2013 & 2014 Iberostar Laguna Azul, Cuba Brides!

[alley08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by csho 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by alley08 
 

Awww thanks Carina. You are too sweet! I have been MIA. I feel like I've been slacking on the wedding planning because I've been busy with the jack and jill planning. It's lots of fun though. Having a blast. Now time to get down to business. Time is getting on. lol

 

What's new with you? How is your planning coming along?

Not much is new with me... have been working on making my guest book and a Pre-Travel brochure. I also bought some escort cards and thank you favour tags and some die cut starfish cutouts so I can start making my menus. I am going to be done everything so early lol! I'll have nothing to do in the months before the wedding... which I guess is fine so I won't be stressing out lol! But I have also made the decision to try to get into Physiotherapy school in September soo I have to complete that application and there will be an interview a few weeks before the wedding... so it will probably be good if I get everything done so I won't have to worry about both things!

Sounds like things are coming along. You are making menus? I hadn't even thought about this. Are you having a dinner where your guests have options? I have been given two options and I have to pick one for all of my guests. Is this the case with you as well?  I'm starting to stress so good on you for getting everything done early. I'm impressed!!!

 

Where are you having your dinner and are you renting something after dinner? Sorry so many questions.

 

That's exciting about school. Good for you! Yes the time before the wedding you won't want to be doing both. Yipee. So excited for you!

[csho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alley08 
 

Sounds like things are coming along. You are making menus? I hadn't even thought about this. Are you having a dinner where your guests have options? I have been given two options and I have to pick one for all of my guests. Is this the case with you as well?  I'm starting to stress so good on you for getting everything done early. I'm impressed!!!

 

Where are you having your dinner and are you renting something after dinner? Sorry so many questions.

 

That's exciting about school. Good for you! Yes the time before the wedding you won't want to be doing both. Yipee. So excited for you!

I am making menus... we're having our dinner at the palapas. There are two menus I think that you can choose from there and I am doing what you're doing and just choosing one of them for all of our guests. So I just like the look of having a menu on the plate when you arrive at the table and that way people will know what they are getting I am just going to print it off on white paper and back it with coral card stock and add the die cut starfish I bought to the top. They will be simple but cute and I think it will be nice to add some colour to the table since I am not having table runners.

 

We are doing our ceremony on the terrace at 3pm, then going to have an informal cocktail hour at the lobby bar (basically just going to tell everyone to meet there from 5:15pm til 6:15pm and then have everyone head over to the palapas all together for 6:30pm. (I will probably just get my mom to tip the bartenders and hope that the lobby bar won't be too busy and that everyone will be able to get served) That way we don't have to incur an extra expense for that part. Then we'll do dinner at the palapas and we're renting the disco from 9-11pm for a private party!

 

I've already done up the timeline for the day and it is going to be jam packed! Trying to fit everything in like speeches and dances and cake cutting etc. I feel like we're rushing through everything but I am guessing it won't feel like that once we're there. It just makes me sad to think that the day will go by so quickly!

[jolene028]

Quote:

Originally Posted by csho 
 

I am making menus... we're having our dinner at the palapas. There are two menus I think that you can choose from there and I am doing what you're doing and just choosing one of them for all of our guests. So I just like the look of having a menu on the plate when you arrive at the table and that way people will know what they are getting I am just going to print it off on white paper and back it with coral card stock and add the die cut starfish I bought to the top. They will be simple but cute and I think it will be nice to add some colour to the table since I am not having table runners.

 

We are doing our ceremony on the terrace at 3pm, then going to have an informal cocktail hour at the lobby bar (basically just going to tell everyone to meet there from 5:15pm til 6:15pm and then have everyone head over to the palapas all together for 6:30pm. (I will probably just get my mom to tip the bartenders and hope that the lobby bar won't be too busy and that everyone will be able to get served) That way we don't have to incur an extra expense for that part. Then we'll do dinner at the palapas and we're renting the disco from 9-11pm for a private party!

 

I've already done up the timeline for the day and it is going to be jam packed! Trying to fit everything in like speeches and dances and cake cutting etc. I feel like we're rushing through everything but I am guessing it won't feel like that once we're there. It just makes me sad to think that the day will go by so quickly!

Oh do you have a template that you used for the Timeline?? Is this something that you are giving to all your guests?? I would love to see it use it, I have been going back and forth trying to make up my mind on this! Let me know.

 

thanks

[Kay6356]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alley08 
 

Sounds like we are on the same schedule. That's awesome.

