Berg999

ok - I have a really dumb question....

 

• the semi-private dinner, included in package - that's a set menu, but there's no additional fee for the food - right? We pick a 3-course meal, it's in Spoon = no cost (unless we go over the max people)
• private dinner/cocktail hours -  we pick the meal, and the cost is based on the PP prices listed in the banquet kit. There's no additional 'space reservation' fee for private events? right? 

 

we're trying to set the budget before we book anything with the hotel. and since our date is nearly 18 months away, the offsite WC has stated responses will be very slow, as they are focused on the upcoming events.

 

thanks friends!

The semi-private dinner is a set menu that you have choices to pick from and there is no additional fee for food. The only fee is if you have more people than the max number.

If you choose a private dinner and cocktail hour, you pay per person and choose whether you want plated or buffet style and what kind of food. I did BBQ Beach Buffet as we did our reception on the beach (not at Sensatori but at El Dorado Maroma the sister hotel but it is same everywhere for Karisma resorts) and the beach BBQ turned out awesome and perfect for a destination wedding. Food was good, everyone loved it and could keep eating. Included open bar of course. Cocktail hour not included BUT through my travel agent I had a free cocktail hour with apps that I used for the wedding. 

As far as space fees, not typically unless it's on the sky deck or somewhere premium. Most locations dont have extra fees.

Here is the one I got:

 

 

We hope this email finds you well,

 

We would like to inform you about some non-authorized vendors that we have detected in our properties and the actions that we will be taking in relation to this matter.

We have received notifications from former brides about vendors who are having decoration up for sale. We have identified these non-authorized vendors  and we are also aware of the various social media platforms where they are advertising their services. We have completely recognized all the decoration items as well as the boxes or suitcases where such decoration is in. We have detected how they usually request our hotel guests to pick up such decorations off property in order to avoid being exposed. As a company, our policies do not allow any of these vendors as their business activities are irregular. In addition, these vendors are illegally selling products and avoiding governmental fees and taxes. The guest purchasing this items are as well incurring on braking the law.  For this reason, we must notify all our clients that we will charge an $800USD fee for such decoration (lanterns, signature stationaries, flowers, etc.) once we detect them in our properties. The fee will also apply in the case of makeup artists, photographers, or any other vendor that provides a service that has not been previously notified to us, and the hotel will also reserve the right to refuse admission.

 

Thank you for the bonds of trust we have built together and for choosing Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma for your Destination Wedding.

 Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions or comments.

 

 

 

Although I think that their email was pretty intense and that it could have been worded in a much more professional way, but I do understand why they sent something. They are very clear about their approved vendors and their outside vendor fees, and Love & Lace is an outside vendor. It was great that people have been able to get away with it until now, but it really was only a matter of time until resorts started to catch on, especially when they see the exact same decorations week after week. I was thinking about going with Love & Lace, but I ended up being able to bring my own stuff for close to the same price, plus I can sell it when I get home to recoup some of the cost. Yeah its a lot of stuff to take on an airplane, but there is no risk that you will get caught cheating the system and end up paying a huge outside vendor fee. I dunno... I can see why everybody is frustrated because renting from Katy is more convenient than bringing your own stuff and cheaper than the resorts rentals, but from a business perspective I totally understand that they have policies in place for a reason and I don't think we can fault them for enforcing policies that we were all aware of. 

I brought about 4 suitcases of my own decor and wedding items which on top of regular clothing and the wedding dress, was A LOT. I opted to rent key items that were more difficult to transfer via plane like the glass cylinder vases in varying sizes. Those would definitely have broken throughout transport on the plane and everything. I rented those plus paper lanterns (only because I needed like 40 plus and it was cheaper to buy and bring my own but opted for the convenience through her) and I rented several other items that were too difficult to transport. Also, cant bring sparklers on a plane so I purchased from her...although the resort wouldnt let us use them...so it in the end was a waste. Oh well.

