claudette

Quote: Originally Posted by Sparkles8300 I am seriously considering changing resorts. It seems like they took on more than they can handle with the opening of MDC. I went with them because they are a smaller resort, which I thought would mean more personal attention and a better deal overall. The problems we are having are problems I would expect from a larger resort. Now that I find out they don't even have a freaking shuttle to the beach??! I am PISSED. When we did the site visit in OCT they told me they would be running a free shuttle (and the website says they have one too). I don't want to give these people any more of my $$. We have $6,000 deposit down to save the entire resort for my wedding and now I am worried about getting it back (if I end up moving resorts). I am also pissed off because my parents are heaing down to check everything out for themselves at the end of March. Randy acted like he was doing my father a HUGE favor by giving them the grand opening rates for the end of March. Then I go on applevacations.com and find out that the rates through apple are actually $20 less/pp than the grand opening rates per night on their website AND it includes transfers!!! So Randy is acting like he is hooking my dad up since I am having my wedding there, when really other people who book through Apple will be getting a way better deal him. Not such a good feeling. I have a very bad taste in my mouth about how they are running this resort & at this point the last thing I want to do is put any $$ in their pocket. Also, on Apple, they only gave the 4 apples which is not even a good class rating for hotels. UGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I am so confused!!! Sparkles, That's awful! I would totally call Randy out on that - I don't even know why he was making a big deal of giving them the opening rates because doesn't the rate still apply so long as you book by the 19th? I think that's ridiculous that he was doing that - I have to say I don't think Randy is the greatest businessman - I mean, did you see his response to the tripadvisor posting? Typically all the managers/owners of the hotels who have a negative review apologize profusely and sometimes even offer a return visit for free! And Randy instead writes "still whining?" I mean, what are future guests supposed to think about that?! THAT is honestly what has scared me the most about this hotel! But if it were me, I would just tell Randy that you found a better rate on applevacations and that your parents will cancel and book through applevacations unless Randy can price match applevacations.

Just looking over what Kerry had sent me again and I hadn't noticed this before, but I was asking for tea lights lining the cliff just like the bride had on tripadvisor - and Kerry told me there would be an additional fee for this because "they would have to rent it from a vendor" - rent tea lights?! Seriously! I'll go to GardenRidge and buy 200 of them for $5 thank you very much!

Ugh! I'm freaking out now! Yikes! We only have about 2 or 3 days before our 90 days is here in order for us to cancel our villas! I don't know what to do! I'm extremely frustrated but at the same time I just want to get married! I've already had to change hotels - I don't want to do it again! I think for me the breaking point will be the DJ - I'm going to flat out tell her that I am booking Paul at $165/hour and if she starts to say something, I'll say thank you very much, turn around, and call Miriam to tell her to refund my deposit (minus the 3%) because we're out. I'll let you guys know what she says! Taovandel, I hope everything works out with the cake! Sending positive vibes! Claudette

Quote: Originally Posted by taovandel Kim contacted me and said that there is a fee for the shuttle to the beach. She didn't say how much though--she said she was going to see why Kerry hadn't responded to my emails. I wrote her that Kerry had contacted me and said that she would be with me this week. The chair situation is crazy also. The website says it's $2 for cover and sash! I haven't been given a quote yet about the chairs---but once I do I'll let you know what she says. I figured there would be a fee for the shuttle to the beach I hope it's not too bad. I thought I was the only one who thought the chair situation was ridiculous! When I call Kerry out on the difference in pricing, all she says is that the website clearly states that the prices are subject to change... I'm just taking it a day at a time - I also want to see what Kerry tells you guys before I go all bridezilla on them!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by taovandel Kerry never actually told me they were recommended (she hasn't contacted me yet). I just read about her being a vendor from a couple of pages before on this thread. That's ridiculous that I have to spend that much on a cake when I know it's only $210. I'll definitely be asking Kerry and I'll let everyone know how it goes. I hope I didn't sound discouraging in my previous post - I completely agree with you that it's ludicrous to pay $350 when the BAKER can do it for $210! MDC should not be getting a referral fee - or at least not that large of a referral fee! Definitely let us know how it goes and I'm crossing my fingers that it goes well!

