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August 2009 Renewal of Vows Ceremony Review
Growing up I always dreamed of getting married on a beautiful beach in the Caribbean. When we were planning our wedding ten years ago it was just not feasible. So when we were at RHE in January of this year, while we were sitting on the beach one day we decided that we wanted to renew our vows on our 10th Anniversary barefoot on this spectacular beach with it's white powdery sand and clear brilliant blue water.
We had discussed it briefly while we were there but did not meet Pedro, the official RHE wedding planner until later by e-mail. Pedro made it all seem very simple we just had to email copies of our documents and then he would meet us when we arrived to plan the rest. It was so easy that I actually think the hardest part was deciding and finding what we would wear on our Special Day.
We officially met Pedro the day after we arrived, he is a great guy and he does a fantastic job as the Wedding Planner. That morning we took our original documents that are required and sat for a short while with him and Lisardo to discuss what we wanted to happen that day. RHE always has beautiful flowers on display so it was really easy to show the men what I liked and the only thing I told them I did not want were any flowers that were pink. They asked us what kind of cake we wanted and Rafal, the man with the sweet tooth, chose his favorite ingredient, Coconut and then threw in Pineapple for some excitement. We went over the menu and there was only a small change which they were quite happy to accommodate. We made a point to express that we wanted the set up to be very casual and simple, no carpet and no fancy decorations as we just wanted it to be about us.
We chose a package for the pictures, which is an additional cost, but believe me it was worth it. We actually wish that we had taken a bigger package as the pictures were really beautiful and actually nicer than those from the original wedding. The photographer is very pleasant man with lots of patience. Once we had decided on everything we went to show them where on the beach we wanted to do our Vows, right near our favorite spot off the Hideaway boardwalk with the water as our backdrop. I also wanted to have our dinner on the beach at sunset and though once again Lisardo warned me, this time about the mosquitos, I insisted that this is really what I wanted so it was arranged off the boardwalk at the other end of the beach and would take place a few hours later.
I had bought two outfits for the day and both camps at home were undecided. Some preferred the dress, some preferred the pant suit. The final decision was made when I got there by Yurixa from the Spa, the dress for the vows and the pant suit for the dinner. Rafal wore a traditional Cuban wedding shirt, a Guayabera and Linen pants.
The day finally came, August 7, and we had planned a day full of pampering with the exception of our workout with Yoniel, he did not give us a day of rest but we enjoyed it. I actually met two ladies from the British Isles and we chatted briefly about my favorite soap, Coronation Street. We then had a quick breakfast as we had made an appointment at the Spa with Charlie and Oniel for a couples Balneotherapies. If you do this make sure you have a bath before putting on your white dress. We chose a combination of the Whole powder milk and Red grape, they massaged this into our skin, then wrapped us in plastic and left us for a few minutes. When they returned we were helped over to the large jacuzzi in the middle of the room that was surrounded by candles, with a bottle of champagne and two glasses on one corner and a bowl full of chocolates on the other, it was fabulous.
After that we had a light lunch as we were due back at the Spa for Pedicures at 2:00 p.m.. As usually we had a great time with the Spa ladies Yurixa and Dayani. Once we were done Rafal went back to the room and I stayed with Yurixa, who did my make up and hair. I had forgotten to bring something white for my hair so she excused herself and came back with fresh white flowers. When I finally got to look at myself I was extremely pleased by what an excellent job they had done. I thought I looked radiant.
We dressed and were ready when Lisardo arrived with my flowers and the photographer. The guys had made a perfect choice, the flowers were just as I had imagined, very beautiful. Some pictures were taken in the Suite and in the courtyard of the bungalow. We were shocked and laughed when we saw the Golf Cart all decorated, we hadn't expected they would do this, but we were whisked off to Megano Beach amidst the laugther.
We had invited our "Cuban Family" (our good friends at the Resort) as well as Angie, Andre, Deb and Gord to join us for our Renewal. We were totally surprised when we got to the beach and they had a trio who were playing the Wedding March. At the end of the walkway we took off our shoes and proceeded to the table that had been set up. It was exactly as we had wanted nothing extravagant just understated and elegant. While the Notary went through the vows and Lisardo translated, I looked down, I know this is stupid, but I saw most people barefoot in the sand and it brought tears to my eyes, I felt I was finally getting my dream wedding. After we renewed our Love and Commitment to one another we celebrated with our friends and Sergio served Rafal's special request cake, which was delicious with chilled glasses of champagne. We then finished up with the pictures and went back to our room and I changed for dinner. We were again escorted to the venue in the decorated golf cart.
When we got to the beach it was just as I had imagined. The table had been set up with beautiful flowers, under a Gazebo decorated with white gauze. Juan the Spanish Chef, a Cuban Chef, and Juan Carlos the waiter were there, as well as two lovely gentlemen to serenade us while they played their guitars. Before we started Yoniel and Yandy appeared with a beautiful fragrant Lilly and wished us a great dinner.
We want to thank both chefs for preparing such a superb meal for us and Juan Carlos for being so attentive and polite, he even humored us and took some amazing sunset pictures. We danced near the water between courses and we all were very quiet when a Cuban Crane decided to take a stroll down the waters edge. The meal started with hors d'ouvres which included salmon and a cheese that they have, it is similar to havarti but lighter, we then had a shrimp salad ,and our Entree consisted of Lobster, Filet Mignon, vegetables and roasted potatoes which were magnificently presented. For dessert as a surprise they had prepared my favorite, Egg Flan, in the shape of a Heart, I was really touched by this thoughtful gesture.
After a drink at the bar with our friends we went for a quick dance at the Disco with the Yoniel and Yandy before retiring to our room. While we were out, little angels had been in our room. There were candles leading up to the bedroom and the bathtub had been filled with fragrant water and decorated with flower petals by a very special person. The room had been tidied and the bouquet had been used to make towel art in the shape of a heart. It was an idyllic way to end end our truly perfect Day which was a celebration of our love for one another.
Thank you so much Pedro, Lisardo, Gabriel and all the staff (Our Cuban Family), and friends for the beautiful memories that we will cherish forever.
Maybe we will see you
there but for now as our Cuban friends taught us...
Hasta Pronto...See you soon.
Danielle & Rafal
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