KLC77

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 This is the breakdown of what Perla sent me...... outside AV fee 700.00 Lead supervising technician 200.00 Miscellaneous expense (15% of quote) 249.61 Tax 114.96 Labor 200.00 That's nuts. WTH is a $200 charge for labor when you are already being charged $200 for supervising? All of those charges are ridiculous.

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 When I sent Perla the e-mail telling her that I was not going to pay more than 300.00 I told her I had heard that they where trying to do the same to other brides, and that it just is not good reviews for their hotel. Especially at economic times like these. Until today I still have not heard back from her. But I'm calling her today, because e-mails she can ignore but not a phone call. I don't mean to be so negative and give bad feed back on Paradisus especially since I have heard so many great things, but the good and bad experiences need to be discussed for future brides. I'm not making up anything I'm just sharing my experience and right now I don't think it's fair, they should have set prices for everyone and treat everyone the same. I hope that my wedding day blows my mind and builds back my impression of Paradisus. Good luck with your phone call. I hope she realizes that what they're doing isn't right and fixes it. This is definitely one thing you girls don't need to be stressing about so close to your weddings.

Thanks guys. I'm going to google the places you recommended, do some research and talk to my TA. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Hey, I was reading Kamilla's blog and saw that she has a couple of group shoots booked with room for more people. Also, she said that if people don't book into one of those groups that they may have to wait until December since she is getting busy with weddings. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

You look amazing in the last dress. I think its the one.

Hey girls, I'm thinking about planning a trip to Costa Rica in January 2010. I want to head to the pacific side. Can anyone who's been point me in the direction of looking for a place to stay? Ideally we are looking for some adventure, maybe rafting or something, hiking and nature. Restaurants, bars etc. are not that important to us. We like being in secluded areas without much to do other than enjoy the beauty of the place and explore. Also, I would love to combine this with a couple of days on the Galapagos Islands. Anyone know if this is possible? I'm going to head to my TA for some info, but my BDW girls always have the best info! TIA

Ok, how crazy is it that Betsy and I wrote the exact same response at the same time. Great minds... lol

Yamille, those are so cute. Your guests will love them!

Quote: Originally Posted by becks Hi Ladies!!!! I've been terribly remiss in not keeping up with you and I apologize. I've been developing a business plan, etc. for a venture I'll be undertaking -- invites, mongrams, placecards, programs, etc. I'm really excited! But it's been taking up a lot of my free time. On the DJ front. I used Mannia. And I *heart* Carlos. I got some pretty negative vibes from SWANK and we just never looked back. At the time - and that was August '08, so things may have changed - I was told that the only additional costs I had for the DJ were the supervision fee plus the amp - which FYI they mean the electric feed (amperage), not equipment (amplifier). I did confirm with Perla that there was NO additional vendor fee on top of that. Just a side note, and I will caveat this by saying that I loved my wedding, I love the Paradisus and I would do it again... However, keep EVERYTHING. And keep it for a long, long time after you're married. Long story short: There were some real issues that we encountered. Rooms seriously messed up, promises not kept, service issues that I found embarassing... In the end, we settled the complants via a credit of about $5,000. We signed a formal settlement agreement and everything, saying we wouldn't sue, etc. Guess what showed up on my credit card statement this month? Yup! The credit was re-charged to my card. No joke! I'm sure the credit card company will resolve it, but its just utterly appalling to me that it would happen - even if it was in error. Like I said, I LOVED my wedding. Wow Becks, that's crazy that they did that. I don't understand what they could be thinking. It sucks to have that associated with the memories of your wedding. On a positive note~ congrats on your new business. I hope its very successful! So exciting to be starting something new. Girls, since the dj thing seems to be the one of the biggest issues for upcoming brides I wonder if you told Perla that you all know each other and are wondering why there are differences in the price quotes for additional fees what she would say. IDK what she would do, but it really isn't right for them to be trying to charge Sandra so much extra when that's not what they've done for others.

