Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

Welcome to all the new girls!!! Wow 3 in one day! I will add your names to the list soon.
To answer your question-A meal for 40 people is included in the wedding package. I would say they might be willing to let a few more squeak by, but upwards of 80 people, I doubt it.
Maybe if you truly will have that many guests, you'll have to narrow the rehearsal dinner down to 40 and only include close family, friends and bridal party.
They also have set menus that start at $12/person, if you really wanted a 2nd dinner all together.
I know it is hard to accept with the resort being all-inclusive and pricey too, but you need to consider the amount of staff it takes to serve a group that large. Not to mention the other guests at the resort.
Hope that helps!

Hi ladies...I just got some somewhat disturbing news yesterday regarding pricing from Canada to the Mayan, and specifically AS, as that's where I have my rates for: my TA told me that the rates I've gotten from Signature were apparently a misquote by the tour company, as they are expecting the group rates to go up at least 20% for the next winter season, mostly due to the fact the Canadian dollar has tanked again. So my TA said she was advised we should get everyone in our group to book now before the time deadline on the rate quote I got runs out or we could be quoted new rates upwards of $300 more per person!

 

Just thought I'd warn anyone out there that could be in the same boat as me. I'm lucky enough to have a 3 week deadline so I have time to get after my guests!

 

Good news is apparently Signature is doing their "Price Guarantee" again for the winter season...this is a big reason why I wanted to book with Signature...for my departure in November, if on September 15th the prices have dropped to below what my group rates are, Signature will do a one-time price match and match the lowest rates for my entire group! This is so handy with getting people to book early...you can explain to them that they won't get shafted by sales later on!

Thank you to everyone who has responded to my question with regards to rates.

Nikki07 - I am booking through the Wedding Holiday. I am also looking to have our wedding during the first week of November. I guess it was more than I expected our guest to pay that was why I was concerned.

To everyone who has gotten married already - how much would you say I should budget for the actual wedding? I just realized they took away the free wedding on their wedsite! It's really unfortunate.

beachbride2009 - thank you for the heads up.

 

 

Hello all, new to the Sensatori board. I was a Azul Fives groom who got bumped 36hrs before my trip. As it’s all fresh in my head, I might be able to answer a few questions:

 

As for a rehearsal, unnecessary; well at least for our setup. The day we arrived (typically the day after you arrive, but we had an excursion) you will meet with the wedding coordinators (Carolina and Gilberto are the main two, essentially the Wedding Planner (Fabio in my case)’s on-site arm). They will go through a very detailed 2hr run down of every possible detail. I’m pretty dumb and I was able to figure out how the boys and I would line up and how the girls would come down the ramp and down the aisle. Then as you setup the day before, they let you know what you need to know. You won't need a practice walkthrough.

 

Getting people together for a rehearsal dinner will be tough if you don’t do it either very early or late. We got a bunch of people together at the 8p at the Mojito Lounge and then moved onto the patio once everyone (50 guests) arrived. We had drinks and I was able to make announcements and such at that time. It worked out very well. If you wanted to try and get everyone together for a meal, your best bet is Zocalo since they seem to be the most flexible with letting you sit where ever you want. If you want something locked up 100%, you are going to have to pay and set up a private event.

 

We had our wedding at 5, a 5:30-6:30 cocktail hour on the beach where my best man and the maid of honor did their speeches (just after we finished with pics) and then headed to the Zocalo patio for dinner. It was a little chilly, but the area was nice to keep the group together. We had 2 rectangle tables together for the head table and everyone else was at 8-person round tables. (slip a few bucks to the Mariachi band, it’ll be worth it).

 

As for the prices of the wedding, I can only guess as Karisma took care of a lot of our wedding for pulling the rug from under our feet with only a day and a half notice. 2K for the basic package, we spend about $500 on flowers (she and 2 bridesmaids, me and 2 groomsmen, parents), $100 on an extra sheet (it’s worth it looking at our pictures), $300-500 on pictures (don’t remember that one), and then some money on extra chairs and meals (since we went way over the 12 chairs provided). It’s really too bad they took out the free wedding package. I can’t understand why Karisma (who is at least 50% unoccupied, closer to 75% on Tue, Wed, Th) would not want to incent you for bringing a group of people to their resort.

 

I have about a trillion details in my head, from honeymoon suites, to spa services (my wife is a massage therapist and was extremely impressed by the spa and therapists), so PM me if anyone has questions.

Wow -- I was unaware that they eliminated the Free Wedding Package for 2009. For those of you who booked your wedding in 2008 (for 2009) at a time when the Free Wedding Package was available for all times, has anyone spoken with them about honoring it? If you relied on that advertisement, they should honor it! ...right?

I booked through the Wedding Holiday too! Originally I didn't want to spend that much either, but we decided that for a few hundred dollars, the difference in service and experience would be worth it and the guests that are coming would probably appreciate it. Good luck!

Has anyone heard from Fabio lately? I'm starting to get ants in my pants.

I just emailed Tiffany for the first time. I haven't heard from Fabio since the end of November. I'm ready to get some planning done!

I've been dealing with Tiffany and my last email was Friday afternoon in regards to the free wedding package being pulled and to see if they will still be honouring it...I hope to hear from her Monday, she is usually really good about getting back to me within 24 hours...