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Another Wedding Post

Author: Paul Wong (12.153.60.---)
Date: 07-18-08 13:02

I know, I know, another post about weddings in Culebra, but at least I've read through your wedding section AND I got some recs from a friend of mine who did a wedding in Culebra 4 years ago. Here's the breakdown about us:

-about 40 guests
-wedding on the beach
-targeting the end of June, 2009
-resort to house all of us (40 guests = 15 - 20 rooms)

I have more targeted questions for you all:

-We're thinking about Bahia Marina and Seabourne. I'd like something rustic, but not too rustic as the guests probably not as up for that as I am.
-We want a beach wedding, but we want it to be a fairly private event. I'm fine with people around, but I also don't want to have people running through our wedding. How are the late afternoons/early evenings on the beach in June? Any quieter beach recs (sounds like Zoni beach might be an option)?
-After the wedding, we're thinking about a pig roast on the beach followed by a bon fire. Can you typically do these things on the beach or is this something that's regulated? Any recs for a caterer that can handle a pig roast?

I'm sure we'll have more questions as the planning moves along, but I'd like to start managing both mine and my fiancee's expectations. We love the idea of a simple wedding on a quiet island and Culebra sounds like that's the place for us. Thanks in advance for all your help!

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date: 07-18-08 14:09

I now nothing about weddings on Culebra, but I would try hard to avoid the very end of June.

You've probably seen the threads about all the transportation and lodging problems in late June and early July.

If you could do it in early to mid-June, it will be less crowded.

Congratulations, by the way!

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Paul Wong (12.153.60.---)
Date: 07-18-08 14:15

Thanks for the info....we are somewhat flexible, but we'd love to keep that late June time line. Transportation does sound like it might be a bit of a challenge, but we're planning to fly there anyway. How bad does lodging get around then?

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: bosie (---.ulmer.com)
Date: 07-18-08 14:59

For the amount of people attending your wedding, the earlier the better to book rooms. Bahia Marina might be ideal for your guests. Don't know about the pig roast or fire on beaches, you might check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Also, don't forget transportation for your guests. Contact a taxi service, otherwise, lots of jeeps or a few vans. I don't even know if you can rent a van. Hey, did you see the cool pics of a recent wedding on the beach on the Fango website, via this website? You may be able to contact those folks or find out more information from the folks at Fango. Best wishes!

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Paul Wong (12.153.60.---)
Date: 07-18-08 15:14

We're probably going to have to rent a few SUVs. We plan to leave most of that stuff to everyone to book on their own - we're trying to keep this as simple as possible. I'll check out those pics on the Fango website too - any ideas to help us out since we've never been to Culebra!

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Date: 07-18-08 16:43

avoid the bonfire - you will get into trouble! fires are definitely forbidden on the beaches!

other than that - good luck!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date: 07-18-08 17:26

If everyone is going to be making their own reservations, then I even more strongly recommend avoiding the busiest times of the year. Otherwise, you're going to find that a lot less people will come than you'd hoped.

As Bosie says, the earlier the better to book rooms, and you know that if you leave it up to each individual, they'll tend to procrastinate.

September and October are absolutley ideal. Early to mid June isn't TOO bad (after Memorial Day week). The week before and after July 4 is horrible. August is better than late June and July. Avoid all holiday weekends, and check out the local holidays, too... there are some that can catch you by surprise.

I think that some people don't realize that Culebra is a small island with limited capacity. I'm always surprised that people book trips there during crowded times of year and then complain that they can't get on the ferry or can't find lodging or can't get on the plane with all their luggage or can't rent a car or don't get good restaurant service, etc. Are you aware how small the planes are and how few times they fly per day?

With 40 people, you're really pushing it. Please believe what I say. You might be better off at another Caribbean island that has more capacity. I wouldn't be pressing the point so hard except that this is your wedding, which is something you'll only get to experience a few times in your life. (Ha, just kidding... I'm about to celebrate my 28th anniversary in a few weeks.)

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date: 07-19-08 01:10

anniversary of 28th wedding Mort?

with those numbers, perhaps an arrangement with one of the air carriers could be arranged. good luck getting them on the phone, but with an approx. 40 person number, I'd jump if I were them.

or heck - a chartered yacht.

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date: 07-19-08 06:11

ok this is where groomsmen and maids of honor jump in and make things smooth. DON'T make them wear something stupid, just task them with coordinating something.

a knowledge of UPS/FEDEX operations can help.

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date: 07-19-08 08:30

Richard, it is indeed my 28th anniversary. Time flies!

It sounds to me like Paul wants an informal and unpretentious wedding, which I applaud. Culebra is definitely that.

But there's something that just doesn't seem compatible to me: Culebra and a highly organized social event (especially during high season).

To me, Culebra is the place for people who are trying to get away from stress, schedules, organization and responsibilities. In my experience, that's kind of the opposite of a wedding.

If you're going to bring 40 people to a distant wedding site, at least make it as easy on them as possible. Put them in a situation where they have the least chance of encountering flight problems, lodging problems, restaurant crowds, car rental shortages, etc.

But now I'm belaboring the point, and I'll stop. Unless, of course, this thread morphs into something absurd and highly humorous, in which case... I'm in.

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date: 07-19-08 12:38

I could never make jokes about a wedding, some things just aren't funny;)

I do have one offer though. I know a couple of couples who had pretty big weddings here. They also happen to live here but they had big families, lots of friends who needed to be put somewhere, needed transpo. I'll ask if one of them would be willing to be in touch with you about how they went about it and if they'd do it again, etc etc.

Save What's Left!

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Re: Another Wedding Post

Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Date: 07-21-08 11:45

Chartering a yacht seems like a really smart idea. And it might even be cost effective! I am not sure the Arabella is in the vicinity right now or up North, but that kind of boat would seem to fit the bill to house and transport that amount of people (in style and not to too pretentious)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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