JennyBenz

Oh Jenna!!! You looked AMAZING!! WHat beautiful pictures, congratulations!!!

Hi there! So your whole dilemma honestly has me sitting here with my mouth to the floor! So, you have no contract, which means either of you can turn around and change any detail at any moment without any confirmation? I have never ever heard of a TA, or the resort, pressuring anyone to book so very far in advance- this is absurd! If there is no contract I would look into getting a new TA, perhaps with some help from your WC. This sounds very fishy, this is one year away, final room balances & payments should only be due no more than 3-4 months away from your wedding. It's good to be early, but asking your guests to know what their plans, finances, and responsibilities are a year in advance is unheard of. If there is no contract, I'm sure you can get out of it and find a non-pushy travel operator/agent. So simply put- NO, this is definitely not normal!! Especially that they are making "demands" within days of sending out your STD's. Just absurd, this makes me very angry to see you are clearly being taken advantage of. Please look into your options, and if there's no contract I would contact the highest person responsible for these people who are making these demands & ask for a change or your money back & run to the hills! If I were you, I would seriously get out of that agreement right away, none of it sounds right!!!! It seems very shady, and with no contract they can up & close in a blink of an eye and you'll never have proof they took you for a run around- I'm sorry, I don't mean to be so negative, but I've heard of many scams & people losing so much money this way- so you have to be very careful, cover your every step! No contract, no deal, and you have the right to get a refund and take off!

Thanks so much ladies for all of your amazing advice & help!!!! This makes me feel much better with going the paper bag route than lugging tote bags down there!

Congratulations to you Jess!!! To see what the resort offers for private event receptions, you can look on the Karisma website under weddings and "planning". There's a link you will be able to click for the "banquet kit" which has all of the offerings along with pricing. Price is not affected by the reception location. Service charge & tax are included in the prices, but I don't believe gratuity is- that's one thing I haven't discussed w/ my WC yet. I'm sure we will tip the wait staff/bartenders. We decided to go with an outside photographer, b/c I really didn't care for the resort's photographer. They were also very expensive for the work they showed in their portfolio. Do your research and check every review carefully. I went with the highest recommended photographers in the area, and they were all unfortunately booked =( But, one of them recommended me to a colleague of theirs and she is AMAZING and 1/2 the price of the others!! The name of company is Shenko Photography. Even with the outside vendor fee of $800 [if you use non-resort vendor], we paid less than what we would have with house vendor. Hope this helps, happy planning =) Hi there! Yes, you can have sparklers- the only type of fireworks allowed at the resort. You cannot bring any fireworks with you on plane or in checked luggage. The AS does sell them, contact your WC and she can order for you! My WC suggested buying from resort b/c down in Mexico the only time they usually sell fireworks are around X-Mas. But, as everything else is with the resort, the sparklers are expensive but what can you do! I believe it's $5 per pack for 5 pcs. [small size] or $7 each for the large sparklers. Happy Thanksgiving to you! I wish we were celebrating Thanksgiving this wknd- I love T-Day dinner!!! Hi Tara! For the most part, all of your decorations can probably be brought on the plane. There's actually an app on the iPhone that you can ask "can I bring that?" LOL Here's a link to the TSA website for a list of restrictions in case you want to be sure everything will pass with no chance of being held =) Also, be sure to bring invoices/receipts for all gifts/favors/ bulk decorations you're bringing over the border, as proof that it is for your wedding [cannot be for resale]. Mexico will sometimes look to charge duties if it equals more than $200 so look into this as well. http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items Wow- I still can't believe the stories I've been hearing from any brides about waiting to the very last minute for RSVP's and having to extend the dates!! I don't understand how guests don't think it's a big deal to wait to RSVP, and especially even after the date has come & gone. I'm sorry to hear some of your definites cannot come, but I'm sure you'll also be surprised with some guests coming that you didn't thin would! Keep your head up, it will all work out =) I would give them an incentive to book or RSVP by saying the room rates won't be guaranteed after the extension date- so they know prices are likely to go up and get them moving!

Wishing you safe travels, beautiful weather, and a WONDERFUL wedding!!! Can't wait to hear back from you upon your return! Enjoy it!!

