Hoosierfan

Hey guys, Devastating news this weekend that our hotel (Azul Fives) is postponing their opening from this month to November 2009! My FI and I are waiting to talk to our TA to discuss our options (I know there are other Azul brides on this thread too), but I'm terribly concerned. Our "plan B" will have to be another Karisma hotel if we decide to stick with the Fives - but we're limited by our wedding size and the fact we have my FI's niece and nephew (10 and 2 yrs of age) that will be traveling with his sister and brother-in-law. As I look for alternative resorts, either they are adults-only, don't accommodate a wedding our size with private reception (75-100 guests) or just don't have the "look" that I have envisioned (now that I got stuck on the Azul Fives). Anyway, I'm panicking and my FI is trying to calm me down! The good news is that I bought my dress today - so now for the place to wear it. I know November is far away, but I don't know if I can go another 8 months unsure of where we'll be married! UGH!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbride2009 Hi Hoosierfan...Have you figured out if you'll be moving to the Sensatori? I know there is already one other wedding on Nov 21st at AS. Mine is on the 20th and I found out there is a second wedding on the 20th already too (bummer!). Keep in touch and let me know...the thread for the Sensatori is great...the girls are all awesome and really helpful. Good luck! Hi beachbride2009, We have not figured anything out yet - our TA was going to call and talk to Fabio today (hopefully) to understand what our options are. We are expecting 75-100 people (and want to do a private reception), so I'm wondering if that will overwhelm the Sensatori (2 weddings on the 20th and 2 on the 21st?). This is so disheartening! Of course, there's a chance that the Fives will open before our wedding date, but we've got to have a plan B asap as people have already started to book! Did you start at the AS or the Fives? Just wondering if you moved or if you "were moved"?

Hello fellow Azul Fives Brides - I just got the news today from my TA. Heartbreaking (and he had a bride with a wedding scheduled there for May too). Anyone found alternatives? My TA is checking on the Sensatori for us since who knows if things will come through for our Nov. 21st date. It's definitely Friday the 13th...ugh.

Welcome and congrats! This forum is a great resource - happy planning!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbride2009 Welcome jetsbride! I found a great dress (but not your typical wedding dress) after looking for weeks online...then once I found it I googled to see if any of the shops here in Calgary carried the designer, and since only one did, and she had the exact dress in my size to try on (total fluke!) I got really lucky and got it for half price in her sample sale (only $800!!!!) It's a Nicole Miller crinkled taffeta gown...you can find them online. So I have put out the message to all our invited guests that they need to book with their deposit by the end of the month or there is a chance our group pricing might increase (something to do with the Canadian dollar being in the crapper right now)...which is a good thing for me so I have a better idea on how many people to expect so I can start working on OOT bags and all that stuff. Get this...my FI's brother is getting married in July, and I had a "thing" with his fiance a few months ago (a long story but basically after me & my FI decided on a DW, she changed her mind from a local wedding to a DW...and she wanted to have it 7 months before ours! I had it out with her over that! In the end she's now having it fairly local after a lot of pressure from multiple sources)...anyway, I just found out that she is so mad at me over this that she is not inviting me to their wedding and she skipped the family Christmas because she doesn't want to see me! What a beeatch! I could care less about her having a hate-on for me, but I feel so bad about my FI's mom...she's going to be so upset! She is SO excited both her boys are getting married this year (finally...they're 40 and 37 yrs!!!) and this is going to kill her! My FI asked me if I would be willing to extend an olive branch, but I'm not sure what to do...I want to because of the family, but I don't want to because I feel its like I'd be rewarding bad behaviour! And I don't feel badly about how I reacted to her at all! (I admit I could have handled it differently but hindsight is 20/20 and you don't mess with a bride-to-be and her wedding plans!). What to do, what to do...I'm just happy with the progress in my own plans...286 days to go!!! Ugh - this situation sounds like no fun during a time when you should be enjoying your engagement (and your soon to be sister-in-law hers). As a total outsider, I would tend to agree with your FI. In a year or two, you will probably regret not seeking peace (not attending the wedding, being part of your "new" family's riff, etc). I don't think you will regret offering an olive branch if it means you and your FI can enjoy your engagement, wedding and years to come with some family peace. It's tough to be the bigger person, but that is what it likely will take in this situation. Wouldn't you rather it be you?

