Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

I love your dog!!! And the background of that picture is breathtaking. I miss living with mountains... Great job on the website!

Hey ladies...don't have much time to talk...I wrote a super long post yesterday but then I got signed out and lost it. Basically it was a complaining email so I sort of glad I didn't post. But I am dealing with a bit of a situation right now.

 

My TA called FI yesterday and told him that the hotel (Azul Beach) is sold out the week of our wedding. I still have atleast 15 guests who have not booked. 2 of them are my aunt and cousin (the only extended family I have coming). I am so angry at them, the resort for not alerting my TA when the hotel was close to capacity and my TA for not finding out it was filling up as she promised she would.

 

I was fighting back tears at work yesterday (right before a meeting - super) b/c I am so emotional over my family - majority isn't coming and the ones i thought i could count on couldn't put a $100 deposit down. I just feel so let down by family/hotel/TA.

 

Long story short my FI completely lost it on TA (who has been on vacation/out of country twice since signing contract) which he brought up and questioned if the hotel told her but she was out of town. She supposedly has been in talks with the owner of the hotel to see if we can get 3 rooms...no clue as to where they are pulling them from or if they can even get them. I also just wrote a very "stern" email to my WC who hasn't responded to an email from me in over 2 1/2 weeks letting her know how disappointed I am.

 

I don't want to be a crazy bride but I just feel that we should have known the hotel was filling up if they promised they would tell us! Grrr...ok sorry to start the day off on a sour note.

 

WAAAAAA (said like snookie from jersey shore)

Meghan - The SAME thing happened to me at my wedding. Is your TA working with a Tour Operator? Let me tell you - the Karisma resorts reservation systems are STUPID AS F***!!! They do not know how many rooms are taken. They sell blocks to Tour Operators and keep some for their own reservations so while it looks like they are fully booked, there are rooms empty. My Step Mother who speaks Spanish fluently had an hour conversation with a representative of the resort's owners (they own Karisma & Desire - 7 resorts total) and told them how stupid this whole situation was.

I even found a bride on this Forum that released 10 rooms at Azul beach that week (moved to AS b/c of the resort being too small) and they STILL told me they were in an over sold position and I could not have those 4 rooms. We got to the hotel and it was EMPTY!!! Ok, not empty - but maybe 70% capacity. I don't know what to tell you but I can tell you what I did and you can try this stuff.

1st of all - I called all of the other Tour Operators - FunJet, Travel Impressions, and the hotel reservations directly. Your TA might have other ones she can call too. They were showing all sold out. Even the Villa was booked. NO ONE was in the Villa the week we were there!

2nd - The hotel was booked the Friday & Saturday nights. So, all of my guests who booked too late (4 rooms of guests) - got split reservations. For example, they booked Azul Beach Monday to Friday, Azul Sensatori Friday - Sunday, and Azul Beach Sunday - Monday. I know it seems ridiculous but I wanted them with us as much as possible.

3rd - we got to the hotel and after meeting with the concierge, front desk, and the American Express/Travel Impressions representative, they were able to confirm the rooms were available for the guests to stay at AB. Then they had to transfer the reservations. This was all very touch and go. They have to do a lot of phone calls and dumb crap, but it got done in the end.

I know that is not ideal, but in the end it all worked out. I am sure it will for you too.

If you want me to call you to talk more about what happened and what we did, PM me your phone number. I feel for you babe!

I bought their shoes, flip flops for after the ceremony, jewelry for the ceremony, going to pay to get their makeup done and going to make them shirts when I come up with a good idea for them. I feel like I should do more, but don't have any really good ideas yet. Check out The Knot Shop. They usually have good sales. Tiffany jewelry sounds great but expensive. Maybe you can check out the clearance section at a really nice jewelry store in your area. Sometimes they have really nice options.

 

 

 

 

 

Great idea about the chairs!! I think it will work!!! Also, LOVE your bridesmaids gifts!!!

 

Thanks girl!!! Good luck with the email!