Hi Amy!! Welcome to the forum! Depending on the package you get, there are usually dinner reservations included at one of the restaurants, up to a certain # of people. If you wanted a private event [outside of the restaurant] and/or cocktail party, this would be extra. On the Karisma website, in the weddings section, there's a banquet list [believe it's under the "planning your wedding" tab, it lists all the types of dinners you have to choose from. It gives you pricing as well, to help you gauge what's best for you & your guests! There is a BBQ buffet, family-style dinners, and pick & choose dinners where you give guests the choice to decide what they want. It took us a while to go through it all and decide what to do, but you'll figure it out! When are you getting married? Your WC can also supply you with any information you need. Feel free to ask anything on here as well, we love to help!!

Thanks so much for the helpful info! I know I'm really bummed I can't modify the ceremony =( We were supposed to do a symbollic ceremony, but our moms got word of it [from my FI lol] and they said we HAD to do a legal ceremony ughhhh So now I'm hoping to see what can be done. I think it's silly they'll only allow us to say our vows after the ceremony concludes, but oh well maybe we'll see how it can fit in. Thanks for the kind words! I love how they came out! I made boarding pass STD's, which were a hit, but very time consuming! That's why we opted to have someone make our passport invites- b/c if the STD's were so much to do, I could only imagine how long it would have taken to do invites!

Thanks so much!! I appreciate it =) I know, I was bummed when my WC told me I can't modify the ceremony to make it more personal! We originally were going to do a "symbollic" ceremony, but when my MIL heard of it, she wasn't having it LOL So now with the legal ceremony, I'm coming across all of these details I wasn't aware of!

Hi Ladies!! Hoping someone [perhaps a newlywed?] can help me out with a dilemma I just ran into- I was just speaking with my WC about the ceremony- we are doing a legal ceremony- and they told me the judge will most likely speak Spanish and have it translated. I requested English-speaker, so hopefully that works out =/ Also, just found out we can't change any details of the ceremony and if we wanted to say our own vows, we'd have to do it after the ceremony concludes- really?! LOL I don't want to do that, as it's silly and really thought they'd let us play a little with the words being said since it's our wedding, but apparently not! Any advice, what did you experience? I'd appreciate your help =) Thanks everyone!! Jenny

Hey girl!! Welcome to the forums! And congrats from a fellow Sensatori bride to be =) [May 18, 2013] It''s a VERY good idea to send a "save-the-date" way ahead of time- For ideas & inspiration, check out the DIY forum & invitations/STD posts. We sent ours out 1 year prior to our wedding, with a link to our wedding website. For those who were interested in knowing more about the resort, they could see all the info on our site. For travel info- that you may not be able to include 1 year in advance. Travel rates only usually go on sale about 8-9 months ahead of time. But, you can include information about averages for that time of year, a link to the resort's site, etc. I just finished my invitations and we included everything needed to book the guests rooms and time line of events, so guests knew when everything was going on. Are you booked at AS already? Once you are, I recommend searching for a reliable Travel Agent that's "GIWC" Gourmet-Inclusive Wedding Consultant" You get many perks for having your TA with a GIWC title- and they work directly with the resort so they get GREAT pricing for groups! Feel free to PM if you have any questions and check out the AS forum =) CONGRATS! -Jenny

Thanks so much Elaine!!!!! I am THRILLED, they came out even better than I'd expected!!! I believe I paid about $938 for 150 invites, so it came out to about $6.25 each. I paid extra for the double sided RSVP card, but other than that it was standard pricing. I researched everywhere, and this vendor had the most for the initial price- many others have price as you go depending on what you want. I am soo excited, they'll hopefully be in the mail tomorrow!! YAAAAAY!!!!! How are you doing? Your date is quickly approaching =) Hope it's going smoothly!! Hi Nicole!! Thanks so much!! If you're interested, you should definitely contact her- you never know!!

Congrats on setting your date!!!!! You'll find this forum sooo helpful, if it wasn't for these girls, I'd be lost! Feel free to vent, share your excitement, or just send a hello =) Good luck with all of your future planning, and always remember, HAVE FUN!!!! If you see her name on the list of dates & usernames a few pages back, perhaps private message her? I actually met my twinnie on here, and I'm so glad I did! We are sharing all of this excitement and can't wait to get there and have a drink together =)

