tsashamia

Thanks JHarwood2Be, you are always so positive! I went back and read Jennrenn's trip advisor review and I'm just going to try and remember why we are going down there =] She was there the first week and still made the best of it, so that's what I'm going to do to. What a roller-coaster of emotions this week has been! I'm going to start focusing on all the fun things like the OOT bags. My mom found maracas and cute hand made mexican shot-glasses in Arizona, and I ordered my bags here Promotional tote bags custom sizes and styles from cheap totes This is what they are going to look like, hopefully ' alt='a>'>with a little lighter version of our monogram. Anyway, happy thoughts everyone

Okay, this has my attention right now, so I thought I'd share the email I just sent. I plan on calling later today as well. "I am writing as a concerned customer about to have a wedding and 37 people staying at Azul Sesatori the first week of February. There have been several very disappointed guests and brides that have recently returned from Azul and I'm wondering what Karisma is doing to guarantee these experiences will not keep being repeated. There are so many choices for a hotel and wedding in the Cancun area and Karisma advertised a top notch experience. My family and friends travel extensively around the world and that is why I chose what I was told was "... a Gourmet Inclusive hotel designed on the foundation of exceptional cuisine, luxurious all-Jacuzzi suites boasting awe-inspiring ocean views perfect for honeymooners to large family celebrations." I am due to put the remainder of my payment down a full 45 days before my wedding and reception and would like a guarantee that the hotel is ready to host more than one wedding a day, as there is another wedding scheduled immediately before mine. If I am required to guarantee your payment I would like some kind of guarantee as to the quality of my event. I hope you will take the time to respond, and consider there are many brides and families out there that are as concerned as I am. In the age of the internet the difference between success and failure can be quickly decided.

This newest review on Trip Advisor has me in a tizzy. I'm normally such a calm person and I can't believe how stressed out I've been for the last couple of weeks trying to make sure all the details come together, while in the back of my head knowing it really is out of my control what happens. I really thought having a destination wedding would relieve some of this, but now I'm really starting to regret my decision to have my wedding and honeymoon at Azul Sensatori. I don't even want to tell my FI about the new reviews as I was the one pushing for the Mexico thing and this hotel in particular. I think this is the part that has me the most frustrated, when Karisma knows how many options are out there for not only destination weddings, but honeymoons. Although price played a small role in my decision, the amenities and bridal packages on their website really made me think I was selecting "the best". I'm still keeping the faith, but sure hope I don't have to cry at the front desk on my weddingmoon. I really appreciate this forum at a time like this because it really helps to know there are others in the same boat. Thanks for all the positive vibes!

Thanks so much, one less thing to make!

Thanks for this! I was just talking about doing coasters with our monogram today! I would love to hear how you like your photobooks too.

I use the Jane Iredale on a regular basis and LOVE it! I have really sensitive skin and it doesn't get greasy either.

Wow is all I can say!

Wow, the ballroom ended up looking fantastic! I love your flip flops too!

thank you!

Does anyone know if transportation from the airport to Azul is provided in the hotel packages? I have an email in, but thought someone on here might know.

Love the picture of you and your Mom, looks like it was an amazing day!

I agree, you are great at the DIY stuff...I love your placecards and table numbers! Can't wait to see your pics!

I don't know if anyone has received this outline yet, but this is what we got from Tiffany to start planning our details. I think you have to provide this by 45 days before. She tries to add all the things you've requested and then you add. I will tell you that she said to keep all the pictures and emails you send and bring them with you for the meeting on site. TSASHA CHRISTOPOULOS-SHANE FACCTEAU,feb 7-09 sens.xls

I got a quote for white lights to be strung around the trees in the open circular area and they said it would be $200. I'm going to do tiki torches also and they are $9 a piece.

Good luck and have fun! Your dress is amazing and those shoes are so much fun! I'm with all the other girls in saying you did a great job with all your DIY things. What an inspiration. Can't wait to see your pictures!

