talicea7812

it is so frustrating. I don't like to keep a lot of friends. I prefer to keep a small group of what I consider good friends v. lots of ok friends. I started off with 3 bridesmaids. Each girl I have known 10+ years & I have been in each of their weddings. I am just so broken hearted over all this. The one backed out but said she still wanted to be involved in all the other aspects- but really she has been nothing but drama. When everything started happening with the dress my other girls told me that she hasn't done anything. They have asked her repeatedly for her part of the shower and they are still waiting. She has done nothing to help...so even if she does pitch in why is it fair for her to take the credit. What really stabs me in the back is that when it came to her wedding...the MOH refused to do anything. I ended up being the one to organize everything. So I know what it feels like to do the work while 5 other girls share the credit! My one BM made a good point. Its prob better that she did back out...the friendship obviously isn't what I thought it was so why would I want her in my wedding pics. @@kellymiller that's def the attitude you have to have when planning these kind of weddings. It really puts things in perspective. we would have had trouble keeping our guest list under 150 here at home. Destination- were going to have 25-30. my FI and I have put our lives on hold several time to put our funds towards going to others destination weddings. When it came time for ours... the sentiment was not returned.

To all brides posting on this I have just had a breakthrough in iron Karisma policy. I have posted on several forums about my concern for hair and makeup. I have been to destination weddings and find that spa/salon staff are not worth the money you pay. I have also found a couple reviews on the Vassa spa validating my worries. If you are like me and would like the very best the day of... I came across a couple stylists that offer airbrush makeup application. I have had this here at home and loved it! It really does give your face a flawless finish. Anyway, enough with the commercial. I told Azul that I only wanted airbrush and the hotel can't provide that. Voila! Its been approved! I will be bringing in my own hair and makeup team. As of now I am supposed to pay for a day pass for them...however, I have also found reviews that say the hotel staff, when confronted the day off often discount or wave the fee since they are only there for a couple hours and do not eat or drink. I will keep you posted on how that goes.

@@smhvb5 Beware of Karisma resorts! they are king of nickel and diming!!! You should check out my blog under Peacock wedding. My last entry talks about all the things ive been dealing with while trying to plan this wedding. I am extremely disappointed thus far. All the reviews are in agreement with what ive said...but they do say once you are there you are in good hands. My issue is I want to be taken care of thru the whole planning process...the same way I would be if I were at home. Ive even taken my concerns to corporate. I emailed them twice. Not sure the date on the first one but its been 11 days since the last.

So the saga continues...the bridesmaid that dropped out of going to mexico continues to make wedding planning a terrible experience. Just to recap- I changed my wedding date and bridesmaid dress to accommodate her. She backed out stating financial reasons. Now the BM dresses are in. The weekend that we went shopping her husband had his car broken into and all personal belongings stolen. She was unable to put a down payment on the dress bc of her accounts being put on hold. She told the shop owner she would call in the info during the week. The dress was ordered (in good faith that she would pay for it...bc this is the 3rd time my friends and I are using this shop) Now she refuses to pay for it! She is telling me that she ordered from another shop...however, I don't even believe her. Now I feel awful. I love the woman that owns the shop and she's getting screwed over. Really I signed the paperwork too so if my BM doesn't pay im next in line to pay for it. So... not only was I in this girls wedding, organized everything even tho I wasn't MOH, and now im going to have to pay for my own BM dress too? She doesn't even care. I know its time to cut times...but I can't help but need to vent. she obviously doesn't care about me so nothing I do will ever be able to hurt her the way she has hurt me.

aww congrats! now you can have everything you wished for!