Taovandel, Sorry, just read that MCD did give you the recommendation - I'm not sure what to tell you - I would honestly hope that they wouldn't still charge you the $350, but I would send an email to Kerry and ask her directly. Again, that's what they're doing with Paul from Sound Illusion (the DJ) and I think it's absolutely ludicrous...if they do say they are charging you the $350, let's think of a way we can work to get rid of this ridiculous vendor-hotel arrangement!

Taovandel, I'm afraid that MDC just might make you pay the $350 anyway IF Margaret Myrie is contracted through MDC - the same thing is happening with me and the DJ - he has quoted me at $165/hour but when I told him where I was getting married, he told me I had to book him through MDC, which shockingly enough the same exact vendor is now $200/hour! Who gave you the cake recommendation? If it's not the baker that MDC has contracted with then I think you should and demand to only pay the price Margaret is quoting you. (By the way, thank you for the information on Margaret - she seems super sweet and very quick to respond!)

Taovandel, I'm afraid that MDC just might make you pay the $350 anyway if Margaret Myrie is contracted through MDC - the same thing is happening with me and the DJ - he has quoted me at $165/hour but when I told him where I was getting married, he told me I had to book him through MDC, which shockingly enough the same exact vendor is now $200/hour! Who gave you the cake recommendation? If it's not the baker that MDC has contracted with then I think you should and demand to only pay the price Margaret is quoting you. (By the way, thank you for the information on Margaret - she seems super sweet and very quick to respond!)

Quote: Originally Posted by big3n09 Hello MDC Brides, I haven't been here in a while, a lot going on so much so that we are changing our date. We will probably do next year right after the high season. With that being said I am counting on all of you for good information! I know how controlling and inpatient I can be at times so I can imagine the stress some of you are feeling. What I will say is that reading a lot of information on destination weddings all of the information said that Island people are on different time, meaning they get around to things when they do. Now I hope that the WC at MDC is good and does a good job but right now she just may be operating on Island time. Try not to stress ladies, we have to look fabulous on our big day, we're all in this together! HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!!! Hey! Thank you for the encouragement and just think how much we'll be able to help you next year! I agree about the island time...my biggest thing is the lack of consistency with the pricing - the last thing I want is to get down there and they be charging us for silverware! Thanks again for the encouragement and I'll be sure to write a detailed review upon my return!!! -Claudette

Quote: Originally Posted by Mastistyle RYDM-The cahirs are $1 but the cover and the ties are $2. If they are the metal ones-then we would have to pay for the cover and fee. Has anyone gotten any response from anyone at MDC in the last week? Sparkles & Claudette-I know I am a little late-but I love your websites. They have such great information. Have Valentine's Day everyone! Ugh, okay I received an email from Kerry yesterday and she in response to my calling her out on the chairs being $1 and the chair cover and sash being $2 whether or not I decorate the chair myself, she now is telling me that the chair is $1, the cover is $2 and the sash is $2 for a total of $5 per chair! I know it's not a big deal, but this really seems like nickeling and diming at this point...and I also think that she just told me that because I called her out on the pricing - has anyone else asked her how much it will be? I want to see what she has to say... She also sent me pictures of the two chair options - well one is from an actual wedding they just had there and the other one (the wooden chairs) is just an internet picture of a white wooden chair, so I'm hoping that is what they will look like! I was able to attach the word document but the picture is a jpeg file and wouldn't upload - if you would like to see it, please PM me and I'll email it on over to you. Again, it's not that $5 chair is too much, it's that at first it was $1 chair, then it was $3 chair and now it's $5 chair. When I did mention to Kerry that a lot of the prices have increased from the website, her only reply was, well those prices are subject to change. Yeah, okay, I understand that when a price list is older the prices may be subject to change, but not when the resort and the price list is brand freaking new! WHITE%20CHAIR[1].doc

Quote: Originally Posted by taovandel Ahh! I've actually gotten in contact with the vendors on my own. I still haven't officially received any kind of response to my questions from Kerry. I'm just going based on what has been posted on this site. The floral and cake vendors have been LOVELY to email with. I get a response within hours, the longest it took to get a response was overnight. Seriously, should I be worried Hey Taovandel! I think we're dealing with a bit of growing pains mixed in with island time - I think they're busy with a lot of Valentine weddings/honeymooners right now and I'm hoping we'll get some answers afterwards. I must say though that without this website I think I would have pulled out a long time ago! But with our recommendations/suggestions of vendors, I think we serve as our own wedding coordinator and we do a much better job than Kerry could ever do! I know I still have a ton of things to do, but it'll get done, with or without Kerry!

