Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[AllieH]

Hi Linds - yeah, with THAT many, Karisma should be able to make some exceptions to make things work. I hope you have a good TA/WP who can pull some strings for you!!!! Crossing fingers that it all works out for you. 

Originally Posted by Linds1204 

Hi Allie,

 

Thanks so much for your help! I REALLY appreciate it. 

We are hosting 3 private events, a welcome reception, dinner and wedding reception.

 

I am not sure if we will have 80% staying...we have about 65 people booked, but based on the turnout we already got, we think we are going to have 100+. I will try to work with our planner to see what she can do.

Thanks so much for your advice!

 

 

[KayaWasTaken]

Hi Ladies, My question is about the DJ situation. Our wedding is November 15th, 2013, and I'm just not happy with the fact that they're pretty much forcing us to use their DJ. They are requiring song choices 60 days in advance, limiting us to 90 songs to choose, just ridiculous stuff. We are being told that we are not allowed to use any outside vendors except photographers and videographers. I really want to use DJ Doremixx since I have been reading good reviews, and we even have no problem paying the $800 fee or booking him in a room for 3 nights. He apparently has other weddings booked at Azul Sensatori this year, and even 2014, so I feel there must be a way to make this happen. Our Miami-based planner, Lynda, is saying we cannot do this and I'm getting very frustrated with having my hand forced. We are paying them over $10K for the wedding day alone, not to mention the fact that we are booking another private event for the rehearsal dinner. I'm actually getting frustrated beyond words at this point! :confused::confused::mad:... Does anyone have any advice? Thank you! Kaya

[riz157]

Hey Kaya I wouldn't stress about the DJ. I got married at el dorado and used DJ All music to avoid the vendor fee. I'm so happy we did that because he was great. Also, we only listed about ten must have songs and what was off limits and left the rest up to him. Just give him an idea of what you're looking for and he will be able to read the crowd.

[JMK923]

Originally Posted by KayaWasTaken 

 

Hi Ladies,

 

My question is about the DJ situation. Our wedding is November 15th, 2013, and I'm just not happy with the fact that they're pretty much forcing us to use their DJ. They are requiring song choices 60 days in advance, limiting us to 90 songs to choose, just ridiculous stuff.

 

We are being told that we are not allowed to use any outside vendors except photographers and videographers. I really want to use DJ Doremixx since I have been reading good reviews, and we even have no problem paying the $800 fee or booking him in a room for 3 nights.

 

He apparently has other weddings booked at Azul Sensatori this year, and even 2014, so I feel there must be a way to make this happen.

 

Our Miami-based planner, Lynda, is saying we cannot do this and I'm getting very frustrated with having my hand forced. We are paying them over $10K for the wedding day alone, not to mention the fact that we are booking another private event for the rehearsal dinner. I'm actually getting frustrated beyond words at this point! ... Does anyone have any advice?

 

Thank you!

Kaya

 

Hi Kaya!

 

My WC is also Lynda and we went through the same thing months ago trying to book DJ Doremixx as well. I was disappointed but DJ All Music has so many great reviews from other brides on this forum! I'm not even stressing over it anymore! Everything will work out great

 

Jackie

[Ashley86]

Can amyone who rented the amp for the reception help me out? Is it loud enough and who is the MC? Does someone from your wedding have to act as the MC?

 

Also, does anyone have any suggestions about whether to get ready in the salon or in the room?

 

Thanks!

[murmel]

Originally Posted by Linds1204 

 

Help!!

 

Hey sensatori brides!

 

So, I am basically freaking out....my wedding is in March of 2014. We originally blocked 25 rooms. We already have 31 rooms booked.

I just got a call from my wedding planner letting us know that the resort is totally sold out during our wedding! We haven't even sent our invitations yet (they are currently being printed). We also don't even have all of our bridal party or family booked. Our wedding is over 6 months away....I can't believe the resort is already full! Has this happened to anyone else?