Karisma Present & Future Brides Beware Up to this point I've been trying to keep this blog totally positive but I think its come to the point that I should put in writing all the problems I have encountered in the planning process. I chose Azul beach because a travel agent friend of mine recommended either the Azul resorts or Palace. I chose Azul bc of the 2 Azul was a smidge cheaper. I wish I had done research on forums such as this before locking myself in at Azul Beach. I am currently on my third Florida coordinator. There have been times I've sent questions to the coordinator only to hear back a week or so later that "that person is no longer with the company. So and So will now be taking over the account." Every time I've been traded to another coordinator, I'm told that all previous information would be reviewed...however, that has not been the case. I have had to start from scratch with each person. Lets start with the nickel and diming that goes on at this resort. I have purchased one of the wedding packages- I do not qualify for the free package bc I am only staying 6 nights instead of 7. Included in the package is white lines (chair covers, sashes, napkins, etc) I do not want everything in white. I would like some color. Lomas charges a $4 rental fee per sash. I have found the sashes online for .81cents & purple napkins for very cheap too. I have read on the forum that they charge to decorate for you. I inquired into it with my FL Coor. and she told me that she couldn't give me a definite price and I could be charged up to $5 per guest. Now... I am not trying to be cheap...but I am trying to keep costs as low as possible. We chose destination bc it should be cheaper than home. My issue is that I'm paying $950 for my wedding package (which many other resorts offer for free) included in the 950 is decorating with the included white items. I do not want white...I would like my color items. I am not asking them to do any more work than they would already be doing. Why should I have to pay additional money??? I would understand if they were hanging lanterns or draping the walls...but setting the table and tying the sashes...Really? I also intend to do a private banquet, which is an additional cost per guest. The resorts reason behind the charge is they need extra staff on hand. That's fine...I totally understand that. I feel like the resort is making out pretty well off my wedding. $3000 for my room for the week, $950 for the wedding package & about $700 for the private banquet. Not to mention the people that are coming to the wedding who wouldn't normally consider Azul. My wedding package also includes a dinner reservation in one of the hotel restaurants. I have told them that if they would like to keep nickel and diming me for things that they would already be doing...I will cancel the banquet and just do the dinner reservation (no extra cost) That would save me $700 that I could then put toward the AHR. I have received no response as of yet from either corporate or my FL coor- its been 2 weeks since the original email. More on Lomas Travel- before settling on the resort...check out Lomas travel. The options are slim. I personally find their flowers to be boring and overpriced. A friend of mine is also planning a wedding...but doing it here at home. She is paying $1200 for her flower package which included 12 centerpieces, 5 bridesmaid bouquets, 5 bouts, flower girl, parents corsages, and her bouquet. The average centerpiece on Lomas is about $110 (roses, lilies, carnations & gerber daisies seem to be the most popular) all of which are common/ filler flowers- the cheapest flower choices out there. I sent a photo of a centerpiece I liked...I was quoted $400! The centerpiece uses the same flower as what a friend had used in her wedding last year. Hers were only $90! When I asked her to negotiate a better price I was basically told to pick different flowers- something tropical...which according to Azul is roses, lilies (I agree with this one), carnations, and gerber daisies. The pic I sent included orchids...that's what I consider tropical. Hair and Makeup Issues- These are also tops on my priority list. I have very tempermental hair. it takes a real professional to tame this mane. When I inquired into the salon services here my FL coor. sent me a list of services and prices, no description. For example: bridal package 1- $239...well what does bridal package 1 include. when I asked her to send me descriptions she sent me info on other items...that weren't even on the first list. I asked again for info on the list she sent me...she then sent me a link to the spa brochure online (which was the same as her first response) the third email response she sent me was the exact same as the first. My final email was a fill in the blank type. I would like to know: Bridal pkg 1- (includes)_________________ Etc. She finally copied me to the salon who sent me the brochure online!!!! I responded yet again...and was finally told the info I had (bridal packages) were no longer available!!! You have got to be kidding me. With the slow email response time it took me about a month to get that answer. While all the back and forth with the email was going on I looked for reviews on the salon there. Basically what I came across was that the makeup is not worth it. They don't do anything special. As for hair, if you don't speak Spanish it will be difficult to get your point across. So I will continue to fight this. Outside Vendor Fees- Brides beware! it is an $800 outside vendor fee charge to bring in photographers/ videographers, etc that are not approved by Azul. The photographer was my top priority. I researched Matias Cano and Caribe (the approved vendors) and found them to be unimpressive. Compare them to other mexico photogs out there- Del Sol, Elizabeth Medina...to name a few. The options out there are so much better! but they are expensive...and that coupled with the outside vendor fee just puts them out of reach! Some wont even work at Azul...even if you are willing to pay the fee. That really gave me a red flag on the resort. The other option is to have the vendor stay at the hotel for the minimum 3 nights. I ended up going this route. I have an amazing photographer...that I have dreamed of doing my wedding. She cut her package price in half since I would be paying room and air. I am thrilled to have her! So basically...planning this wedding has not been a pleasant experience. I do not feel like I have a wedding planner looking out for my best interests. Her response time is horrible. She offers no unsolicited information and all past decisions made with other planners pretty much don't exist (if they were even completed in the first place). Many things are completely unanswered. I have gone over her head to corporate who also hasn't responded and I contacted one of the onsite planners...no response. I am totally shocked and appalled by this kind of treatment...from all ends of the business. Is this how you treat brides who are paying good money to have their wedding there? Ive read that once you're there you are in good hands...but that's not how it should be. I should be taken care of prior to getting there. I should have to stress til days before the wedding to finally feel like everything will be okay. Planners at home would never do that! David Tutera would have a heart attack. There are so many other issues I've encountered along the way...ive only touched on what I feel are the most important. So if you are considering Azul...my advice is to look elsewhere. I wish I had known better.

