bigboponthebeach

Quote: Originally Posted by diamondpooch I would really appreciate any feedback anyone has about this resort. It looks awesome. Saphire more than Jade I guess. We both have the same wedding date! It will be cool to countdown together.

We too are considering switching over from the Azul Sensatori! They have the date we want available and we found an awesome new TA! Have any of you visited the site and done any comparison with the Azul Sensatori We won't have the chance to do a site visit prior and I am having a tough time making the final decision based solely from photos. Even the reviews are mixed on both. Help!

Thank you for the review as well as being candid! Nothing like an honest review to help you keep your expectations in persepctive. Thank you!

Thank you Tanya for your thorough review! I truly appreciated the detailed information you provided me with! Sita, thank you as well!!! You're photo is beautiful! (sidebar) :-)

smckinney.....Thank you for the warm welcome! I'm trying to get my engines going but there is just SO much info!!! I'm starting to feel overwhelmed but I'm trying to pace myself. :-) Thank you again!

Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host hi bop, have you tried one of the TA's on the forum. they all specialize in destination weddings? you can reach them by clicking on the banner at the top of the page. Hi Tammy! I did do something with the TA vendors, but I can't be sure what. :-) Since I am new on here, I am still finding my way..... but earlier today, I found a link for a TA request and I completed it and submitted it. I'm not sure who it goes to or what that process involves, but I did submit a request for a TA. I've seen a few on here that are Sandals specialized and such, but I was hoping for one that was neutral and not commited to a specific resort. I'm praying for a good lead. :-) Thanks!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sita&Nate Bop, Do not let anyone pressure you into doing what you don't want to do! The best advice that another bride gave me and I know it to be a100% true now is do what *you* want to do--I know that sounds selfish and I don't mean it to be, but what i mean is, go with your vision and don't let other people convince you otherwise. This I struggled with big time, but don't second guess yourself!! Our travel agent from the local Flight Centre was absolutely awful (the worst part about the wedding planning process for us), but seemed great at first. It is a blessing that you know now that you don't like her. YOu have a year to go, so take time to do your research I was originally going to get married at the AI resort (Barcelo) we were all staying at, but less than 3 months before the wedding, I knew I didn't want to get married on the resort and found a wedding coordinator who helped me to make it all happen on the exact day we wanted to be married. You have lots of options! Sorry for the novel! Good luck! Sita, no apologies necessary as I sincerly appreciate your response! I am headed over now to read your thread so that I can get additonal informaiton on your planner and such. I cannot thank you enough for the advice and the reassurance as I head down this path. What I did find interesting is something you mentioned......when we first spoke with our TA/WC, she was REALLY nice, joyful, and warm. Once we got going and we signed on, things changed. I just don't feel comfy spending the next 12 months planning one of the most exciting days of my life, with her involved. Just women's intuition, I guess. :-) Thank you again!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 I was assigned Tiffany from Karisma as my WC...I know a lot of the girls on the Sensatori thread have had some "interesting" experiences with her. I can honestly say she's been pretty good with me...she's very quick to respond (within 2 business days). My only issue was about the photographer, and that really wasn't her fault...it's a corporate policy. My TA is from TripGuy travel, and he's really great. I know that the TAs on this site are amazing as well, and have a ton of experience with destination weddings, so feel free to give them a shout out as well. Awesome, thanks for sharing! I have been assigned to Cecile and she is QUICK with the response. I'm praying something wonderful becomes of my photography situation. Positive energy going up! ;-)

Welcome Alissa! I have just joined here myself and have been confirmed on 5/28/11 at the Sensatori. All I can tell you, and I'm pretty bitter about it myself right now, is that if you bring a photographer from home, you are required to pay a 3-night stay for them. If you pick a photographer outside of the approved vendor list that resides in Mexico, you must pay a $500 outside vendor fee. Sucks, I know. :-( I hope this helps and I hope you find these boards useful. They have been a lifesaver for me and have fully sucked me in. :-) Take Care!

