Natasha's Review - eek - long!

[JPMO]

Great review Natasha and thanks for including pricing information. You have made the final details that much easier for me and the rest of the girls.

[NATASHA]

So - the bait and switch issue.

 

Basically, as we were going back and forth on what concessions would be honored (when we were in the home stretch). The final issue was that, for the rehearsal dinner, we were supposed to be at $60 pp plus drinks with a 10% discount on food and drinks. They removed the 10%. Because of another issue (we were not going to host a Sunday brunch but then it was offered as a concession originally and then we communicated to our guests that we would and then a few weeks before the wedding the hotel backed out of that because now they were going to have the suites that they promised so we were on the hook for a sizeable amount that hadn't been budgeted) we said we needed them to create a menu that was $40 pp by removing food choices.

 

They did and we were fine with it.

 

But, day of, the food that was served was significantly toned down vs. the food that we tasted (meaning, the fajitas were just chicken or beef, no veggies, onions, etc.).

 

Oh well, it tasted good so our guests didn't know, it was just - interesting. It's how they made their numbers work, but that's just one example of the kinds of issues that occurred because the hotel didn't set the right expectation. They basically set us up to be disappointed which is an unfortunate and short-sided way of doing business.

[TammyWright]

natasha,

 

what they did it not right! i am so angry! there is such a huge mark-up on food that i am sure they could have thrown in a few onions and veggies...like really how much more would it have cost them...like $10. sheesh!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NATASHA So - the bait and switch issue.   Basically, as we were going back and forth on what concessions would be honored (when we were in the home stretch). The final issue was that, for the rehearsal dinner, we were supposed to be at $60 pp plus drinks with a 10% discount on food and drinks. They removed the 10%. Because of another issue (we were not going to host a Sunday brunch but then it was offered as a concession originally and then we communicated to our guests that we would and then a few weeks before the wedding the hotel backed out of that because now they were going to have the suites that they promised so we were on the hook for a sizeable amount that hadn't been budgeted) we said we needed them to create a menu that was $40 pp by removing food choices.   They did and we were fine with it.   But, day of, the food that was served was significantly toned down vs. the food that we tasted (meaning, the fajitas were just chicken or beef, no veggies, onions, etc.).   Oh well, it tasted good so our guests didn't know, it was just - interesting. It's how they made their numbers work, but that's just one example of the kinds of issues that occurred because the hotel didn't set the right expectation. They basically set us up to be disappointed which is an unfortunate and short-sided way of doing business.

[MEAHGAN]

Congrats!! Thanks for the fireworks!! They were great and my guests loved them-thought we did it:) HAHAHAHA!! I had asked about fireworks but Dreams said they wouldn't do them-guess I needed to ask someone else! Anyway, can't wait to see pics:)

Meahgan

[Sarah]

Great review Natasha! I'm so glad that things turned out so well despite how the hotel treated you. I've never heard of such shady dealings by a hotel- and for someone's wedding no less! I'm glad you were able to deal with the issues and enjoy your day anyway- it looked gorgeous.

 

Do you know the name of your mariachi group?

[NATASHA]

So sorry - I do not. Maye booked them.

 

Here's my advice about mariachi:

-it's such a novelty, I don't think you're going to know a good mariachi from a bad mariachi. As long as they show up.

 

-6 is too few, 10 is probably too big. Go for 8

 

-$500 to $550 per hour is PLENTY

 

-If you have a coordinator - book through them so that the coordinator takes the risk/responsibility for them (or an alternate) showing up. If you don't have a coordinator, consider booking via the hotel so long as the price is reasonable. If it's more than $550 an hour, book it yourself.

[LISVITAL]

Great review Natasha! I am considering the Salsa dancers. Do you have a contact?

Lisa

[NATASHA]

UGH I have been trying to find out who these people were! Maye was searching for teachers for a few months without luck. I mentioned it to Claudia at Casa del Mar and she knew of two sets so I booked the Cuban salsa teachers through her.

 

They did bring along a pretty professional looking photographer who was taking pictures so I'm wondering if they are going to start marketing themselves.

 

Well, I don't really want to pursue a conversation with Claudia to find out who they were, so I've been looking around... No luck.

 

I did find this, though. Maybe you can call them and ask if they know of these two people and show them this picture?

 

Havana, across from Costa Azul beach, is the home of salsa music, seafood and Cuban rums. With a good ocean view, Havana regularly features live salsa and Latin music on weekends and is open from noon-ish to 11 p.m., much later when the music's live.

 

[LISVITAL]

Thanks Natasha. I will do some hunting around. You review sounded so great I thought they would be a lot of fun.

Lisa

[REBECCA]

Very thorough review Natasha. Are you trying to steal my MOTM award??! ha Ha. It is funny, you used almost all of the same vendors I used. DJ Ricardo, The firedancers, the Trio, Maye... I noticed Maye was performing your ceremony? Or was she translating for the judge??

 

 

Everything really looked beautiful. If only we could get all the pro photos back...!!! I can't wait to see them!!