can you send me pics?

@girlinthecity97- The things ive posted on here are the things I have total control over. Anything happening in Mexico (dinners, decorations, etc) are obsolete. Part of the reason im writing this is to make me see that some things are getting done. The Cake- Cakes at Azul are pretty pricey. That's probably the case anywhere with these destination weddings. I've also come across some reviews and pictures of cakes that people have ordered here and they are to say the least...disappointing. I decided to go with something simple to avoid the outrageous fees for added decoration. After a little searching on my favorite website- Etsy...I found a pretty peacock feather embellishment. the picture on Etsy is what I sent to the planner, so fingers crossed...that's what the cake will look like the day of. Top tier will be vanilla rum & bottom tier will be oreo The first cake pic I attached is one of the cakes I came across while searching for cake reviews. Pretty pathetic. That's probably a $300 cake. the 2nd pic is what I hope to see on my wedding day

@@girlinthecity97 - who did u end up booking? some of the mexico photogs I was looking at had incredible work! the girl I went with is awesome! she is about the same age as my friends and I so she will be a lot of fun to spend the weekend with. Her work is beautiful and she also did a friend of mines Mexico wedding too! I am beyond excited for her! she is the best decision we've made with planning this whole wedding. @@jasstz... yes, the wedding is incredibly close. Planning is terrible. My coordinator is the worst. I've contacted corporate with my concerns and they seem to be just as bad. Haven't heard anything back yet. Im only about 70 days away! Basically the only plans set in stone is we arrive on the 9th and get married on the 12th.

The Groomsmen I came across this picture on Pinterest and totally loved the look. Dressy yet still casual for the guys. I think I'm going to keep the groomsmen in white ties and the groom in a color. Not totally planned out on this yet. For shoes they'll be wearing white addidas sneakers that will also be their groomsmen gifts.

I think I found my dress...Since no one asked me what I would like for the bach party there is no theme. The girls started buying their dresses then asked me what I was going to wear. Woulda preferred a theme like little black dress...but too late now. Found this. Hopefully it fits.

I had the same prob with photographers! The amazing ones in Mexico cost an arm n a leg to get... Then the vendor fee on top?!?! I am flying in my photog. At home she usually charges $3000. Since its destination I'm paying $1500 plus room n air. It pretty much balanced out. When are u getting married?

Centerpieces & table Decor None of this is actually set in stone yet...but these are some of my ideas. Azul beach is partnered with Lomas travel- Just some background on Lomas. Everything is OVERPRICED & unimpressive (unless of course u get one of the pre-set packages that start at $3000 for ceremony décor & $300 per table. In any case they don't match my theme) Anyway...Lomas is awful. All selections are made by looking at tiny pictures that aren't clear, cut out half the flowers or don't actually show you all of your options. so basically you are ordering blindly and just have to hope that the vision in your head somehow fits what you order off the site. I also hate the flower options. Most are mainly roses, gerber daisies, or lilies. Don't get me wrong they are beautiful flowers...but they are ordinary and 2 of my now bridesmaids have used lilies. I decided to go the route of bringing my own decorations. I absolutely love the purple orchids! but the artificial ones are hard to come by and very expensive. I shopped around on Etsy and came across these ostrich feather centerpieces. they aren't the most amazing centerpiece but I do love how they can be lighted to match the wedding theme... I think once the sun goes down they will look awesome at the reception. The same vendor also sells the drowned orchids. I may or may not get them. I intend to bring all this stuff on the plane so I just want to be careful I don't overload us. The chairs are the reception are a dark wood. I would like to have royal blue sashes tied on them & purple napkins at each setting. I would like to incorporate the teal in picture frames. I found this "kissing menu" on Pinterest and love it! So print that and from it in turquoise.

@@JMK923 Thanks for the info. I sent both a message...however, im pretty sure that neither has an actual salon & they have to come to the resort. That's where I run into the problem bc Azul won't allow the outside ppl in. I even asked about purchasing a day pass and was told that ppl with the passes don't have access to the room areas

My Accessories. A while ago I saw this picture on pinterest of the blonde girl with the jewel headband & fell in love. Then a while later I came across a headband that looks peacock inspired. I am definitely going to wear a sparkly belt so im not sure how everything will look together. I'm going to buy it and take it to the fitting...then I can decided from there. As much as I hate to spend money the headband is $35...so its not a big loss if I don't wear it. I also found this necklace on davids bridal website. I think it also looks peacock inspired and compliments the headband. Cost of the necklace and earrings...only $30 Now as for shoes...I haven't purchased them yet but I do have my heart set on something blue. I am a huge fan of sex and the city & loved carries shoes. I like that she was the last single girl of her friends...as am I. I also came across these jeweled peacock embellishments that I can purchase from Etsy for $38.

When it comes to the actual wedding...I really haven't gotten far with planning. I have figured out what I am getting for my bridesmaids. I intend to purchase their jewelry- which I haven't settled on yet. In addition to that I'm getting some items that will make for great getting ready photos. Some items have been purchased- Personalized Hangers- Etsy-HangingMemories4Ever $85 for 5 hangers Robes- ordering from wedding prep gals. Robe only. Stepmother in Law will embroider $131 (4 adult 1 child) Flip Flops- approx. $5 bc I intend to DIY using old navy flip flops Personalized Tote bags- (to place all gifts in) Etsy PersonalizedGiftsbyJ $30 (3 bags- 2BMs & Mom) Peacock Feather Hair Clip- $2- already have the materials for a DIY *Undecided- May add in peacock clutch but they are $30 each and will prob only be used that day. Not sure if its worth it. All purchased items are color coordinated to what the bridesmaid is wearing. Everything purchased for J-is purple C-is royal blue My daughter- turquoise My mom- Navy blue

So my coordinator continues to do a poor job. When I first asked her about the salon services offered at Azul Beach she sent me a list of services and prices. No description. For example it said hairstyle/bridal package 1. Well what is included? bc the price is $239! After many back and forth emails with my questions not being answered and the coordinator sending me the brochure (many times) that I can find right on the website...I contact the salon directly to find out those services are no longer offered!!! Seriously!?!?! my coordinator is so incompetent! I have also come across a couple reviews (finally) on the salon here. Basically...its tough bc the women aren't fluent in English...and ppl have said that the makeup application isn't worth the $$. So now what to do? Azul wont allow me to bring someone in...and im not sure where to look in Mexico.

Hello and congrats! It is so hard to decide and I wish I had researched more before selecting Azul beach. Just a bit of a warning about the Azul resorts. The outside vender fees are outrageous! $800!!!! and their 2 approved photographers are disappointing. You will also have to deal with Lomas travel. Depending on your budget this may be an issue. Yes, they have beautiful décor packages but that's only a plus if you are willing to spend $3000 to decorate your ceremony area & $300 per table. If you opt to do a la carte the little things will also add up. Centerpieces (IMO) are expensive and boring. The online pictures are also low quality and many things you are expected to order without actually seeing it. When you begin to plan you work with a coordinator out of Florida. Mine is awful. Usually takes about a week for a response and often doesn't answer my questions. she does not offer options. You have to ask all the right questions and if you aren't careful and informed they will try to upcharge you. For example my wedding is only 25 ppl. when I asked about the cake she sent me a quote of $375. when I first booked the wedding I received a brochure with the cake prices. For a cake for 20-30 pp its $290. when I called her out on it, she told me that was the price for 30-40. why would I need that cake for 25ppl? Do your research on here! It will be a big help Good luck

