Hi Ladies,
SO EXCITED to read all this stuff on the AZUL FIVES. I'm getting married there in April 2015. We just booked our date and the location. We went to look at this resort in November and fell in love with the Sky Deck. So we are doing the Sky wedding package on a Friday with a cocktail hour on the deck outside of the Sky Bar (one level below the Sky Deck), followed by a dinner reception in the garden/pool deck. The DJ will set up on the cement floor of the pool deck and all the tables will be on the grass of the "garden" area.
I decided to choose one of the memorable moments themes for the tables. I'd rather not have to choose everything individually (napkins, table cloths, chair bows) plus they have nice set ups already. We are going with the Colonial Charm for table decor (lavendar/sage) and the Costal Bliss cake is pretty cool...very beachy.
It is possible to get married on the beach at this hotel, but the reason we chose the Sky Deck was because of the view and the privacy. At most places where you can get married on the beach, you have a beautiful wedding set up....and then you have people in their bathing suits gawking at the event. I didn't want that.
BEST part of this place is the FOOD (and the staff)!!! Everything is so elegantly put together and delicious! Not often found at all inclusive resorts. All, but one, of their restaurants in a la carte. They have an italian one where they make their own pasta!
We will use the dinner that is included in the wedding package as our Welcome (Rehearsal) Dinner on Wednesday night at the Flavors restaurants. It's their only buffet style restaurant and they will give us the semi-private room. Its still pretty open, which I don't mind at all. It is included for 40 people and then we pay $25 per person after 40 people. (I don't get this...your guests are paying for their food anyway, but whatever.)
The only down side to this hotel is their hefty vendor fees. You have to pay $800 for anyone who is not approved, which is hard when they only work with 2 photographers. TIP: Local photographers will work with you if you tell them about this fee. We are using PIXAN....great photos and video. And they gave us a discount to balance the vendor fee.
If you are looking for an outside vendor, find one that does video and photo, that way you only pay the fee once for 2 services.
ALSO....note that the deluxe rooms only come with 2 double beds. The only rooms that come with a king bed are the one bedroom suites. It wasn't a deal breaker for us, our guests will handle it. hehe
ONE more thing...They started construction while we were down in Nov 2014. They said it would be done in one year. It will add 300+ rooms to the resort. Just FYI.
Please keep posting info as you girls are planning. I found reading through the comments very helpful!!
Good luck to everyone!
Carolina