El Dorado Royale (EDR) Brides - POST HERE!

[tinabop]

Hi Everyone,

 

I too started out with Faith, and was very excited, because she was awesome, and my travel agent had a great report with her. As you know, she got promoted, and I was given Monica. I'm not sure why I was different than other brides, but she was not responsive to me at all. It took her three weeks to write me back once, but usually it took one to two weeks. While I completely understand that they are busy, if it takes three weeks to get an answer, just write me back and let me know that. So we (myself and my travel agent) complained as well, asking to be switched to another coordinator, and instead they told me to write to three people every time I sent an email.

 

So after all that complaining, she was beginning to write me back in reasonable time, and I was so happy, but then they dropped another bombshell. Someone on BDW suggested getting everything in writing, so I asked to get two things in writing that Faith had promised me. She had told me that I could bring my own photographer as long as they were on my guestlist (I asked about this BEFORE I hired my photographer), and that I could bring my own minister and they would credit me $500. Monica told me that unless I had these in writing, they couldn't honor it. That was my last straw. I have since taken my business elsewhere, and am very happy I did. It was just getting too stressful for me because I couldn't trust Monica.

 

I am happy to hear that things have turned out well for people though! I was pretty sure they would do a good job, but the communication issues were driving me crazy, and I didn't have the time to deal with it.

 

Sorry to be so negative, I was just very upset at the situation they put me in.

[Matt Adcock]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brigopens I've addressed this previously... There's no written info on this "policy" and we have legitimate guests on our list who are professional photographers... I'd raise hell if they tried to prohibit some of our guests from taking pictures...

Sure, what you say makes sense... They offer no option better than their 1 hr, $500 photog.

They also told me that it was 3 nights stay, or a $500 fee.

[brigopens]

Matt --

 

I've read all of those threads. What I am still unsure of is how the resort would expect to enforce this policy if a paying guest at our wedding decides to take photographs? I haven't heard a report from anyone who went down there and truly had issues! Even your anecdotes are simply based on what has been said, not done...

 

While I understand your frustration, please recognize that some of us have already booked our weddings there! It's not possible to change now, so what we've got is what we've got. While I'd imagine that your negative posts certainly do drive some guests away from the resorts, please realize that they also incite panic and hysteria among those who are already committed to going there. I'm living with one of those brides now, and your posts certainly aren't helping to calm her wedding nerves (or mine for that matter!)

 

I realize that your cause is to generate enough anger and opposition to these fees so that they will be addressed and rescinded. While I don't disagree with this strategy, what I also know is that:

1. Not one person has actually paid the "fee" that we know of...

2. There is nowhere that I can find where any type of policy exists in writing about outside vendors, including photographers.

3. You recommended yourself that we "go ahead with your plans, hire a photographer and invite them to your wedding" after discussions you had with the WC at EDR. You said the WC told you that they "can do NOTHING if you make your photographer a guest."

4. Your other comments I have read state that the actual resort people know nothing of this fee, so I can't imagine that they would be attempting to enforce it.

5. No other photogs have been so vocal about this, in fact one of them (Leigh) says "I've always been on the guestlist and I've always stayed there. No one at EDR has ever said a word."

6. Actual EDR brides have reported no issues. In this post (http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...html#post85832) AmyB79 actually said they had no problems at all, and that nobody from the resort ever even asked them about their photographer.

 

I think your best recommendation came in the post where you said the following.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock Hypothetical situation: Now, put yourself in the position on the day of the wedding. Someone has thrown your friend out of the resort. Now, imagine how mad you will be. You have the power (as bride) to cloud up and RAIN all over the WC, hotel manager and throw the biggest fit on the planet. Literally, you have the power to do whatever you want on your wedding day.   You have the right to ask a friend (regardless if they bring a camera or not) to the wedding. Make them a guest. They will have a setting at the reception with their name on it. I'd probably recommend a room for 1 night stay too. Keep in mind, said guest/friend will also have a camera.

Our plans remain unchanged. We will put our photographer on the guest list, put her in the room she has requested for one night, and enjoy our wedding! If they should decide they want a fight over this (I see no indication they will) then we'll deal with it.

 

I understand you position. I understand that you passionately want to defend your profession and fight anything that jeopardizes it. I believe you want the best for the wedding couples here and especially those who you photograph.

 

I just ask that you consider whether this policy that we've never seen enforced is a serious threat or a lot of hot air! I hope that your comments like "If you are planning anything at the Eldorado, watch out!" and "good luck anyone choosing EDR..." were sincere as opposed to sarcastic, and not simply made to dramatize the situation and add more fuel to the fire that you're fanning to protect your interests as a vendor!

