kmk2016

Yay!!!! So happy for you! You looked amazing and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Thank you both @@kmk2016 and @@TinkerSofi - Very helpful! Did it end up being more expensive for the Non-Canadian group to book their flights separately?

 

My fiancé worked in travel in London and does here as well but in a different field, he has a friend of a friend in the UK working on getting us some prices and options. And I've been in touch with an old school friend from here to help with the Canadian bookings. Could the two TA's possibly coordinate so everyone is at the same resort and basically under the same booking but they could sort out the flights separately or would that not work? (Hope that made sense!)

You wouldn't be able to link the bookings with two TAs.... They would be separate and not sure how that would work, you would definitely lose out on perks and bonus offers, make sure your TA specializes in Destination weddings and has a relationship with the hotel you choose.... They can often get you major perks that help keep costs down or experiences upgraded. That's worth its weight in gold.

This worked for us too. Canadian TA booked all packages for Canadians, and the land only for all our international guests. This was to Mexico. Everyone from other parts of the world (US, Hong Kong, Hawaii and Australia) would have booked flights at a later date.

Congrats! Welcome/ you will love this forum and the girls here... It will serve as such a blessing as you plan your special day!

My first reccomendation is to find a great TA who specializes in DW! They will be your biggest ally in the starting process. Not sure if you are American or Canadian, but travel is set up differently depending on this. Wright travel is hands down the best TAs if you are from the US (they own this site!!) and if Canadian there are a bunch of us Canadian girls who can offer recommendations.

Hello Ladies,

 

Is anyone bringing your own decoration for the ceremony?? Does anyone has any ideas on how I can decorate the Gazebo?? Lomas and Karisma prices are very expensive and I don't want to spend too much money on something that i'm just going to use for one hour.

If you read through this thread, and the Sensatori thread you will see tons of info in regards to bringing your own decor. Both are Karisma, and many if not most brides, do so!

Thanks so much!

 

Is there any advice you can give me as a new bride confirmed for a wedding at Azul Sensatori! I have learned from this forum that buying your own decorations is the way to go so I have begun the search for that. Any recommended decoration for Plaza Gavas as a reception?

 

Also does the resort charge you a fee to have them use your own decor for their setup?

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

If you choose to only block the minimum, 10 rooms, and you give them your deposit for that .. when more guests respond that they are attending, as you increase, do you pay the $100 each time? How does that work?

Your deposits and block details are specific to your agreement and vary greatly depending on whether you are Canadian or American (or British), and by who your TA is. Your TA can explain exactly how your contract is structured.

As for a tip- if you can, the BDR is a great way to get a real feel for everything and is a great experience.... If not- read both this thread, and the official Sensatori thread from start to finish and you will be an expert! It will take a while, but soooo worth it!

You guys are amazing and I am so humbled by your support. In any other forum the ugliness would have surely come out...but here I only feel your friendship and kindness. No wonder I like it here!

Kim- I can't wait to hear about your wedding!!!!!! Go enjoy your wedding week!

Welcome to the BDW forum and congrats on your destination wedding plans!!! I would suggest contacting BDW's official travel agency -- Wright Travel, they have helped tons of couples on here and the agents specialize in destination weddings so that will help a ton!! Here's the link to contact the forum agents: BDW Forum -- Contact Wright Travel

As a Canadian Bride the travel is very different than US. While normally I hands down recommend Wright Travel, for Canadians I think it's a better choice to go with a Canadian TA as the product is completely different.

Welcome and congratulations. I hope you enjoy this forum, there are lots of brides sharing ideas and planning their big day. Hope you have fun interacting with others here in preparation for your DW!

Are you sending formal invitations as well? If your original mail out was simply a "save the date" then some may have marked it on their calendar but are waiting to get the actual invitation (not Everyone is familiar with paperless post and other options and still think old school). How many did you invite? Do they know the booking deadline? If you only sent them December 30th people are still only 2 weeks from receiving them and may need time to digest costs and time off work before they can commit. Do you have a website that shares more info?

Don't worry too much. If you asked for rsvps by a specific deadline, I wouldn't concern yourself until that date has passed. Then you can send out reminders or ask friends and family to help in spreading the word.

Welcome to the forum!!! The girls here are great and the wealth of information you can garner here is amazing.... You are off to a good start it sounds like- with some options for hotel and a TA who knows weddings....

Happy Planning!

Thanks Girls.... Yes my kids are most important... And with the financial stress that the relationship caused (I funded 99% of the relationship), as well as the constant requests for change from him- I was not at my best either... And that too was not acceptable for my kids! They deserved to see me respected and adored along with them... They are boys and I want them to model proper treatment to women and this was no way to start!

I am already so much less stressed- despite the stack of mid-production wedding DIY projects stacked in my office, or the box of personalized OOT bags in the closet.... I will make use of them in a fun way (my girlfriend joked I needed to find a man with the same name as my ex, or a man who was soooo loving he would change his name- but I have better ideas haha).... At the end of the day- I have always succeeded and come out stronger and better- won't stop that trend now! My kids and I deserve for me to keep plugging along to true happiness!

