Tilly in the Sun

Hi all! I was at La Vie En Rose Aqua last night and noticed they had very cute bags for only a dollar each! They are actually the reusable type bags but they have a big white tropical flower on them and they look very beachy. It does have the store logo on the side. I think they are perfect for brides who need to buy a large amount of bags and don't want to spend a fortune on the actual bags. Also, they are super light so they won't weigh down your luggage! I originally bought a bunch of beach totes from there at $3.50 each, but I am going to change my plan and sell the totes so I can use the bags instead. Now I have more money to get cool stuff to put IN the bags!! LOL

I think putting your website on the STD and than having all pricing info on the website is the best way to go.

oh I totally feel for you! For the past few months I have been agonizing over which resort to go with. Originally we had chosen the Melia Varadero (had a date/time booked with the resort WC) but we kept looking at the Iberostar Laguna Azul. There was nothing wrong with the Melia - it is gorgeous, has mostly amazing reviews, they really know how to do weddings and of course it's free with over 22 guests. After hours of research, going back and forth and this forum we switched and went with the IBL. We even took a vote with our guests LOL. We started thinking how nice it would be to stay somewhere new and fancy, and thought our guests would enjoy it as well. The downside is cost, and being that it's new it may not have everything up and running smoothly, but we're just gonna go with the flow and enjoy paradise! The best advice I can give you is to just research as much as you can - read reviews, look at pics and if you're using a TA ask her/him for advice. If you think it would help you could even ask your guests what they think. You can't go wrong with either chain, so wherever you pick will be amazing! Good luck and if you need any advice/help or just feel like you're gonna pull your hair out send me a msg.

We are having a stag and doe and a formal AHR with 200 guests when we return from Cuba. In our circle of friends, it is totally normal to have a stag and doe, and we have bought tickets/been to so many over the years and never thought there was anything tacky about it. It's a really great way to get everyone out together for a cheap night and a great time. I don't see anything wrong with helping out a couple for their big day. I guess it does depend on what the norm is in your area/group...but I say go for it!

they look great!! I don't think you missed anything...your guests will love them!!

Hey Varadero Bride, Congrats and welcome to the forum! You will find so many amazing ideas on here, and everyone is super helpful. Happy planning!! As for your photographer...what most brides do is change their 'siggy' to add something like "looking to share a photographer in (blank) for the week of (blank). Mgs me if interested" To change your siggy, you just go to the upper left toolbar and hit USER CP. Than you just click edit your signature on the left panel and write whatever you want, that way whenever you write a comment it will show up for everyone to see. Here is what Yahimara sent me regarding the private reception If you want a private dinner reception we have three different a la carte restaurants with different menus: Steak House Restaurant “Monserrate†Healthy Meals Restaurant “Basora†Cuban Restaurant “ La Insular†Times tables: From 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm (with extra charge 15.00 CUC/pax) From 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm (free of charge) The lobster offer is available in all the restaurants. If you want a private party after dinner for dancing you can reserve the disco/aqua bar or meeting room from 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm. For that you should pay 150.00 CUC for the location and 8.00 CUC/Pax for the opened bar. She also said it is $18 per person for the lobster dinner. Hope that helps!!

My sister who is my MOH is throwing me a shower. At first I was very iffy about it, like a lot of brides on here, but honestly the more I talk to people the more I see they want to 'shower' you...we are also having a pretty formal AHR (dinner, open bar, DJ, dancing) so I just asked that whoever is invited to the shower has to be invited to the AHR. I am actually getting excited about going to register with my FI!!

ugh that's a really awful thing to go through! I believe that everything happens for a reason, and if it were me I would be glad to not have people like that at my wedding, let alone be my bridesmaids (who are supposed to be there for you no matter what!!) I think you are lucky, and should do whatever the heck you want for the bridal party...destination weddings are so unique that we don't have to follow any of the 'traditional etiquette rules'. Good luck to you and hopefully you feel better about it all :-)

Hey there is a little wedding store in Hamilton that has a bunch of destination wedding stuff at a reasonable price. They are actually attached to the hall where we are having our stag and doe/AHR so it was a huge bonus when I found it last week. They also said if they don't have something in stock (it's not really a big store), they will search for it, order it and pay the shipping!! Good luck!! Here is the link wedding, essentials

Thanks everyone for your ideas and experiences. I am leaning towards having some kind of entrance only because we are doing the whole sit down dinner, drinks, DJ, dancing (and we are all wearing our wedding attire again!! love getting so much use out of the dress)...so it's a pretty formal AHR. Still have almost a year to decide though so I am sure my mind will change about 8 million times LOL.

Awesome! They look great! Thanks for sharing...I am going there to check it out now :-)

Thanks Paulsgirl for the wedding info! We have our date and time set, but haven't decided on a location for dinner yet. Can't wait to see your pics and hear all about your trip Phil and khanh :-) Congrats and happy planning!!!

yeah it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders...now I can relax and celebrate!!

We just booked at this resort for May 18th, 2010!! I am soo excited and can't wait to get married on the beach of such a gorgeous resort!

Just wanted to share that after months (almost a year) of planning, researching, sleepless nights and literally changing my mind daily, we picked the resort!! We will be married on May 18th, 2010 at the Iberostar Laguna Azul I am soo happy and relieved to have this part over with...it was not an easy decision and I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all the brides on the forum who helped me with the process. The brides here all ROCK!!

Oh I totally feel for you!! We have had some guests voice their opinions on the cost, location and even said "why don't you just have the whole thing at home" (because we are having an AHR). At first I really let the comments eat away at me, and even went so far as to change the location to make it less costly for our guests. I'm now starting to think that you can't please everyone, and sadly some people will comlpain no matter what you decide - so in that case it sucks to be them because everyone else will be having a blast while they mope (or don't come at all).

Welcome and congrats!

They look really good!! If I got these at a wedding I would be happy :-0

Thanks! Gonna head over there now!

They look great!! Your guests will love them! Thanks for sharing

pregnant : babies

Welcome and happy planning!!

congrats and happy planning!! Welcome to the forum :-)

congrats and happy planning!!

Congrats and happy planning!! You will love this site!!