 

I truly mean this all with the best intentions. I know how things can be misinterpreted via email/posts but have no other means to correspond my thoughts to you on the issue. Hopefully this will facilitate continued beneficial discussion to help those of us choosing to wed at EDR as well as all of our photographing friends!

 

Love to hear your thoughts.

[Matt Adcock]

Matt --

 

 

 

I am a passionate person and I love what I do and I love the people whom I do it for. If someone or something steps in the way of that process, I become passionate to make it right. I hope you can see it this way.

 

best of luck with your wedding. I'm sorry if I've made you nervous or scared. I'm sure you will be fine...if you heed my advice about raising asking for about their policy of outside photographers, all will be put on the table. Future brides shouldn't have your concerns though...

best,

matt

[soltamargo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brigopens Matt -- While I understand your frustration, please recognize that some of us have already booked our weddings there! It's not possible to change now, so what we've got is what we've got. While I'd imagine that your negative posts certainly do drive some guests away from the resorts, please realize that they also incite panic and hysteria among those who are already committed to going there. I'm living with one of those brides now, and your posts certainly aren't helping to calm her wedding nerves (or mine for that matter!)

I totally understand your situation, we are planing our own wedding and it's a lot of things to deal with, and we just want everything to go perfect and smooth on our wedding day!...

I'm sorry If with our posts about EDR we are making you and your bride to feel panic..,I really think that any couple on a wedding day is "untouchable" and deserve to have the wedding they planned on, and paid for, perfect in every sense! so, NO ONE has the right to mess with that, even less when you are bringing business to the Resort.

There are many hotels around the Riviera Maya that ask for a "fee", and EDR has been inconsistent with their policies, and they have been changing wedding coordinators all the time, our clients have experienced that, and we are just trying to warn future couples of this situation.

However, we will continue shooting weddings at EDR because the location is higly requested. I particulary LOVE the El Dorado Seaside Suites, and I really hope Lomas Travel look into the best interest of their clients by allowing them have the wedding photography they want.

This is a lot of blablabla... you are going to be fine, and have a wonderful wedding !!! from the bottom of our heart we wish you a happy day!!!

[brigopens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock I respect you, and totally am sorry for you future wife's frustration with my posts. Assure her that all will be fine. I also want her to know that I feel like I have a role to play here to educate my future brides, as you mentioned in your post... I very much appreciate your candor and again, must apologize for any fear that I have caused.... I will not visit this thread anymore for follow up.

I speak with nothing but respect as well. I understand your position as a professional and also your good natured attempt to help future brides. I simply wanted to make sure this wasn't turning into a forum to trash the resort, and felt that maybe a little balance was needed. I obviously have a different perspective on thing as our wedding is already planned there, and just wanted to make sure views from this angle were represented as well. No real need to apologize, just wanted you to realize that some of us were already booked, while you were trying to help those in the earlier stages... I don't think it's necessary to avoid this thread, but I'll leave that up to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock Yeah, her name is Rafaela, WC for Lomas. 1 year ago we had that conversation...

Thanks for the clarification on this. I was unsure of who you had talked to or when, but this certainly explains your earlier advice versus increased frustration with the situation as it stands now...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock My Nov 17 EDR bride has bit the bullet on the 2 hotel room (signed a contract). I'm going to ask her to chime in here. If anybody wants to stop in and say hi to me, I'll be staying there Nov 16 & 17 EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A HOUSE 10 minutes away. I'll actually only be staying 1 night though.

Unfortunately, we'll miss you by a week or two. And you guys are going to be slacking off by the time we needed a photographer... maybe another time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock What you have to understand is that this is RED TAPE that I deal with all the time. I've been to these resorts 20+ times. I have spoken with just about every person involved....trust me, they are very serious about the $500 fee. Yes, the WC staff at Hotel Azul (another karisma hotel) had NO idea about this policy, but it is owned by different owners.

So you are saying that the employees at EDR are going to be the ones who attempt to collect this money? My understanding has been that our Lomas WC will probably not even be there on the day, as there will be people at the resort who take care of things that day? Maybe you know more. Any info that could help us to make things go as smoothly without paying more than our planned night would be greatly appreciated. You can post it here, or we can continue this discussion via email.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock Serious threat or a lot of hot air Are you serious with this question to me? Do you honestly think I would waste my time!

