jackshayne0123

That sounds incredibly romantic and perfect! I think it's the cutest thing ever your son was there too, a perfect family moment! Congratulations again!

Wow those dresses are gorgeous! And I LOVE the color! So pretty. I agree with the ladies above, a light pink would be so pretty, and maybe blue orchid or hydrangea or a tropical orange for some contrast?

Congratulations! Cuba is an amazing place that's for sure! This site is also amazing! It was definitely my saving grace while planning our big day. If you have questions or need help please let me know I am happy to help out a fellow Cuban Bride!

Hello! My colors were navy for the bridesmaids and groomsmen wore light blue shirts, and I didn't want my Mom or MIL to match. My mother found her dress at a store called Laura, it was black with fushia flowers, it looked so good on her! Laura has a great selection of dresses, especially in the spring for prom/grad time, and Christmas. Good luck!

@@krisdaversa ignore the peanut gallery! It's your dress! Too many opionions will make you second guess your choice and you don't want that, stick to your guns!

Yes being a Mrs. is great! It's so weird to call him my husband, it feels so grown up! And sometimes I don't feel like a grown up haha Yes I do have pictures but for some reason can't post them, my tool bar is weird and can't put them right into a message...help anyone? PM me and we can exchange emails if you'd like to do it that way, I don't mind sharing

Hello! I'm not sure if Cuba and Mexico are different, we got married in Cuba and they send our documents to us 5-6 months afterwards. I think we are going to see a lawyer just to make sure everything is legit and legal, and ask if there's anything else we need to do. And then I'll take that cert. to change my name on ID, passport, etc. I would ask a registry/DMV what they need, or the kind of paperwork that you'll need to fill out. It can be confusing and overwhelming for sure! I'm already having an identity crisis EEEKK LOL

Hello! I got married at the Blau Varadero in Cuba January 23rd, thought I'd pass along my two cents -Flights with Sunwing from Calgary $1400 each -Invitations - we did an email invitation at first, and then once people started to book they received a postcard invitation from a local print shop 50 cards $40 -Wedding dress $1800 + $300 alterations -Shoes 2 pairs, wedge sandals $60 and flip flops $20 -Jewellery Earrings from David's Bridal $20, earrings from Stella & Dot (I wore for TTD) $30 Bracelet from Stella $30 -Groom Outfit $100 -Groomsmens shirts $60 x 4 guys Swimco -Groomsmens Aviator sunglasses $20 x 4 -Bridesmaids flip flops $12 x 5, earrings $5 x 5 (Boxing Day sales!) -Bridesmaids gifts hand clutch $2, lip gloss $2, sunglasses $5, Mary Kay makup blotting papers $10 (all items except Mary Kay were Boxing Day sales -OOT bags from Oriental Trading online $200. I shipped the items to my BFF in Boston and she brought them home for me, otherwise shipping would have cost me a fortune -Jr. Bridesmaid dress $100 + $50 alterations (more than I hoped to spend) -Flower Girl dress $50 + $50 shipping (thanks US postal service) Flower girl flip flops $12 -Wedding Package at the Blau (legal ceremony) $500. This included all paperwork, decor for ceremony (which wasn't fancy, I chose white ribbon for arch, aisle runner and white chair sashes) cake, champagne toast and appis for all guests. Reception dinner at a la carte restaurant was included for all guests as well. I decided not to do place cards, centrepieces, etc. for the dinner. That was an extra expense and stress we didn't want, and that's one of the reasons we wanted a DW. -Resort photographer $350 -Resort videographer $150 -Flowers $40 Bride bouquet, $20 bridesmaids, $5 Groom bout (which he didn't wear) and $5 for 4 parents and my Grandmother. -Hair and makeup for Bride $50, I also paid for hair for my girls Grand total $150 -TTD session at second resort on our honeymoon week $350 GRAND TOTAL (if I added correctly) $6432 That's about it in a nutshell! We are also doing a AHR this coming Saturday, at a pub, we will order some appetizer platters, we're aiming to spend about $300, but that's all! Nothing fancy, we invited everyone to come hang out, see the pics, and celebrate! We aren't a very high maintenance couple (I don't think) LOL I must admit costs added up, but I wouldn't change a thing!

