Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[aspeed7309@gmail.com]

Hi ladies...just fyi...I wrote Nancy a detailed email with questions a few days ago and here's the response....

 

 

"My name is Tiffany Borowsky and I am sorry to inform you that Nancy Kidder is no longer with Karisma Hotels." Just to let everyone know that it appears Nancy is gone and here's the information Tiffany provided...

 

tborowsky@karismahotels.com

Wedding Coordinator

 

Premier Worldwide Marketing, LLC

 

Ph: 1-866-KARISMA, 9am-5:30pm,

 

est. Monday through Friday

[aspeed7309@gmail.com]

I am going to email Tiffany today and call her on Monday to try to build a relationship. I will let you know if she's a better communicator than the other 2 have been.

[JHarwood2Be]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ania Thank you Jennifer for answering these! I have a question regarding the chairs/ bouquets etc. Is it possible to direct us to what exactly is available in the package. I've visited the Lomas site and bouquets vary between $50 - 300. Could you let me know which bouquet cost is covered in Silver/ or Gold, because I think with a better break down (if I'd like that bouquet to be more personalized, and let's say it's orchids), I can start getting a better grasp of the budget if I need to add more money to it. Also are the photos of chairs (whether the wood chairs look presentable without the covers) or any type that is covered under the packages. I agree with the previous bride and her post. The website as well as the pamphlet brochure I got from my TA are both stating that Beach butlers are in all of the Azul hotels. Here is straight from the Azul website: "And, finally, there are several really cool services to create a truly unique vacation experience, such as Beach Butlers. They are dedicated staff members who are stationed at the beach, affording the ultimate in service and sun bathing convenience, including a soft towel service, refreshment deliveries, tanning products and water vaporizers. Like it so far? So, all in all, Azul Hotels are a total chill out experience. "

If I remember correctly I was told that any of the $50 bouquets were included in the package price. I could totally be wrong though!

When I went to Azul Beach in May they were definitely called beach butlers.
I thought it was a cool concept and they take really good care of you.
I would still be happy with a beach waiter...keep the cold refreshments coming!

[JHarwood2Be]

I understand the importance of being patient as they are busy. But the thing is, it takes so much to get a direct answer to simple questions. For the amount of money they charge and the all of the restrictions placed, I expect more from the planners and the resort.

I know we all have many of the same questions, so why not have the FAQ's addressed when you book the wedding? That would save them a lot of repeat inquiries if they would just state the policies and prices up front.

[Ania]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHarwood2Be I understand the importance of being patient as they are busy. But the thing is, it takes so much to get a direct answer to simple questions. For the amount of money they charge and the all of the restrictions placed, I expect more from the planners and the resort. I know we all have many of the same questions, so why not have the FAQ's addressed when you book the wedding? That would save them a lot of repeat inquiries if they would just state the policies and prices up front.

I totally agree with you! I am certain that a lot of brides repeat themselves many times and if the website would answer all of these questions thoroughly and once, then the WC could really concentrate on specifics.
I find that the packages are not well described: I am not the only one that didn't realize at the time of booking that gazebos (beach: wood poles with linen + corsage) are an extra, colours are another additional fee, or fully understood private event idea, etc.
I understand this is to grab our attention, but I prefer honesty. I don't take away from WC, I'm sure they are very busy (I didn't realize they take care of other resorts than Azuls). However, this is a very large event in each of our lives, noone wants to feel like a number in a factory and I believe most of our frustration comes not from lack of patience, but the feeling that we are led to believe something else that is. If I had an unlimited amount of money to spend on my wedding, then I wouldn't question anything, I'd simply express what I want and would pay any amount to have exactly that - as opposed to trying to figure out what I'll have to compromise on or choose instead of something else.

[Ania]

I had an idea:

would you find it valuable if we all listed a number of items to take care when planning our DW wedding (some will be very obvious, but I'm worried I missed something important!). You can then use it for spreadsheet or check list etc.

