Hey everyone, so here is my review of the Azul Sensatori resort where we were married 5/2/11.  I am going to write a very full and thorough review, noting the good and the bad.  Overall, the wedding week, and day were AMAZING!  But, there were some things with the wedding planning that were very disappointing since I have always read that when you get there, it all flows seamlessly.  So, let’s get on with it. 

Our Greeting:

We were offered champagne and a cold towel upon arrival at the resort.  A wedding coordinator Olympia checked us in and walked us around.  She gave us a note that gave us information on our wedding meeting.  (we didn’t get to choose the time – no biggie but would have been preferred).  We met with the concierge to pick our scents for the aromatherapy which was very nice. 

I also have to give props to the reps from Lomas Travel, Felipe and Edy.  These guys were amazing.  They went through the excursion options with us without pushing, and they made sure all our guests arrivals and departure times were accurate. 

The Rooms:

We booked a swim up Jacuzzi suite for ourselves and it was great!  The rooms are very spacious and beautiful.  Our room had champagne, roses on the floor and towel art to welcome us.  Our guests were also very happy with their rooms. 

The Resort and Restaurants:

The resort is gorgeous!  The view from the lobby terrace is stunning.  The grounds are meticulously kept and the workers are very kind.  Spoons is the buffet style dinner place and I found the food there to be good and okay, nothing spectacular.  They keep the restaurant too warm though in my opinion.  Other restaurants were better.  The food was generally good, but not exactly what I consider gourmet.  I got sick quite a few times, probably just because things were made different and didn’t settle well with my stomach.  L  We missed the Italian restaurant but my guests said it was delicious.  The Mexican place was probably my favorite, aside from Le Chique which was out of this world.  Very unique dining experience, and very yummy!!  I definitely recommend it if you can fit it in.  We ended up doing two excursion days, a rehearsal dinner, the reception dinner, and a romantic beach dinner, so our restaurant visits were limited.  The private event dinners were very good! 

Wedding:

Okay, let me start by saying that I was very happy on my wedding day, and although some things happened that were frustrating, it didn’t take away from my happiness and the beauty of the day!

Not so good parts:

1) So, on the forum I was told that another bride had purchased the exotic gazebo which offers only a “candy cane” style draping for the shears, which I do not like, but when she arrived they said they would drape it for no extra fee.  I was very happy by this!  BUT, when I got there, my wedding coordinator who was Claudia said I would have to pay $200 for it.  I tried my darndest to get them to do it draped and they wouldn’t budge L  So I was unhappy about that.  I did have them take off the candy cane though since I really don’t like that look. 

2)  Set up fees are apparently $5.00 per guest although other brides before have never had a fee over $200 (that I’ve seen at least, and I believe they had more guests than me and an equal amount of stuff).  Therefore; for 50 people, our fee was $250.00.  Booo!

3)  They need to give better information on how the ceremony will happen.  I had planned on the guys being at the alter and the girls would walk down on their own with the junior bridesmaid first.  It ended up being that the groomsman walked down with the older girls first.  No biggie, but it would have been nice to explain this to everyone beforehand.  And when we walked back down the aisle we didn’t know where to go so we went up the ramp, and all our guests stayed down bottom with the champagne.  Oops. 

4)  Ceremony script ~ on the forum is a great thread where you can read others scripts.  I spent HOURS working on the perfect script for my hubby and I.  It included a part where both sets of parents stood up and kind of gave us away, or agreed to always be there for us.  Then, it had the symbolism of the engagement ring and our perfect vows.  The sand ceremony, I had added a spot for my daughter to add shells, and my mom was going to read a scripture.  I sent the Florida WC the script before hand.  I also brought a hard copy to Mexico with me.  But, when the minister started speaking, it was not our ceremony at all.  I suppose it was just their standard.  All she does is read it anyhow, from a black binder no less, so it was a little frustrating that I spent so much time on perfecting a script with vows that meant something to me.  I had to mouth to my mom that she wouldn’t be reading.  

5)  The minister was about ten minutes late.

6)  The beach was extremely windy (obviously not the resorts fault, but made things tricky)

7)  Good and Bad, but they don’t put the rose petals down until the last minute.  So, I think most of our set up pics don’t have them, which makes it look bland.  They also forgot to put a table runner on the front table which would have added a little pop of color. 

Salon services:

I had my hair and make up trial and wedding day done at the salon with Veronica.  She did absolutely amazing!!  I loved the final product and couldn’t have asked for more. 

My husband and I also splurged on the beach couples massage and it was out of this world.  Not just the ambiance of it all, the massage itself was perfect!!

Okay, with all that being said, I was still a very happy girl at the end of all of this.  The minister spoke good English.  And obviously the guests didn’t notice all the little things I did, and they all thought it was beautiful.  I just wanted to share with the future brides to be. 

The set up was beautiful at the reception.  They did a great job with hanging the paper lanterns.  They even put the lights in there for me.  They also tied our ceremony programs for us, which we were planning on doing.  The wait staff at the wedding were great. 

The only thing wrong at the reception was that there was someone to manage the Ipod and it ended up getting all off course.  I heard the same slow song 3 times!!  I again had spent a lot of time organizing this just perfectly so it could just play through.  They added in music too.  So, I would have been happier if they just left it be. 

A few funny tidbits!!

The sand ceremony is quite tricky.  We spilled it all over the place.  Ha ha, and the shells I brought my daughter to add in wouldn’t fit.  It made for some fun with the ceremony though.  Then, for our reception, we left after the cake cutting to get some night pics with our professional protographer (Maria Angela from Florida) and as we are walking away, I tell my husband that it’s not the playlist playing.  We ignore but then he hears the start of a very bad song!!  NWA is all I’m gonna say so he had to run back.  Oh, the memories!!  :O)

Oh sorry, just one more negative.  I hate to be a negative Nancy but I want everyone to be prepared.  Be sure you verify everything.  We had a romantic dinner on the beach planned and we also purchased an additional one for my hubby’s parents.  They got confused and gave his parents our reservation and we almost didn’t get to have our dinner.  They did fit us in, but my hubby tipped the guy an extra $20. 

Misc Notes:

*Be sure you bring plenty of cash!!  I don’t know if it’s because my hubby seems to tip extremely well but we ran out of $.  ATM’s charge an arm and a leg there!

*I also think the coordinators should give some general idea for tipping.  As mentioned above we tend to tip very well, and at the reception, they were telling us there were like ten guys including cooks and all.  I don’t know if they were trying to get more money or what. ???  I still don’t know what is a good tip for that part. 

*OOT bags –Ours included a door hanger, a photoshare card, a welcome note, a sudoku book, a wine topper, a card/tip lanyard, stadium cups, meds, hand sanitizer and lip balm.   Some people used the bags, meds, and card/tip lanyard, but I didn’t see the rest at all.  So, I wonder if it was worth the hassle.  If I get any further feedback, I’ll be sure to let you know, but for our bunch, I don’t think it was as useful. 

*Excursions – We did a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres with 24 of our guests and it was amazing!!!!

In retrospect, if I had to do it again.  I would ask “what do I have to plan?”  and that would be all I do. 

I don't have many pics right now but here are a few: