RonNMel

I don't know how it works for people living in the states, but I know for us in Canada Cuba is often the cheapest of all the Carribean/Mexican destinations, with possibly one of the best looking beach. The accommodations are not always as good as other richer countries, and the food can be bland, but to me it's still paradise, only more affordable. I'll be sure to tell you guys once I get the actual proposal and ring.

I don't know how it works for people living in the states, but I know for us in Canada Cuba is often the cheapest of all the Carribean/Mexican destinations, with possibly one of the best looking beach. The accommodations are not always as good as other richer countries, and the food can be bland, but to me it's still paradise, only more affordable. I'll be sure to tell you guys once I get the actual proposal and ring.

My FI and I had our eyes set on getting married in Varadero, but when just had a first meeting with a TA (to explore what the options are, know what it takes to get married in Cuba, etc.) she suggested the Melia Las Dunas, saying it was a very popular destination for weddings (also Sol Melia is her favorite resort group). I'm reading lots of good things about it, but so far nothing enough to make me change my mind. Anybody want to try and convince me as to why I should switch to this hotel? Also, I guess my main concern would be that there doesn't seem to be much to do in Cayo Santa Maria outside the resort, as opposed to Varadero...

Congratulations Yencie! Another ring less bride here. At first he was suppose to go pick out a ring by himself to surprise me with how it looks, but now my mom has offered us to give us my grandma's engagement ring, which I remember loving last time I saw it 4 years ago (I've actually been wearing the wedding band on my right index since that time. I'll give it back to my mom so she can wear it and buy matching wedding bands with my hubby-to-be instead). Though I'm thrilled about getting the ring for sentimental reasons (and because it looks gorgeous too:)), I kinda wish my mom had done that in secret with my FI behind my back instead of telling ME about it. We plan on marry in the spring of 2011, in Varadero Cuba. My FI is almost as much into the planning as me, always talking about it and often looking online for more info/reviews for the resorts we are thinking of (mostly the Iberostars Varadero and Laguna Azul).

It's not that the food is bad in Cuba, it's just often more bland than other places. Certainly more bland than here. For me it's not a big deal though, I go to Cuba for the beach and the sun, it's amongst the best of all the Carribeans! I can eat here when I came back. LOL Of course, that all depends on everyone's priorities. SuperKate, Cuba is actually usually less expensive than Mexico for us Canadians.

We were originally thinking about getting married at the Iberostar Varadero, but from the moment we saw pictures of the ILA, we KNEW that THIS was truly the place for us. We saw it as the perfect blend of standard Cuban resort bungalow architecture, and North American high rise hotel feel. My fiancee fell in love with the pool (especially the waterfall and jacuzzi atop the middle rock island). And I can't wait to check out the disco. LOL!! What can I say? I love to dance hahaha. We've only been members of this forum for a couple of days, but already it's been quite a bit of help. We can't wait to see pictures of the first wedding there. (Yahimara, the ILA wedding coordinator, has said she'd send some to us.) We also can't wait to start "the talks" with a travel agent, to really get the ball rolling.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!! Ron n Mel

Thank you all for the warm welcome!! Ron n Mel

I'm a teacher so everyday it's possible I could be in contact with someone who has flu like symptoms... hope it's not considered as close enough contact...

My fiance and I met online through lavalife. When he first contacted me, I had written him back saying it'd be a few days before I could chat with him as I had a friend from out of town spending the week-end with me, but later that same day her and I got into a car accident (nothing too serious, but enough to stop our plans for the week-end), so I ended up spending the night at home alone. I sent him a new message and he was online, so we started chatting. We only chatted for about a week before we met, and about two months later we decided to "get serious". That was just over a year ago.

Hello everyone! We are Ron and Mel (Mel writing now). We plan on getting married in April or May 2011, most probably in Varadero, Cuba. Found this forum by searching for stuff for the new Iberostar Laguna Azul.