Hello Ladies!! I finally found the time to upload pictures of our invitations!! I found a fabulous vendor on Etsy [invitingDesignStudio] who made these beauties for me!! Unfortunately, for now, she has stopped making these custom passport invites due to her pregnancy [by now, I'm sure she's a mommy!] But, if you're interested, definitely contact her to see if she plans on starting them up again in the future. Only thing I'd forgotten when ordering was asking to print addressees & return addresses. I tried for hours to match the color purple as seen on inside of passport, but b/c of the paper & shiny finish it dulls the color a bit. But, they're only envelopes, so I got as close as possible & printed them all out in one night =) And best part of all, I was able to find the same script font online that IDS had used for the passports!! I'm super excited to finally be sending these out. ..Hope you all love them, b/c I do!! **The purple came out really dark in pictures [my camera doesn't take blues/purples well], so it's much lighter & matches great in person! But you can get the drift!** I had asked for a double-sided RSVP tag made, to include the menu options for guests to select. This way, it's only 1 tag to send back in the envelope & guests won't miss including something! Hope you like them... Jenny

Hi Gina!!! I used InvitingDesignStudio. Amanda is the most amazing vendor I've worked with through Etsy! I found her page way back in January and ordered samples of the passport invites. I lliterally looked high & low on every website I could find via Google for the best price & great quality invites- I wound right back up on her page! When I went to check her site to inquire about placing an order, I noticed the passports were not listed! I messaged her and found out she stopped taking orders on them temporarily b/c she was pregnant & very far along. She extended the courtesy of producing them for me, because I had ordered the samples months earlier. So, I don't think she is currently taking on new orders for passports =( But, you can contact her and see what she says! We added some more details to the passport and RSVP tag [double sided for menu choices], it came out to about $6.25 each- which is way less than I found anywhere else. The only thing I didn't think of asking her to do was the addressee printing- I should have eeek! I have to print them out now, which will take a day or tw,o but at least they're here and almost ready to go out =) I'll post pictures of the invitation soon! Good luck on your search!!

Hi Ladies! Sorry for all the "multi quotes" but trying to catch up on here =) Elaine- Yes, I wasn't anticipating a huge wedding at a destination, but we have a very large family & lots of friends that have already given us definite answers- eek! But the more the merrier =) I've been so busy with other responsibilities, I've really ignored all my personal "to-do's" so next week I'll work on addressing & sending our invites! YAY!! How is your planning going?? Hi Kathryn! I feel with DW, last minute replies are quite common! I've heard this issue from so many brides and I just hope it works out! I don't want to have to worry about chasing guests for RSVP's, as I'm sure I'll have enough to worry about! I'm sure it'll work out, don't stress out over it =) Well for my location issue- When we booked the AS, my then coordinator [since then has been let go] confirmed Sky Deck [if 80 guests or less] or ceremony on beach by building 3 I believe- Cocktail hour was to be on Sky Deck or poolside & reception at Plaza Zavas. I found out a MONTH after I confirmed that I was scheduled for everything on the beach [only] no mention of the Sky Deck or poolside locations! So all of my decorating ideas went caput & I had to find a way to keep some of them for the beach- near impossible considering everything is hanging! So lots of money was spent having to deal with this change [lighting systems for beach, hanging systems, dance floor, etc]. They worked on pricing but still, a TON more than we expected to spend on decorations!!! But all is well, I've had my moment & I've dealt with it. Since I started with my new WC no more hiccups and I'm having an easy time working with her =) Hi Jenna! Welcome back and CONGRATULATIONS!!! I hope you had an amazing wedding & enjoyed your stay! Can't wait to see your review!! Hi Jana! I agree with other brides who have responded to this inquiry- NEVER ever ever ship anything to the resort. According to my WC and travel agent, 99% of the time your shipment: A- Gets lost and doesn't reappear B- Is received, but resort "misplaces it" C- Gets stuck in customs and doesn't make it in time and/or D- Your resort receives & stores it, but you find things in pieces and items are missing. SO, the odds are definitely against shipping anything so far to the resort, hoping it will make it there. I'm having family & friends who are arriving ahead of time bring a few items each in their luggage. My FI and I will take as much as we can, and the rest will be brought by others, they've all been great in lending a helping hand =) I think this is your best option, so you know it's all in safe hands & will be there when you arrive! Hi Seatkins! Oh no! I'm very surprised to hear they can't guarantee if rooms are being booked for double occupancy guests! Who told you this can't be guaranteed? Are they at capacity, is that why? Usually, you book double occupancy, when you check in they'll ask your preference. Or when you book, the preference can be noted. Why not have your TA look into this or call the coordinator? Worst case scenario- What if they do get 1 bed in double occ. room, that would be a queen/king bed- Is it a def NO that they won't be comfortable sharing a bed? Or perhaps see if other family members have extra beds in their rooms & try having them stay w/ others. Hope it works out!!

Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear that your dad has made that decision. I understand the situation, I feel if it was 100% up to my mother, she wouldn't attend either. No words can console you I feel, b/c he should be the most important man there besides your FI on your wedding day. I'm sure you did- But did you discuss this with him and explain how much it's affecting you and how hurt you'll be to get married w/o him there? Maybe if you put it into words for him to read, it will hit him a bit harder. I don't want to say "guilt" him into it, but maybe he doesnt' realize how much it will affect YOU on your wedding day. Although you are sticking with what you both really want & have that perfect wedding, express it won't be if he's not there. If you've already tried to talking to him, then you have to just say to yourself "Ok this is what he wants, and this wedding is what I want". It's a very tough situation, b/c sure a bunch of us have had close friends or family not attend surprisngly, but this is more than that. My heart goes out to you, and I can only hope he has a change of heart between now and then.

Hi ladies! This is what I'm worried about as well. Our RSVP date on the invitations will be in January [our wedding is in May]. But, the actual deadline to book by is March 1st. I'm surprised they asked for such an early RSVP confirmation! I've heard this from a few brides already, and still not sure as to why the TA does this! Anyways, it's your wedding & you've sent something with an RSVP- Therefore, I think it's a bit rude to not do so by the date provided. I sent out STD's with a "tentative" RSVP until the invitations go out, and we maybe received 7 replies from the 170 we sent! Ugh. I'm sure budget/work/other obligations are keeping your guests from making a commitment, but if there's a deadline, they need to try to adhere to that. It also puts you in limbo b/c things need to get done & you probably need those totals for many reasons! I don't' think you need to be vague or coy about mentioning the topic to those who didn't give a formal answer. I've learned, many family members & older invitees are not as tech-savvy as the younger crowd [for obvious reasons lol]. So, instead of emailing again, perhaps give them a friendly call or even mail out a "final chance" to reserve. You don't have to be rude about it, just call and say "We noticed we didn't receive the RSVP from you. We do need this in order to save you a room, will you be attending?" Or send out a letter via snail mail as a "reminder" to book and give them an extension. Lastly, I'd ask your TA if it's possible for an actual extension, although your guests don't have to know that [it'll allow them more time to procrastinate] hope this helps, good luck!

Hello ladies!!!! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! Hope all of your planning is going well =) I just wanted to send a quick update- We got our invitations! Although our STD's were DIY, I couldn't find the time & means to do 200 passport invitations myself! LOL So, I found a fabulous vendor on Etsy who was amazing to work with, and had them within 5 weeks [btw she was 8 months preggo!!] So in awe of them, they are everything I'd hoped for! I'll be posting a picture soon to share with all of you =) So, I'm sure many of you remember a few of my rants about my ex-WC [who has since then been let go]. I'm glad to say my new planner, Lynda, is amazing!!! She's helped me fix all the kinks & although I have to stick with the "unexpected" locations for the wedding day, I'm thrilled by her responsiveness & efficiency. Now, I'm in a slump b/c I have nothing else to do until we start receiving RSVP's. I want to order decorations, centerpieces, OOT bags, etc. but I'd rather wait to know how many guests we'll be having. It's looking like anywhere from 75 to 100+ guests, so it would be costly to order multiple times & not enough or too much! I'm sure many of you feel the same way right now with weddings next year! TTYL!

hey! so sorry I haven't replied- it's been a crazy few weeks! Yes, we actually stayed at Azul Fives and went to the Dorado for the rehearsal [as we were told]. But then, they had changed it last minute without notice to Azul Beach. So while we were there we checked it out quickly before we were whisked away to the AB. We also arranged transportation to go see the Sensatori & a few other non-Azul resorts. It's well worth it to go see whichever ones you may be interested in. After seeing the Beach, we weren't sure if we needed to go see the AS & others. But so glad we did, b/c the AB wasn't available for any dates and the Sensatori wound up being perfect in every way for our big day!! To all of the Karisma resorts, they'll set you up with transportation for free! And it will be an amazing trip. As soon as we arrived for the rehearsal, we were treated like king & queen throughout our entire stay! Enjoy it, can't wait to hear your feedback upon your return!