Just booked at Azul Beach!

[amybermuda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by japonick I saw your other post about Travel Impressions and when I spoke to Jennifer, she said they also use Travel Impressions so now I'm concerned about getting the best rates for my guests.

Honestly I think its my TA not knowing anything about the resort and me not doign a gorup contract and getting no deals

[GroomsArePeopleToo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorwd Not all hotels require the paperwork. Karisma does. For my photog he said getting it was piece of cake. He went to the Mexican consulate in Detroit (I think) and it was done in a day. It wasn't much money, either. He didn't give me the specific amount, though. He paid for it himself since he considered it to be a good investment for future business. Amyb is absolutely right! They'll never know that someone isn't a family member. We thought of that too late, unfortunately. If you don't want to consider bringing one from the US then my guess is you're probably stuck with Caribe or Matias Cano.

Hola, Wendy's photographer here. The FM3 was pretty easy and inexpensive to get. I went that route for a few reasons.

First, I hope to be doing many more DW in the area, my family has a home down there (so that can save on the expense as I would stay at the house).

Second, this particular resort requires it or a 3 night stay.

Third, while plenty of photogs fly under the radar as the "family member" and get away with it, I'd hate to be the one banned from a resort or have any disruption to my clients wedding weekend due to me not being legit. Probably not likely to happen but I'd rather not take the chance.

Fourth, I do not want any trouble bringing in the proper gear needed to shoot a wedding. As a tourist you are limited on the gear you can bring without raising flags. I think it is vital to have back up gear as well. I also do not want to have trouble with immigration on either end explaining where I got all the fancy camera equipment.

Looking forward to Wendy's wedding very soon!

[GroomsArePeopleToo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by japonick Taylor, I originally heard some restrictions about Mexican work permits, etc. to bring someone in from outside US. That was my first plan and when I was in communication with Dreams, they asked for Mexican work permit numbers, expiration, etc. so I stopped considering bringing a photographer with me from the US.

Hey Taylor, you find another bride and we can talk about making a deal!

[taylorwd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroomsArePeopleToo Hola, Wendy's photographer here. The FM3 was pretty easy and inexpensive to get. I went that route for a few reasons. First, I hope to be doing many more DW in the area, my family has a home down there (so that can save on the expense as I would stay at the house). Second, this particular resort requires it or a 3 night stay. Third, while plenty of photogs fly under the radar as the "family member" and get away with it, I'd hate to be the one banned from a resort or have any disruption to my clients wedding weekend due to me not being legit. Probably not likely to happen but I'd rather not take the chance. Fourth, I do not want any trouble bringing in the proper gear needed to shoot a wedding. As a tourist you are limited on the gear you can bring without raising flags. I think it is vital to have back up gear as well. I also do not want to have trouble with immigration on either end explaining where I got all the fancy camera equipment. Looking forward to Wendy's wedding very soon!

Have I mentioned how I can't wait to work with you? I'm excited to actually meet you, lol!

If we had gone the "Oh he's a family member" route with our photographer, I think I would be so stressed worrying about the resort finding out that it would drive me crazy. I wouldn't be able to relax at all, and that's all a bride needs is more stress! For Rod and I, the idea is nice as a passing fancy but we never seriously considered trying to dupe the resort.

We are so thrilled you're our photographer! It's a load off b/c we know we're in good hands and at least the photography is one area that isn't causing us trouble

[taylorwd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by japonick "Oh with Jennifer you are in good hands! She will get you the best deals I am sure!" Amybermuda, I saw your other post about Travel Impressions and when I spoke to Jennifer, she said they also use Travel Impressions so now I'm concerned about getting the best rates for my guests.

My TA also uses Travel Impressions. They're the tour operator through which your TA books the rooms, and while you could go directly to them to book, it's the TA that gets the deals. In my case the deals we got had nothing to do with Travel Impressions.

I don't know what amyb's other post says, but we have had a great experience with them. They've worked closely with our TA to help resolve some problems that have come up.

[amybermuda]

They would not honor lower prices for my group and we received no specials. We are all paying the rack room rate expect for people who booked last minute for a 20% off special. I was told my group of 20 rooms was not that big and I did not get any special treatment.

 

I think Wendy is right, the TA's have to book through a tour operator, its more about your TA than it is the tour operator. I honestly think my TA is lying to me about things and blaming them on TI and the resort. I actually heard the TI person on the phone say a room was not dropped and she would make sure it wasnt, then my TA told me they dropped the room when trying to get the 4th night a single rate as I request and now they are fighting with the hotel to release the room back to them.

 

 

But hey Wendy, Did you guys get any price match guarantees? Do you know how they work with TI?

[taylorwd]

It never continues to amaze me how even though this is a relatively small community and we all work with the same people/companies, we all have such different experiences. It'd be nice if we were all treated the same way, i.e. with super stellar customer service!!

[japonick]

Taylor,

 

May I ask what travel agent you used? Did you get a discounted rate? How did you work out the best deal?

 

Amybermuda,

You mention above that it had something to do with NOT booking a group contract. My TA said we would be better with individual contracts rather than risking a fee if we under or over estimate the number of rooms we need. Can you explain the comment about the group contract? Did you know how many rooms you needed and did you put a deposit down?

[amybermuda]

I did not have a group contract. My guests all had individual contracts and we all paid rack room rates - no discounts at all.

 

Wendy had a group contract and she got significantly better rates and upgrades than I did.

 

I would look at a group contract first before saying no to that idea. Have you spoken with Karisma reservations dept yet?

 

I would have your TA and their reservaions dept quote for you prices and pick to work with whatever one is best for you.

[JenK]

I'm really leaning towards a couple resorts, Azul beach is one of them. I love the idea of a boutique hotel that is AI. Question...what is the nightlife like there? I am thinking it is pretty quiet, which is the only thing I am debating about-we have some friends that would probably like to have a bar that they can dance at!