Jennypert

I just found out Karisma has introduced a series of totally new wedding packages for the Azul and El Dorado properties. If your wedding is soon, you may not want to change. But, the new packages and website are definitely interesting and worth considering. http://www.memorablemomentsweddings.com/ The roll out of the new packages may be part of the reason for the slow responses recently.

OMG. :eek: My planner is (was?) Karla!! I sent her an email about 2-3 weeks ago and didn't get a response. I have not thought very much about it since she is often slow to respond and I still have over seven months before the wedding. It would be too much of a coincidence to have 2 Karla's working as wedding planners for Karisma!! I'll follow up with my TA. She's been great and I'm sure will find out what's happening.

Quote:Originally Posted by mystique517 Hey Ladies! I have some family members who weren't planning on attending the wedding but are now beginning to feel left out. They're looking to book their trips however the rates at Sensatori are just way too high so they are considering staying at the resort next door, Secrets Silversands. I know there is a day pass that guests usually have to purchase if they are not staying on the resort (for all the other days except the wedding day), but my logic is that they could just walk onto the resort from the beach since Silversands shares the beach with Sensatori. That way they don't have to come in through the front gates at the resort. Have any of you inquired about this or had guests that did the same thing? Did you run into any problems with security or hotel staff turning them away? We have stayed at Secrets Silversands for the past 3 years. It is a lovely resort and consistently gets higher review ratings than Azul Sensatori. One of the reasons we chose AS was because it is close to Silversands and we will be spending our honeymoon there. But, AS is 'child friendly' and Silversands is adults only. I have walked down the beach from Silversands past AS several times. I am not sure but I believe AS security checks to make sure people from other resorts do not actually come onto the property. Good luck.

Great Idea! Thanks.

I agree. LilPumpkin should get an apology and a refund from Karisma Hotels. Have you sent them a copy of your review?

Hi LilPumpkin, This is the worst experience I have read about Azul Sensatori. I am so sorry you had such a bad time at your wedding. Jenny

I totally agree. I was strongly advised to NOT ship anything to the resort. It is very likely that the items will not arrive. If you have friends pack and carry some items in their checked baggage, make sure they have receipts and that they pack the items. That way, they can answer any questions about who packed and what is included. I have heard that Mexico customs has started to be very strict about the $300 limit. The amount of the tax is probably not a lot but there is definitely an inconvenience and hassle factor if you get pulled out of line. Also, where did you buy your maracas? I really like that idea. Jenny

Quote: Originally Posted by Lins1 Hi ladies!! Can anyone tell me where they got their canvas welcome/oot bags from? I live in Canada so would prefer to go to a store and grab them but online suggestions are good too. Thanks!! I am ordering beach bags from www.discountmugs.com. They have a nice selection that cost about $3 USD to $4 depending on how fancy you want to get. They have some very simple non-woven bags for around a $1, if you order enough. I ordered several samples since I wanted to see the quality before buying the 50 I need. I decided to get a more expensive bag that people can re-use as a souvenir or tote bag and not buy a lot of stuff to try to fill it up.

I just listened to an excerpt from A Thousand Years by the Piano Guys. It is beautiful! When you use My WeddingDJ, you can add a pause 'wait' after each song or playlist. If you add the pause, someone will need to swipe the 'slide' before the next song is played. Once you get it, you'll see how easy it is. I don't do a good job of describing it. Jenny

A question for anyone who has booked the photographers or DJs recommended on the Lomas Travel website - did you book throught the website or did you ask your Miami wedding coordinator to book for you?

If you are using an iPod for your ceremony music, check out My WeddingDJ. You can buy it at the App store on your iPhone/iPod. It's really easy to program the songs for Processional, Recessional, etc. and add pauses or have it play continuously. I am very pleased with the results. Do you know what you are using for the Bride's Processional? I'm using an instrumental version of 'Tonight We Celebrate Love'.

Hi Lola, congratulations! Check out the Official Azul Sensatori forum. There are several sites for the ceremony and reception. You can pick what works best for you and your Fiancé. Jenny

Hi Lola, I went through similar angst before signing my contract for 15 rooms. In my contract, I need a minimum of 10 rooms to guarantee the rate. If you are really concerned about meeting the minimum, then ask your TA to give you other options. If you don't think you can make the commitment, don't sign the contract. Otherwise, you will fret about paying the deposit. For us, we had 13 rooms booked by the booking deadline and now have 17 rooms with deposits and promises for 2 more. Make sure everyone who books, gets cancel for any reason insurance. My wedding is June 6, 2014, several months from now and life can interrupt the best plans. Once the anxiety of getting the minimum number of rooms booked, you can start concentrating on the fun stuff like reception location, food, decorations and flowers. I've had lots of fun with the planning and hope you do also. Jenny P.s. are you doing a beach wedding or the Sky Terrace Wedding?