I found my jewellery at David's Bridal and Stella & Dot! Loved it all

Hi! Yes, my wedding coordinator said it will take about 5-6 months for us to get our marriage cert. We were married a month ago, I'm not expecting my papers until June. Yes to legally change your name, drivers license, passport etc. you will need your marriage cert.

We got married January 23, my husband picked this date because it's 1/23, he thought it was clever, plus it's easy for him to remember the anniversary! haha

Very good point! I didn't think of that, if there is no wedding party. I'm sure that will look nice!

Wow you girls are a lot nicer than I was! haha My color was navy/ight blue and I asked my MIL NOT to wear navy. I didn't want her or my mother matching my girls. The mothers picked their own dresses, my mother wore a black/fushia dress and MIL wore a green/teal flower design dress. Both looked nice!

Shoppers Drug Mart! I found Tide packets there, amoung tons of other travel sized items

I am so sorry you are disappointed with your photos, I know how important they are, that's the one thing you have left after your big day, when everything is over, your dress is dirty and the makeup is washed off. I agree with csho, the wedding day is about you and your husband. Even though the group shots and bridal party shots are important, what really matters is you and your husband. Your bridal party may not want to get dressed up again, it's hard to coordinate schedules, and redo hair and makeup. I felt the same way, there are some shots I didn't get with my girls, we didn't get a photo with the entire bridal party together, I wished I had more, but at the end of the day, I don't think it really matters. I asked myself - which pictures am I going to frame in my living room? The group shots, the ones with my girls? Probably not. I am going to frame and display the pictures of me and my husband. Those are the ones that truly matter. If you aren't happy with your photos, then you and your hubby could do another photo shoot in the summer, or why not a winter shoot? I think picutres in the snow are beautiful and you could have some fun, a snowball fight, go skating, or any other winter activity you enjoy. Maybe a TTD in the snow, sledding, etc? If you want to do another shoot, go for it! It's always nice to have extra pictures. It might ease your mind. PS I think the pictures you posted on your website are gorgeous, and we were wedding twins! We got married on the same day, and my bridesmaids dresses were the same, just a different color. We have great taste!

@@kellymiller you read my mind! If you don't want it for the ceremony, then use it for photos! I think a veil can make for beautiful pictures, and a fun prop!

It's totally ok not to invite her, invite whoever you want! (or nobody, that's ok too!) I did not invite my MIL, because she lives 8 hours away, but even if she did live in the same city, I would not have invited her. We aren't that close, I didn't want her seeing my dress, and frankly I didn't want her opinions. My own mother couldn't come with me, because she lives across the country, so if my own mother couldn't be there, then my MIL certainly wasn't coming. She had to wait for the wedding day just like everybody else!

You are very welcome, glad it helps you! Traditionally, with at home weddings, cake, champagne and the dances don't happen until the reception/dinner, but this is just how the resort does it, I'm not sure why. I actually didn't mind doing it this way, it flowed well, and when the reception started we got to eat right away, which everyone was thankful for

Hello, congratulations on planning your big day! Your timeline looks pretty similar to what ours was, just an hour later. Our day went like this: Photographer arrived in my room to take pictures getting ready, putting corsage on parents, grandmother, etc 2pm He also snuck over to my groom's room to take some pictures of the guys getting ready Ceremony 3:30pm (was supposed to start at 3 but the notary was late) Cut cake, champagne toast 4pm First dance and dance with my Dad 4:10pm Family/group photos 4:30 Wedding party photos 5pm Bride and Groom photos 5:30-6:15ish I think? We went back to our room for approx 20min to freshen up, my husband changed his shirt, I brushed my teeth, reapplied deoderant, lipstick, etc. Entrance into reception dinner 6:45 Speeches, dinner 7-9pm Then we moved to the beach bar to dance the night away The day flowed nicely and even with the notary being 30 minutes late, it was fine, we didn't feel rushed, and we had plenty of time for pictures. Your timeline should flow well for you too! All the best! Jackie

