kmk2016

It sounds like she is super excited for you and is totally unaware that she is overstepping! Tread lightly... She sounds like she means well- she probably doesn't understand your vision of a small intimate wedding or that private events still cost $$ at an all inclusive. If you and your FI explain it in a way that she will understand without being hurt I'm sure she will understand. As for the dress, id tell her that you heard she's been showing it off and that you know it's beautiful and you are excited too- but you want to keep it a surprise for everyone and want it to stay hidden going forward. Let her know if it makes it easier not to be tempted to keep taking peeks in front of other people; you can move it. It just sounds like she is über excited about your wedding and isn't being malicious in her excitement- just a bit naiive. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are both your BFF and your cousin married/single? Could you make one your matron of honor and the other your maid of honor? Can you share the workload? Does it really matter who has the "lead title"? I would lean on your BFF/bridesmaid as much as you need - and not expect your MoH to step up too much until you are there for your wedding week. You can tell her she's off the hook till your plane touches down and she is in the same city and then your cashing in all your MoH tokens... Make it light hearted and joking- but that way she knows you will need her eventually but for now- share how happy you are to have bridesmaids that are stepping up and being supportive. Thank yous and hugs go a long way... I'm sure your support team isn't jealous that they don't have the "top billing" and are just thrilled to be a part of the process! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@murmel... I know it's here somewhere but now I can't find it!!! Do you have the dimensions of the new white gazebo on the sky deck? I'm sure they were here... Did they get removed? For what it's worth- I didn't measure it when there for the BDR cause I knew it was somewhere in the forum, but I did measure the aisle length up there in case anyone needs it for timing of music etc... It's 104ft from the entrance to the middle of the gazebo. (Or 94 ft if you only want to walk to the front of the gazebo). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We are earning unlimited private events through our bookings at the resort, so we plan on having 3 or 4 official events- but shouldn't spend too much on them. Just the overage rate since anything over 40 people has a pp rate. We will be doing a welcome s'mores party on the beach, a rehearsal dinner a cocktail reception following the ceremony and of course the reception itself as all private events. We will then also likely do a catamaran before the s'mores party the first night- and a golf tournament on one of the days. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would suggest you read as much of this thread as possible/ at least the last 20-30 pages and most if not all of your questions will be answered. For measurements of any space you can reach out to @@murmel or go to the official azul sensatori thread as they are most all recorded here. (How much fabric you need etc). How many people are you having? The zocalo beach gazebo is the smaller of the two- if you have more than 20 people I would recommend seeing if the pier gazebo is available since it wouldn't feel as crowded. Hope this helps! But in all seriousness, this thread is worth reading through for all your answers. You will find them for sure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How are you affixing the starfish? Its very pretty!

The "standard" is white folding chairs and linens to a maximum of 40 people. 2-3 days to hear back sounds normal/ many brides have dealt with longer times. Problem is there are 3 or 4 girls working for all Karisma properties out of Miami- so if there are a total of 20 weddings a day across all properties, and girls are planning 365 days a year... Each girl has a TON of weddings on their plate. Hopefully you get the answers you need but rest assured once on site they will make it all come together. This board often gives brides more answers than Miami! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love this idea..... I am going to check on Etsy to see if a glass vendor would be wiling to custom do this! I love the ornaments and its disappointing that they dont allow you to buy this as your primary item and not an add on.

