Blau Varadero

[kylashley]

Ola! I'm MOH for an upcoming wedding at the Blau Varadero in January 2014. Very limited to no options available for post ceremony/reception activities such as group dinner, first dance, speeches etc. Any recommendations from past brides/groups/guests? Group of approx 20-25.

[ceecee2014]

I'm also wondering about the photographer. I've heard a few people saw that the photographer was good, but I haven't seen any pictures before. Fingers-crossed, I guess.
Unfortunately, I was just told that you can't reserve the restaurant for your group anymore, even if you pay extra - which we were originally told we could (as long as we had enough people). I was a little disappointed to find that out, but, I guess we'll just make it work.
Trying to figure out how and where to do speeches now. I guess I can just see what Sabina suggests.

[jackshayne0123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceecee2014 
 

I'm also wondering about the photographer. I've heard a few people saw that the photographer was good, but I haven't seen any pictures before. Fingers-crossed, I guess.
Unfortunately, I was just told that you can't reserve the restaurant for your group anymore, even if you pay extra - which we were originally told we could (as long as we had enough people). I was a little disappointed to find that out, but, I guess we'll just make it work.
Trying to figure out how and where to do speeches now. I guess I can just see what Sabina suggests.

Hey! I was also FREAKING out about photography, because their "guy" doesn't have a website, or portfolio, or pics to send. What kind of photographer doesn't have a website? Anyways, I'm over it...ok not really. I have been in contact with a few past Blau brides and they sent me some of their pics, I will PM you this weekend with more details. These brides have been really happy, have said great things and have told me not to worry. I hope my expectations are met! It's really hard not knowing what kind of work he does and his style, the types of pics he takes, etc. I have appointed someone in our group to be the "assistant" and I have made a list of all the photos I want, different combos with family, wedding party, etc. That way if he isn't good my friend can keep him on track. Here's a link to a Blau review, you may or may not have seen already.   http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/68720/blau-varadero-review-long

 

As for the reservation, my understanding was we didn't need one, Sabina said she takes care of it, sets and decorates the tables for us. I will confirm with her that this is the case. Because if not we are screwed too! We have 48 people coming with us, so we will occupy a few tables. My FI and I also discussed speeches, he said we could do them after the ceremony, before pictures, since we are getting married in the gardens and will have a mic and sound system. I said no, that cuts into our photo time and we will literally run out of daylight. I want to have speeches at dinner, but we won't have a mic. So...that's the dilemma. I guess it depends on what you want and what your vision is. If we do speeches at dinner in the restaurant, 1) we will have no mic and it might be hard to hear and 2) everyone else in the restaurant might be listening too. We will have to wait and see I guess! As I said I'll PM you this weekend with more photo info

TGIF

[ceecee2014]

Thanks for all of the feedback! I did see that review (it was so helpful) and it looked like a great wedding, so I am just assuming ours will be like this as well!! At this point, all I can do is go with the flow.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear - the restaurant will be reserved for sure, but once upon a time, we were told that for $750 (for 30 ppl, then +$25 for each additional person) we could have the restaurant to ourselves (and no one else would be there), but I guess this has changed. I was happy to pay the extra money, but it's not an option anymore. I assume that we'll at least have semi-privacy... I hope!

 

Do you know much about the cocktail party after the ceremony how that works?! Or is that just to entertain people during photos?

I was also thinking about the possibility of speeches after the ceremony, for similar reasons to your FI, but you make great points (our time in the sun is limited, so best get the photos started!!!).

 

Would love to see any photos that you have from the photographer, just to get an idea. Thankfully I have some friends with great cameras of their own, so at the very least, we can use their photos. Like you, I want pictures of the ceremony, but also of different combos of family and friends.

If you come up with any ideas for the speeches, let me know! I guess I can just see what Sabina suggests.

TGIF, indeed!!!

[jackshayne0123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceecee2014 
 

Thanks for all of the feedback! I did see that review (it was so helpful) and it looked like a great wedding, so I am just assuming ours will be like this as well!! At this point, all I can do is go with the flow.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear - the restaurant will be reserved for sure, but once upon a time, we were told that for $750 (for 30 ppl, then +$25 for each additional person) we could have the restaurant to ourselves (and no one else would be there), but I guess this has changed. I was happy to pay the extra money, but it's not an option anymore. I assume that we'll at least have semi-privacy... I hope!

 

Do you know much about the cocktail party after the ceremony how that works?! Or is that just to entertain people during photos?

I was also thinking about the possibility of speeches after the ceremony, for similar reasons to your FI, but you make great points (our time in the sun is limited, so best get the photos started!!!).

 

Would love to see any photos that you have from the photographer, just to get an idea. Thankfully I have some friends with great cameras of their own, so at the very least, we can use their photos. Like you, I want pictures of the ceremony, but also of different combos of family and friends.

If you come up with any ideas for the speeches, let me know! I guess I can just see what Sabina suggests.

TGIF, indeed!!!

Yes the reviews on here are great! I'm planning to take a journal to Cuba with me so I can write everything down, to keep the memories, and also write my own review afterwards and pay it forward!

 

My understanding of the cocktail party is it is for the guests while we are taking photos. After the ceremony we will cut the cake, there's also a champagne toast, I want some group photos of everyone, (maybe with their glass saying "cheers" or something) then we will do our first dance, and then take off for photos. The people who are not coming for photos can mingle, eat and drink and wait for dinner. That's the impression I am getting of the timeline.

[ceecee2014]

Ahh, thanks for the breakdown... Wait, does this mean I miss cocktail hour?! Someone will have to carry my drink along the beach for me.

[jackshayne0123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceecee2014 
 

Ahh, thanks for the breakdown... Wait, does this mean I miss cocktail hour?! Someone will have to carry my drink along the beach for me.

That's what I thought! I imagine there will be time to have a few sips and bites while mingling, cutting cake, etc. But personally I want to take off and go for photos right away, so we will miss it. But it's nice filler time for the other guests.

[ceecee2014]

I guess you're right, best get pictures while there is still lots of light outside... which, in January, isn't very long.
 

Do you have any idea what the menu for the dinner is like?! Do our guests just pick something during the dinner? I realize I don't know much about how dinner will actually work.

[jackshayne0123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceecee2014 
 

I guess you're right, best get pictures while there is still lots of light outside... which, in January, isn't very long.
 

Do you have any idea what the menu for the dinner is like?! Do our guests just pick something during the dinner? I realize I don't know much about how dinner will actually work.

I actually don't know what the menu for dinner is like, I don't think Sabina has mentioned, and I haven't asked. I will! I have heard it's good though, and you can order lobster for an additonal charge. I've heard mixed reviews on the lobster, I don't think it's something we will do, it's an added expense. We want to take everyone on a catamaran dinner cruise, so that's where we will splurge to say thank you to our guests. I had my dress fitting over the weekend, it's amazing!! I love it so much I can't wait to get it back. I'm scared I won't want to take it off on the wedding day. I also had my hair trial tonight! Things are coming together! How are you feeling ceecee, freaking out?

[jackshayne0123]

Hey ladies, anyone else having problems with this website "update"? I can't find any of my stuff! None of my forums are here, my private messages are gone.....whyyyyy? What's going on?