The resort can do what they want, but in the end, their own coordinators knew and told us they were outrageous with what the charged for things. Maybe if they only put a small fee on top the typical cost of purchase to earn capital but not price gouge their brides would be more effective. In the end, I only received 3 cases from katy. But she did make a pretty penny off of me but the resort would have made triple that off of me...so you do what you have to. 

Can someone copy and paste the email on here or PM it to me??? Im curious as to what it says...I got married at Karisma's El Dorado Maroma almost 2 months ago and used Katy/Love and Lace to rent decor from..just curious what Karisma is saying....

Hi everyone!

We are getting married at the Grand Sunset Princess in May 2017! We were considering bringing our centrepieces down with us (to save money since centrepieces are so expensive at the resort). We were thinking a simple mason jar with flowers? Not 100% sure yet.

I'm wondering if anyone waited until they were at the resort and go into the markets or Walmart to get centrepiece decor?

I'm just trying to decide if it would be easier to get it there or just check an extra suitcase and pack everything in there!

 

Thanks!!

There is a walmart in downtown playa del carmen and other discount shopping. I cant tell you for certain if you will find all that you are looking for. I chanced some items to buy down in Mexico instead of bringing them and was disappointed in the limited selection I found. If you have time and money, try it, otherwise bring it OR I HIGHLY recommend renting decor/centierpieces from Love and Lace Wedding Decor...Katy is a woman down there who owns the company and rents out wedding items and decor at reasonable prices and makes the process easy. Here is a link to her facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveandlacedecor/?fref=ts

and here is a link to her website    http://loveandrum.com/marry-me-katy-mikee-in-tulum/

I rented string lights from her, paper lanterns, glass cylinders for my centerpieces, and many other items. Check her out.

Has anybody ever been upgraded to a Presidential Suite? Or is it always the Honeymoon Suite?

Yes. Well...people in my group were usually upgraded a level above their purchased room.; So my friend who purchased a room level below presidential suite was upgraded to presidential suite. 

Hi ladies,

 

Has anyone used/hired a local videographer? Any recommendations?

 

Also, have any of you had a friend or relative be your officiant instead of using the person at the resort? Is this even an option? I thought I'd throw it out to you gals before I talk to my WC. My fiancee would like to have one of our good friends, and I know he would do an amazing job, but not sure how this works. Would love any feedback you have on this piece.

We used Sarani for video and photo as well. Not sure yet how it all turned out as we won't get the finished products for a few more weeks. Sarani herself wasn't there, but another of her photographers...I did not care for her. Just hope her photos are nice. The video people were fine, they were there but in your face like someone else said.

And I am sure it won't be any problem to have someone else officiate the wedding instead. Just talk to the WC.

Amyzig2 How was the BBQ buffet?!? I have been dying to know! good, bad, and all the details in between! Did you do a cake from them too if so what flavor(s)??

I probably will have a ton more questions about the décor and the reception and ceremony stuff...we all love the details!

OK trying to decide between BBQ buffet or plated dinner for private reception? What did past brides do and did you like it? Current brides what are you choosing and why?

I like the choices available in BBQ buffet but I don't know if it's "classy" enough for our wedding. We are doing the reception on the beach....if we did plated I would like them to accommodate like a beef and chicken type combo plate. Like they have the surf and turf petite filet mignon and fish so I would see if they could sub out fish for chicken....

thoughts?

How many rolls did you need? @@carrieandsam and was there any issue for the resort to cut them and set them up?

Hi wondering where past brides purchased sheers for their gazebo/altars? If online, which websites did you use? I am getting married at El Dorado maroma sky deck which has a similar gazebo to the Azul properties gazebos.

PAST AZUL SENSATORI BRIDES...if you brought your own gazebo sheers...where did you purchase them? If online, could you please share site?

Anyone???

Just looking for opinions on paper lanterns....looking to do reception on beach at El Dorado Maroma. Not wanting to pay their crazy fees for 40 paper lanterns and lights so I am DIYing and renting. If I purchased my own paper lanterns..what sizes do you guys think would be sufficient and give off enough light on the beach (along with globe lights)

12 inch? 16 inch? 20 inch??? I was thinking the 20 inch.

What do yall think?