Thank you for posting Keith's pictures, that made me feel so much better. I can't tell you the images I had in my head after reading the site reviews and trip advisor reviews. I was so stressed last night I couldn't sleep, but my FI talked me out of it and said that no matter what it was all going to work out and we would be married (now I know why I love him so much!). I am going to email my TA and ask for some straight answers about the pools, jacuzzis and water smells, but I'm not going to change anything and still get married on the beach and be excited for everything. I'm hoping by February things will be worked out. I'm with lilmisssunshine though, I'm the most worried about my guests that are spending alot of money to be with us and I feel responsible for their stay. I'm so thankful for this forum and all you girls, it's nice to have a place to vent and listen to what others in the same position are thinking and feeling!

Thank you for all the information, it was so helpful! I'm really disappointed about the pools and beach, isn't that why we all go to a warm place! I'm mostly disappointed for all my guests that are spending ALOT of money to stay there. Maybe if enough of us complain they'll do something BEFORE we all get married. I'm on Feb. 7 and hope that at least the pools and jacuzzi's are heated. Can't wait to see your pics, and now I'm seriously thinking about changing from a beach wedding to the gazebo.

Quote: Originally Posted by mrs.meyer73109 Hey all, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I am leaving for my my cruise early Sunday (Nov. 30) morning and will be doing a site visit at Sensatori on Friday (Dec. 5). I plan on taking a bunch of pictures and reporting back on how everything goes. If anyone has any specific questions they want me to ask while I am there, PM me or post them and I will do my best to get them answered! Can't wait to hear what you think and see some pictures! We are about 8 weeks out and I'm getting excited/nervous!

Quote: Originally Posted by JHarwood2Be It's great that you are getting answers and thanks so much for sharing them here! Wow-a couple comments. Guest passes have to be purchased 50 days before the wedding. I see a few last minute bookings at other resorts in my future. That's very interesting. So they are saying since you booked with Claudia directly, that you have to pay the fee? I would look into that a little more, because it was found that Claudia was charging Karisma brides higher fees even as a preferred vendor. So to have to pay her more and then also the $500 fee is outrageous. If they are going to hold you to that fee I would see about re-booking Claudia through Lomas/Karisma. This is the type of issues that Del Sol spoke out against! I'm concerned with the guest passes also as I don't even have all my responses back much less where everyone is staying. I guess that's another list I'll have to start and manage. We always had that as an added expense, but didn't realize we had to purchase them so far ahead of time. Not sure what would happen if you needed guest passes at the last minute. The vendor policy is sneaky and I'll probably work up the numbers, but I also have sent them an email string I kept to and from Nancy about reserving them through Lomas. I also mentioned that it illustrated how poorly Nancy communicated and that a lot of assuming had to be done after receiving answers from her.

I got some answers already, but just be careful because I went through Nancy for the photographer and they are still trying to charge me the outside vendor fee...I saved all my emails from Nancy so I should be okay. WELCOME DINNER (Friday, February 6th 6:00pm) – at Spoon (approx. 35 ppl) · How will this be set up in Spoon? Can we have a small table brought in for favors and items I plan to give out? At Spoon Resturaunt there is a small semi private area for your dinner reservation. I don’t know how the tables are going to be set up that is something that you will have to figure out with the onsite team. · If I need guest passes for this dinner, when do I need to tell you number of guests? The dinner reservation if not on the day of the ceremony will only be for the people that are actually staying at the resort. If they were to be there for the dinner reservation they will have to pay for a day pass the rates for the day pass are the following: Ø Adult: $99 usd. (13 y/o & up) Ø Child: $50 usd. (3 to 12.99 y/o) Ø Infant; No charge (o to 2.99 y/o) This does not include the wedding pass for them to come back for the wedding. Those rates are Ø Adult: $72 usd. (13 y/o & up) Ø Child: $36 usd. (3 to 12.99 y/o) Ø Infant; No charge (o to 2.99 y/o) · Do you book this or do I need to reserve ahead of time myself with the restaurant? I make the reservation for you CEREMONY: Beach Location – Silver Wedding Package (Saturday, February 7, 2009) · What time does the sun set? There is never a way to garauntee it but it is predicted to be at 6:30pm · What times are available for ceremony? Any time up till 7pm · Minister – I believe this has been reserved, can you tell me who this is? This is reserved for you. We don’t have the ministers name but he is a well known vendor with Lomas · Vows – Do I have a choice from a list or do I bring my own? You can bring your own or the onsite team will help you when you get to the resort · Music – IPOD – how much for speakers and other equipment? The amplifier and stereo system is complimentary for the ceremony. If you were to have a reception this will be $250 COCKTAIL HOUR – TIME AND LOCATION TBD · Cheese and cracker station? Where is this setup? You will be able to chose to have a cocktail hour either on the beach, by the pool, or the roof garden lounge. You will see pictures of different set ups when you get to the resort. The set up is coordinated there RECEPTION – PRIVATE EVENT · How much for tent rental ? I will have to get a quote for you. · IPOD with speakers and any microphone? $250 · How much for dance floor rental? Will have to get a quote for you · When do I need to buy the guest passes for this? 50 days prior to wedding OTHER RECEPTION: Possibly teaky torches depending on locaition – when do I need to decide about these? 45 days prior to wedding HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS THAT I HAVE FOR YOU About the photographer, even though Claudia’s Photo is one of the preffered vendors that is on the Lomas and Karisma Web Sites you will still have to pay an outside vendor fee for them to come into the resort which is $500. The reason for this is because you did not buy this package thru either Lomas or Karisma, you went directly thru the vendor. That makes the photographer an outside vendor. Our policy is that if the photographer stays at the resort and has 3 room nights there will be no charge but because they are local they will more then likely say no to that so for them to come for the wedding only they will have to pay the $500.

