2013 & 2014 Iberostar Laguna Azul, Cuba Brides!

[Guest 1derwomanbride]

Hey ladies,

 

Is anyone having a welcome dinner? If so, what restaurant have you chosen? Giselle just sent me the menus for the Del Chef and the Tex Mex (we are having our wedding reception at the Cuban)...I'm torn! Haha! Any suggestions? Del Chef's options were: snapper or chicken stuffed with spinach & mushrooms and Tex Mex options were: beef fajitas, beef filet, BBQ chicken. Kay, I know you were at this resort before...did you have any recommendations? Time is flying by ladies!!

 

Also, we just ordered our bands last week! Can't wait to see the photos from your stag & doe! Csho, the flower definitely looks purple in the photo but I'm glad it was white when you were outside, plus the flower will be away from your dress which can sometimes make the colour seem off. I really like the center of it..it is really pretty!! What seller did you use on etsy? I am in the process of deciding on a hair flower too!

[Lopi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1derwomanbride 
 

Hey ladies,

 

Is anyone having a welcome dinner? If so, what restaurant have you chosen? Giselle just sent me the menus for the Del Chef and the Tex Mex (we are having our wedding reception at the Cuban)...I'm torn! Haha! Any suggestions? Del Chef's options were: snapper or chicken stuffed with spinach & mushrooms and Tex Mex options were: beef fajitas, beef filet, BBQ chicken. Kay, I know you were at this resort before...did you have any recommendations? Time is flying by ladies!!

 

Also, we just ordered our bands last week! Can't wait to see the photos from your stag & doe! Csho, the flower definitely looks purple in the photo but I'm glad it was white when you were outside, plus the flower will be away from your dress which can sometimes make the colour seem off. I really like the center of it..it is really pretty!! What seller did you use on etsy? I am in the process of deciding on a hair flower too! 

First off, Congrats Kay!!!

 

Second: welcome dinner: extra cost? 

 

Has anyone inquired about a cocktail hour after the ceremony before the dinner?

 

I e mailed Giselle to see what they had in terms of decorations already there, and it looks like we're going to be lugging down 8 tall glass vases for the ceremony isle deco and then transferring them as deco for the reception dinner @ one of the side bars that we have rented out privately. We booked the Disco from 9-11 on our day too which is awesome considering Giselle said they have 90 something weddings there this may. CHSO, we're getting married the 2nd, so if you're there the first and pop by at some point and see something that you can use on your big day a few days later let me know and I'll definitely let you have at it.

 

So far bringing down: favor boxes/favors/ dried lavender for the "rice toss", flat mirrors for some of the center pieces, 10 tall cylinder glass vases(bringing an extra two in case one or two break on the way down) 3 bunches of curly willow for "trees" [we're doing 3 different center pieces @ 3 tables each) and some tall purple/grey/cream decorative branches to put into the cylinders, our guest book which is actually two vinyl records in a frame with no glass so people can actually sign the record, and the bouquets[i've been going to Michael's every few days and using the 40% off coupon and buying the real touch flowers one at a time. Table runners in silver and purple, candles. That's our "bringing with us list so far, I'm sure it's going to grow significantly over the next couple of months.

 

We already have about 45 people RSVP'd confirmed coming and about 140 still outstanding which I'm sure will trickle in to bump us well over 80.

What are you ladies bringing with you?

[Guest 1derwomanbride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lopi 
 

First off, Congrats Kay!!!

 

Second: welcome dinner: extra cost? 

 

Has anyone inquired about a cocktail hour after the ceremony before the dinner?

 

I e mailed Giselle to see what they had in terms of decorations already there, and it looks like we're going to be lugging down 8 tall glass vases for the ceremony isle deco and then transferring them as deco for the reception dinner @ one of the side bars that we have rented out privately. We booked the Disco from 9-11 on our day too which is awesome considering Giselle said they have 90 something weddings there this may. CHSO, we're getting married the 2nd, so if you're there the first and pop by at some point and see something that you can use on your big day a few days later let me know and I'll definitely let you have at it.

 

So far bringing down: favor boxes/favors/ dried lavender for the "rice toss", flat mirrors for some of the center pieces, 10 tall cylinder glass vases(bringing an extra two in case one or two break on the way down) 3 bunches of curly willow for "trees" [we're doing 3 different center pieces @ 3 tables each) and some tall purple/grey/cream decorative branches to put into the cylinders, our guest book which is actually two vinyl records in a frame with no glass so people can actually sign the record, and the bouquets[i've been going to Michael's every few days and using the 40% off coupon and buying the real touch flowers one at a time. Table runners in silver and purple, candles. That's our "bringing with us list so far, I'm sure it's going to grow significantly over the next couple of months.

 

We already have about 45 people RSVP'd confirmed coming and about 140 still outstanding which I'm sure will trickle in to bump us well over 80.

What are you ladies bringing with you?

There is no extra cost for the welcome dinner but I believe it counts as one of the a la cartes if you book it in one of their restaurants. I haven't inquired about a cocktail hour but have heard that a lot of past brides have made their own at one of the bars. We will likely do something along this line...I know we will also be doing a bunch of photos in between too so some guests may just opt to go relax at the beach for a bit in between lol. When you say you have rented out one of the side bars privately for your dinner, what does this mean? lol It sounds like a great option so I'm curious to know more. Right now we were planning to do ours at the Cuban (possibly the palapas depending on the weather). You are bringing lots with you and it all sounds beautiful...love the vinyl records for a guest book. I've picked up a few things so far to bring in terms of decorations (ivory pencil starfish, blue mason jars, candles, burlap, twine etc)...I have a bit of a rustic-beachy feel going on. Those Michael's coupons are definitely the best! lol Good luck with everything!