When are you guys planning on sending out invitations? 6 months seems so early to me, but is that the guideline you're following? I'm hoping the economy will show signs of hope right around the time we all send out invitations!

Quote: Originally Posted by Erika J Hoosierfan-- Azul fives looks amazing, I have been stalking it online, and it looks so beautiful. Your wedding will be fantastic. Thanks Erika! It hasn't opened yet, but should be up and running by November. How many guests are you planning for? We've invited 150, are planning for 100 and thinking we may only have 75. The economy is not helping out this year - even with 9 months for guests to plan for it. Grr! November seems like the perfect time to go to Mexico for those in colder climates, especially, but we're running up against Thanksgiving which makes it a bit sticky.

Are any of you blue and brown brides doing turquoise bridesmaid gowns? I'm eyeing some and wondering what color pashmina would compliment them well. I don't think I really want to do a brown pashmina. Hmmm...

Congrats Veronica and welcome to the forum!

These are great! What a perfect find. I'm going to check out that site as well - we used the palm tree motif on our save-the-dates too, so that would work well.

I love Claudia's work and tried to book her for our wedding, but she's already booked. I took a look at her site and thought Erik's work looked the most similar. If anyone has any input/experience on working with Erik or other team members (I see mention of Citalli, also), I would love to hear it!

Quote: Originally Posted by Erika J Ha ha ha.. that is great about "ordering invites after all"!!! I am acutally laughing out loud! I think my fiance will be singing the same tune. So the dress shopping: I went to David's in park meadows and aurora. (much better experience at the aurora one 225 and Alameda, ask for Sarah, she knows her stuff). I also had a very nice expericen at D'Aneli's in Lakewood (alameda and wadsworth) Anjelle was my consultant and she has been doing it 9 years and had a good eye for it. I FOUND THE DRESS at Bea's Bridal Nook in Cherry Creek (6th Ave and Detroit) Emmi helped me there a few times and when the dress in the first pic came she called me and low and it was amazing. I have also heard amazing things about Bea's in house alterations. I also went to Bridal Connections - kind of dirty /no help/ not so fond of it. I did go to chicago twice to look at dresses so that is where i did the other half of my shopping. Let me know how your experience goes. BTW, where is Azul Fives? I think I'll check out Bea's too. I've been to the Bridal Collection and found some things I liked (good service, too). I've heard D'Annelli's has a good selection of bridesmaid gowns, so I'm going to check out that place too. Azul Fives is a resort in Playa Del Carmen, just fyi. Your save the dates look great! I hope you and your fiance survived "craft time"!

Welcome Laura! I know there are a couple of posts in the forum where folks have done site visits to a number of hotels and written "reports." I'm not sure if that will help you or not since you're already pretty educated on the area, but check it out. Good luck - I'm sure you'll find something perfect!

Thanks! I love that site and will definitely check it out. Finding non-cheesy beach invites has been a challenge for me so far!

No problem ladies! The one can't miss spot is Bloody Mary's restaurant on Bora Bora. It's a seafood restaurant (I would say one of the most popular) - a tourist spot, but really fun!

Congrats Jen and welcome! You will find lots of great info on the forum for spots all over Mexico - and looks like you have some time, luckily! Enjoy!

It depends on what you are looking for. Bora Bora is really incredible - the most crystal blue water I've ever seen - and the island is fairly small and not very "developed" (at least when I was there about 5 years ago). Moorea is more green and lush (think more jungle-esque except I didn't see any "jungle" animals). If you're going all the way there, then the best bet is to do a few days on both islands. I would say there's more to do on Moorea if you're into excursions. There are great restaurants on both islands and the people are wonderful!