I know we could probably get another room block at a near by resort, but the day pass fee is $79 on the day of the wedding and $99 for any other days. It doesn't appear that Karisma will waive this since it specifically notes that you have to pay the fee even if the guest is staying at another Karisma resort.

 

I don't even know what to do, and like I said, I am totally freaking out! 

Anyone have any advice or has anyone else dealt with this?

That is always a stressful thing to deal with. First of all, don't panic. Often there are more rooms available, but may not be visable to your wedding planner/travel agent. What are the exact dates? (I can check a few places I know and see if there is availability) We have had other brides have the same issue, only to discover that there were rooms available through other operators. If you are in the US, try some of the Canadian operators, or vice versa. Often the hotel sells blocks of rooms to a charter company...so it looks like they are sold out, but you can still purchase them through the other operator. (the prices may vary from what you have currently though)

 

And aside from that, there are other options. You guests could possible stay at Azul Beach, about 10 minute walk north on the beach (family resort), or Secret Silversands (adults only) which is right next door. Like Allie said, if you are hosting a private event, (ie. anything off their banquet menu), your guests recieve free entrance on the day of that event. So if you host a cocktail welcome night, they should be admitted free for that event, and then again for your wedding/dinner on a different night for free. (I think the only limitation is they are only suppose to be admitted 1-2 before the event begins and then up til 2 hours past the event. (but I am not sure of the exact details there)

Originally Posted by KayaWasTaken 

 

Hi Ladies,

 

My question is about the DJ situation. Our wedding is November 15th, 2013, and I'm just not happy with the fact that they're pretty much forcing us to use their DJ. They are requiring song choices 60 days in advance, limiting us to 90 songs to choose, just ridiculous stuff.

 

We are being told that we are not allowed to use any outside vendors except photographers and videographers. I really want to use DJ Doremixx since I have been reading good reviews, and we even have no problem paying the $800 fee or booking him in a room for 3 nights.

 

He apparently has other weddings booked at Azul Sensatori this year, and even 2014, so I feel there must be a way to make this happen.

 

Our Miami-based planner, Lynda, is saying we cannot do this and I'm getting very frustrated with having my hand forced. We are paying them over $10K for the wedding day alone, not to mention the fact that we are booking another private event for the rehearsal dinner. I'm actually getting frustrated beyond words at this point! ... Does anyone have any advice?

 

Thank you!

Kaya

Unfortunately, unless you booked the DJ before they changed their policy, I am not sure you will be able to fight it. Sorry! That is one of the major downfalls of the Karisma resorts, they are not very flexible and seem to change their policies often. You may want to find out who the supervisor is and speak with them directly. If you tell them you had started the planning/booked your wedding date before the new policy came into effect, you maybe able to get them to make a special allowance for you. (but no promises on that-sorry) (those other brides who did manage to book DJ Doremixx, did so before the policy changed, and hence why they have been allowed to keep him as an outside vendor.)

 

And if you truly are unhappy with the options they provide, you could always just use your own Ipod to make your own playlist and have a close friend just check up on it when required. Not the perfect solution, but always an option.

[PPMay2013]

Hi everyone,

 

Since there seem to be some new brides, I wanted to link to my budget and planning post. One of my biggest frustrations while planning was trying to figure out how much everything would cost.Please feel free to check it out here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/86529/budget-and-planning-thread-azul-sensatori#post_1914515

 

I recently added pictures from the wedding too!

 

Feel free to contact me with questions!  It WILL be a great day and Azul Sensatori does an amazing job. 

 

xoxo

Ashlee

[Linds1204]

Hi Murmel Thanks so much for your response! My TA is currently trying to move us to a another Karisma resort, but we still haven't gotten a response from them and I am really worried. Our wedding date is 3/8/14, we are hosting private events from 3/6-3/8, so we would need at least 3 nights. We are in the US. Do you know any Canadian tour operators that we could reach out to? I really REALLY appreciate your help! Thanks! Linds

[riz157]

I booked my wedding through them at El Dorado and they work with the Karisma resorts.

[Linds1204]

Thanks Riz! I just reached out to them. They were super nice, but they don't have any rooms available there either