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 Perla was the one that sent me the invoice she is aware of what they want to charge me. when i got it i called her right away and she said that she would send me the breakdown of the dj Charges which she did. I replied back with what i had from Dj Swank and there was one form that explained outside vendors where it stated that i had to pay $55.00/hr for supervision plus the amp fee of $50.0 per day. which i was fine with because it didn't even come up to the $300.00. And i clearly told her on my e-mail that this what i was told and this is what i will pay, not a penny more and i have not heard back from her. Yikes, that stinks. I wonder where Becks is. She used Mannia and dealt with whatever extra charges there were from Swank. I wonder how things worked out fee-wise for her. Becks, are you out there? lol Quote: Originally Posted by egsarah I got an obscene quote from SWANK and he attached their external vendor policy. It said I had to pay 15% of the original quote, the supervisor fee and amps. Why is nothing consistent with the DJ?? Do we have to pay the 300 external vendor fee on top of that too? I've gotten other quotes for $800 cheaper pre fees. If anyone comes up with a creative way to get around SWANK let me know. I remember seeing something about that 15% when I emailed with him too, but I just thought it was so ridiculous that if it came down to it I would refuse to pay it. I kind of feel like he tries to charge fees hoping he'll come across someone who will just pay them without questioning anything. I know it might not be right, but I think that's what goes on. If you guys stick to you guns I think everything will be ok. Quote: Originally Posted by LAURENANDBILL perla wrote to me today asking me what music i want for the ceremony..any suggestions? what did you previous brides use? I burned a cd for them to play and it worked out great. That way I could just choose my own music. Has anyone spoken with Carlos from Mannia and asked him if he knows how things normally work with Swank supervising? Just curious.

I'll be in for the next one too. Especially since BL5 has turned into biggest Gainer for me. Oh well... maybe season 6 will be better for me. Ladies... the season I won was over $500! If you're trying to lose weight the $15 entry fee is well worth it for the support of the other girls in the contest.

I used an ipod for my wedding, but we brought down our Bose docking station to use. It was plenty loud enough. It was great to be able to have total control over the playlist. It worked perfectly and the best part is that it was FREE.

I agree that I would ignore what Swank says and only go by what Perla says. And don't be afraid to question her or tell her you think she made a mistake on the dj charge. I don't feel like Paradisus was a rip off at all. I actually felt like we got a really good price and really it is so beautiful that alot of the "extras" were not really necessary. I just don't want other brides thinking that Paradisus is not a good place to be married. Perla and Daniela went above and beyond for me on my day and everything was exactly how I had pictured it as far as set up and decor went. I really believe that once you girls get there you will be really happy with how things turn out. Robin, I haven't shared my pro-pics on the forum yet. I know how much everyone would like to see them, but for now I'm keeping them just for me. Ha, I'm a one-way BDWer... I drool over everyone else's pics but won't show mine. lol

Yowzers!!!! Casey that second pic you posted is H-O-T. And Yamille, your pic is awesome. The color just pops right out. I'm so glad you girls decided to do a second shoot and are happy. Your FI's are going to pass out when they see these!

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 Hey Merith, I know i said on a previous e-mail that i go down on monday but that is wrong.... I must have been real peed off....LOL i get there on April 1st at about 10:30am... I have already sent them the payment minus the DJ charge, Perla took for ever to add that to my invoice. I got a better rate doing so because my friend works at the bank and she got me employee rate. But i will not pay what they are asking me... the original quote he gave me was 1600.0 now they want me to pay almost the same for not using them They must be on drugs.....I'm just finding that Paradisus is nothing but a rip off.... Like what the hell is a cocktail hour without cocktails? Sandra, how many guests are you having? Just curious to see if its a larger group and that's why you are having a harder time.

Wow Casey, that picture is great!

Welcome to the forum. There is a whole thread dedicated to Paradisus brides. You'll find a ton of info here.

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 Oh she will..... I'm so upset right now.... I leave next monday and just got an invoice from Perla which all of a sudden i have to pay before i go. and they are trying to charge me 1260.00 for the outside vendor fee.....LIke what the hell is that? I wouldn't pay anything before you go. There's no logical reason for that. We paid for everything the day before our wedding and it was no problem. I think if you guys stick to your guns you will be ok with the whole dj thing. It is a weird situation. I remember when I was pricing out swank vs mannia there was the $300 outside vendor fee plus a fee for swank to supervise. But it wasn't that much. I know Becks used Mannia and paid the fees and I think it was still less expensive than just using swank. In the end I went with an ipod because it was free and less confusing.

I'm so glad you had a better experience the 2nd time around.

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride You've been too busy frolicking (sp?) in the Bahamas to be house hunting!!! I hope this other property works out for you...its been going on so long!!! I'm sure your mom really does mean well! I'm sure she knows how upset you've been about this & she is just trying to help! Just let her know that you are getting bombarded by emails & it would help if she didn't send you so many in a day. And let her know you appreciate her help, but you're already looking on that site & if she finds another site to let you know! But I know how you feel! Mom's can be a pita sometimes, even when they don't mean it! It does drive me nuts. I usually just ignore the emails. The worst is that I tell her I'm looking on that site or I tell her we looked at condos and then after the fact she send me the link to what I've already told her about. Then when we were making an offer on the condo she was like Oh, the one I sent to you? Like, she found it for us. I know she means well, but its annoying. Anyway, I'm excited to put in an offer on the next condo. Well see what happens...

Quote: Originally Posted by Steph158 Kelly- Haven't heard any updates from you, how are things going with DH? I hope everything is going better. We've been trying to buy a condo. We found a complex we like and have bid on two different units, but no one will come down to the price we want to pay. So, we are going to try one more. If that one doesn't work out then I'm not sure what we'll do. DH is away til Sunday so we won't try again til next week. On a slightly related note and a new confession... my mother is driving me nuts! lol She keeps sending me email links to properties, but they're usually ones I already told her about and she acts like she found them when we've already been to look at them. Or they are in towns that we have no interest in living in. I know she thinks she's helping, but its so annoying. She knows I search on the site she's sending me things from so obviously I've seen them already. One day she sent me 15 links!

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 I'm sorry this is so hard for you. I wish they would have been upfront with you too. Maybe they just didn't know what to say. Or maybe they weren't going to go but decided at the last minute to go. Kat, I just noticed your siggy ticker. I didn't know you were expecting! Congrats! How exciting!

Quote: Originally Posted by Abbie BUMP anyone else been since last year when this was posted? the main reason we are going to riviera maya in the first place for our honeymoon is because doug has always wanted to see the mayan ruins. we for sure plan on seeing tulum, no problem, thats easy. but the way i see it, how on earth can we go all the way to riviera maya from seattle and NOT go to the most well known ruin in the world? BUT since its pretty much an all day trip, we want to make sure to do it right. i have seen some tours that also stop at a cenote on the way back, and some tours that include a light and sound show? what tour companies have you booked and or used, and would recommend or NOT?? thanks! Abbie, we went to Chichen Itza the morning after our wedding (boy, that was rough lol). I felt like we had to see it. We used Cancun tours and surrounding area activities. to book our group trip. 14 of us went. I'm sure they could do just the two of you for transportation as well. We did hire a guide when we were there and it was the best decision ever. He knew so much of the history and the cool little details you would never have noticed. The trip included lunch and a show at a restaurant in town and then the driver took us to a cenote. We had to pay a separate entrance fee for the cenote because we added this at the last minute. It was well worth it even though we couldn't climb it. Just thinking about those things being built during the time period that they were is so amazing to me. Anyway, I'm totally babbling. I loved the trip and working with Cancun Vista (Martha in particular) was great.

Welcome to the forum! I just got back from a vacation on Grand Bahama Island yesterday. I love the Bahamas, but when I looked into getting married there it was much more expensive than I thought it would be. I ended up choosing Mexico for my wedding, but I love vacationing on Grand Bahama. Good luck with your planning.

Amanda, this is a fabulous idea! You can totally do it without anyone knowing or the b&g getting upset.