Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[amybermuda]

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Originally Posted by taylorwd Well...I guess I better start creating more posts!! Thanks for that info.

What us longer time gals have been doing - or did - was to go on the newbies area and welcome all new girls. I also complimented rings on "show us your ring" post and the "show us your dress" post. Its amazing how quickly you can up your posting count!

 

PS - I just read that its a bannable offense to ask someone to email you something b/c you dont have enough posts to open an attachment. I am not sure if you PM the person if its still bannable. The rules are listed here:

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...k-forum-32313/

[cjb0arder13]

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Originally Posted by amybermuda Celina, I think we have all felt that one way or another - wanting to switch resorts. And a couple if us did. I felt like that a few times but the fact that everyone walks away happy from their wedding has kept me with Azul. Go on to the other chat groups on this forum and see the difficulties the other brides are working with and really - its pretty much all of the same thing we deal w/ Azul. And, those brides don't walk away 100% satisifed. You still have time to book and bring down a photog with you and I can guarantee that is cheaper than the other Mexican photogs that the resort does not allow you to use. For example, I am paying $4,300 for Claudia PLUS the $500 outside vendor costs (I booked over a year ago when she was still approved vendor). I know for a fact that you can get a US photog to stay at the resort and take pictures all day and a trash the dress the next day and it will cost you less than I am paying for 8 hours of Claudia. Who/what did you want? Elizabeth Medina would have been nmice but she is $6K plus you have to pay the $500 outisde vendor fee plus she makes you pay for one night at the hotel for her b/c its a long wasy for her to travel. So $7K later.... You could get a seriously awesome photograoher for that cost!

Yeah, some of the photogs in the area are ridiculously expensive. Our budget for photography is $2k, max, and that's even pushing it...it just doesn't seem like with a $500 plane ticket, plus $500 hotel cost (and honestly, I'm estimating there...it could very well be more with the rates out now) that only leaves $1k for the photography package, and I don't think I'd be able to get a very good package for that.

Sigh. I know I'm kind of being a baby about this. I think the thing that galls me the most is that I feel rail-roaded into using their photographers, who really aren't that great. Plus I just got done reading the "Boycott El Dorado" thread which got me fired up all over again.

I really don't want to switch resorts. I love Azul Beach and it sounds like everything else is exceptional, it's just this one rule that's totally bumming me out.

I'll start looking around for US photogs who may be willing to fly there and work with me on the package options...wish me luck!

[taylorwd]

Celina, AmyB makes really good points about brides on other threads all having one issue or another and wanting to switch resorts. The upside here is that Karisma brides walk away usually 100% satisfied after their weddings. Chin up, you've still got time to figure this out!!

 

Also, I PM'd you with some suggestions.

[cjb0arder13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorwd Celina, AmyB makes really good points about brides on other threads all having one issue or another and wanting to switch resorts. The upside here is that Karisma brides walk away usually 100% satisfied after their weddings. Chin up, you've still got time to figure this out!! Also, I PM'd you with some suggestions.

Thank you thank you thank you

[amybermuda]

Celina, who then did you want to use that the hotel won't let you?

 

My cousin does wedding photography and charges very little b/c he is just starting out. Eric Wolfinger I am not selling him, I just showing you that there are options out there for budding artists! Good luck!

 

PS - Yes, reading negative postings like that always worked me up to. Amy F was really good at making everyone feel better Too bad she's honeymooning now!

[taylorwd]

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Originally Posted by amybermuda Celina, who then did you want to use that the hotel won't let you? My cousin does wedding photography and charges very little b/c he is just starting out. Eric Wolfinger I am not selling him, I just showing you that there are options out there for budding artists! Good luck! PS - Yes, reading negative postings like that always worked me up to. Amy F was really good at making everyone feel better Too bad she's honeymooning now!

Love your cousin's style! He's really great with faces.

She had mentioned wanting Ivan Luckie. I'm googling him now

And you're right, this is where AmyF needs to jump in!

[cjb0arder13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amybermuda Celina, who then did you want to use that the hotel won't let you? My cousin does wedding photography and charges very little b/c he is just starting out. Eric Wolfinger I am not selling him, I just showing you that there are options out there for budding artists! Good luck! PS - Yes, reading negative postings like that always worked me up to. Amy F was really good at making everyone feel better Too bad she's honeymooning now!

Holy shmagoly his work is amazing!!!

And yeah, I was interested in Ivan Luckie (thanks Wendy) whose work I love and he seems like such a nice guy, and his rates are super reasonable.

I think I just need to take a few days and stop being such a drama queen about everything. You guys are so awesome for letting me vent my rage all over the place, and for the great advice.

I bet Amy is totally laid out on the beach right now with a cocktail. Jealous!!!

[amybermuda]

Oh yeah I like Ivan's style too. So he is classified as Mexican b/c he works in Mexico & NYC? Did Azul know that he lives in Mexico?

[cjb0arder13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amybermuda Oh yeah I like Ivan's style too. So he is classified as Mexican b/c he works in Mexico & NYC? Did Azul know that he lives in Mexico?

Not sure...I'm guessing probably they do, because he seems like a popular photographer down there and I would think other AB brides have tried to use him. I will say that he's willing to work with me to make it happen, which has definitely impressed me.

[amandamarieb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjb0arder13 Yeah, some of the photogs in the area are ridiculously expensive. Our budget for photography is $2k, max, and that's even pushing it...it just doesn't seem like with a $500 plane ticket, plus $500 hotel cost (and honestly, I'm estimating there...it could very well be more with the rates out now) that only leaves $1k for the photography package, and I don't think I'd be able to get a very good package for that. Sigh. I know I'm kind of being a baby about this. I think the thing that galls me the most is that I feel rail-roaded into using their photographers, who really aren't that great. Plus I just got done reading the "Boycott El Dorado" thread which got me fired up all over again. I really don't want to switch resorts. I love Azul Beach and it sounds like everything else is exceptional, it's just this one rule that's totally bumming me out. I'll start looking around for US photogs who may be willing to fly there and work with me on the package options...wish me luck!

Have you tried Craigslist? Maybe there's a photographer in your area that wants to start doing destinations and is willing to work with you for next to nothing in order to increase thier book and show other brides how they do destinations. I would certainly put up a post and see what you come back with.

Also, try local colleges. Maybe there are some really great photog students (you can see their work and request a sample shoot before hand) that may do it for the free travel. What's great is that Azul is all inclusive so you dont need to pay for anything beyond air and hotel. And if you are paying for hotel you don't need to pay for the outside vendor fee. I think you can make it work for less than 2k. (You won't get a pretty book but you can get a disc of photos and make your own. I am making mine.)