Boycott El Dorado Royale & Karisma Resorts-UPDATE policy REVISED!

I just wanted to update that Karisma Hotels listened to the concerns of their brides and they did update their outside vendor policy.

There outside vendor policy is (this is only if you do not use a vendor from their approved vendor list):

Your vendor needs to stay at the resort as a guest for a minimum 3 nights

---OR---

Pay an $800 outside vendor fee.

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i thought this would be a good place to post warnings about resorts in Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Right now i am not happy with El Dorado Royale Suites and the Karisma resorts and will not send any of my wedding business there until they change their vendor policies. It is a high end resort and not a cheap place to get married and they are making it nearly impossible for brides and grooms to bring in outside vendors.

Some of the most beautiful wedding pictures i have seen taken at El Dorado were done by outside wedding photographers.

Why would you spend tens of thousands of dollars to get married there just to have mediocre pictures?

if you are in support of boycotting El Dorado Royale and Karisma resorts because if their outside vendor policy, post here and tell them what you think of their policy!

I'm so glad you did this. It has really upset me to see what EDR has been doing to brides even after they got approval to bring in outside vendors. People should definitly be warned before deciding to have their wedding there. Hopefully we can apply enough pressure to get them to change their policy.

Tammy, this is going to be really helpful to other brides. While I am not getting married at EDR or Karisma, I wouldn't choose a location that would not let me bring in outside vendors -that is absolutely RIDICULOUS!

I feel so bad for the brides that have already booked and can't switch their plans

Maybe a list of hotels/resorts who do not allow outside vendors or charge a penalty to do so could be compiled so brides are aware before making a decision.

Melody,

what other resorts do you know of that have this policy?

I would not have selected a resort that would not allow an outside photographer or other vendor of my choosing if I was not happy with the service or product of their preferred vendor. Your wedding is the one day that you have full control over decisions and how you want everything to be done or look, and having a resort take those decisions away from you when you are already spending a lot of money to have a wedding there and bringing in additional business by having your guests stay there is just not right.

I think this is a little harsh and hurtful. I am getting married at the EDR. Yes, I do not agree with the policy change but I am not looking to change resorts, only change the policy. To put a sticky boycotting the place I am getting married at is hurtful to me. I understand that you are trying to help future brides in their slection but purhaps you can choose a different title. It is a beautiful resort and many brides have had no problems with it.

I am getting married at Moon Palace - as far as I'm aware they also have a policy in place where you can't use outside vendors. However after speaking to various people on this website, I have found that as long as you state it at the start when you are signing your contracts, they normally have a bit of come and go with you...don't know if thats the same with EDR, but it might be worth a go before writing off such a beautiful setting for your wedding day. I believe Moon Palace will let you have an outside vendor if they are a guest at the hotel. Luckily the photographer we want requires somewhere to stay for the night anyway, so that works out fine for us.

Good luck girls!

Pryzeless, Im sure it was not Tammy's intention to be hurtful to you or to any other brides that are having their wedding at EDR.

The thing is, EDR and their current policy regarding outside vendors doesn't reflect a high end resort. One aspect to weddings and planning weddings are choices. You (the bride and groom) get to make choices that will make your wedding unique to your style and tastes. When those choices are removed, its more of a one size fits all situation, nothing like what a wedding should be.

Lets talk hypothetically for a minute... lets say a couple comes to Tammy and wants to look at some "high end" resorts in the Maya Riviera area. So Tammy shows the couple EDR and they fall in love with the property. Then this couple comes to find out they can't bring in outside vendors to make their wedding day exactly what they want. Im pissed if Im that couple...

If a couple is going to spend their good money on a resort like EDR then my guess is they are going to choose the best vendors for them and "THE" vendors they want. Not what the hotel says they have to go with.

just my .02

Hold the noise. Has their policy changed? A friend of mine is getting married there at the end of May and they hired Elizabeth Medina to do their pictures...wasn't it just a $500 outside vendor fee before? Have they stopped this?