 

UMMM those are PRECIOUS!!! great idea!!

 

Oh awesome!!! You will LOVE the rooms!! So vintage and chic!!!!!! Thanks for the compliment

 

haha Love it!! Like I said earlier, it's Ryan's fav band. He wants us to dance to Walkin'. We'll see! haha But it is kind one of our songs. It always comes on the radio or ipod when we are together and we always see weird references together. And the lyrics are sweet

 

www.lutznlindz.com I used Wedding Window. You have to pay for it, but it is great!!

 

BEAUTIFUL pics!! Good to hear from you!

 

GORGEOUS!

 

Yes, listen to AmyB!! She was able to get it all worked out. Do not give up yet!!!! It's just a little stressful situation to deal with for the time being, but it will come together. We are here for you!

Ok, here is an update on our to do's...Have I left anyone out?

 

STARTING Monday, June 14, 2010 ENDING Sunday, June 27, 2010

We will check in with what is done either as it’s done or every other Friday and start a new list!

 

The futuremrslutz's (Lindsey) To Do's:

1) Book flights to Cancun (they keep going up and down...guess we just need to book and take the risk)

2) Assemble and mail invites (these will go out by Wednesday)

3) Order OOT stuff

4) Book Vegas Wedding (Ryan is handling the entire weekend, except the actual wedding part...I will handle this.)

5) Bachelorette Party Favors

6) Order linens, candles, chair ties (already ordered samples), etc

7) Book DJ

8 ) Finalize Thursday night party

9) Create Mock table set up with pics for the reception

10) Update website

11) Decide on vowels

12) Order rose petals for the isle

13) Order garter, hair accessory, jewelry, etc

14) Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts

 

Taylorwd's new To Dos

1. Find new baker

2. Make a site visit to the party barge

3. Finish playlist

4. Delegate barge setup

5. Find extra coolers and trashcans

6. Resew missing buttons on wedding dress

7. Exchange/Return decorations

 

AmandaMarieB’s To Do’s:

 

- Register (hopefully today and yes I realize we are very behind on this)- DONE!!!

- Order fiance's wedding band

- Recieve and sign photog contract- DONE

- Request rates for a BD shoot (Chris Schmidt?)

- Work-out

- Begin Qt Extreme Cleanse

-Order gold bags for rose petals

- Follow up on quote for real touch flowers and possibly order blume boxes -DECIDED ON REAL FLOWERS

- Make sure photo booth stand will work

- Find images and begin mock-up of post-cards using for guest book

- Send mom guest list so she can keep track of RSVP cards -DONE

-Begin searching for table card holders that will fit the polaroid-type photos from the photo booth

-Receieve suit swatch samples and email groomsmen to order (assuming we like the swatches) - FI WANTS TO HANDLE

-Start thinking baout hair and make-up

-Start writing ceremony

-Figure out DJ

-Revise flower choices and figure out centerpeices

-Order postcards from VistaPrint while they have the 100 free promotion

-Email FI's dad about helping with cake topper

-Send revisions/additions to the cocktail menu

 

Kittenheart (Amy)’s To Do’s:

Book room for someone

Go get fun stuff @ Party City

Receive invites and stamps, mail out ASAP

Decide on flowers, purch or not

Receive cupcake papers & toppers & buy cupcake stand

Receive DH's bowtie & suspenders

Order cupcakes

Order things on sticks

Go food shopping at Costco for snacks and booze for MOH to bring

Pull out cash for transportation

Create guest list to give to Skyloft peeps

Have MOH email boys to get tacky suits

Decide on hair and makeup and get photos for hair/makeup chick artist

Get jars for flowers

Buy sunglasses, necklaces etc for peeps

Have DH get cigars

Have twin make iPod playlist

 

Meredith's new list

1. Insure my ring

2. Cocktail party decor

3. Follow up on invites

4. Work on AHR

5. Come up with ideas for BM's shirts

6. Decide on menu for reception

7. Get thread for welcome bag monograms

 