I was not at all referring to you as you quoted. I was simply asking if this is a policy you have seen enforced, or only heard about? I still am not sure I've heard of anyone having a problem at the resort. Seems like people have asked ahead, and given in or changed resorts OR flown under the radar and gotten away with it. No confrontation at the resort from what I can see, so I'd assume if we can get that far without issues, it will go off without a hitch. I did not mean to assert that you would waste your time or that this was not an important issue. I apologize if you read it that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock Keep in mind, you and some other brides may be "grandfathered in" and these rules not applying to you.

Hopefully... You'll certainly hear it either way once we're back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock Future brides need to be aware, and I am fighting for their awareness. Please know that this is the intentions of my posts... I am a passionate person and I love what I do and I love the people whom I do it for. If someone or something steps in the way of that process, I become passionate to make it right. I hope you can see it this way.

Clearly understood...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock best of luck with your wedding. I'm sorry if I've made you nervous or scared. I'm sure you will be fine...if you heed my advice about raising the roof if they boot your photog. Future brides shouldn't have your concerns though...

Thanks for the good wishes. I am sure things will be great. All of the information we have gathered from these forums, earlier brides we've met and photographers we've talked to has been incredibly helpful at insuring a great experience!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock Again, I will be leaving this thread... Positive discussion can recommence.

Hope you decide to stay around and contribute to a useful discussion with both positive and negative aspects carefully balanced. :-)

[brigopens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soltamargo I totally understand your situation, we are planing our own wedding and it's a lot of things to deal with, and we just want everything to go perfect and smooth on our wedding day!... I'm sorry If with our posts about EDR we are making you and your bride to feel panic..,I really think that any couple on a wedding day is "untouchable" and deserve to have the wedding they planned on, and paid for, perfect in every sense! so, NO ONE has the right to mess with that, even less when you are bringing business to the Resort. There are many hotels around the Riviera Maya that ask for a "fee", and EDR has been inconsistent with their policies, and they have been changing wedding coordinators all the time, our clients have experienced that, and we are just trying to warn future couples of this situation. However, we will continue shooting weddings at EDR because the location is higly requested. I particulary LOVE the El Dorado Seaside Suites, and I really hope Lomas Travel look into the best interest of their clients by allowing them have the wedding photography they want. This is a lot of blablabla... you are going to be fine, and have a wonderful wedding !!! from the bottom of our heart we wish you a happy day!!!

Thanks to you as well for your kind words. I hope your wedding is fantastic as well. Some positive perspective on the resort is certainly appreciated...

Not sure who let a couple of guys into this forum anyway, but thanks for bringing us back down to Earth the way only a woman can.

I'm glad that you guys will be continuing to offer your high quality services to those who do decide to marry at Karisma resorts. I fully support fighting to get these fees removed as well as any efforts to avoid paying them.

[shannon]

I'm kinda replying more to the beginning of thread... we are only expecting 20-25 people (will know for sure when RSVPs come in Feb - wedding is in May).

We are having our ceremony at 4PM- the white glove mexican cocktail party(i think $21/person?) set up on the beach- that will start at end of ceremony (approx 4:30?) to when we are seated for dinner at 6PM -planning on taking all the pictures then, and the guests can relax, eat, drink ,etc. We are doing the free dinner at El Cocotal at 6PM -then doing the private party at the covered pool afterwards- the chocolate fondue (i think $14/person?)/cake cutting.

The following evening (which is sat- and most guests are leaving on sunday am) we are having a private beachfront/candlelit dinner with our guests - we are choosing off the one of the private events menu- salad, entree and dessert - i think it'll will be $48/person.......

This is all contingent on our number of guests- if we have more than 25 guests- then our "extras" will have to start being cut out!

 

Oh yes- I started out with Monica- and have been dealing with Valeria- and she has been AMAZING. She answers my questions within the hour or two!--and is always very upbeat and positive... I have been thrilled with Valeria!

[MrsV-to-be]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannon : Oh yes- I started out with Monica- and have been dealing with Valeria- and she has been AMAZING. She answers my questions within the hour or two!--and is always very upbeat and positive... I have been thrilled with Valeria!

ME too!! Love her!

[brigopens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsV-to-be ME too!! Love her!

Valeria continues to step up for us! We're at the 30 day mark, wth lots of things to finalize, etc... She's been great, and really working to get the resort to bend over backwards on some issues with ceremmony location, etc...

I'll give the full review on her when I get there and see if everything is done as promised...