Need wedding planner references

[Nathie85]

So how did your wedding turn out with Sylvia? Were you happy with her services and professionalism?

[Nic275]

Galia2013 - who was the planner that hiked up the service fees?

[Nathie85]

Well I decided to go with Sylvia from Paradise Weddings and I regret to report that after a month and a half of hiring her, I decided to end our contract because of her lack of professionalism. She informed me that she will be leaving the country for six months and won't be available to me or my wedding planning for that matter, for those months (mind you I get married 2 months after her arrival to CR) BUT that her other planner will be taking care of my wedding in the meantime while she was gone. She immediately cc'd this other planner on all our communications, and this other planner became my new planner before she even left the country. This other planner was not on the same page with me nor was she whom I interviewed and hired to do the job. I was very disappointed that Sylvia didn't mention her vacation/time off for 6 months when I interviewed her nor did she even mention that it was a possibility of it occurring; had I known this detail about her future plans I would have made a different decision, an informed decision. I sent her emailing expressing my thoughts on the situation and she replied stating that it was not set in stone then and that it is an incredible growth opportunity for her, which is absolutely fine with me had she mentioned that it could be a potential future plan. Another thing that bothered me about it was that I had scheduled to travel to CR in July to meet with her and vendors which she confirmed dates for me to travel there, but this happened to be one of the months where she wouldn't be in CR and I was just very disappointed with her and no longer trusted her. 

 

I originally went with her because she was much cheaper than the others and called me even during holy week which was nice, in order to have a phone interview. She was prompt in answering emails and phone calls. But after this and her new planner's mis-communication, I was just turned off and got a terrible feeling about her. I cancelled my contract with her, lost my deposit which was a small fee to pay to not have a potentially disastrous wedding.

 

I am now currently with Samantha Kohn from Events CR. She's on top of things, speaks English, has a US telephone number which is great, and replies promptly to her emails. She gave me references to contact, my wedding venue suggested her when I booked, and so did other venues along with Barbara from Four Nineteen Weddings.  She was more expensive than Sylvia from Paradise Weddings but you truly get what you pay for.

 

I think skimping on a planner is just not the right place to save money on especially if you are overseas and need someone to be "you". I will update her services as I complete my contract with her, but I think everything will be smooth sailing from here on out with Samantha.

[mmcdaniel]

I am planning a wedding in Feb 2013.  I am going down there next week to meet with Marika in Costa Rica  http://www.marikaincostarica.com/

Has anyone used her or heard of her? I spoke with her on the phone and she has been setting up appointments at venues in the Jaco, Manuel Antonion, and Montezuma area.  She has not mentioned her cost but on her website states

$750 upon signing and $250 the day of the wedding.  Other wedding planners I had contacted seemed to have high prices and seemed to be avoiding answering specific questions about costs.  I liked Marika in talking with her over the phone as she was very direct and did not avoid answering my questions.  I'll know more next week, but hoping she is good to go with.  I am looking to have a nice wedding with 50-70 people without getting charged ridiculous prices.

[mmcdaniel]

I am planning a wedding in Feb 2013.  I am going down there next week to meet with Marika in Costa Rica  http://www.marikaincostarica.com/

Has anyone used her or heard of her? I spoke with her on the phone and she has been setting up appointments at venues in the Jaco, Manuel Antonion, and Montezuma area.  She has not mentioned her cost but on her website states

$750 upon signing and $250 the day of the wedding.  Other wedding planners I had contacted seemed to have high prices and seemed to be avoiding answering specific questions about costs.  I liked Marika in talking with her over the phone as she was very direct and did not avoid answering my questions.  I'll know more next week, but hoping she is good to go with.  I am looking to have a nice wedding with 50-70 people without getting charged ridiculous prices.

[CRPW]

dear Nathie, hi!  This is Sylvia, I decided to post a reply to your comments ! Because as much as I understand your discontent , and I am sorry my trip ended up being a problem for you, I think you are leaving behind the fact that I reached  you out and apologized for all the inconvenient me being away of the country may caused you and I offered many ways to carry on working together.

 

I contact my costumers online and being away does not make a difference, because I can do my work from any place , if I have a computer, my services are always punctual and professional and I have many satisfice brides to back me up.

Unfortunately, your email went to spam and by the time I found it was too late, but my intention was never to make you feel stress about our services.

 

I tried to give you various solutions, the only thing, I could not fix was being present during your visit in July, however, I came back a few weeks later, and I asked you, that if you could change your visit, I was even will into pay the ticket difference, so we could meet.

I know it was an inconvenient, and I am very sorry for that, but I was not irresponsible, I left everything fully covered and the staff at my office follow up with all the brides.

 

  I absolutely love planning weddings and I am back in Costa Rica , working hard as always for all the couples that hires our services.

 

Again , I apologize for the inconvenient, and I really hope you have a wonderful wedding, we had a great connection when we talk and I just wanted to offer my point of view too!!

[Ahernandez1231]

Hello all,

 

I'm currently in the process of deciding on a wedding planner for a June 4, 2015 ceremony. I'm currently considering Kirsten with four winds. Does any one have any experience working with her or have any feedback to offer? It seems like she she does a wonderful job based on the pictures on the website. Please advise

[Sammie1983]

We chose Costa Rica Destination Events and our wedding experience was above our expectations. We could not have asked for a better experience. Our wedding coordinators (Yes we got two haha) Marcela, Paul and their assistants went beyond to make our wedding a day all of us will never forget. Four months before our wedding I went to Costa Rica with my mother so I could meet with them and to review the wedding and all of the details and options. When we met it was like seeing old friends, they were so nice and friendly and it it was obvious they love what they do. They made amazing suggestions about colors, flowers, food selection, restaurants, lodging, venues, beaches, reception, and the wedding cake that we do not regret.

 

Our Hotel was awesome. It had a bit of everything: if you wanted to party, they had the disco, lot's of shows, staff around the pool playing games and playing music, and different areas around the resort and beach that wanted to socialize. If you needed more quiet time, they had private lobby's that were small, parts of beaches that were quiet and more secluded. The Hotel had something that would fit with your mood at all times. The food and drinks were great too! The buffets were massive and had a ton of selection. They had a great drink menu

 

We were very impressed. Marcela and Paul did their best to accommodate our group’s request. They were very prompt in their responses to any questions we had and went beyond to answer these and we even ended spending less than our original budget. I would totally recommend them for anyone who is planning a destination wedding in Pura Vida Costa Rica.

 

Sammie