Thank you so much Destination Scout! I will google them to see what I can find out. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post. I am very frustrated with our TA and we are going to cancel services by Friday. We thought since we both work full-time that would be the best option, but geez......it's been like a hard sell for one chain only. :-( And all I want to do is marry the one I love in peace. :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 Heck to the yeah! I am so with you. It really, really got under my skin that they were trying to tell me who I could or couldn't use to take pictures of my wedding. In my opinion, pictures are THE most important part of the day, because like you said, they're the only thing you take with you. I, too, considered forfeiting my deposit and switching to a different resort. I actually posted about it on the Sensatori thread...read about 15 pages back and you'll see the other Azul Beach brides talking me down from my ledge In the end, I'm glad I didn't switch resorts, because everyone that has been married at AB just RAVES about their day, and the service, and the beach...to me, it's the perfect resort. I would say...make a big fuss with your WC. Point out the specific section of the contract. Ask to speak with a manager. Do whatever you can. In the end, my situation was satisfactorily resolved...can't go into details, as my wedding coordinator asked me not to, but I'm happy with the photographer I'm using. Okay, I'm at the ledge right now so to speak! LOL If you don't mind me asking, who is your WC or TA? I'm not 100% pleased with mine and am searching for a new one.

Quote: Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 Hi Bigbop! I'm an Azul Beach bride as well (I've seen you on the Sensatori thread). Just wanted to let you know that Azul Beach doesn't allow any photographers from Mexico other than the ones they've contracted with (Caribe and the other dude). So...they won't even let you pay a $500 fee to have a photog from the Riviera Maya. Your only option is to bring someone from the US and have them stay a minimum of 3 nights. I think this is the LAMEST policy ever, but I wanted you to be aware so you're not surprised like I was. Quote: Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 I totally, completely, 100% understand your frustration, as I myself had a huge temper tantrum when I found out about it. In fact, my contract specifically says that I will pay a $500 fee for an outside vendor, but that they must be preapproved by the resort. There is NOTHING said about a minimum stay. Apparently, the resort doesn't approve anyone other than the two photogs they work with (who, let's be honest, take barely better-than-average photos). I would say find the section of your contract the points this out, and see if you have better luck. Who is your WC at Azul Beach? You may have better luck with some than with others. I will say that Azul Beach, from what I heard, is an amazing top-of-the line resort, and that the brides who have been married there don't regret the decision at all. I stuck with AB because of that. Also want to point out that bringing someone from the states and paying for 3 nights stay may very well come out costing less than Elizabeth Medina would be charging...just something to think about. But I also understand that it's the principle of the matter, and super disgusting that they have that kind of policy in the first place. I'm so glad that someone understands my frustration. I know other brides have felt this way in the past.....but I haven't caught up enough on this thread yet to sense it. :-) I'm still on page #116 and they are still all concerned about the grand opening. :-) It is just BEYOND frustration and I am a very free spirit and don't like to be restricted. I understand the need for insurance, liability, and work permits, but these restrictions are over the top. I can tell that they weren't made in our best interest but rather to maximize the profit of the resorts and hotels. I am by no means looking for a hand out or for anything free, and I am more than game to pay for all of the other ammenties of the resort, but the whole photographer thing just has my feathers ruffled! I won't be taking a DJ, a reception dinner, the flowers, or the centerpiece home with me.....but the photos, I will. So let ME pay for whom I choose. Grrrr.....it probably doesn't help that I'm totally PMS'ing. LOL We read our contract and it states that we must pay $500 for an outside vendor. However, the photographer we love is not in the area, so we must pay for an overnight stay for her if we intend to utilize her services. It's a double edged sword that I must build a bridge and get over. Just not this afternoon. :-) LOL We are contemplating relocating to another resort and forfeiting our deposit. I've been jumping around here and have read that MANY of the other resorts are imposing the same or similar fees, so we might just have to take this one on the chin and find positive energy in the other special selections. We can support each other on this one. :-)