I've met some randoms - I met and hung out with Scott Baio years ago when I ran into him at a club in LA. He was my first "love" as Chachi on Happy Days (I'm old!). We hung out for several hours and he was pretty cool, actually. I cracked up when his show came out about being "45 and single" and now he ended up married with a child! I've also met Wilber Valderrama (very nice), Ian Ziering (cuter in person than he was years ago on 90210) and many from the cast of Days of our Lives because my sister used to intern on the show.

Hi Savannah! Welcome and congratulations! Both of your options sound wonderful - you can't go wrong!

I took a trip with my sister (she was a trip director, so it was mostly free!) to Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. We stayed at the Intercontinental in Tahiti and Moorea - both were beautiful - and did an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora (I know, pretty romantic and we both wished we were with significant others, but it was a blast). I know some folks on our trip also visited the Sheraton in Moorea and Bora Bora and had good things to say. You really can't go wrong with any of the places that have been mentioned. I would definitely recommend spending a good amount of time between Moorea and Bora Bora if you're looking for seclusion (Tahiti is great, but more populated). Moorea is very green and lush and there are lots of "excursions" you can do - jeep tours, etc. Bora Bora is less dense and more for relaxing in the sun. You can rent a "funcar" to get around for a day and that's pretty entertaining - we felt like the Flinstones. You really can't go wrong. It's paradise - Bora Bora is probably the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I'm jealous!

Erika - the dress looks great! You are ahead of me. If you're shopping in Denver, I'd love to hear about your experiences as I'm doing the same! I finished my boarding pass STDs the weekend before last and they went out a week ago. We've gotten great response, but after an entire weekend of "crafting", my fiance said, "We're never doing that again!". So, I guess we'll be ordering invitations after all!

Quote: Originally Posted by Erika J This is so cute!!!! I plan on stealing it... if that is OK with you Feel free - I'm sure I could have added about 10 more to the list so make it your own!

Thanks ladies! I made a pact with myself that I wouldn't turn into bridezilla (except possibly in the presence of my fiance), so this list will keep me honest (and I'm sure my BMs will remind me too!).

Hi and welcome to the forum! I, too, am an Azul Fives bride and have been reading the postings on the delays. Hopefully all will be operational well in time for your May wedding. The other thread for Azul Fives brides is really helpful in tracking the progress, pictures, etc, so be sure and check that out too.

Hi ladies, After quite a few turns as a bridesmaid over the last 10 years, I decided that since it was my turn on the other (bride) side, I would make a list of promises/commitments to my bridal party. Just a little something to make sure my girlfriends know I haven't forgotten what it can be like to be a BM (especially if you're single and in your 30s!): I will invite all of you to every event, but in no way do I expect you to attend and/or want you to send any type of gift! I will not ask you to wear anything the "same" unless I provide it (outside of the bridesmaid dress, of course). You can wear your hair/make up any way you like. Shaving is probably a good idea, but your call. I promise to pick a BM dress that will not require a second mortgage because, let's face it, you'll never wear it again. (If we all can admit to this now, it'll be so much better in the long run.) I promise that when I have to go to the bathroom on the wedding day, I will not ask the same person for help each time. FYI - I have a pea-sized bladder. I will be open to suggestions and ideas - if you have lessons learned from your own big day or any bridemaid experience, I'm all ears. Everything from cool wedding party gifts to how to deal with the groom's colorful family members - I'd love your input. I will do my best to minimize any bridezilla tendencies. The good news - many of you live in another city so that could naturally minimize your exposure - the bad news, my type-A-ness is just part of who I am. Hopefully, you've come to grips with it by now. I will not over-schedule you. I want you to enjoy your time at my DW so "group" events will be organized around key sunning time. I'll have sunscreen and brozer for 1) when you lay out by the pool and 2) when you get strap marks like I do. I will enlist the help of another for day-of coordination. That way, you ladies can relax and enjoy and won't have to guess when it's your time "to walk". I promise, under any circumstances, if you become TB ("that bridesmaid") and get silly drunk/fall in the pool/or find romance with a cabana boy, I will torture you in private or in the company of a small forgiving group. It will not become part of a wedding speech, blog or facebook posting.