Weddings at Memories Flamenco Beach Resort in Cuba

By: Tracey Manailescu

Cayo Coco Facts:

*80% of vacationers are Canadian

*Best bet on sunny weather is between November and April

*Bus transfer is 10 minutes from the Cayo Coco International Airport

*Only resorts inhabit Cayo Coco

*Cayo Coco has been ranked 20th of the best beaches in the world (6th in the entire Caribbean)

* Serious crime is very rare in Cuba. Tourism is extremely important so the Government takes extra precautions with guarding and policing. Here is a link for common dangers and annoyances http://www.cayocococuba.net/info.html

Always check up onCanadian Government safety warnings here before you travel: http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba

Do’s:

*Make sure you upgrade your vacation to include the Diamond Club Package ($10 more a day). You get your key and welcome package on the bus instead of having to get in a line, and check in at the lobby. This also gives you upgraded alcohol available at every bar, a Surf & Turf dinner by the pool with some special perks & surprises afterwards. It gives you a special spot on the beach (no rocks) with your own bar (they seriously refuse to serve anyone who is not Diamond Club), etc.

*Go to the shows. 4/6 that we went to were really good. (The Michael Jackson show was different then any I have seen before.) Memories Flamenco has great Entertainment staff and the choreography is excellent. I wish I could shake my tushie the way they can…I could have done without the Mr. Memories Flamenco Show (except for the fact that my brother-in-law was a participant, and made it hilarious for us) and the International Show (boring, unless you are a participant).

*After the great nightly shows, head on over to the lobby bar. It’s always hopping & happening. (*Bartenders are prone to serving women first)

*Make sure you go to the onsite Disco. We had a really fun girls night! (Of course, it depends on the crowd, and who you are with, for an optimum experience.)

In the morning, stop by the lobby bar and get yourself an awesome cappuccino on the way to the buffet for breakfast.

*Make sure you got to the a la carte restaurants! The food was surprisingly good!

*Be prepared to spend about $25 CDN a day on tips (Did you know that Cubans make $15-35 CUC’s a month?) Tipping is how they survive, and buy the extras in their lives for themselves and their families. Of course, this is always at your discretion and for good service.

*Book an excursion or two (or 3). Very reasonable and really well run.

*Bring Canadian Money. You can exchange $ at the resort bank, just show your passport. You can also change $ at the reception desk. We always kept $1 coins, and $3 bills on us for tipping.

Don’ts:

*Expect to have great internet connection. Unplug yourselves while you are in Cuba.

*Expect to call home every day. Phone calls are VERY expensive.

Legalities (Romantic Planet.ca)

The information below outlines the marriage requirements for getting married in Cuba.

• If you have never been married before, all you need is a passport that is valid throughout your stay in Cuba, and a tourist card (available from a travel agent, airline or the Cuban consulate).
• If either the bride or groom has been married before, the previously married person must, in addition to the valid passport and tourist card, also produce the following documents:
  • if divorced: his/her birth certificate and Certificate of Divorce;
  • if widowed: his/her birth certificate, Certificate of Marriage and Certificate of Spouse’s Death.
• Have your birth certificate and any divorce/marriage/death documents translated into Spanish and legalized by the Cuban consul in Canada (service fee applies).
• In addition, you must:
  • Create a sheet that lists your names, home address, occupations, level of education, nationality and the full names of your parents, living or deceased.
  • Attach the photo page of your passport to this sheet.
  • Fax copies of all documentation (including the extras described above if you have been married before) in both English and Spanish to your hotel in Cuba at least three weeks before your arrival there.
  • Bring all your original documents with you.

Your marriage will be formalized in the name stated on your passport. Your passport must therefore be correct, and the name on your passport must match that on all your other documents.

After your wedding, your Marriage Certificate will be prepared as quickly as possible and either given to you before you leave (time permitting) or couriered at the hotel’s expense to the home address on your documents. Your marriage is legalized by the Canadian Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Foreign Affairs department.

The registrar’s office should be contacted for specific rules regarding planning your destination or beach wedding in Cuba. They will also provide information regarding marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

• The documents (birth certificates, certificate of diforce, etc.) must be translated into Spanish if issued in a different language and legalized by the Cuban Consulate in the issuing country.
• All weddings are performed by a Notary Public.
• Wedding ceremonies are performed on weekdays only, that is, from Mondays to Fridays ( from 10:00am to 05:00pm )

More Information :
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
388 Main St.
Ottawa ON. K1S 1E3
Tel: 613-563-0141 Fax: 613-563-0068

Cuba Tourist Board
55 Queen St. E, Suite 705
Toronto ON. M5C 1R6
Tel: 416-362-0700 Fax: 416-362-6799

Wedding Packages:

I am starting with the add on which is what I think, would make your guests remember your wedding for a long, long time…

MEMORORIES OF CUBA PACKAGE

The Memories of Cuba Package can be added to the Joy, Bliss or Paradise wedding packages:

• Traditional Cuban music played during ceremony

• Signature cocktail (Choice of Cuba Libre or Memories Mojito)

• Rum and coffee bar setup after dinner to sample local coffee and rum flavors

• Cuban dance lesson for wedding couple (Rumba or Salsa)

• Traditional salsa and Latino nightlife party after dinner including open bar for 2 hours

• Cigar rolling lesson (15 cigars hand rolled)

Price: $495.00 CAD

Memories of Cuba Package includes up to 15 guests – additional guests may be added for $25.00 per person.

