Crisis Averted! *Warning - long*

[jennierin]

Well girls, it has been a harrowing couple of days for me on the wedding front. I feel bad venting about this after reading about all the brides that are having wedding troubles due to Swine Flu and flight cancellations etc...I feel their pain and send out nothing but good vibes out for all of them!

 

I was all set to be married at the Melia Caribe in PC on October 27th, 2009. Everything went without a hitch; an easy date confirmation, group bookings, people being excited about it...the list could go on and on. I was set on hiring an outside photog for my ceremony and reception and had cleared it on numerous occasions with the wedding coordinators there. In December it came to my attention that they were going to stop allowing "local" vendors from providing services at the resort (mainly photographers) and therefore had to change my plans on using Photosouvenir. It ended up all working out in the end as I found a fantastic photog from Ohio to come with us...and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE her work! Again, it was all cleared with the WC's and the resort.

 

This brings us to present day...I was creeping on Facebook and happened to check the group for Melia Caribe Brides. There was a discussion started from destination wedding photographers that the Melia would be charging a $1000.00 USD "copyright fee" per photography session to any commercial photographers being used at the resort. You've GOT to be kidding me...so because I am having my photographer do my wedding AND a TTD session we would have to pay the resort an extra $2000.00 USD! I have emailed the WC's and have received no response about this fee...however I am at my wit's end with them!

 

I was so upset. I started doing some research (mostly on here) at different options off of the resort. To back up a bit, I already have 19 people booked and 6 more that are booking soon, so changing to a different resort is out of the question. Well, I ended up reading about the Jellyfish Restaurant (a 5 minute walk from the resort) and emailed them. The coordinator there emailed me back less than 24 hrs later with all the information I needed and even went ahead and reserved a ceremony and reception on October 27, 2009 for me! I went over the cost of things at the Jellyfish vs the Melia wedding package that we originally booked and it's basically exactly the same price (that doesn't include the ridiculous "copyright fee")! IMO it's actually a much prettier venue as well. I discussed it with my FI as we would be losing our 35% deposit and he was all for it! Yay!

 

So, to make a long story short, I have changed my venue for both the ceremony AND reception. I'm annoyed that I am back to the drawing board but so very happy with the change. I guess it is true that all things happen for a reason!

[cougs]

i took at look at the pics of the restaurant set up for a wedding and they are wonderful ... i think you made a good choice, and way to stick it to your resort (even if you did end up losing 35%)!

 

just be sure to make certain any legalities that might have been taken care of by the resort wedding coordinator will now be taken care of here. (not sure if you were having a legal or symbolic ceremony?)

[Jenamie]

good for you hun!

 

Sucks you lost some money but better than $2,000 !!!

[MarieSam]

Good for you!!! I've heard only great things about the Jellyfish restaurant ~ great location too

[sunstarsmoon]

Glad things worked out for you.

[~Nicole~]

I was considering the jelly fish restaurant when I initially was going to get married in Punta Cana! It looks beautiful and I'm sure you'll love it!

Glad to hear that everything worked out in the end! Sometimes these resorts go just a little too far with the fees. Isn't it enough that you're having over 20 people book at their resort....geez.

[jennierin]

Thanks girls! I am a much happier bride to be now!

 

mummergirl : We were planning on having a symbolic ceremony at the Melia anyway, so nothing has changed in that sense. Thanks for the heads up!

[YoursTruly]

I am so happy for you! Good luck with everything else

[erinleigh]

Jennierin - I'm freaking a bit after just reading your post! We have booked an outside photographer - HDC Photo. But I thought we just had to pay a $95 day pass for them to come to the resort. Paying a copyright fee is CRAZY! There is no way I'm paying that!!! Did you ever get a response from the wedding coordinator confirming that's true??

[jennierin]

erinleigh - I wrote to the wedding coordinator on Monday but have yet to hear from them regarding the issue. Check out the facebook group called Melia Caribe Tropical Brides and you can read the discussion there between the resort photogs and outside photogs. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7229611995&ref=ts They are saying that it won't be charged to the bride and groom but to the photographer. I'm so sorry but I didn't mean to freak you out at all...I just feel more comfortable going the route that I am now. I love the Jellyfish and even if this fee won't be charged to brides who have already booked prior to the May 1st deadline, I'll be sticking with the Jellyfish still.