murmel

Hi, and welcome to the forum. It is unfortune about the vendor fees, but with enough research I am sure you will find everything to make a perfect dream come true. Take a look at the official thread- http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/84306/official-azul-sensatori-thread/30#post_1907178 , you will hopefully find more details or links to help you plan. In the meantime, if anyone has any questions regarding the El Dorado Seaside (sister resort), I am down here right now enjoying the sun!

I don't know about that....but Lomas charges you $800 to use an outside vendor. I would assume a florist would fall under this category. If you took a taxi to pick up the flowers yourself offsite, and then bring them back, you might be able to do that...but I am not sure. If you're planning on doing the usual bouquets, bouts,etc. you might want to stick with Lomas for cost, if you don't like the silk option. I ordered my flowers through Lomas and they were beautiful. Depending on the package you choose some of the flowers are included. And you just have to hunt a little for their deals. Some bouquets start at $45...some $200... Just depends on flowers and size you want. If you're not picky the cost should not be horrible.

First of all your shipping question: The response from the resort and local Wedding coordinators is NO they will not accept packages shipped ahead of time. A lot of this has to do with having to take responsibility for possible customs/postage costs, as well as not losing the package onsite. So this really is not an option. You might be able to ship things to a Fedex office and have them hold it, and once you arrive in Mexico go pick it up yourself.... For reception areas: Zocalo al Fresco is on the backside of the Mexican restaurant. This is likely my favorite spot, since you have a view of the beach/ocean, but it is also private and sheltered (ie. roof over your head). The maximum number for Zocalo is 45 (although I think you could push to 50). Zavas Plaza is beautiful because it's outside with a gazebo in the middle and private. You can host up to 200 guests here. Check out some photos is section #6 to help you.

Welcome! There are so many options it can be overwhelming. Many brides have brought photographers with them, others have hired someone local in Mexico. You can also see if another bride is getting married the same week and split costs sometimes. Check out the official Sensatori thread for all sorts of details and information. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/84306/official-azul-sensatori-thread

So depends on the fabric. Silks and crepe fabric will likely not deal well with water. But satin and lace seem to be fine. You could also think outside the box, and not get the dress wet.

Welcome home MRS! Congratulations and so happy to hear everything went well.

Welcome to the forum! 1. The guest rooms are beautiful, very modern clean lines. 2. The beach is this resorts' one downfall. The beach is quite narrow and hard packed sand. The water is shallow and one must be careful, because it really is a dead coral reef. So lots of rocks, coral and uneven bottom. There is a beautiful beach area just to the north (about a 10 minute walk) Take a look at the Official thread for more details and more information. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/84306/official-azul-sensatori-thread If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!

Yipppee! And congratulations on being a MRS!

OMG! I LOVE the last one. It just says romance to me. Quiet, peaceful and full of thoughts of a beautiful future that lays ahead! Thanks for sharing Gail.

Wow! Great idea for TTD! Love the waterfall photos.

We did ours 2 days after the wedding at sunrise. We wanted to capture the pink rays and sky!

Wow Megan, you have had a busy year! All the personal touches are going to make for a beautiful ceremony and a week your guests will remember forever! Great job and thank you for including all the links for new brides to be!

You can always ask when you get to the resort. I know Canadians are currently not able to get the free sweetheart package But again, the deals are constantly changing, and it never hurts to ask!

The bar scene at AS is very nice, but if you're looking for a real club feel, you'll likely have to go to Cancun. The entertainment starts around 6pm, with live music at the adult pool bar(usually a guitar player or saxophone). Then the nightly show starts about 9pm. This can be dancers, circus type show, magician, comedy, etc. it is always family friendly and usually about an hour long. After that the Moijioto bar has a live band playing music til 1230-1am. It is always great music and they usually take requests. The teen bar, after about 11pm becomes the club. But usually it's pretty quiet, unless you bring a group with you. The DJ will take requests here as well. You do not require reservations at any restaurant, with the exception of Le Chique. And it is unlimited, you can eat multiple times, wherever you would like. At dinner time, if there are no available tables, they take your name and give you a buzzer. So you head to a bar for a drink, and when a table is free they buzz you. Room service is included in your package, and the menu is on a channel on your TV. We found it usually took about 35minutes for delivery. Wifi is included if your staying in the premium side. If not, I think it was about $5/day...but I'm not sure. And I don't think they offer a group discount on that.

We did a TTD session and my dress survived black gum (don't ask), the ocean, the pool and sand. When we were finished the TTD, I stood in the shower and rinsed the dress out as best as possible. Then put it outside to dry out. My dress was mostly lace though, no beading. Here's a link: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/72421/murmels-sunrise-trash-the-dress-azul-sensatori-photographer-blog-link-added-page-2#post_1868165 If your beading is sewn on, I think you should be okay. If it's not, then you can still do a TTD, but perhaps think of things were you don't get wet.

