep up that excitement! I'm excited for you just thinking that I'll be doing the same thing next year! Bye! Julie Hi Julie, We just hired the resort DJ. Heard good things about him and the price was right For a photographer we went with Mexican wedding photos (Mexican Wedding Photos & Videos | Wedding photographers). I really liked their work online, they were quick to respond to all my questions, and they had a great price for videography. We both have grandmas who are unable to attend and really wanted to be able to send them a DVD of our wedding. Excitement is building!!!!!! Heidi

Quote: Originally Posted by Abbie omg sorry im a post whore today. anyways, fyi the $ exchange rate at the hotel last week was: pesos to us$=12.80 pesos to ca$=18.00 (holy moly! thats super amazing) Hi Abbie, Thank you for such a fabulous review!!!!! But I am confused on the exchange rate... Is that 1 us $ is 12 pesos and 1 ca $ is 18 pesos?? Is the Canadian $ worth more there? I was going to bring US dollars but am I better off just bringing Canadian money? Last time I was in Mexico the Canadian $ was under valued so I had exchanged to US first. Any advice? Thanks a bunch!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jules Heidi lk, your excitement is contagious!! I just mailed my Save the Dates today!! We will also be staying at the Coba, so I am looking forward to reading your review and any planning advice you can send my way! I just got confirmation last week that we will be getting married April 1, 2010 (not exactly the date I wanted, but close enough... just as long as no pranks occur... April fools and all!) When did you decide where and what time your dinner would be and what type of reception are you having? I'm sure you probably posted that info already, but this thread is soooo long!! Thanks! Julie Hi Julie, Feel free to ask away! I know how much info this forum gave me when I was starting out. About 3 months away from the wedding is when they will send you all the wedding package information. At this stage we filled out the marriage licence request, picked a restaurant from the selection, picked a set menu (if you have more than 15 guests), and requested to have the pool side reception with DJ. I then sent her a guest list about a month ago. Who is your WC? We have Karla and she has been nothing but amazing so far. Very prompt and always writes me back within a few days. I am going to try and get a rough schedule of the night, from her this week. We have been given 5 pm for our ceremony (but I guess this can change based on the judge), but I am hoping for a 7 pm dinner, and then poolside from 9-11!! So excited (still...lol) Heidi

Quote: Originally Posted by Jamaica0619 I'm sorry you are going through this. I think everyone has covered everything. You really need to sit down and talk this through, potentially with a counselor's assistance. I absolutely agree with this comment. I am a therapist and know the value of getting some outside perspective. A counselling session can help find out whats going on and get the real issues out in a safe and non-threatening manner. Either way, all is not lost. Keep your head up, and know that regardless of the outcome good things can come from this, whether it is making the relationship stronger, or learning more about yourself. My wishes are with you!!!

Exactly 30 days till our wedding and 26 till we leave.... WOOO HOOO. Just wanted to share my excitement. Still have so much to do, but the excitement makes it all worth while. I would also be interested in any advice anyone has on tipping and how much. We always tip the usuals but unsure about people like the DJ and photographer. I know we pay them cash, so unsure if appriopriate to tip on top of that and how much. Thanks!!! Heidi

Great review, Thanks!!! Makes me all that much more excited.

For those of you already married, when did you do the cutting of the cake? I'm unsure if it would be better to do at the restaurant or at our poolside reception, or if we even have the choice... Thanks a bunch!

Congrats!! Also looking forward to pics and review. So happy to hear Karla was good, she is our WC as well. Just over a month to go!!