Quote: Originally Posted by Mastistyle RYDM-The cahirs are $1 but the cover and the ties are $2. If they are the metal ones-then we would have to pay for the cover and fee. Has anyone gotten any response from anyone at MDC in the last week? Sparkles & Claudette-I know I am a little late-but I love your websites. They have such great information. Have Valentine's Day everyone! Hey Mastistyle! Thank you so much for the compliment! I worked hard of the wedding website - it was really the only thing I felt I could go forward with after the disaster with the wedding planning in Mexico! The last time I heard from Kerry was on February 6th. I also heard from Randy, the owner who assured me that Kerry was very good at her job and basically made excuses for her not getting back to me sooner...something about it works better when the coordinator contacts the bride in spurts?! Didn't make any sense and seemed like an excuse to me! I know I am so late in the planning but I finally got my save the dates out and I'm so happy about that! Next stop, invitations! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by rydm Taovandel & Sparkles - I checked with Oneika at MDV regarding the bouquet and yes, we can get whatever we want as long as we pay the difference, which is great but I’m not sure if this is restricted to Floral Fantasy only. Claudette - I emailed Tai Flora like a week ego….well…..i called them first and the girl i talked to said i should email Kyan at [email protected] but i haven't heard from her yet. Please let me know if you have any luck getting a hold of 'em. As for the chairs, i thought their website said $1/chair? I really want the wooden white ones cuz MDV only has the metal folded ones. Oneika, said she has vendors that she can recommend for the wooden white ones. I bet they charge more than $1... Hey rydm, I haven't heard back yet from Tai Flora but I had only emailed them yesterday...although it's not a good sign if you haven't heard from them! With regards to the chairs, what Mastistyle said is correct - they also do have wooden chairs for $2 each according to Kerry but I still have not yet seen what those look like. Here's what she wrote to me about the chairs: Chair - We have chairs for rental at a cost of $2.00 each. We also have tie back and chair covers for rental at $2.00 each. We have wooden chairs ($2 each) that do not require chair covers and tie back and we have metal folding chairs ($1 each). It's confusing the way she writes it, but basically it's $3 for the metal chair with chair covers and tie backs and $2 for the wooden chairs. Hope that helps! Claudette

Sparkles, was it you who was told that there would be complimentary rides to the beach from the Cliffs? Were you able to get that in writing? I emailed Kerry about 4 times today so I don't want to email her again until I get some responses back, but that will be my next question to her and I thought I remembered you mentioning it... Thanks!

Hey girls! So Kerry has been getting back in touch with me and much of what she's been saying has been quite frustrating! For example, originally she told me the chairs with the chaircovers and tiebacks would be $3 - so I said, okay I'll bring down my own tulle to decorate them how much would it be then - the response: $3! Then I ask for pictures of what the aisle by Moon Dance Cliffs would look like (for $50 as shown on their website) and she writes back: Aise by Moon Dance is only available for Moon Dance Villas - seriously?! I'm just getting really sick of these hidden costs everywhere! I also specifically asked her if the open bar includes ALL liqours (because I don't want it to be open bar for domestics and then an extra charge for imported beverages) and she writes: Yes it includes some alcoholic beverages, what kind were you interested in? Oh, and the best was one of my friends mentioned that I should just double-check that dinner would be private - I naturally assumed it would be - but Kerry's response was: You can ask to reserve the terrace for a private dinner ----wait, what? Isn't it obvious I would want a private dinner? And are they going to charge me for reserving the terrace now? Ugh! I'm getting so frustrated! I know weddings are a business and all, but times are tough and people are having to cut their rates left and right and instead Moon Dance Cliffs seems to be increasing theirs! So I have decided this: with whatever service I can completely cut out the Cliffs, that's what I'm going to do - I'm speaking directly with Paul the DJ and got my own photographer (Brian Nejedly) and videographer that Brian recommended (Noel Sylvester). And if the Cliffs tries to say anything about it, I'll say when it's taking me 3 weeks to get responses back from Kerry and my wedding is in 3 months, I had to start booking my own people. Plus most of the vendors they recommended were already booked (their photographer and videographer) so what am I supposed to do anyway? I'm also thinking about perhaps getting quotes from another florist - there are two others in Negril - Tai Flora Services Ltd. - Jamaica's Full Service Florists and Boulevard Florist.com. On the helpful side, Kerry did tell me that there is no need for a dance floor as the terrace of Annie's serves as one and that they have 2 speakers and 1 microphone with the PA system, so I do feel bringing your IPOD will work just fine. Also, I really feel that the Cliffs will pay for the first $100 of the bridal bouquet and we're just responsible for the difference. I haven't been able to confirm this with Kerry, but I couldn't imagine it be otherwise. Thanks for letting me vent a bit ladies! I'll keep you all posted!