The spa is amazingly beautiful and calming... I definitely plan on spending a few hours there the morning of my wedding to just be in the moment before the madness begins! Everything I have seen has been that the team for hair/makeup is outstanding... So it shouldn't be an issue at all! As for ceremony time- there are only 2 ceremonies a day... I believe they try to do one am/one pm... But with a small wedding like yourself, they can accommodate a little easier. Check with your photographer at a time they think will work if you want to get sundown pics..: if that's not important than I say do it whenever!! Remember noon will be busiest at the beach and people wandering around for lunch at the beach BBQ etc. The staff does a great job deterring people from getting in your pictures/walking behind ceremony... But it will be busy on the beach... It slowly cleared out as the day went on. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The rehearsal, for me was worth it... to see the actual spaces live and in person. I dont think the actual vendor presentations were vital- but my site tour with the wedding coordinator there at the hotel was invaluable. It makes for a great weekend, but if you cant swing it- your wedding wont suffer... but I suggest doing it if you can! I guess another factor would be the cost of your flights, if you can get a good price- go for it! That being said, Im home so if anyone has any questions about Karisma's wedding packages/policies... I can try to answer them... I asked a ZILLION questions and took a book full of notes, so I may be able to help! (I wont be much help specific to Fives, since we decided to host at Sensatori- but they all follow the same policies and process when it comes to weddings)

We aren't having one. Our families are all healthy enough (thankfully) to travel should they choose- and everyone we love is invited to attend our DW. If people choose not to attend, we aren't doing another party at home for them to attend. If something terrible happens and someone can not attend who we a really want to be a part of our day- we will have a love stream webcast made available of our ceremony. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If anyone has any questions- fire away. I just got back and will post a detailed review of the actual rehearsal on that thread but if anyone has any planning/hotel questions I am type A+++ and took detailed notes on everything and anything so can answer hopefully a ton of questions anyone may have. I don't have a TON of pics until tomorrow as my MoH took them so I could ask questions and take notes- and I won't get them from her til tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@Jennypert we saw your set up on our site tour at the dress rehearsal and it looked beautiful! Victoria told us about your move to the ballroom and we took a peek and it was sooo pretty how they decorated (she told me how they tried to make it like you were dancing under the stars) and showed us your reception set up and all the items you brought- it was sooo nice! I loved how your guests were all in red!! (Was that planned or was that just the ones we saw?) it looked like it was going to be a great party!! Congratulations!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Haha- truthfully? My FI (who didn't come for the site visit) wanted this too- and I was originally opposed/ but it was delicious. Rich dark chocolate.. Not to sweet and sooo creamy. I'm thinking of three tiers.. Red Velvet, Champagne and Chocolate. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok/ you can't choose your filling/cake combination... They have that set. So chocolate with chocolate is the combo/ and the vanilla cake with options like rum cream, strawberry or vanilla. Red Velvet with cheesecake cream... Praline with cream.... Champagne and vanilla cream...And a few others I can't remember Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes... I actually tried them all today!!! They ALL had filling except for the carrot and the gluten free options. I actually talked to the chef who makes them. The chocolate with chocolate cream, and the red velvet with cream cheese filling were delicious! They actually were all good. Funny thing is- some almost had TOO MUCH filling and not enough cake! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Girls- I was going to comment when I got back- but since it's a hot topic- I am here now at the dress rehearsal and talked to my wedding coordinator about the whole cake issue at length. She said that the rules (health/food) state that they can not cut/box the cake for you to send off with your guests to their rooms at the end of the night- BUT they will cut it and then you can have a member of your party assigned to boxing it up for your guests in small boxes to take back to their rooms as a favor- and there is no problem. They just can't package it for outside consumption due to health standards. So problem solved!!! Make sure your coordinator knows ahead of time of your plan and have your boxes down at your reception location. They won't leave it out forever because of it being so warm and the safety with cream based layers- so as soon as you cut the cake... Or before toooo long assign someone to box it and place a box at each guests seat for later. She said they normally will keep cake out in heat for max 2 hrs Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes- this is the place. They lock the glass doors to the lobby and place staff at the bottom of the grand staircase to completely block the area. They remove all the cushions and the arrange some of the cocktail chairs and tables (brown wicker) at the back on the sides and bring in the ceremony decor. The arch/gazebo is brushed metal and will be wrapped in your fabrics. The aisle runs to the stage where performances normally are and all excess furniture is moved. This can be for ceremony space only as they need it for evening shows starting at 8:30. Another tip- any earned private events are for 40 people and then $25 a person for additional guests. Children are an extra $12.50 (half price) But here is the brilliant tip of the