kmk2016

I believe the dimensions are listed on the "official Sensatori" thread. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/index.php?/topic/72018-OFFICIAL-Azul-Sensatori-Thread

Yes duh.... Sorry! They are team approach whether Miami or cancun... But woops- I forgot that one! Good catch @@AllieH

Brigitte is mine and she has been good. They are supposed to be working as a team now though- so don't send direct to one person- send it to the team email.

Beacon Hill is normally a slow store. It may be worth going up there!

Pretty! What was the approximate cost? We are getting married on a sky deck that can get quite windy so my girls are concerned with their dresses blowing up and would like to consider long dresses.

Have a great time!!!! Congrats!!!!!

Michaels: there is the 30/40/50% entire purchase we were looking for!

Not sure what you mean. Their onsite coordinators are amazing and will make all your visions and ideas come to life once you arrive. Your offsite coordinators who will gather all your information prior to your arrival work as a team of wedding designers, so any of them can help build your wedding plan/detail sheet. You are in good hands!

There is a deals thread already started and I think many will post there as deals from places like weddingchicks, Tervis and others come out with their codes, but if remember I will try to post here too- if not, flag the other thread as well.

Free packages normally only include a certain number of guests included and have basic details. If you are having a smaller wedding and don't want a ton of extra decor I think it's totally doable to take advantage of the free wedding packages out there.

Being flexible and finding a great TA are key. The sooner you can lock down a date and a destination, the sooner you can give your friends/family time to save. We have travelled to a ton of AI resorts through out Cuba, DR, Mexico and the Caribbean... Cuba is obviously a great value and could be an option depending on what you are looking for. Determine what you want YOUR budget to be, and what price you want to have your guests pay and then work with a TA that finds something that works with both budgets. If keeping it economical for some of your college guests is a priority, it can be done... Just know what you can/can't do and stay firm but realistic in your vision. Luckily for us most of our guests are well established 30-50yr olds who didn't mind our cost,,, but I still felt guilty when they were spending 10k per family to attend... Even if it didn't seem to phase them. It's why I want to make the experience over the top once they arrive. It still boggles my mind that so many of our loved ones booked!

My guests are paying $1780 plus tax from Calgary and Vancouver (kids are less) for Karisma's Sensatori in Feb 2016. High season at a high end resort ended up meaning a bit more expensive, but I managed to get a great rate thanks to a fantastic TA. We have over 90 people booked already so our guests were ok with the price knowing the quality of resort we had chosen. (Price was a Canadian package for 7 nights including flights, accommodation and transfers) we earned one free for every 14 booked to a a max of 4 free (a credit for 4 was applied to our account)

This is their busier season I believe so that may be part of it... Are you using the original email thread and sending your emails to the general email address and not just to Brigitte? I was told to ensure I do this.... I tend to wait 3-4 days on average lately ... Used to be about 48hrs.

It's because it includes garden chairs, fans, programs, a video feed for family at home unable to attend your wedding in person, a cocktail for your wedding toast served with white glove service and of course the private venue. You can usually ask to use this space for a cocktail reception immediately following the ceremony and not vacate the space right after- allowing guests to enjoy the view.

I simply made our invitations RSVP and our booking deadline the same date... If they wanted to join us for our wedding, they had to put down their deposits. I reminded a few people (and sent out a postcard "reminder" a week before the deadline asking them to RSVP/book).... And only had one bridesmaid give me grief (she is no longer in my wedding as a result). Manager to get over 85 people booked before my deadline that was 16 months before my wedding. Since then we have had another dozen stragglers... And their pricing is a bit higher as a result... But at least it's not sold out yet. I suspect it will be though so I'm glad my guests all booked like I asked!

Definitely use a TA!!! They can get group bookings for you through a tour operator, get your perks and bonuses that you can't get without using one, and will help keep everyone leaving you to plan your wedding instead of managing their travel! There are some great Canadian TAs that specialize in destination weddings and they don't cost anything but save tons of $$ for you and your guests! I'm getting married in Feb 2016 and got a great rate for a fabulous resort. We have already booked 76 seats on the plane from Calgary alone! And another 20 from other cities (some Canadian booking an package, and some hotel only coming from all over the world). Have major details booked for wedding events and have photographer and DJ booked.

Ceremony on the sky deck is $1700 as per their website. It is this way for all karisma locations with this set up.

Brutal!!!

If this happens to us (which I'm thinking it will since sunwing is the only supplier to my resort for Canadians, and we have already booked more than 1/2 the plane from YYC with our group)...The stragglers that ignored my plights to put down their measly deposits and book, while they keep saying they will wait for a cheaper deal, or they are just lazy and can't be bothered?... I hope that they realize they should have listened. Yes of course we would want them with us at our special day, and would feel bad that they would have to stay elsewhere if they chose to come, and pay for day passes to come on site- but really?? We all warned these people of the possibility... So it's a small "I told you so". I'm glad that the majority of your guests booked! Phew!!

It's worth at least checking for sure! Thanks!

Oh I had never heard of them! Will need to make a trip there for sure since I will be paying for my girls' dresses... Whatever savings I can get the better! Was hoping to keep under $150 each.

Yup... We get in on Wednesday and get married on Monday... So lots of time for our guests to get to know one another and have fun... By the time our wedding happens the dance floor should be a gong show of old and new friends enjoying a great celebration! We have a welcome party/FI's birthday bash on the beach on the second night where 90% of our guests will be there... And that way they will have two big celebrations over the time we are there.

You were given incorrect info. Your free event included in the always and forever package is a max of 40 people and does take place at the buffet, however you are getting a plated meal with limited choices you can select from prior to your event.

Our biggest concern was modern amenities and gourmet food and drinks. We have visited over 30 AI resorts over the past years and our expectations were high. Everything I read about the service, food and accommodations were amazing... So Karisma was our front runner. We knew kids would be at our wedding which eliminated El Dorado resorts... And we would be a large group which eliminated Azul Beach. I wanted a resort that was big enough to not trip over one another- but not so spread out that we would not see our guests over our week's stay. Generations was gorgeous, but would have had a week's stay sitting around $2500/pp for our guests, and I didn't want to do that to our guests. That made Sensatori our winner. I then took a trip for their BDR to confirm that the quality of food and service was as good as everyone claimed and it surpassed my expectations and the onsite wedding coordinators were fabulous. The beach itself is shallow and in front of a coral reef/protected ecological site... So it's not crystal clear blue water and white sand beach for miles... But every review warned us about this- and for us that didn't matter... It was still pretty and the facilities themselves made up for a bit of seaweed! Hands down happy with our decision.

Yes generally they are cheaper and they will normally include free package for every "x" number booked and other perks/bonuses that help reduce costs.