Hey ladies! Same story with me - contacted Miriam threatening to pull out and I get two follow up emails from Kerry as well as an email from Randy, the owner. Sparkles, I'm PMing you as well - that would be great to have the menu info ahead of time! I'm getting so excited! Oh, and by the way, Kerry told me that there would be no need to bring in a dance floor as usually the terrace of Annie's Restaurant will serve as the dance space. What I am concerned about is the ending of the grand opening rates on Feb. 19th - I'm debating going ahead and putting down a deposit for the 5 remaining hotel rooms because I want to make sure my guests can get the grand opening rates. Have a great weekend everyone! Hugs, Claudette

Hello ladies! Sorry I've been MIA - I've had a busy week and none of it has been fun I also read the tripadvisor review and freaked out! Then I realized that hey, if by May some stuff isn't finished, then we'll just get some discounts - I mean honestly if the waterfall in the front of the hotel isn't operational by my wedding, I really don't think that's a big deal since I don't plan on taking any pics by there anyway. I also haven't heard from Linus or Kerry - I haven't tried calling though because I just haven't had the time - I think I will write another email to Kerry and cc Miriam to let them know how uneasy the lack of response is making me and how we're thinking about possibly moving resorts (although I'm really not!) but that might get them moving! I'll keep you all posted! But I truly think this is just an issue of island time - can I just tell you that I just got a reply from a resort in Mexico TODAY and I had contacted them 12/7!!! So things could always be worse!

Hello ladies! Mastistyle - thank you! I'm looking forward to having Brian photograph our wedding - he's super sweet - we've been emailing back and forth a lot and I must say he's been great! He is photographing a wedding in Negril on Valentine's and told me he would check out Moon Dance Cliffs, so I will keep you all posted! I don't think the Cliffs will charge a vendor fee - they haven't said anything about it and seeing as they've only sent me a couple of recommendations, I can't really see them being picky about you choosing their vendor. I will ask Kerry, if she ever gets back to me! As for the spa, I think we just have to be really specific and strong as to what we want - I have found that the more pictures, the better! It's hard because you have something in your mind and sometimes it's hard for another person to picture what you have in mind! Ssleenyc, I do not know how far Tensing Pen is from the Cliffs - I know they are close, but I'm not sure if they are right next to each other. I will also ask Kerry that, if and when I get an answer to my five previous emails!

Taovandel, I emailed her last week and got a very quick and short email just stating, "Claudette, I will be contacting you shortly" so my guess is they are busy and she's trying to get caught up on emails. I will let you know when she emails me back! Oh, by the way, I booked a photographer today - Brian N. with Brian Designs - you can see his website at Jamaica Wedding Photography by Brian Nejedly.. I love his TTD pics! They are taken in Negril and he told me we could do it at the same spot! His pricing is reasonable and he's actually from my town (Atlanta, GA)! So I'm very excited! Yay!

Mastistyle, welcome and congratulations!!! We're excited to have you here! I know the planning can really get stressful, but you have plenty of time so just take it a day at a time and you will be fine - plus, you're not alone! You have us! Your wedding sounds like it will be so beautiful with the fusion of cultures - I picture it very colorful and fun! Oh, and far as Linus goes, we have all been finding out that Kerry will most likely contact you first and Linus gets involved more towards the end - my wedding coordinator is Linus as well and I'm only 3 1/2 months out for my wedding and I'm still communicating with just Kerry. I actually feel as though I have planned two weddings at this point - as I mentioned before, we were originally getting married in Mexico - I had picked out everything! Photographers, resort, flowers, entertainment (we were going to have fire dancers!) and then my resort canceled my wedding date!!!! It was UNBELIEVABLE! You cannot imagine how much I cried and cried - and then I gave up - I was like I'll just get married in the courthouse I don't want to start all over again! We also looked into marrying in FL - so I researched all hotels and vendors in Naples - then we finally decided on Jamaica and I'm so glad that we did! I'm still stressing, but I have been getting a lot of help from my friends and from this forum! I can't tell you all how helpful it is to come on here and bounce ideas off you all! -Claudette