I'll start:

 

ATTIRE:

- wedding dress

- alterations

- veil

- shoes

- jewellery

 

WEDDING

- AI package

- Wedding package (silver, gold)

OVER 12/40 GUESTS:

- Private event - $/ dinner per guest

- table centre pieces

- extra chairs for ceremony & chair decoration

- gazebo with decorations

- blood test (Civil)

- wedding bands

- translated documents

- corsage (bridesmaids, mothers)

- butonniere (ushers, fathers)

- petals to throw

- photographer & video

- dj

- welcome bags/ favours

- cake

- tips

- live music

- spa

- tossing bouquet

- aisle arrangements

- lighting

- fans/ umbrellas/ candles

 

OTHER:

- invitations

- programs

- website

- guest book

- place cards

- linens

- tours/ trips

- make up / hair

- other parties (welcome brunch etc)

- insurance

- loose change

 

PRE-POST PARTY AT HOME

- ...

[Ania]

Come to think of it, a schedule idea of when all of the information for confirmed photographers, menus etc should be in, would be useful also... (as in days before your wedding)

[JenniferSS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHarwood2Be I understand the importance of being patient as they are busy. But the thing is, it takes so much to get a direct answer to simple questions. For the amount of money they charge and the all of the restrictions placed, I expect more from the planners and the resort. I know we all have many of the same questions, so why not have the FAQ's addressed when you book the wedding? That would save them a lot of repeat inquiries if they would just state the policies and prices up front.

I completely understand about getting answers to questions answered as it's an issue with almost all of the RM & Cancun companies! Actually in a lot of the Caribbean as well, I am working with a tour excursion company in Jamaica right now that it's like pulling teeth to get a price from for an excursion!

Some things I've found that has helped me: asking just one question per email - sometimes asking a question in a different way and I found if you can include photo's of exactly what you need or are asking for helps alot!

Please keep in mind that if you were to do a wedding at a resort that did not have a WC on hand and you needed to hire one and also purchase all of the features for a basic wedding you would be paying a tremendous amount more than you are at karisma/Lomas. Just poke around the forum- I saw a few posts in the Cabo & Puerto Vallarta forums that had huge price tags fior a pretty basic weddings with an offsite WC!

Pricing - to provide the price for every variable is impossible! When I was speaking to different WC's both in Mexico (not Azuls but I think it's standard across the board) and WC's at home in the states, about pricing & packages they told me that quite often the pricing for special order items depends on the entire wedding package purchased. Say a bride is adding a lot of special order items and has a wedding of 180 people. The WC's can negotiate a greater discount for that bride with their suppliers. If a bride is going with the free wedding package and only purchasing a few upgrades for a smaller wedding group- say 30 people- their just isn't the wiggle room to negotiate as much of a discount. So if they post the price for every single variable the informastion provided would probably be as large as a dictionary to print off. Then to also have to keep up with market flucuations to keep the information accurate would require hiring additional staff and thus increase the prices of the weddings! Nobody wants the prices to increase!

I know it's frustrating as you need the prices to plan your budgets and to be sure that you can achieve your vision for your wedding. Just keep in mind that it's not just Lomas/Karisma but this way with many of the DW resorts and the more personalization you require the more patience it will also!

We're really lucky in that Faith is willing to work with BDW to get the questions answered as best she can in a general sense- they really do want to make the process smooth and the weddings wonderful!

[JenniferSS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ania Come to think of it, a schedule idea of when all of the information for confirmed photographers, menus etc should be in, would be useful also... (as in days before your wedding)

That's a great idea Ania! I'll send it to Lomas/Karisma and see if they could put together an estimated schedule for those items!

[Soon2beTWells]

Jennifer,

 

Thank you so much for getting these questions answered for us. It now gives me some sort of direction. I would just like to have my location, and spa reservations down..I am one that worries, and has been (excuse what I am about to say)screwed over a few times....