Looks like my wedding dress pics didn't upload in the last post so ill try again here. Anyway...to continue where I left off...I went shopping for bridesmaid dresses very early! I am very busy and coach cheerleading...once the season starts im totally unavailable. My number one dress choice was the allure style with the ruffle on the front. I found it on Pinterest and had to see it in person. When we went shopping I immediately fell in love with it. The allure dress is pictured in teal. That shopping trip with in the summer June/July. It gave the girls plenty of time to order. My room block down payments were due the week after Christmas and then full payment due the end of January. I figured the early selections would help them budget the costs of the wedding Well I was wrong. In October one of my bridesmaids decided to start complaining about the dress. This is coming from a girl who's wedding I was in and had no say in the dress. Her main issue was it was too heavy for a beach wedding. Now I have also been in the wedding party for a destination wedding and wore a dress in the same material. We were fine. Anyway, I agreed to shop again. I definitely prefer my first choice. The second dress is nice but I don't think it looks like a bridesmaid dress. it looks like something for a cocktail party. The new dress is pictured in purple however the actual dress with be purple with a black lace overlay like in the last picture. I think I would be in love with the dresses if we were able to have the lace match the rest of the dress. One positive about the new dress is that the lace compliments my dress

When Is your party and what are you wearing?? Share some pics!

Hi and welcome to my blog! My wedding date is April 12, 2014 & I am getting married at Azul Beach Resort in Rivera Maya Mexico. My wedding theme is peacock with a focus on the colors purple, royal blue and turquoise. We sent out save the dates January 2013. We figured it would give people plenty of notice if they would like to come. We also did two versions of the STDs to save some $$. We purchased 20 magnet versions (Vistaprint) to send to family, the bridal party, and anyone we thought would def try to make it. Invitations We are trying to keep the cost of the wedding as low as possible. I am currently underemployed and looking for a teaching job. As you know invitations can really run you into a big expense. I do a lot of my shopping on Etsy and fell in love with the boarding pass style invitations. however, they were crazy expensive! I had an idea in mind and drew it out. I found an artist on Etsy who was able to turn the picture into a digital file that I printed at Staples. I purchased envelopes at envelopes.com. I bought Custom peacock stamps from stamps.com & custom address labels from zazzle. I designed our monogram using mircosoft word. Total cost if I did not do a DIY would have been $350-$400. DIY cost- $150 Outfitting me and the Bridal Party I always dreamed of having a princess wedding- with the big poofy gown, tiara, etc. I however, don't think that fits with a beach wedding. Reality vs. expectation also came into play here. I tried on several "princess" gowns...and they just weren't doing it for me. They were pretty (as were all the dresses I tried on) but they weren't the one. The dress I chose was the last one I put on...and almost didn't try. its a style I never saw myself in. I didn't make an on the spot decision. I took pictures and went home to review them. I think I felt a little too on the spot in the store and I was only seeing the dress...not me in it. When I reviewed the pics I just knew when I came to the David Tutera Florrie dress that it was "THE ONE."

@@JMK923 Wow! your wedding is so close! I am also a Karisma bride. What are you doing about your hair and makeup? I have sent several emails to my coordinator asking questions about salon services. First she sent me a list of just service and price. Which didn't have enough details. Ex: hairstyle/bridal package 1 $239. What does bridal pkg 1 include? then she sent me copies of the info I can find online...still no mention of the bridal packages. Since you are so close to your date I was wondering if you knew what these pkgs include. also...I saw you mentioned getting 15% off salon services. is that a special promo?

April 12, 2014 Azul Beach Hotel $635pp for 3 nights + $202 additional per night after Airfare from Philly is ranging anywhere from $500-$700 depending on #of stops

@@nurselaura Im in the same boat...only nothing is getting done due to a lousy planner. where are u getting married

@@MrsShoreytobe How is your peacock wedding coming along? Any pics to share?