Hello! My SIL got married in Playa del Carmen, she said there is only one Catholic church in the area. Your local priest at your church can help you with the details and the arrangements, she said they went through their local priest, had to go to marriage classes and go through all the traditional steps first. Also the ceremony and all paperwork was in Spanish. That's all the info I have for you, sorry I don't have more, hopefully it's a little helpful to you! Jackie

We just got married Jan 23rd, we had the wedding of our dreams, and the trip of a lifetime! What I would do again: -EVERYTHING! I loved every minute of our trip and wedding day. (ok with maybe a few exceptions) -pick a destination wedding. SO much easier, less stress, and cheaper than a wedding at home! Everyone gets a vacation, and we got to spend quality time with family and friends all week, not just for one night -stay at extra week after everyone left, switch resorts, and have a honeymoon. We loved having so many friends and family come celebrate with us, we have memories to last forever, but we were so tired and worn out! It was so nice to chill and relax and spend time together, just unwind and do nothing. -buy my big fancy dress. I LOVED it, I felt like the most beautiful bride in the world. No matter the cost, the alterations, the worry of it getting squished on the plane, it doesn't compare to how I felt, how I looked, and how much my husband loved it. I wish I could wear it everyday! -do a TTD session! I was very hesitant at first, I didn't want to ruin my beautiful expensive perfect dress. But after talking to other brides, I realized it's only water, it will be dry cleaned and will come out looking as good as new, so why not? We had the best time ever! It was so much fun, we not only have amazing photos, but we have a fun experience that neither of us will forget. I am so glad we went for it! What I wouldn't do again: -worry so much. I know LOL, right? A bride, not worry? Keep dreaming! I had never been to a destination wedding before, this was new territory for me. I didn't know what I was doing, where to look, how to plan, how can you trust your WC thousands of miles away to plan YOUR big, perfect day? How can they possibly know every detail you have always dreamed of, how can you be sure it will go off without a hitch? The resorts and wedding planners, photographers, every vendor, they do this for a living, they are the professionals, they do this every day! And if you think you're a crazy psycho bride, there is probably another one out there who is worse than you, so don't sweat it! They have seen it all. They are there to help you, and the point of a DW is to take the stress out of the equation, right? Once I got down there and met with my WC I felt so at ease, she knew what she was doing, and it's like a lightbulb went off, as soon as I got there I felt relaxed, go with the flow, all I cared about was family, friends, and the fact that we were getting married, we were going to be husband and wife. Everything else will take care of itself, and there are people who will do things for you, so sit back and relax. And don't be afraid to delegate! Do you have bridesmaids/groomsmen? Put them to work! I must admit it felt so good to be pampered and not to have to lift a finger! -OOT bags. I loved my bags, I loved the things I put in them, I just don't know if they were used. So I am on the fence about them. I know some people will keep them as keepsakes, and a few people said they will use the golf tees, the kids used the lip gloss, I just don't know if everyone used everything. So I guess I am glad I did it, but maybe I didn't need to put as much in them as I did. -I don't think there is anything else I wouldn't do again. My flowers weren't right, I didn't like them, and they weren't fixed on time, but that was out of my control. The notary was also 30 minutes late for the ceremony, but again, out of my control. I wish I was more calm and relaxed, and more go with the flow in that moment, but other than that, our day was amazing! Every detail that I thought would matter, in the end, didn't matter. The details are nice, it's great to have perfection, but there was so much going on, I was so focused on the positives. It was about love, me and my husband, getting married, and celebrating with family and friends. Our cake didn't taste that great, my flowers weren't what I wanted, I forgot to get some pictures with certain people - but did that ruin our day? No. Did it make a difference, did our guests notice? No. It all went smoothly, we laughed, cried, danced, we smiled ALL day. It was amazing and I would do it all over in a heartbeat. I hope all you brides have the wedding of your dreams too!