Dazzling Details vs. US Wedding Coordinator

[chikia]

Hi Ladies,

 

I'm a newbie with not many posts, but I am a lurker! I tried searching for a thread but couldn't find anything.

 

I am trying to decide between a coordinator from the US near my home. She doesn't have any experience with Mexico destination weddings or any destinations weddings outside the US. I've met with her and love her and her work. She is super organized and is great on email. With her I feel like she'll have my best interest and will have "my back" but am worried that since she's a newbie things may not go right, yet again I'm paying her so I don't know if things don't go write.

 

I've also contacted Dazzling Details. I've seen their website read their reviews and love their work. I've even talked to Kristin and she is very like able, answers emails quickly, etc. I'm certain my wedding would come out gorgeous.

 

Here are my concerns. All the wedding coordinators I've interviewed at home told me they wouldn't take my money and pay vendors, I would pay vendors directly. This way I can be sure they are not getting kickbacks and I know where my money is going.

 

I've also read a lot in the posts about coordinators in Mexico getting a kickbacks from the vendors or inflating the costs of things. For example, a WC might say flowers are $500 and you call the vendor directly and find out they are really $200. My concern with Dazzling Details is that they take my money and use it to pay vendors directly. I've also read a post that a caterer costs $70 per person and DD charging $140 per person for the same caterer.

 

Should I be worried? Or does the means justify the ends with DD? I'd have a gorgeous wedding. I don't know which WC to go with. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[H&F]

Hi Chikia,

 

I'm using a local PV wedding coordinating team, Prisar Vallarta, and I couldn't imagine not working with someone who is local to the area. Priscilla & Hector are excellent! They always give me their opinion on what would be the best & they are frequently saying they don't recommend something or a particular vendor b/c in their opinion the prices are too high. They really seem concerned about spending my money wisely.

 

Also, I think it is much more convenient to pay the WCs directly & let them deal with the vendors. Could they be tacking on a little to the prices? I don't know but even if they are the prices are still so reasonable in comparison to getting married in the US.

 

With Prisar Vallarta you have all the control over your budget and planning. I believe that is different then how Dazzling Details works (where you hand the wedding planning over to them). If you choose to go with a local PV planner think about how hands-on you want to be. I think both Prisar and DD would do an excellent job! There are many happy brides from both planners on this forum who I'm sure will chime in! :-)

 

From what you've written I get the feeling you want to be more hands-on so with that in mind Prisar may be better suited to your personality. There are also other WC in PV that you may want to check out as well but personally I'm biased and would go with Prisar!

 

Any other questions just PM or email me.

 

Good luck!

[chikia]

Thank you so much. Your insight has really made me feel better. I want the hand over the planning to a coordinator and since I'm completely handing over my trust I want to make sure it is to the right person and their team. I'm just a nervous nelly. I just need to make a decision. Believe me I get so annoyed with myself for over thinking things.

 

I will look into Prisar Vallarta.

 

Thanks again.

[Jess]

Hi Chikia - I'm using Dazzling Details and I am very happy with them. I'm so glad I'm using a local coordinator - they know which vendors to go to and they negotiate with them also. I would much rather have them pay the vendors than me having to go to every one myself and pay them...I don't speak Spanish so that would probably turn into a mess also.

 

If you have any questions let me know - I have nothing but positive things to say about Kristin and Michelle - and they are worth every penny so far and I'm so happy with my decision.

[Sapphire723]

Chikia, I think that a local WC would be able to negotiate better rates with the vendors than a US WC. Even if they skimmed a little off the top, a US WC might be quoted a price WAY higher than what the local WC charged you for the service.

 

Does any one know about how much Dazzling Details charges?

[Jess]

It depends on how many guests you have along with how many locations (i.e a different one for a ceremony and reception is more than having both at the same place). Email Kristin and she can give you an exact quote

[KLK]

I hope i can help, you all gave great advice. I have worked beside Kristen and Michelle of Dazzling Details a number of times and am in awe at all the work they do surrounding the wedding day. They are the designers, the builders, the florist...they have a whole team putting together the vision you create with them and ALWAYS throw in something so unique. At the last wedding, they made homeade chocolate chip cookies and brought in Cheeze its and chocolate covers pretzels at the end of the night and displayed them so cute out by the dance floor for everyone to snack on. These were the bride and grooms favorite snacks and they were SO stoked when they saw what they did.

 

I think that just saving a bit extra would not be worth the hassle of researching/contacting all vendors. If you do find a vendor for cheaper or want something different, just mention it, i'm sure they'll totally work with you.

 

Again, they are AMAZING at what they do - can't say enough!

 

Hope this helps and wish you all the best!!!

[KLK]

I hope i can help, you all gave great advice. I have worked beside Kristen and Michelle of Dazzling Details a number of times and am in awe at all the work they do surrounding the wedding day. They are the designers, the builders, the florist...they have a whole team putting together the vision you create with them and ALWAYS throw in something so unique. At the last wedding, they made homeade chocolate chip cookies and brought in Cheeze its and chocolate covers pretzels at the end of the night and displayed them so cute out by the dance floor for everyone to snack on. These were the bride and grooms favorite snacks and they were SO stoked when they saw what they did.

 

I think that just saving a bit extra would not be worth the hassle of researching/contacting all vendors. If you do find a vendor for cheaper or want something different, just mention it, i'm sure they'll totally work with you.

 

Again, they are AMAZING at what they do - can't say enough!

 

Hope this helps and wish you all the best!!!

[smith3576]

I looked into using DD (decided to just use our hotel WC because of our EXTREMELY tight budget) but I can say that DD gave us a detailed price estimate and I was able to compare it to what the hotel was going to charge us. Some things were less (like the cake by $100s!) with DD and some more. However, the "more" part covered all of the decoration and design stuff that the hotel didn't provide. Overall, DD seemed really reasonable we just couldn't do it with our budget. If your wedding is not at a hotel it might be harder to comparison price, but it was pretty easier comparing to the hotel prices and I thought DDs were very fair.

[Susanandmo]

Hello! We are also using Prisar. I think hiring a WC in PV may be your best option, since they deal with vendors, resort and Villas in the area day to day.

 

Best of luck!

Susana