I would also recommend:

PRIVATE ALFRESCO RECEPTION

The Private Alfresco Reception is designed for couples who would like to host a Private Reception for their Wedding Dinner, purchased in addition to the Joy, Bliss or Paradise wedding package

• Private reception alfresco* for newlyweds and their guests with set menu

• Tables with white linens

• Open domestic bar for 3 hours

• Sound system included for 3 hours

• Interactive Bongo performance (45 minutes)

Price: $625.00 CAD

Package includes up to 15 guests – additional guests may be added for $25.00 per person.

*Location is determined by property and subject to availability

PARADISE PACKAGE

Memories Paradise Package Includes:

• Professional services of an onsite, day-of wedding coordinator

• Upgrade for the bride and groom to the next room category, based on availability at check-in

• Symbolic wedding ceremony guided by your onsite wedding coordinator in English or French

• Preferred choice of ceremony location

• Ceremony table with white linens and tropical centerpiece

• Tropical floral bridal bouquet and grooms boutonniere

• 2 bouquets for bridesmaids and 2 boutonnieres for groomsmen

• Sound system with microphone for ceremony

• Sparkling wine toast following the ceremony

• Wedding cake (suited to guest count)

• Semi-private cocktail reception with canapés and open bar

• Semi-private dinner reservation for the wedding group in one of the a la carte restaurants with set menu (2 hour duration)

• Honeymoon breakfast in the room the morning after the wedding

• Fourteen printed 4×6 colour photos

• Live Trio available to perform during either ceremony, cocktails or reception (45 minutes)

• Wedding hair-style and makeup for bride

• 10% discount at the spa for bride and groom

• Special wedding gift

Price: $1025.00 CAD

Paradise package includes up to 15 guests – additional guests may be added for $25.00 per person.

Paradise wedding package can be upgraded to a civil ceremony with the addition of the notary fees – please see our “a la carte” services for pricing

BLISS PACKAGE

Memories Bliss Package Includes:

• Professional services of an onsite, day-of wedding coordinator

• Upgrade for the bride and groom to the next room category, based on availability at check-in

• Symbolic wedding ceremony guided by your onsite wedding coordinator in English or French

• Preferred choice of ceremony location

• Ceremony table with white linens and tropical centerpiece

• Tropical floral bridal bouquet and grooms boutonniere

• Additional maid of honour bouquet and best man boutonniere

• Sound system with microphone for ceremony

• Sparkling wine toast following the ceremony

• Wedding cake (suited to guest count)

• Semi-private cocktail reception with canapés and open bar

• Semi-private dinner reservation for the wedding group in one of the a la carte restaurants with set menu (2 hour duration)

• Honeymoon breakfast in the room the morning after the wedding

• Twelve printed 4×6 colour photos

• Special wedding gift

Price: $775.00 CAD

(Bliss wedding package is for all markets except Russia)

Bliss package includes up to 15 guests – additional guests may be added for $25.00 per person.

Bliss wedding package can be upgraded to a civil ceremony with the addition of the notary fees – please see our “a la carte” services for pricing.

JOY PACKAGE

Memories Joy Package Includes:

• Professional services of an onsite, day-of wedding coordinator

• Upgrade for the bride and groom to the next room category, based on availability at check-in

• Symbolic wedding ceremony guided by your onsite wedding coordinator in English or French

• Preferred choice of ceremony location

• Ceremony table with white linens and tropical centerpiece

• Tropical floral bridal bouquet and grooms boutonniere

• Sparkling wine toast following the ceremony

• Sound system with microphone for ceremony

• Wedding cake (suited to guest count)

• Semi-private dinner reservation for the wedding group in one of the a la carte restaurants with set menu (2 hour duration)

• Honeymoon breakfast in the room the morning after the wedding

• Special wedding gift

Price: $575.00 CAD

Joy package includes up to 15 guests – additional guests may be added for $25.00 per person.

Joy wedding package can be upgraded to a civil ceremony with the addition of the notary fees – please see our “a la carte” services for pricing by property.

***Wedding Bonus***

In order to obtain a free wedding package clients must stay at least 6 nights and have 18 pax per group. OR In order to obtain a free wedding package clients must stay at least 12 nights and have 9 pax per group

Inclusions:
• Welcoming Cocktail
• Private Check –in
• Notary service, marriage license and legalization of documents
• Up grading (subject to availability)
• Personal Wedding Coordinator
• Sparkling wine in room upon arrival
• Decoration of selected location for the ceremony
• Bride´s bouquet and boutonnière for the groom
• Wedding Cake for the ceremony
• Sparkling wine for the toast
• Chambermaid service after 11:00 am and before 3:00pm on the wedding day
• Taped music (including wedding march)
• Semi private dinner in one of our a la cartes
• “Just Married” hanging sign in door
• Turn down service on the wedding evening
• Continental breakfast in room on the morning after the wedding ( 7-10:00am)
• Enjoy our Honeymoon Package
• Late Check Out 15:00hr (subject to availability)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION TO BE PRESENTED
* If divorced, divorce certificate
* If widowed, wedding certificate and death certification of the former spouse
* If single, just valid passports
* In all cases tourist card (visa) number and valid passport copies

Note: All documents should be translated into Spanish and legalized by the Cuban Consulate in the country of origin. Also, documents must be faxed or e-mail to the Wedding Coordinator at least six (6) weeks prior arrival. Along with the previous documents it is highly important to fill out the Wedding Form and Witness Information to be send to the wedding coordinator via e-mail or fax. Confirmation deadlines: 6 weeks in advance.

*To arrange wedding packages please contact the hotel directly.