 

I forgot to ask you. Did you guys decide on whether or not you are having a reception on the beach?

 

The cost is more than I thought. With the dinner in the palapas and two hours on the beach it will cost $35/person. Not a ton in the grand scheme of things but I was a bit surprised at the cost.

 

How are you making out with finalizing things

 

We are planning on doing the party on the beach for two hours, what we aren't for sure on is the gala set up.  We are having our dinner in at the Cuban restaurant, and with it ending at 8:30 I don't want that to be too much of a break until the disco opens.  The entertainment at the resort is fantastic, but I kind of wanted a different wedding-ish feel that evening.  Because we are doing an AHR (Andrew wants one, I don't)  I really don't want to spend the money on the gala set up or the private party.  Being that the gala will be $675 and the private party $900 for 45 people.  That's a lot of money when were going to be doing an AHR too..  Im a little torn at the moment as to what we will for sure be doing!

 

As for finalizing things; we are booked for the Cuban on our wedding day.  And other than that I know Giselle will handle everything once we are down there.  

 

My FI Andrew & I are arguing a bit (which we rarely do).  Mainly about the AHR and his and his groomsmen attire!!!!  ... Is anyone else having little arguments? 

[csho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay6356 
 

 

We are planning on doing the party on the beach for two hours, what we aren't for sure on is the gala set up.  We are having our dinner in at the Cuban restaurant, and with it ending at 8:30 I don't want that to be too much of a break until the disco opens.  The entertainment at the resort is fantastic, but I kind of wanted a different wedding-ish feel that evening.  Because we are doing an AHR (Andrew wants one, I don't)  I really don't want to spend the money on the gala set up or the private party.  Being that the gala will be $675 and the private party $900 for 45 people.  That's a lot of money when were going to be doing an AHR too..  Im a little torn at the moment as to what we will for sure be doing!

 

As for finalizing things; we are booked for the Cuban on our wedding day.  And other than that I know Giselle will handle everything once we are down there.

 

My FI Andrew & I are arguing a bit (which we rarely do).  Mainly about the AHR and his and his groomsmen attire!!!!  ... Is anyone else having little arguments?

Fortunately Mark and I rarely argue, he is pretty laid back and usually lets me make the decisions which is great, except when he doesn't give me input because he says he doesn't care... which ok he really probably doesn't care what colour the napkins are lol! But it drives me nuts when he doesn't give me an opinion, but then he'll have very strong opinions on other things... such as trashing the dress... I really really wanted to do a trash the dress, but this was something he was very much against since we are having a catholic wedding ceremony when we return and  he feels that I will ruin the dress and won't be able to wear it for the catholic ceremony. Ok I get that, but its frustrating because he just doesn't understand that a little sand and water won't ruin it... but I also feel like oh god what if something did happen and then I would feel really bad because I know he really wants me to wear the same dress. So we are not doing the trash dress... that's my compromise on the wedding lol and then he pretty much lets me make most of the other decisions lol!

 

I would say forgo the gala set up since it really doesn't make that much difference. Even with the chairs they have there you can still tie the sashes around the back of them and I think it would look good. Just get someone in your party to do it, if they won't . Personally I would spend the money on the private party though. It is your wedding and at the end of the day an extra $900 in the span of your lifetime isn't much and I think you'd regret not doing it. And then after the party head over to the disco. With that said if you really can't afford it, I saw on the fb group someone who brought their own speakers and set them up under the rock by the pool and just tip a bar tender to bring you trays of drinks over. I think though people spent a lot to come to the wedding and celebrate  with you, so if you can afford it without going into debt I'd do the private beach party. I just feel like having an AHR is like ok heres a party for all you people who didn't even come to my wedding whereas you're kind of ripping off the people who actually spent the money to be at it... I don't know if that makes me sound mean or anything cause I really am not lol! But those are my thoughts.

[csho]

But I am sure whatever you guys decide will be the best decision for you guys as a couple! So either way I am sure everyone will have a good time! I just think rewarding the people who made the effort, took out the time, and spent the money to travel to another country is more important. Ok now I am done lol!

[csho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolene028 
 

Oh do you have a template that you used for the Timeline?? Is this something that you are giving to all your guests?? I would love to see it use it, I have been going back and forth trying to make up my mind on this! Let me know.

