Hilton Brides Unite!

[HBBRIDE]

Hi Jenesis,

 

I am getting very excited. As of today we have 49 people confirmed included Matt & I. However, I received a call from my mom that my cousin and his wife are trying to come...so it could go up to 51 but I kind of doubt it. I just sent off my 2nd deposit today which is 80% of estimated charges. I am still going over small details with Emeline. I drew diagrams for her and emailed them today. Now I am just working on welcome note for bags...place cards, seating diagram, table names. I also just completed a video montage for the welcome reception that turned out wonderful!!! My dress is being made and I went for my 2nd fitting today. It should be done in a couple weeks which is fine cause I don't need it at my house.

 

Sarah, thank you for the advice on the crates/plastic boxes. We went to Lowes yesterday and bought 3 for now so I can see how much stuff I can get into each. Wow...$23.50pp for fish is great!

[JENESIS]

Kristi,

Sorry so many questions. I know it is already overwhelming enough.

I was wondering what location at the HIlton you are holding your wedding.

 

49 is a good number. What number did you tell Emeline at first? I estimated 75 in September, when we are inviting 150. I still have no clue how many we will have.

[HBBRIDE]

Hi Jenesis,

 

You can ask all the questions you want. I orginally told Emeline 40. I wanted to go lower and if we grew then it would be okay. We estimated 40 because for us that was a safe number. We are happy with 49. It will be all adults and 1 child. Of course, we did invite many more however...we guessed from the beginning who would go and who wouldn't. We were pretty close. I did send out invites to those I knew wouldn't come or couldn't come. I sent out 55 invitations. I have an excel spreadsheet that is color coded as to who we thougth would come. 80% one color, 50% another color, 30% another color and definitely "no" another. I continuously updated this spreadsheet and it worked perfect for me.

 

We are having our dinner/dancing at the Sun Fun Hut. We liked this best for us since it is more off to the side. Our ceremony and cocktail reception will be on the beach.

[JENESIS]

Ladies, I have a question about dealing with vendors and Hilton.

 

I have outside vendors, and I'm sure that Emeline is too happy about it.

 

Has anyone else run into this problem.

 

For example, I told her that I had booked DJ, mariachi, florist, etc. She responded that she couldn't be responsible for them and that I had to make sure they know where to go.

 

How do I know where they should go?

 

She never really offered any vendors to me, and when I asked her about a photographer he was already booked.

[TammyB]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Emeline your WC? Maybe ask her if you can put a sign out on your wedding day in the front lobby saying were your wedding will be located at.

[JENESIS]

Emeline, I thought, was the WC for Hilton. I'm starting to think that hotel/resort WCs are just sales people.

[TammyB]

So what about if you have a rehersal with Emeline and maybe assign someone at your wedding to direct people where to go. Kind of like an usher for a states wedding. I think these resorts get mad because they want ALL the business yet we want what we want, but if they start playing hard ball then eventually people will stop booking wedding there (well we can hope at least)

[JENESIS]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to see what can work.

 

I agree though, you would think they would be halpful and happy, but onece something isn't what the resort wants they get all goofy.

She couldn't even tell me where I might be able to get some vases. Probably because I am not using her florist! AAAAAAAAAH!

[TammyB]

I'm sorry, I'm having problems with my resort as well. I swear sometimes planning a DW just doesn't seem worth all the trouble.

[gkashmira]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JENESIS Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to see what can work. I agree though, you would think they would be halpful and happy, but onece something isn't what the resort wants they get all goofy. She couldn't even tell me where I might be able to get some vases. Probably because I am not using her florist! AAAAAAAAAH!

You know it's sort of weird but I almost get the feeling sometimes that since I am also using a lot of outside vendors (and also an outside coordinator) that the reason Emeline's prices aren't as good etc, is because she gets paid no matter what. So if you have someone else doing all the work then , hey even better for her! Know what I mean?

I haven't actually run into the problem you're having just yet but one thing I can say about Emeline is that anytime I have written her to show my concern about something she does manage to rectify the situation. Maybe if you are very clear with her that one of the reasons you chose the Hilton was because it included the services or a coordinator versus a sales manager and you feel like you are not getting the help you need to have the wedding you want maybe she will come around.

Lastly, almost all of the hotels vendors (not all though!) are priced higher than the ones I've found myself or through Maye. It is my understanding that in many of these cases they probably have agreements with these vendors to use them exclusively. For example I had asked for prices for flowers and when they came int hey were very high and I asked her if you could shop around and she basicallyt said no (nicely, but still). I am wondering if these agreements are what is stopping her from helping you with your own vendors....

Oh wait, one last thing. I am sure that they will direct your guests to the sight - what Emeline may not do (or what it sounds like to me) is set-up stuff that was acquired thru outside vendors... do you think that is it?