Real Beach Weddings: Mr & Mrs Kevin Hunt

Date: 22 Feb, 2006

Location: Cuba

Venue: Sandals Royal Hicacos, Varadero Beach, Mantanzas

We knew we didn't want a big traditional wedding. Our families live in Newfoundland, and we live in Alberta, so we would have had to make a trip to have our wedding even if we stayed in Canada.

We didn't want the headaches, so we decided we'd head down south to do it, eventually settling on Cuba as our destination.

We definately don't regret it!

We didn't use a wedding planner, we just met with the wedding cooridinator, Arlin, at the resort, who arranged everything we needed for us. We had a choice of 3 locations for the ceremony - 2 gazebos or the beach. We chose the beach, of course.

We also chose the style of wedding cake, the flowers, and the music to be played for our waltz in the gazebo (where we had our reception).

I did my own hair, and I had my make up done at the spa on the resort.

It was a beautiful day. The ceremony was only about 15 minutes and we were officially married by a judge beneath a heart shaped arch adorned with flowers with the ocean behind us. The judge only spoke Spanish but Arlin translated everything in English as the ceremony progressed.

Then the photographer (from resort) took pictures in a few different locations. Then we went to the gazebo for our cake, champagne, and hor d'ouvres. They played music and we had our first dance.

We drank the champagne, ate some cake and hor d'ouvres, then changed into swim suits and hit the jacuzzi!

We had dinner 7:30 at the nicest a la carte restaurant. They had the table decorated with flowers. It was a great day that we all enjoyed, with no headaches!

We stayed at Sandals for two weeks as our honeymoon and loved every minute of it!

As for paperwork, we had to send copies of our passports and birth cerificates before we left for Cuba. Then we had to bring the original documents with us. We signed papers at the ceremony and reception, and they will send us the official documents later that will make it all official in Canada.

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