ILA Brides, what do you have planned so far for your big day?

[Barrierunner]

Great questions Tilly in the Sun, I actually just emailed Yahimara yesterday to ask for the seating set up since my parents have been asking. I would love to have a head table with the bridal group.

 

From what I was told by Yahimara a month ago, they still didn't have many options for chair sashes. So I am bringing my own and I told her I would leave them for her to use again. There is a great US site that sells them cheap, wedding linens direct home page.

 

I'm finding that lately it has taken Yahimara weeks to get back to me for simple questions. So I think this forum topic will be very beneficial to most of us to get the answers we are looking for.

 

Happy planning everyone!

[RonNMel]

Yes, please let us know if you get the answer to the seating question.

 

Lately I don't even email Yahimara directly anymore. My travel agent speaks spanish, so whenever I have a question I let her email or even call.

 

My last question was when do we choose the restaurant we want to eat at and the time. She said once we get there. Did you egt the same answer or have some of you girls already reserved a restaurant?

[Tilly in the Sun]

Thanks for the website barrierrunner...I will check that out right now :-) I will send Yahimara an email now asking the table questions, so whoever gets a response first we can just let everyone here know lol.

 

All of you girls are so awesome and I am so glad we have this forum so we can all help eachother out

 

Mel - from what I remember I was told to pick the restaurant when we get there as well, but I will add that question to this email. I kinda think it's better if we can wait until we get there to pick so we can actually see what the options are in person.

[Salamander]

I have also ordered chair sashes and bows in aqua, I found a deal on another website that ships to Canada and the sashes work out to 0.75 each. I don't think I could have even gotten the fabric for them that cheap. I am taking down a lot of my decorations and leaving them there (many will be dollar store purchases, and Michael's using their 40% off coupons).

 

Here is the website I used for my organza chair bows;

tablecloths Table Linens Chair Covers Sashes

 

I ordered 35, I was thinking after the ceremony mybe they could be brought into the restaurant and used there as well.

[Tilly in the Sun]

I got a response from Yahimara about the table numbers and shapes.

 

She said they hold either 6 or 8 people and are rectangle. I also asked about colours and they have white and gold at this point.

 

I had requested that she make a reservation for our group in the Japanese restaurant the day after we arrive (sort of a welcome dinner, but I didn't call it that) and she said she can't do that....are any of you guys doing some sort of meet and greet dinner before the big day? Any ideas on how to get around this one?

[Barrierunner]

I wanted to have a rehearsal and dinner but apparently that isn't an option. I don't know how they expect the ceremony to go smoothly if we can't even have a rehearsal. I guess for the dinner the best option is to pick a time and go to the buffet and do it there. It is so frustrating at times.

Are you going to give gifts out to the wedding party in Cuba or will you do it back home?

[RonNMel]

I'm keeping things very casual and planning on doing a welcome cocktail hour in the lobby bar. Not sure yet if we'll do it before dinner, and all head out to the buffet after, or do it after dinner, and possibly finish the night at the disco.

[PaulsGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilly in the Sun I got a response from Yahimara about the table numbers and shapes. She said they hold either 6 or 8 people and are rectangle. I also asked about colours and they have white and gold at this point. I had requested that she make a reservation for our group in the Japanese restaurant the day after we arrive (sort of a welcome dinner, but I didn't call it that) and she said she can't do that....are any of you guys doing some sort of meet and greet dinner before the big day? Any ideas on how to get around this one?

I am beginning to become quite frustrated with the miscommunication between Yahimara and other brides!! I was told that I COULD have a welcome dinner for our 50 guests and to contact Yahiamra mid-March to confirm how many seats we would need. I asked for Buffet or A La Carte, didn't matter.

And I quote from Yahimara:

Dear Lisa,
You just want to have all the Group eating together ? If so a welcome dinner could be possible. It depends only on the occupancy of the hotel. I can arrange that for you, let me know exactly what you want for that dinner. One month before the wedding I can book that, please write me in March and remind me that.

So then I emailed again to confirm and received:

Dear Lisa,
Ok, we just need to make a large reservation. But I cannot tell you now where will be possible. Remind me that I march again.


Good news is that a friend of the family just got back from the ILA and she had a FABULOUS trip!

[Tilly in the Sun]

That's so weird Lisa! Thanks so much for posting what she wrote to you. I think a big part of the miscommunication comes from the language barrier. I just sent her another email re-asking her about the dinner....

 

Barrierunner - we are planning on bringing down everything with us. We're doing OOT bags for our guests, with nicer ones for the wedding party. I have already asked a few people (guys mostly LOL) to let us use a little of their suitcase to bring it all down. The only thing we may have to give out before hand is our GM's gifts. FI wants to get them really nice humidors (cigar cases) and I don't wanna risk travelling with them. What are you planning on doing for your gifts?

[ML23]

Tilly in the Sun: humidors, what a great idea!! Can I ask where you got them from, and how much they cost? thanks!!