Unfortunately, they just had one this past weekend. There is no set date for the next one. But check back on this site, or the official Azul site for updates. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/84306/official-azul-sensatori-thread

I would think it would be fine. The only thing they may say no to is flip flops. But I have seen guys with nice leather sandals at dinner too.

We had music for when guests were arriving/sitting. Then groom /groomsmen entrance, bridesmaids, bride, signing of the registry and the recessional. Personally I would not want music playing while you speak, and your guests are there to listen to you and your vows, not background music. Plus, depending on the minister/officiant they may not even allow music during the actual ceremony. As for tipping. This is so hard, it is at the end of the day a personal choice. Technically you are not obliged to tip anyone, but if someone is doing a good job it is nice to reward them. There is no right or wrong amount. Personally my husband and I would plan for about $20-25/day for tips. This was spread between the maids, bartenders, and wait staff through out the day. But again some people will tip more, some less. Depending on the day and service I am sure we were also up and down...so that's just my estimate. ***But if you do plan on tipping, try to bring lots of small bills with you. It makes it easier to leave a few bucks here and there. And it is often difficult to exchange a large bill for smaller bills.

Congratulations Dawn! So glad to hear all went well, and love your photos.

You book you trip/room with a travel agent. They will then contact the hotel to reserve your wedding date. After this is confirmed you will be assigned a wedding coordinator who is located in Miami. This WC (via email, and phone) will help you plan which package, extras, flowers, etc. you want for your wedding. This is all usually done and confirmed at least 30 days prior to the wedding. Since this is when you pay for everything. The last minute part someone may have mentioned to you is, once you are at the hotel for your wedding, you will meet with the onsite wedding coordinators. They will take the time to go through everything you already have planned with the Miami WC and give you the finer details has to how things will run, timing, etc. Also make sure there are not any small details that were overlooked. As for choosing a package....this is a personal choice. You and your future husband will have to sit down and decide what you want at your wedding. Then look closely at the packages and see what they include. Perhaps the silver package has everything you need, but perhaps there are things that are missing, but there is too much in the Gold package. This is where you might add-on things. Also depending on the travel agent you use and if there are promotions, you may even qualify for the free wedding package. If you choose to use a travel agent make sure they are GI certified (Karisma specific travel agents), such as Wright Travel http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/80338/karisma-hotels-givc-and-gi-wedding-consultants-wright-travel-agency . They have a direct connection to the hotel, get great room rates, and often have bonus offers to give you!

How long are you staying Nikki? I get there on May 20. We are celebrating our "baby moon"!!!

I think you just have to get in the mindset that the legal one (done there or at home) is just that legal piece of paper you need. Then make the symbolic ceremony YOUR wedding. It is here that you say the vows and things to each other that really matter, and will be surrounded by family and friends. You also sign a certificate, so even though it's not legal- you are still getting married that day, on the beach! Then you choose what day you celebrate your anniversary on. My husband and I got married legally in Canada, by a judge in front of my mom in her nursing home(due to her condition she can't travel-nor does she remember half the time that I'm her daughter, let alone married). We really didn't make it a big deal, just a legal step that we had to do. And that was on Dec 4. But to us, our wedding was in Mexico on Jan 24, surrounded by all of our guests and dressed in our wedding attire. That's our wedding day, and our anniversary! We made that the magically day we had always dreamt of. Hope that story helps!

Unfortunately, for legal reasons you are not allowed to alter the script. However, I believe you are able to add your own vows at the end. If the script is a huge issue, you can also change to a symbolic wedding and then you are able to do whatever you like with the script. But you will have to get married legally somewhere else.

They are not super strict, but guys do have to wear pants. Jeans are fine. And a nice golf shirt would do the job. For the most part they ask for guests to basically not wear their beachwear, but you don't have to bring a suit and tie! Most people we saw down there, guys usually casual khakis, or jeans with a collared shirt (some wear dressy shirts, some golf shirts). Gals usually nice summer dresses, or a skirt with a nice shirt. Hope that helps!

Personally I love the look of the floating candles, but the pools are not really that close to the reception areas (with the exception of the Zavas Terrace). I am assuming you are doing your reception at Zavas Plaza?? there are pools on your way into the plaza, but the focal point is centered on the gazebo. As well, unless they are battery operated or have a high glass around the wick, it is usually very windy there. All my tealights blew out constantly The pool that is pictured also goes quite far, so you would almost need to anchor the candles someway to keep them in the correct location. Here's a photo from my reception. You can see the pool and the plaza is in the background.