Hey girls! Thank you! I feel so much better now! I mean, I know it's our weddings and all, but seriously to have someone be paid for just pressing play just doesn't seem worth it to me! And we're not going to be a large group either (probably about 25 - 30 at the largest) so I think we'll be okay with our IPOD system! Ssleenyc, I have heard that the music system works just fine with an IPOD - I had talked with the girl who got married there over the grand opening weekend and she said that's what they did and there were a bunch of speakers set up and the resort had microphones for speeches, etc. So I think the sound system will be okay. Also, from what I am getting from Kerry, I'm pretty sure the dinner is buffet...I haven't been told of an option and on the Celebrations Menu (attached by Sparkles in this thread) it only mentions buffet. Its weird though because in the pictures it looks like a sit down dinner but I think the serving style is buffet only. As for the dance floor, the bride married over Thanksgiving sent me some of her private wedding pics and from what I could tell, they did a lot of their dancing in the gazebo - someone please correct me if I'm wrong - but as Sparkles mentioned, the gazebo is rather large so it might just be the case! It looked beautiful though and there was plenty of room! Again, these are just my thoughts and if someone has heard something different, please let us know!

Hi Sarah, Sorry it look me so long to respond - we canceled as well - or should I say, Angelina canceled us and then tried to re-book us...after everything that happened, I said no thanks! We actually moved our destination to Negril, Jamaica - I loved Mexico but there were just so many problems for us! I hope you have a wonderful wedding in Tulum!!! And blazn, hope you have a wonderful honeymoon in Mexico! Thanks for all of your help! Claudette

Sparkles, Did you get my PM? I had some problems with my computer today and I just wanted to make sure it went through!

Hey everyone, Yeah, I got the same message from Miriam: Linus is my coordinator, but Kerry is doing all the work up to the wedding date... I haven't said anything about the pricing - I mean, weddings are the perfect opportunity to make money and that's what everyone does! There's actually a very hilarious British skit on youtube that shows just this! YouTube - "Wedding cake" from Man Stroke Woman It will definitely make you laugh! I am definitely going to bring my own tulle - more to match the bridesmaids dresses than anything else, but I'm pretty sure you can find some great deals out there - I had a website from when I was planning in Mexico and was going to order my tulle from there - I have it saved on my other computer so I will send you the link as soon as I get it. A girl on this forum brought her own tulle for her Dreams Tulum wedding and it just looked so beautiful! Not to say that the resort wouldn't do a good job with the ribbons, I'm sure they would, but I just want to already know the exact color and there not be any surprises! This might seem a bit on the "cheap" side, but the more I think about a DJ, the more I think I'm just going to bring my IPOD - I mean, when Paul from Sound Illusion emailed me, he told me he does not do any MCing...he specifically said in his email, I simply play your song list - I was like, well then, why are you so expensive?! And if that's all the DJ is doing, I would rather spend a little extra time choosing my songs, downloading them on my IPOD and just playing it throughout the system. As far as MCing, I've talked to a lot of brides about this and many have said that they preferred having a family member/friend do this - many have said that it's a nice way to bring a family member into the wedding and you have no problems with them messing up your names, etc....so I'm also thinking about doing that as well. I have two sisters and their husbands aren't groomsmen and I think one of them would be a great MC! So those are my current thoughts... Keep you all posted! Hugs, Claudette

One more thing ladies, My FI was getting upset because he saw me getting upset and he was thinking that maybe we should all start writing emails to Kerry or whoever is our contact at Moon Dance Cliffs, and point out the discrepancies between the pricing listed on their website and the pricing that we've been quoted...we don't have to do this now, but it's something to think about, so I wanted to throw it out there... Just as an example, Kerry was saying that the DJ they use is Sound Illusion and it's $200/hr for a 4 hour minimum...on their website it says $150/hr for a 3 hr minimum and Paul from Sound Illusion emailed directly and said his price would be $165/hr for 4 hours! And that this would be for music only! No MCing! I think it's all a bit disorganized and if the DJ is not going to be MCing, then I'll just have a recorded CD, you know? And what about the additional $35/hour - is Moon Dance Cliffs pocketing this as a referral bonus? Anyway, just wanted to know your thoughts on this - so far I haven't said anything but it's starting to get to me...