 

thanks

I haven't actually made a timeline to hand out... I just wrote one up for myself with every little detail in it lol so I'd have an idea of how the day would look. BUT I do plan on doing up a wedding day and Wedding Week timeline to include in the "Welcome Package" I plan to make once we arrive in Cuba... or more likely I'll hand them out at the airport so I don't have to carry them around. I was actually just looking at some other peoples timelines and am planning on just making one in Word with clip art!

[jolene028]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay6356 
 

 

We are planning on doing the party on the beach for two hours, what we aren't for sure on is the gala set up.  We are having our dinner in at the Cuban restaurant, and with it ending at 8:30 I don't want that to be too much of a break until the disco opens.  The entertainment at the resort is fantastic, but I kind of wanted a different wedding-ish feel that evening.  Because we are doing an AHR (Andrew wants one, I don't)  I really don't want to spend the money on the gala set up or the private party.  Being that the gala will be $675 and the private party $900 for 45 people.  That's a lot of money when were going to be doing an AHR too..  Im a little torn at the moment as to what we will for sure be doing!

 

As for finalizing things; we are booked for the Cuban on our wedding day.  And other than that I know Giselle will handle everything once we are down there.

 

My FI Andrew & I are arguing a bit (which we rarely do).  Mainly about the AHR and his and his groomsmen attire!!!!  ... Is anyone else having little arguments?

Kay,

 

So Troy wanted to have an AHR but here is my argument... we went to a DW about 4 years ago, and we spent a lot of money to go, it was about $4200 for both of us the wedding was in February, then in June they had the AHR and honestly being there it felt like a wedding reception, and when talking to the people that went to Cuba for the wedding, they all kind of felt the way I did which was hey I am glad I spent so much money to go to Cuba for the wedding when they had the reception here... seriously I was insulted, so for me I said to Troy I don't want to insult the people that paid the money to celebrate the day with us, it is a slap in the face... believe it or not when I put it like that he totally agreed with me, I just want it to be something special that we did with the people that chose to be there for us!

 

If we were to do something I would do something totally casual, like have a party BBQ or something BYOB and just have pictures of the wedding up on a screen or something but I wouldn't wear my dress or have Troy wear his suit!

 

But that is just my opinion, I totally understand why people have them and to be honest Troy's mom cancelled on us 4 days before final payment, and we still aren't having one! But hey that's just me!  I hope you guys can work something out that is for both of you!

 

Other than that, Troy and I argue about the small things all the time... not blow up in your face sort of stuff but a little bickering here and there, I think right now because we are both so desperate for a vacation there is nothing to argue about! LOL mostly I have made all the decisions and he has gone along with them, I thought that this would make me mad, but honestly it has been good our only wedding fight was at the beginning when the TA was screwing us around with our prices Troy thought that there should be more that I could do I told him to plan the F***ing wedding and we have been good since LOL

 

WOW we are only being charged $10 per person for our private party on the beach...

[alley08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by csho 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by alley08 
 

Sounds like things are coming along. You are making menus? I hadn't even thought about this. Are you having a dinner where your guests have options? I have been given two options and I have to pick one for all of my guests. Is this the case with you as well?  I'm starting to stress so good on you for getting everything done early. I'm impressed!!!

 

Where are you having your dinner and are you renting something after dinner? Sorry so many questions.

 

That's exciting about school. Good for you! Yes the time before the wedding you won't want to be doing both. Yipee. So excited for you!

I am making menus... we're having our dinner at the palapas. There are two menus I think that you can choose from there and I am doing what you're doing and just choosing one of them for all of our guests. So I just like the look of having a menu on the plate when you arrive at the table and that way people will know what they are getting I am just going to print it off on white paper and back it with coral card stock and add the die cut starfish I bought to the top. They will be simple but cute and I think it will be nice to add some colour to the table since I am not having table runners.

 

We are doing our ceremony on the terrace at 3pm, then going to have an informal cocktail hour at the lobby bar (basically just going to tell everyone to meet there from 5:15pm til 6:15pm and then have everyone head over to the palapas all together for 6:30pm. (I will probably just get my mom to tip the bartenders and hope that the lobby bar won't be too busy and that everyone will be able to get served) That way we don't have to incur an extra expense for that part. Then we'll do dinner at the palapas and we're renting the disco from 9-11pm for a private party!

 

I've already done up the timeline for the day and it is going to be jam packed! Trying to fit everything in like speeches and dances and cake cutting etc. I feel like we're rushing through everything but I am guessing it won't feel like that once we're there. It just makes me sad to think that the day will go by so quickly!