Hi Elizabeth, I thought we would have a few kids but so far only 4 teenagers out of 45 who have booked. I don't expect too many more but you never know. Enjoy your vacation in Mexico. Jenny

Hi Elizabeth, We are booked at AS for June 6 2014 with our wedding at the Sky Terrace and the reception at Zavas Plaza. While you are there, can you check out the Wedding Cakes? I really can't see a wedding without Wedding Cake but would like to know if they are as bad as others say. We visited last May while staying at the resort next door, Secrets Silversands. We thought it was a beautiful resort and the seaweed on the beach didn't bother us since we spend most of the time at the pool. Also, can you check how late the bars are open at night. My family tends to stay up late playing cards, drinking and talking. It would be good to do that in a bar instead of someone's room. Have fun! Let us know what you think when you get back. Jenny

That's a good idea. My friend got married in Jamaica last year and it took a couple of months to get the official certificates. I'd rather not wait.

Hi Vanessa, Thanks for the kind words. I am trying to not stress out about this but not succeeding.

Hi Ladies, I am new to this post. I sent out the STDs and a link to my wedding website in late May - about a year before my June 6, 2014 wedding date with a request to put down a $200 deposit for a double room within 30 days. I had reserved a 15 room block and the deadline for charging my credit card for the deposit ($3000) was in 30 days. I had 13 rooms booked before the deadline and now have 17 rooms booked with 42 people attending. After reading what everyone else is going through, I'm starting to wonder if some people may back out before final payment is due in April 2014. Has anyone else had the experience of guests not coming after they put down a deposit? Now, I'm getting scared to start buying stuff for the OOT bags.

We are planning a Court House legal marriage in Chicago a few weeks before our DW at Azul Sensatori. It should take about 5 minutes in the Judge's chambers with no ceremony. We'll just do what we need to do to be legal. While I am not keeping the legal marriage a secret, we are also not planning to have any guests or witnesses. But, I want everyone to be part of our 'real wedding in Mexico when we say our vows in front of friends and family.

Quote:Originally Posted by msuarez Hey everyone! We are confirmed for June 21, 2014! Any other brides that weekend? I am starting to think about decorations-- what to bring, what to buy from lomas, etc. We are having our reception at Plaza Zavaz. Did any of y'all bring Christmas lights to decorate the gazebo with? If so, how much of a set up fee did they charge you? ps- Thanks for all the help with all of your posts. I've been reading them like crazy for the last few months and it has really helped me fight against "the fear of the unknown..." Hello, My wedding is June 6, 2014 so you are just a couple of weeks later. I still haven't heard from anyone on my exact date. I'm planning to bring Christmas lights and had planned to bring a lot of other items for decorations like chair sashes and other linens. I'm re-thinking that plan after reading the other comments. Maybe they are right since I've just started ordering stuff for OOT bags for 45-50 people. Welcome to AS Brides Forum. Jenny

Good idea! I'll ask the wedding coordinator for examples of the photographer's work. I'm going to go with one of the Lomas photographers since I don't want to pay the extra $800 vendor fee. But, I'd like to make the choice based on work quality AND cost. Thanks for the suggestion. Jenny

Thanks for reminding me about the wire for the lanterns. I'll check out Michaels this weekend. I'm waiting to buy the Christmas lights hopeing they will go on sale in Dec.

Quote:Originally Posted by kaleighMCL This is a tricky one for me. My FI and his family are being realllllly difficult. I sent out Save the dates via email back in May thinking that was great. Then I find out a week prior to our room block expiring that his family are basically ignoring the STD’s bc they want to see a paper copy of the invite. ARGH. So I did a rush print job and mailed them out last week. So with our wedding in February I did it 7 months early – and about 2 months prior to when I wanted to do them. We have 23 confirmed booked – but with our room block expired I’m not really sure what to expect now. Everyone is pretty much ignoring me in terms of emails etc. and assuming just because its an all inclusive resort there is no planning required. They also are thinking they can just book for WHEREVER and come day of, which they can’t (in order to stay within the 20% off site that is stated in the contract). Our Bridal party didn’t even book by the deadline (and as far as i am aware, still haven't booked). So needless to say, the fact that we are planning this day with the idea of it just being us and anyone else there is a bonus is a blessing – because I may be bald by now! That's a real bummer! I told everyone either via a phone call or email that I needed to have a minimum number of rooms booked or else we could all lose the discount. Maybe not exactly true but it worked. I got a pretty good response with 13 of 15 blocked rooms booked before the deadline. I've also created a wedding website using weddingwire.com and sent links to all of the invitees and showing how lovely AS resort looks and how much fun we are going to have. It was basically a marketing tool. Now, we have 17 rooms booked with 48 people and I expect 3 more rooms. Tthe Best Man and 2 Bridesmaids haven't booked yet so you are not alone with having the Bridal Party not respond!!! Maybe people really are waiting to get printed invitations. I hadn't thought about that.