Hello Ladies! My FH and I are seeking the services of a reputable and qualified TA. We are scheduled to be married on May 28, 2011 and inititally began our quest with a destinationwedding.com TA. We didn't feel that we were receiving impartial and honest service from the TA and rather were being pressured to go with a specific resort chain. With that said, I'm new here and have searched several threads trying to locate a TA or Agency that can help us narrow down our search. We have booked and placed a deposit at a resort, but after reading the reviews of the resort on here, we believe we might have booked hastily and the resort may not be what it was portrayed to be. We do not mind forfeiting our deposit if we can find a resort that is more in line with our needs. We are seeking a resort where we can marry on the beach, that is family friendly but not too large, conducts no more than 2 weddings a day, is modern in style and fairly new or updated, has white sands and clear blue water with no rocks and minimal seaweed, will allow us to select our own photographer vendor, is all-inclusive, and is nearby a city should our guest seek outings and activities. If any of you have any suggestions, I would LOVE to hear from you. Thanks in advance for your assistance as well as reading this posting. All the best, Bop

Awesome, thanks for the complilation Nic!!! It's great to see there is a May 2011 support group! :-)

Thanks so much for adding me, Nicole! You rock! That list is quite lengthy, which is nice to know there are tons of "realistic consultants" to lean on for genuine advice! So glad I found this forum as well as you ladies!

Thanks CJ and Nic.............. We are actually thinking about changing our wedding venue/location because of the private vendor charge. I am disgusted that this was not disclosed to us until after we signed and paid our deposit. I don't like feeling hardballed and pressured into padding their pockets by using their "friends." Photography is something that is HIGH on my list, almost as high as the venue. I'm headed over to the TA threads to see if I can find us a TA who will provide a nice query of potential venues as opposed as someone who is just looking to book brides where their company will get a hefty kickback. I don't mean to sound like Debbie Downer, I just don't want to be forced to select vendors I don't like. End rant......back to happy place. :-)

We should create a list of the brides wedding dates in here....... That is if there isn't already one floating around?

Hi Ladies! Is there anyone in here getting married on May 28, 2011 as well?

Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 Not yet. My friend's bf opened his own photography business but isn't doing it full time right now. I looooove his photos but concerned with lack of experience doing weddings. Do you have any suggestions? I don't yet, but as soon as I do I will totally share with you. I am in love with Elizabeth Medina but I am displeased with the restrictions our resort is placing on outside vendors as far as fees and such. I don't know if I could justify her costs. Anywho, I will let you know as soon as I come across some goods........

Quote: Originally Posted by krmiller Hello, I am considering this resort also. I would love any info on it also! Happy Planning! Quote: Originally Posted by ~Nicole~ Congrats and to the forum! There are tons of brides that got married at the Sensatori, myself included . We have a thread going that has all the info you could ever need. I suggest reading through it and asking any questions you have! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...st-here-23412/ Quote: Originally Posted by ~Nicole~ I don't even know if you realize how important that is yet, but remember it! It will save you from tons of sleepless nights! You are soooooo right! I am such a freakin' simple tomboy and then I logged onto the knot and this forum and my inner zilla came to life. It's like someone just poured water on it and it grew a new head! LOL I didn't realize how many options there were until they sent me the Lomas website! I work a full-time job and had every intention of keeping it simple and just walking down the beach barefoot. Now I find myself staying up until 2am reading the net and all that could be. I think it's time for me to step back and re-prioritize.

Quote: Originally Posted by gingerlover36 Hello I am getting married at Azul Beach on March 26, 2011! Awesome! Have you decided on a photographer??

Hi Mexbride83 - Thanks for sharing! This will be fun to share with others who are trying to reach the same goals on the same day as us! Now if only I can learn how to navigate this site smoothly. :-)

Thank you all for the very warm welcome!!!!! I have started reading the Azul Sensatori thread and am only 100 pages in! :-) At this rate, it will take me more than a month to get to catch up. :-) Lots of cool info though!!! Right now, we are booked for May 28, 2011.....I'm just a little bummed that we cannot book the photographer that we want. :-( Didn't know about all these vendor restrictions until after we placed our deposit. :-( Anywho, I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff...... :-)

Hi Ladies! Is there anyone in here getting married at the Azul Sensatori? Would love to chat if so...... Also, any other May 28, 2011 Brides-To-Be I think I saw one posted thus far.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Ladies! So is there anyone else in here getting married at the Azul Sensatori in May of 2011 And who else is getting married on May 28, 2011 :-) Would love to know who I am date twins with. ;-)