DEFINITELY gone through/going through this too. My destination wedding in Riviera Maya in September has been so stressful with the behavior of so called friends and family for me as well. I had my cousin who was my bridesmaid and ONLY member of my dad's side of the family supposedly able to go to my wedding bail on me. She did it in a completely bogus way and now I want nothing to do with her or that side of the family. And my fiancé has his cousin back out on him in a bogus way as well. So it's been tough just with the bridal party.

We have had family members make very negative comments about us having a destination wedding and how costly it is etc. and most of these nay sayers have already said they aren't going but then they keep making negative comments which I can't take. So we completely cut them out and don't talk to them. It is one thing if you cant afford to go or whatever, but to keep making comments negatively about our wedding is so crappy! I've got family and friends who aren't going that really surprised me and let me down because I thought we were close and that no matter what they would be there as I was for them. But no, they aren't going. Irritating that we are getting married after all these people too, because we made sure to be at their wedding no matter what (and would have gone even if it was destination) and gave great gifts and now they can't reciprocate our consideration and care.

My fiancé and I have been together over 11 years and since we met we have always talked about destination wedding. As soon as we got engaged 2 years ago, we said no matter what it would be destination. We have given people plenty of notice and still it's an issue. But at the end of the day, we could care less if they are there or not if they don't want to make the effort. So all in all, I get how you feel! I have some 50 or so very wonderful friends and family though that will for sure be there and it's helped me realize who is true to me.

Hello! hows your planning going @@RaleighPhillips?

@kfracassie

Would love to see your photos that Lunic did! She is doing ours in September....

Hello!

I know this resort is one of the smaller resorts so not many people are getting married here but I thought I would start a new thread and see if there are any other EL DORADO MAROMA brides this year or to hear from PAST brides and their experience.

My wedding is set for September 9, 2016 at EDM with ceremony on sky deck and reception on beach. Booked photos with Sarani Photography (Lunic) and DJ Doremixx. Still working on the smaller details though. I did see the resort in September 2015 when attending the Bride Dress Rehearsal. I was originally booked for El Dorado Royale but my fiancé and I couldn't imagine our wedding there but thankfully fell in love with EDMaroma when we toured it.

I would love to hear from future brides that are booked here or past brides that had their weddings here or even if you have stayed at this resort.

Great topic! I just posted this same topic like a few weeks ago and didn't get much response. So...I am hoping for some direction.

I went to the BDR at El Dorado Royale in September but they really did not have a full selection of the cake flavors. I tried chocolate and red velvet that I can remember. The red velvet was good. Chocolate seemed OK. My fiancé hates red velvet but most everyone else likes it. I was looking to see what past brides of karisma chose or what future brides are choosing.

Do they give you the option to have maybe 2 flavors?

I was curious if anyone had tried the funfetti or cookies and cream/oreo cake??

Is there a cake with a filling at all?

@ashhtay

Yes please!!

Hello!

I am having my wedding in September at El Dorado Maroma...and I was curious to find out what flavor cakes did past brides at ANY of the Karisma resorts (EDR, Generations, Azul sensatory, azul five, etc) have and liked best? I went to the Bride's Dress Rehearsal but they did not have all the flavors. Curious if anyone tried the Oreo or funfetti? Or thoughts on the traditional chocolate or red velvet they offer??

Thank you!

Ayame...

I too am planning my wedding at El Dorado maroma but for September next year. I visited it in September for the brial preview and took a ton of pics. It is a beautiful resort and we loved the small,intimate boutique feel. We honestly thought it was the best resort from Karisma with Azul Sensatori being second. The sky deck is breath taking. I too wish there was more advice and info from past brides on here or online because you really have to search. Im in the planning process now. Maybe we can chat and compare? I'll private message you.

Christina

Hi there. I just came back from a Bride's dress rehearsal there. The ballroom is beautiful there. It's sort of shaped like a giant L. It's got beautiful marble flooring and it's neutral colors. They were updating it when we were there as well. It's possible for you to do similar décor but not 100% bc its not circular shaped. I have pics I can send later