Here are a few pics I hope

Here are a few pics I hope

I'm already having so much better luck with Tiffany than Nancy. She responded in 24 hours and was very detailed. Since I'm 90 days out, here's the beginning of an outline that I sent her I'll let you know if I get any answers to my questions. I threw in the table size for mexicanbridewithquestions but it's not here..I tried to load the pics here, so I'll post again with pics of the flowers, the centerpiece and my dress (notice horrible tanlines - I'm doing an Ironman in 10 days). Here's the link to my BM dresses too,Badgley Mischka Bridesmaid WELCOME DINNER (Friday, February 6th 6:00pm) – at Spoon (approx. 35 ppl) ·Can I use dinner from wedding package for this dinner ·How will this be set up in Spoon? Can we have a small table brought in for favors and items I plan to give out? ·If I need guest passes for this dinner, when do I need to tell you number of guests? ·Do you book this or do I need to reserve ahead of time myself with the restaurant? CEREMONY: Beach Location – Silver Wedding Package (Saturday, February 7, 2009) SYMBOLIC – (approx: 35ppl) TIME TBD ·What time does the sun set? ·What times are available for ceremony? ·Minister – I believe this has been reserved, can you tell me who this is? ·Vows – Do I have a choice from a list or do I bring my own? ·Chairs without covers or bows ·Still haven’t decided on how I want the gazebo to look during ceremony ·Wooden aisle runner ·Music – IPOD – how much for speakers and other equipment? ·Photographer – Claudia’s Photo – (Erik) already reserved and deposit made ·Videographer – need to speak with Claudia’s photo about this COCKTAIL HOUR – TIME AND LOCATION TBD (Includes 2 hours of open bar) ·Cheese and cracker station? Where is this setup?…(find pictures for specific set-up) RECEPTION – PRIVATE EVENT – TIME AND LOCATION TBD What are my choices for this? Do you have pictures of the locations? ·How much for tent rental ·IPOD with speakers and any microphone ·How much for dance floor rental? ·When do I need to buy the guest passes for this? MEAL: Salad - Salad with goat cheese, calamata olives, lettuce and basil vinaigrette 2 choices for Main Dish) 1.Chicken - Chicken breast stuffed with shrimp on wild mushroom risotto 2.Beef - Angus beef tenderloin steak in lobster sauce, grilled endives and roasted potato mash Dessert - Apple pie with vanilla ice-cream and wild fruit sauce OTHER RECEPTION: Centerpieces – Depending on number of tables/people (see picture) Possibly teaky torches depending on locaition – when do I need to decide about these? QUESTIONS: ·When do I need to give final flower choices? ·How do I book for the spa and the bridal room for the day of? ·Will you send me a quote for everything before we get to Mexico?

Thanks for the music suggestions, that is really the only thing that I was having some issues with. I love love that Over the Rainbow song and never knew who it was..so thanks for that! I also appreciate hearing you went with the "wing it" concept, because I am so that kind of person too! I'm having about 35 people attend, but most of them can "wing it" too! You looked beautiful and just happy!

Thanks so much for the website, I love them!