avaya

I just came back from having my wedding at Azul Sensatori. I will try to relay the experience working with the hotel as well as the wedding coordinators. I guess the first sign for me should've been when I was looking for a photographer and 2 companies refused to work with Azul properties. Unfortunately, I already booked the hotel and could not change my venue. First of all, note that you will be working with the coordinators based in Florida before coming to the hotel. Once you arrive, you will get new coordinators at the resort, which sometimes creates some miscommunication issues. My coordinator in Florida left the company about 1 month before my wedding (as a lot of brides experienced these past few months). I received an email from her that tomorrow will be her last day and wishing me luck. After multiple emails and calls to the hotel the supervisor emailed when it was about 2 weeks left and said he will personally work on my wedding. He was probably very busy with all the other weddings and finally assigned a coordinator who was very responsive and I wish we got her from day 1. However, I was pushed into paying the bill in full prior to going to the resort, which is not a norm as I would expect. When I got to the resort everyone seemed very accommodating and helpful. The first issue I had was at the "Welcome dinner" (which I had to prepay per plate). The staff did not have enough seats/food for my full party. For almost an hour into the party, I had 5 people (one of who was pregnant) standing and waiting for chairs. In the meantime, the waitors just ignored me and kept telling me that they have sent for the wedding coordinator (the office is around the corner). The coordinator showed up after one of my guests just stopped by the office personally, he apologized and instructed the staff to put 5 more chairs. There was no room for them and I asked for additional table. The waitors told me "no" because they have to clean it. Only when I started to really get mad they accommodated. I was told that everything will be better on the wedding day. When I asked for a refund (since I prepaid for all people), I was told that the kitchen order was for the correct number of people, only the waitors did not know. Since I already prepaid for the dinner, not much I could do at the time. This is what I have noticed throughout the hotel. They will give you some really stupid reason for not accomodating and only if you really start getting mad and complain they will do as asked. I have seen it mostly at restaurants. I was forced into having an afternoon ceremony because the policy of the hotel states that only two wedding can take place during the day and the later spot was already taken. However, when I was there I have noticed at least 4 weddings on one of the days and at least 2 at the same time. I have booked the sky terrace (which is gorgeous) and the other wedding was at the beach. I still cannot comprehend why I could not have mine at the same time. The wedding day: I had a Jewish ceremony and my cousin knitted a cover for the gazebo herself. The coordinators in Florida provided all the measurements. In the morning when she brought it to be hanged the gazebo was completely different. They have changed it 2 months ago and forgot to tell us. I do not know the details how it was handled since my cousin and my sister did not tell me what happened so I would not get upset but I know they had confrontation with the staff about it and no one offered any real explanation. Overall the ceremony was nice and since my family took care of the issues, I had a great time. For the reception, we rented their sound system and the amplifier. We were specifically told the microphone is wireless, it was not, which is not a big issue in itself, the problem came in when the cell phone would ring. I mean any cell phone would set off some weird noise in the speakers and the music would stop. Also, the system is very old and the quality of sound is horrible (for which I had to prepay $250). Most of my guests had some issues with the actual hotel. The restaurants refused to accomodate groups that are more than 4 people. They would try to send you to their buffet style restaurant "Spoon". I guess from their point of view, why would they prepare each meal for a large group if they can send everyone to the buffet (I'm sure they have to make sure the food is consumed on daily basis). Overall, I had a very memorable and great time as everyone does at their wedding. However, some of the issues could've been avoided.

Hello Lola, I was originally working with destinationweddings and i believe you need to block off only 5 rooms to qualify for the rate. hope this is helpful

The hotel is also sold out for my wedding. But my WC was able to get them to waive the fee for anyone on the wedding date (i'm hosting a private event) and for anyone who's staying with another Karisma hotel, free entrance for the full stay. Try to push harder, you have lots of rooms with them, i'm sure they would not want to lose your business. Good Luck!

has anyone used any one of the two approved photographers? i cannot find any comments/reviews on either one of them?

Hey there! So happy this website exists. Without these forums I think i'd be lost. we're planning to have a small wedding at Rivieray Maya. Trying to make a choice between Dreams and Paradisus. I was trying to find a thread about jewish ceremonies. Does anyone know if I can find a Rabi locally? What are the costs?