That's a great idea. You are right that it will jazz up the table a bit. I don't have table runners either. I do have centerpieces and some decor but that's it. Might not be a bad idea. Thank you for thinking of that. I can't wait to see what they look like.

 

It looks like we will be doing the same thing-ish. We will be getting married on the terrace at 4 pm (I'm going to pay the pool people to keep the noise to a minimum) then we will go for pictures and then have everyone meet back at the palapas for 630. I talked to Giselle and she said that they won't kick us out of the palapas at 8. So I'm hoping that speeches and food and everything else will take a little longer than the allotted time of an hour and a half and we can stay there longer. Closer to 9 would be ideal. Then we are going to have a party/dancing on the beach from 9-11 and then we will head to the disco. 

I'm glad to see that others are doing the same thing or close to it. I was getting nervous about the timeline and how things would actually pan out. Phew. You are always good at calming my nerves. Thanks Carina 

[Kay6356]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolene028 
 

Kay,

 

So Troy wanted to have an AHR but here is my argument... we went to a DW about 4 years ago, and we spent a lot of money to go, it was about $4200 for both of us the wedding was in February, then in June they had the AHR and honestly being there it felt like a wedding reception, and when talking to the people that went to Cuba for the wedding, they all kind of felt the way I did which was hey I am glad I spent so much money to go to Cuba for the wedding when they had the reception here... seriously I was insulted, so for me I said to Troy I don't want to insult the people that paid the money to celebrate the day with us, it is a slap in the face... believe it or not when I put it like that he totally agreed with me, I just want it to be something special that we did with the people that chose to be there for us!

 

If we were to do something I would do something totally casual, like have a party BBQ or something BYOB and just have pictures of the wedding up on a screen or something but I wouldn't wear my dress or have Troy wear his suit!

 

But that is just my opinion, I totally understand why people have them and to be honest Troy's mom cancelled on us 4 days before final payment, and we still aren't having one! But hey that's just me!  I hope you guys can work something out that is for both of you!

 

Other than that, Troy and I argue about the small things all the time... not blow up in your face sort of stuff but a little bickering here and there, I think right now because we are both so desperate for a vacation there is nothing to argue about! LOL mostly I have made all the decisions and he has gone along with them, I thought that this would make me mad, but honestly it has been good our only wedding fight was at the beginning when the TA was screwing us around with our prices Troy thought that there should be more that I could do I told him to plan the F***ing wedding and we have been good since LOL

 

WOW we are only being charged $10 per person for our private party on the beach...

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by csho 
 

Fortunately Mark and I rarely argue, he is pretty laid back and usually lets me make the decisions which is great, except when he doesn't give me input because he says he doesn't care... which ok he really probably doesn't care what colour the napkins are lol! But it drives me nuts when he doesn't give me an opinion, but then he'll have very strong opinions on other things... such as trashing the dress... I really really wanted to do a trash the dress, but this was something he was very much against since we are having a catholic wedding ceremony when we return and  he feels that I will ruin the dress and won't be able to wear it for the catholic ceremony. Ok I get that, but its frustrating because he just doesn't understand that a little sand and water won't ruin it... but I also feel like oh god what if something did happen and then I would feel really bad because I know he really wants me to wear the same dress. So we are not doing the trash dress... that's my compromise on the wedding lol and then he pretty much lets me make most of the other decisions lol!

 

I would say forgo the gala set up since it really doesn't make that much difference. Even with the chairs they have there you can still tie the sashes around the back of them and I think it would look good. Just get someone in your party to do it, if they won't . Personally I would spend the money on the private party though. It is your wedding and at the end of the day an extra $900 in the span of your lifetime isn't much and I think you'd regret not doing it. And then after the party head over to the disco. With that said if you really can't afford it, I saw on the fb group someone who brought their own speakers and set them up under the rock by the pool and just tip a bar tender to bring you trays of drinks over. I think though people spent a lot to come to the wedding and celebrate  with you, so if you can afford it without going into debt I'd do the private beach party. I just feel like having an AHR is like ok heres a party for all you people who didn't even come to my wedding whereas you're kind of ripping off the people who actually spent the money to be at it... I don't know if that makes me sound mean or anything cause I really am not lol! But those are my thoughts.

 

Thanks ladies, like I said we never argue to the point one of is actually absolutely upset.  But lately I've been a little upset, were ready to just be in Cuba already!!!

 

I agree, I think it is a slap in the face to the people that did attend out DW, but FI wants one no if ands or buts.   We will figure it out....

 

It is $10/person/hour......