day.... Children are FREE (not 1/2 price) if you have them order off the kids menu rather than be served a smaller portion of a plated dinner. Sooooo- if for example you have 40 adults and 10 kids attending- use your "40 included spots" for adults... And then add 10 kids and order off the kids menu and there is no extra charge! (So learning was- don't count the kids in your 40 allocation UNLESS you have less than 40 people total. There are about 4 appies, 6 entrees and 3 dessert options on the kids menu- so if you have more than on event, you can do this and still offer a different meal to the kids! The area between the property wall, and the ceremony locations on the beach is quite shallow... The location by the pier is definitely the nicer of the two. You come down the aisle almost perpendicular to the congregation and then make a sharp turn and walk a very short walk (maybe 20 steps) "through" the chairs and down the wooden aisle. If you have more than 30-40 guests there isn't enough room to put more than 5 rows between the wall and the gazebo, and so they make 1/2 circles around it for the ceremony... Which I think would look really pretty. We toured generations today- and admittedly I was worried I would wish I was getting married there because it is new and fancy- but honestly? It lacked a certain vibe... Sensatori was fun and comfortable and beautiful and wonderful without feeling awkward or pretentious. Plus the spa at Sensatori was waaaayyyyy nicer! The cakes were good- the cupcakes were awful and soooo dry. The chocolate and the red velvet were our table's favourite and we tried them all! General consensus even from the onsite coordinators is they will make anything happen and not to worry if Miami says no- or they want to charge you lots... That they will work with you. Maximum set up is $250 for decor but she said that is absolute maximum and they love brides who bring so much from home to make it perfect for their vision and they promise to make the vision stunning. End of the day it reassured us completely. The food has been spectacular. Tonight the coordinator got us a dinner reservation at Le Chic with another couple that was on our site tour even though there was no availability through concierge so make sure you ask them and they will do what they can!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just as an FYI- Canadian bride in another thread booked almost a year out and was told that after only 30 of her guests had booked, when she went to reserve another spot- the resort was in "sell-out status" and could not accommodate any more guests. They had to change their plans and move to a totally different resort!! So 6-8 months out may- depending on the time of year and resort popularity, not be enough time to ensure your party can all stay at the hotel! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've never heard of an airline that DOESNT allow brides to carry on their dress. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It sounds like she hasn't signed a contract with the resort/tour operator... And your TA In most instances doesn't charge and thus doesn't have a contract that binds you to using them. (At least I have ever known do!) They provide a service and get paid through the travel companies themselves- not the bride... If they can't provide the service you need- you can move on. If you book a package with her and then don't like the contract you signed with the resort because the price is too higher etc... I think you'd be out of luck- so make sure you are happy before booking! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I will write way more later but a couple things I wanted to share ASAP since they were things I have heard discussed here a lot and I would have never known had I not asked at the dress rehearsal- 1) you can book the garden terrace as a ceremony location for FREE! It is a raised beautiful area that overlooks the pools and palm trees with hints of the ocean peeking through. It is private and a fabulous option for those not wanting to be directly on the beach. It's used as a backup location for "chance of rain weddings" but is possible to be booked from the start and is soooo pretty. I will post pics when I'm home. It doesn't come with all the amenities of sky deck but is seriously a contender for a pretty non-beach location! I had never seen this location talked about so it may be something the coordinators don't actively advertise back in Florida. 2) you can take your cake after the reception!! There has been discussions that you can't, but you can! They can't cut it and out it in boxes for you, but they will cut it in small pieces and then you can either have boxes out for guests to use, or have someone assigned to box it for your guests. They just can't do it for you (which is where the confusion must have been) because it's against the food handling policy. There's tons more to share... But those are some tips today! More tomorrow! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jasmines is probably the way to go... But they will be a bit more expensive than babyonline. Other option is carabridal on etsy. I would stick with jasmines though since all the work they do in lace is pretty. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just a reminder that it is VERY dangerous and ILLEGAL to travel by air with sparklers. I would advise NOT to do so, and buy them locally. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm here girls... Long first day. One suggestion if you can swing it- if you are planning a wedding in rainy season- and you can afford it- opt for the sky deck. It's gorgeous (from the girl that was concerned with the white gazebo)... And the two locations on the beach were covered with mud and giant puddles from this morning's rain. Also- Zocalo deck would be a great location for a private reception in rainy weather too. It is MUCH nicer in person compared to pics I saw before. It's covered but open air and a view of the ocean. First official day is tomorrow. Have been up for 36hrs straight travelling etc. I'm ready for bed! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk