Planning our Wedding – Blau Marina Varadero, Cuba November 20, 2013

After many years together, my fiancé and I have perfected the Art of Marriage. We are best friends, lovers and soul mates. We have grown together to have the same sense of value and common objectives; we have learned to speak words of appreciation; we have learned to compromise and know that being the right person is just as important as being the right partner; we are able to forgive and forget; we never go to sleep angry; we stand together and face the world; we say "I love you" at least once a day; we form a circle of love that gathers all our friends and family and we will never be too old to hold hands. We are getting married knowing that our love will last a lifetime!

Now, time to start planning the wedding.  We decided on a destination wedding as we love to travel.  We’ve been to Belize, Cuba, Dominican, Barbados, Mexico, Jamaica and Cayman Islands and I have to say that Cuba has pretty good beaches.  We also chose Cuba as it is the most cost effective for our guests and has the best nightly entertainment (Costa Rica comes in 2^nd).   My future brother-in-law had been to Blau Marina Varadero (formerly Barcelo Marina) and he absolutely loved it!  I checked out the packages and compared with some of the other local resorts and decided to go with Blau Marina as that where we got the most for our money.   After getting quotes from Sunwing, Trans-At and Signature Vacations, we booked with Transat Vacations…. $1032 for regular rooms and $1104 for oceanview rooms and some really impressive incentives.

BTW, I paid the $30 to be able to view pictures and download attachments on this website, which I have found to be worth the money.  Thanks to all the brides for posting! :-)

SAVE THE DATE CARDS

We immediately ordered our Magnet Save the Date cards from http://www.magnetstreet.com/.  Paid $2.05 each in total (incl taxes and shipping).  See picture attached. 

GIRLS DRESSES:

Given that people are paying for their trips, I wanted to pay for the bridal party’s attire.  I bought the girls dresses at www.venus.com and paid $39 each.  The girls love the way the dress fits and love the fact that they can wear it again after the wedding.

For the ceremony, I purchased barefoot sandals for the girls from e-bay for $13.49 for a pair.  For the reception, I ordered personalized flip flops from www.partyflops.com.  I ordered 25 pairs for my guests as well and with shipping, it came out to $9.48 each. I would suggest going to Wal-mart and buying the $3.00 pair instead, albeit they came out fantastic!  

GUYS ATTIRE:

My fiancé wanted to wear Cuban attire for the wedding.  I did plenty of online surfing before I found a reasonable price www.guayaberascubanas.com .  The guys shirts were $28.99 and the pants were $39.99.   I also ordered the ring boy attire from there for $32.99 for the shirt and $34.99 for the pants.

I will keep posting as my plans progress. For now, I will go back to finishing up my Message in a Bottle invitations.    

Wow, very impressive!!

You've gotten a great start! Wish I could see your pics, but alas I do not have 150 posts yet and I just couldn't pay to join. Soon I hope!!!

Can't wait to see your updates!

MsTigger try going to the discussion "Where to get Married in Cuba" I think you may be able to see the pictures there. 

Great start!

Have you received the guys' attire? I was wondering about quality and fit. Is it true to size?

I have not heard of this site before and was thinking it may be a good place to look for FI's outfit, in case we cannot find anything in stores this spring.

Originally Posted by Peach 

 

Great start!

Have you received the guys' attire? I was wondering about quality and fit. Is it true to size?

I have not heard of this site before and was thinking it may be a good place to look for FI's outfit, in case we cannot find anything in stores this spring.

Yes, we received them.  The quality is pretty good linen and we'll definitely have to iron them once we get to Cuba. The shirts were pretty right on in size. The pants were a bit off though so I bought one size up in the pants and my mom is going to hem them.

Wow awesome thread! I am looking to get married next year in Cuba. Just haven't decided on a resort but looking between Varadero and Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin!

Originally Posted by csho 

 

Wow awesome thread! I am looking to get married next year in Cuba. Just haven't decided on a resort but looking between Varadero and Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin!

thank you CSHO.  I've been to Varadero, Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin and for the beach Varadero is my favoriate.  Holguin was really nice and we loved Blau Costa Verde Resort..the entertainment was just amazing!  However, the beaches were a bit too weedy and water muddy.  In Cayo Santa Maria, there were many old men in banana hammocks with young local prostitutes on the beach so needless to say we won't be going back there, ever!  Now that was back in 2009 so just speak to people who have been there recently before considering there.  Varadero had the nicest beach so that is why we chose it.  Good luck and have fun planning! :-)

Tada I have picked my wedding dress and am so thrilled!  I absolutely love it and can't wait to get it in April (I ordered it in white).   I am contemplating on a single narrow veil that sits on the back of my hair and almost to the floor.    Yes or no?

Love your bridesmaid dresses.  Looks like your planning is coming along nicely!

Love your dress its gorgeous! I think the veil yoiu describe would be wonderful! Its such a delicate sleek dress you don't want anything to over powering!