[csho]

Hey ladies, Is anyone having a welcome dinner? If so, what restaurant have you chosen? Giselle just sent me the menus for the Del Chef and the Tex Mex (we are having our wedding reception at the Cuban)...I'm torn! Haha! Any suggestions? Del Chef's options were: snapper or chicken stuffed with spinach & mushrooms and Tex Mex options were: beef fajitas, beef filet, BBQ chicken. Kay, I know you were at this resort before...did you have any recommendations? Time is flying by ladies!! Also, we just ordered our bands last week! Can't wait to see the photos from your stag & doe! Csho, the flower definitely looks purple in the photo but I'm glad it was white when you were outside, plus the flower will be away from your dress which can sometimes make the colour seem off. I really like the center of it..it is really pretty!! What seller did you use on etsy? I am in the process of deciding on a hair flower too!

I plan on having a welcome dinner as well, just not sure where to hold it either... Is it too early to already book this? I figured since the wedding isn't until May I should wait until at least the new year... I am debating about whether we could do it at the buffet and that way we wouldn't have to waste the guests meals... but I do think a sit down dinner would be much nicer. Hmmm The Tex Mex might be a fun one to go to... but Kay I'd also love a suggestion on the best one! We are having our wedding dinner at the palapas. This is the seller where I got my flower from https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/154740003/white-bridal-flower-wedding-silk-flower?ref=favs_view_13 Sounds like you are bringing a ton of décor with you! how are you going to fit it all in your suitcases?

[Kay6356]

Hi ladies,

The cuban was amazing which everyone already knows and most of you are saving it for your wedding After that I would suggest the Japanease which was amazing, I think this would be a good option for the welcome dinner as it is fun how you sit at the station where the chef makes the food.  We didn't make it to the other ones throughout our stay, just the cuban once and the jap. twice mmmmm

[csho]

Hi ladies, The cuban was amazing which everyone already knows and most of you are saving it for your wedding After that I would suggest the Japanease which was amazing, I think this would be a good option for the welcome dinner as it is fun how you sit at the station where the chef makes the food.  We didn't make it to the other ones throughout our stay, just the cuban once and the jap. twice mmmmm

Someone mentioned that the a la cartes book up fast and that you should try to pre-book before you leave? I know you go in January so its probably not as busy as May, but I am wondering if this is possible... it seems weird that they'd just let people pre-book before they've even left! Other then for things like a Welcome dinner or wedding dinner. I wonder if they can accommodate like 40 people for the Japanese restaurant... that's what I'd like to do but I am not sure if that's possible. I've heard the romantic is really good.. I am wondering though if we should leave that for people who want to have a romantic night on their own though. Hmmm the decisions lol!

[Kay6356]

Quote:

Originally Posted by csho 


Someone mentioned that the a la cartes book up fast and that you should try to pre-book before you leave? I know you go in January so its probably not as busy as May, but I am wondering if this is possible... it seems weird that they'd just let people pre-book before they've even left! Other then for things like a Welcome dinner or wedding dinner. I wonder if they can accommodate like 40 people for the Japanese restaurant... that's what I'd like to do but I am not sure if that's possible. I've heard the romantic is really good.. I am wondering though if we should leave that for people who want to have a romantic night on their own though. Hmmm the decisions lol!

It would be possible to do the Jap with 40 people I think you would take up 2-3 bars.  I think 16 fit at each one or something.  I would speak to Giselle about booking your a la cartes before hand.  We went on our first day and just took what was available - which didn't seem like a problem.

[Lopi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by csho 


I plan on having a welcome dinner as well, just not sure where to hold it either... Is it too early to already book this? I figured since the wedding isn't until May I should wait until at least the new year... I am debating about whether we could do it at the buffet and that way we wouldn't have to waste the guests meals... but I do think a sit down dinner would be much nicer. Hmmm The Tex Mex might be a fun one to go to... but Kay I'd also love a suggestion on the best one! We are having our wedding dinner at the palapas.

This is the seller where I got my flower from https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/154740003/white-bridal-flower-wedding-silk-flower?ref=favs_view_13

Sounds like you are bringing a ton of décor with you! how are you going to fit it all in your suitcases?

We're splitting it up between suitcases. It's Cuba right? we usually fill half our suitcases with stuff for the locals anyways since Shorts/tshirts/bathingsuits and dresses don't take up much room. So there is always more than enough extra space. We're also likely to take a couple of extra bags if we really need to so no biggie as for the flowers you bought on Etsy. They're cute If any of you are having kids at your wedding and want to rent a sitter, I believe the going rate is 5/hr/child and it's someone from the animation team that dresses up and watched them. 

[csho]

We're splitting it up between suitcases. It's Cuba right? we usually fill half our suitcases with stuff for the locals anyways since Shorts/tshirts/bathingsuits and dresses don't take up much room. So there is always more than enough extra space. We're also likely to take a couple of extra bags if we really need to so no biggie as for the flowers you bought on Etsy. They're cute If any of you are having kids at your wedding and want to rent a sitter, I believe the going rate is 5/hr/child and it's someone from the animation team that dresses up and watched them. 

Oh that's good to know! My sister and future sister in law both have toddlers so I don't know if they will want them or not... my guess is probably not but its nice to know that its available!

[Lopi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by csho 


Oh that's good to know! My sister and future sister in law both have toddlers so I don't know if they will want them or not... my guess is probably not but its nice to know that its available!

even if it's for a different day that they want some R&R