Daniepps To Do’s

 

1. Buy tiara

2. Find and buy comb/barette

3. Find and buy jewelry

4. Find and buy bridesmaids jewelry

5. Get heels on shoes cut down-DONE

6. Make reception playlist-DONE

7. Buy placecard holders

8. Print menus and placecards

9. Buy unity sand set

10. Order programs-DONE

11. Decide what to do for centerpieces

12. Order paper lanters

13. Order bridal party t-shirts

14. Buy OOT bags and contents

15. Order reception favors

16. Order ceremony stuff- bubbles/tissues/rose petals

17. Pay for Ty's wedding band

18. Finalize ceremony script-DONE

ok, I just multi quoted ALL of your responses. And of course it messed up. Running out the door, but will be back on after lunch to give my 2 cents on everything. Have a great day everyone!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, Themes are so amazing!!!!

I LOVE the Blue Hawaii theme!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are going to have so much fun!!!!
I went for pleasure!!!! Ryan LOVES Widespread Panic, so we went for his birthday/Halloween to see them play. Austin was SO fab!!!

I'm really sorry to hear about your baker, but it seems like you will be better off in the long run!

hahahahahaha That's hilarious!

That's so cool! I wonder why it is so expensive?

I bought them their dresses (even though I didn't want to). Unfortunately I waited til the last minute and had to purchase something expensive. They are super cute though. I need to get them a few more small things.

Well, you can ALWAYS sell it, or wear it as a trash the dress. Just keep looking...you may not find anything you like better.

I did passport save the dates...here is a link to mine...sorry the pictures are not great but you get the idea.
http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-resort-55483/

Great ideas!!

I think the chairs will work out for you!!! I can't believe you already have your BM's gifts. Wow I a behind!

I know, I am getting married in 50 days and still have a lot more than that to do!

Thanks girly! Good luck with email. Keep me posted!

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!

AHHHH! You will love it!!! Let me know how it goes. The restaurant in there and the bar Sazerac are really cool too! The rooms are so vintagy and chic!

Like I said, Panic is FI's fav band. He wants us to dance to Walkin. We will see! I do like the song...and the lyrics are sweet. It would be different, that's for sure!

www.lutznlindz.com I used weddingwindow.com. It is not free, but it is awesome!



It will all work out. I promise! Just stay on top of these people and make as many calls as you can AND get everything in WRITING!!!!! I promise, it will be ok!!

Amy - I remember this!!!! Thank you for the kind words and advice. I am going to PM you. I feel better today - I am going to do what I can but not go bananas. My WC already responded and apologized and promised I would have answers on all my emails today.

Thanks Linds.

AmyB is right on all fronts about what she said. The best advice I can give is take a few deep breaths and know that you have a while to work this out. This is one of those situations that comes with a DW unfortunately. We've all suffered emergencies and setbacks and in the long run most everything works out. Feel confident knowing that you truly did your best!! You told your guests they needed to book right away b/c the resort is small and would sell out, and the rest is up to them. It's frustrating, I know, but the responsibility lies with your guests. We as brides can only do so much hand holding.

I can understand wanting to scream at your TA, but it's probably not her fault. AmyB is right in that it's CRAZY how they do the rooms. But it's not just Karisma resorts. The practice of delegating rooms to different tour operators is common to pretty much all of the resorts. At least the ones that use the tour operators and online engines like expedia, orbitz, etc. But this is also good news for you in that AB probably isn't truly sold out. Down the road rooms might become available.

You still have LOTS of time to work this out!!

I was at those shows! Halloween last year at Austin Music Hall?

Haha, that would be funny to dance to that song. As your first dance? Kind of an awkward song for that! The lyrics are appropriate though. We danced to Ain't Life Grand for fun and just to boogie (and in honor of friends who couldn't be there that love that song), not as our first dance. We all like jam bands, though, so we had a few different tunes that the old folks weren't too sure about