I appreciate you all more than I can articulate. I will stick around here and offer my input as long as you will have me!

Hi all.... please refer a travel agent for my guest to book at DRM for my wedding weekend. Majority of us are coming from Chicago. Help!

This is a thread about cake so your request may go unnoticed- but Wright Travel (the owners of this site) are the best in destination wedding travel and I would 100% recommend them for Canadian Brides. reach out to Tammy or Wendy and they will be able to assist.

Toms has a pretty "wedding wedge" that is cream and super comfy.... Check those out as an option too!

Victoria Secret, Hapari and Cyberswim are some of my favorites when trying to size bikinis. All have great return policies too.

I agree- I think that you should put two mugs in the bag as you had originally planned when it was your GF And her boyfriend... And not get worked up over not knowing her. She doesn't need a separate bag... But including her in your gifts is a kind and appropriate gesture. If she wasn't coming and helping with the baby, your friend may not have either... So $20-$25 towards including her is a small price to pay to have your girlfriend and her baby there on your special day! You had budgeted for a guest, it shouldn't matter who that is- so long as your friend is there to support you!

Ok ladies. Who can answer a question for me very quickly. What is the charge to have your ceremony on the Zky Terrace. Not the Sky Deck, the other one. It shows both on the info that they sent me. I'm finding out if I pick another ceremony location I can have the time I want but the only thing that i might like is the Zky Terrace.

 

Thanks!!

The only location where there is an additional cost is the sky deck for $1700. All others can be reserved at no charge.

Hi Everyone! I am new to this forum and am so excited I found this! It is always nice to find other brides who can offer their advice so that we can all have the most beautiful day!

 

I am having my reception at Plaza Zavas and am wondering about a dance floor? I would assume you would not need to add one on because you would dance under the gazebo?

Yes there is no need. The floor is nice and flat under the gazebo and its a perfect location!

Welcome and congrats!!!

Well girls... I have struggled with sharing this with you all, as I have come to love the friendships made here and was embarrassed to share my news... But realized I had to do so.

I have ended my engagement and cancelled the wedding. After 4 years with my FI, I could not longer make excuses for the way he treated my kids (twin boys) or myself. He was unwilling to be an active part of their life or treat them with common decency and they deserved better- so I made the difficult decision to ask him to leave and cancel our dream wedding.

It was tough but I know it was 100% the right decision and I know that we are ALL better for it.

Many of our nearly 100 guests have chosen to lose their deposits and cancel, but there looks to be about 20-30 of us that still travel that week and so I will still plan a couple events while down there to celebrate the friendships and my loved ones who have supported me. That being said, although I won't be planning the wedding I had envisioned any more, I would still love to stick around here and share with all your happiness- and plan my own smaller-scaled celebration.... Even if not a wedding... With you all.

Disappointed that I won't be getting married alongside you all- but I feel like a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

Good luck girls... Hope you don't mind my sticking around!

Welcome and congrats!!!! Best advice- read these forums as much as possible... And get a great TA!

Happy planning!

I agree- you do NOT need a local to your city TA. There are a few great Canadian TAs who are awesome... Go with someone specialized in DW over someone local. Email and phone calls make their proximity irrelevant.

Have an amazing week!!!!!

Does anyone know what size are the long tables they place at the entrance for receptions? ie. For place cards, favors, etc.?

I believe they are the standard 6' x 2' tables. If you want anything different (round, small, cocktail etc) they will try and accommodate.

Welcome! The only thing I would caution for December- is on whether your guests will be able to afford to join you with its proximity to the holidays... If that's not a concern... Then great! Does your TA specialize in working with brides in DW? Make sure they do... Does she get special perks with GBP? Often TAs will get you little extras.

Read that board and get a feel from brides if they were happy with the process and their weddings and then have fun planning!!!

Congrats!

I AM DEVASTATED , someone from this board contacted Karisma and provided exactly my wedding day stating that I was bringing a different DJ and no hiring the DJ they offer. How can someone do this? I cannot believe it.

Regardless of how much people can read on boards or how many words a contract can have, it is my business..It is bad to do this type of things like calling and providing other brides info.......that is wrong and breaks my heart...I would never do this to anyone.

This makes no sense. You can't just call them and provide your name and make that change... It needs to be added to your detail sheet- and the $800 fee would be applied using an outside vendor! It's easy to just email them back with your detail sheet and say there was an oversite and that you are using DJ all music or Mega DJ (their two DJs) and therefore don't have the $800 fee.

I don't even know how they would know your full name (also required when making any changes to your detail sheet)... If they DID know this, it should be easy to determine who you divulged this to!

In any event.... Do not give this a second thought- you most definitely aren't on the hook for a vendor fee you aren't using... And most certainly aren't going to go without a DJ! They host 2-3 weddings a day.,, perhaps the planning department made an error and brought up another brides info??

Dont let this stress you- correct it with Lomas and you are all good!

If you DO know who did this, and have real proof of someone doing something malicious... Let the board owners know (or send me a note and I can follow up)...: but know that the brides here are all pulling for you!

Xo