Would you get married at a resort that did not allow you to chose your own vendors?

[proti007]

Absolutely, positively NO WAY! There were rumours about this happening at my resort (Dreams LC) for photographers last year when I booked, but I got it in writing that it was a-ok. That would have been an absolute deal breaker for me. Who we hired for photo and video was the single most important decision in the whole wedding process; if I had been limited in any way, I would not have chosen that resort.

[MichCraw]

No, this is why I changed from Melia Caribe to Majestic.... they suddenly started charging 1000$ for outside vendors... which basically tells us that they don't want any ... imagine paying 2500$ for a photographer and have to pay an extra 1000$ .... ummmm no thanks... there are too many resorts to choose from ... so I guess I won't be having my horse carriage..

[preciosa41987]

iam bring my own photographer, as a guest..its my friend's boyfriend. And he will be staying with us the whole time like  a guest, i wonder if they would let this fee go since he is guest at the hotel..i sure hope so..i could spend $1000 somewhere else! lol

[TropicLover]

No way - To me photography is extremely important. In our resort search one of my must haves was the ability to have an outside photographer.  If the resort said "no you have to use our photographer" then I didn't book with them. 

 

Also, the ability to have control over the style of the wedding is super important.  Great flowers, decor and lighting are huge and can dramatically change a space.  I've found that most resorts are fairly basic in that area and to achieve your "wedding look" you need to use outside vendors.  The only thing I can complain about is the vendor fee.  I think there really should be a one time lump sum fee rather than paying $400 for the photographer, $400 for the flowers, etc.

[Jass7]

I'm having this issue right now with a resort in the Maya Riviera. I am waiting to hear back from WC to see if all outside vendors are not allowed, as they were before! We spent two vacations with them, at two different resorts, and saw bunch of weddings with outside photographers, as recent as this past May! So this sudden change is really frustrating, and I do not think we will get married there anymore. Photography is very important to us, and that will be the deal breaker!

[PaulVanVleck]

Bridal couples should insist on their venue letting them use the vendors they wish. As a photographer who has worked in Mexico for sometime, it has become more and more difficult working with these restrictions. The resorts are trying to profit and control everything. If you need a great, creative, fun photographer: PaulVanVleckWeddingPhotography.com, I work all over Mexico. There are plenty of places that allow you to choose how your wedding is designed. good luck. hope to hear from you... Paul

[ahilal]

It really depends. If the venue prices their own vendors reasonably and has a good reputation, I'd consider it. After all, getting everything in one package is not a bad thing as long as everything's top notch and affordable. Some locations insist on their own vendors so they can ensure great service and an impeccable experience. 

 

But for the most part, venues that only allow their own vendors wind up giving you a sub-par offering at double the price, all for profit. And who wants that? Unfortunately, one-of-a-kind locations often have extraordinary leverage in this regard and wind up being the worst offenders. Singular wonders of nature and other national treasure locations have no competition. It's take it or leave it.

 

So while I wouldn't rule it out, I'd be highly suspicious. And not because I insist on a personalized wedding, just because I don't want to get robbed for lousy service.

[photobarbara]

Hi there!  I just wanted to weigh in on this issue as one of those outside vendors.  I'm from www.StillLifePhotographySA.com, and we've just returned from a summer of shooting destination weddings.  Several of these were at resorts whose websites stated that they did not allow outside photographers.  Here's what we found:  if it is an all-inclusive resort (ie Palace resorts in Mexico; Sandals resorts in St. Lucia), they are actually more than happy to allow an outside photographer, as long as that photographer is also staying as a guest on the property.  (I think they welcome selling that extra room!)  Alex and I always prefer to stay at the same property as the couple, so it wasn't a problem for us.

 

We did do one wedding in Maui, and our couple had to pay a fee to bring in an outside photographer. This was kind of a drag, but our couple was willing to do it, and we gave them an image credit that made up the difference.

 

So--even if your location says they don't allow outside vendors--there may be ways around this rule! 

 

Thanks,

Barbara, of Still Life Photography by Alexander Devora

http://stilllifephotographysa.com/?pageID=867618

[ssapper]

Absolutely not!!  I am so worried about this too! I have an outside photographer and got it in writing that I could use her but im concerned the resort will suddenly change their minds!! I've paid for a room the night of the wedding for the photographer though and am planning on putting her on my guest list. And if they do go back on their word im going to go ballistic!! I would be so mad/upset!!

[LynnP]

I don't agree with a resort telling you, you are able to use outside vendors then after you are booked, deposits made at resort AND outside vendors etc... then to change and not let them !  I can understand things change, but when you give someone information and dont stick by it, can you trust them with anything? I think that a resort choosing to change what they've been doing should still honor their word.