Budget and Planning Thread-- Azul Sensatori

[PPMay2013]

Hi Brides-to-be!

 

One of my biggest frustrations when planning a destination wedding was that I had no idea how much things cost, or would cost, so I felt like I couldn't set a budget. Therefore, I am posting what we ended up spending in hopes that it helps some future Brides. Our priority areas were photography and music. I'm sure I've included more information than you will ever need, or you may ever include in your wedding budget, but I want to be as helpful as possible. For example, we got legally married in the states before we went to Mexico. While small, there were fees associated with that (and a small celebration after-- which I included in our wedding budget). Additionally, we had a "spa day" before heading to Mexico where I got my nails done and a wax and my husband got his hair cut. While to some people these are "every day" costs, I included them in our wedding budget breakdown because they were out of the norm for us. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions. I will also include planning details as soon as I get pictures back from the photographer.

 

And to those of you who think sharing money information is in poor-form, I ask that you please keep your negative comments to yourself. The one thing I wanted when I was planning was a budget breakdown, so I am just trying to help other brides who feel similarly. Your respect and kindness is appreciated.

 

Category (All prices based on 104 people including bride and groom, DJ, Photographers, with 1 infant and 3 children)	Price Paid
Airfare (PHL-CUN)	$1240
Checked Bags (checked 3 on the way down, 1 on the way back)	$100
Taxi Cab (to and from airport in PHL)	$70
Hotel Room (bride and groom stay free promotion)	$0
Photographer	$3500
Engagement Photos (photographer fee included above. This is for make up, cabs to locations, and flowers)	$69
Legal Wedding Celebration (dinner and a night out)	$172
Officiant Fee (ceremony was performed by a friend for free, but we got him a thank you gift)	$50
Marriage License	$80
Bridal Shower thank you gifts (for my hosts)	$114.48
Bachelor Party	$924
Bachelorette Party	$70
Dress	$600
Dress Accessories	$83
Dress Alterations	$375
Pre-wedding Spa Day	$218
Groom's Suit	$600
Rings	$1005
Maid of Honor Thank Yous	$47
Mexico Officiant Thank Yous (my brother)	$52.50
Groomsmen gifts	$17
Stationary (invites, thank yous. My invitations had to be re-done, so most brides should be able to do this for much less)	$529
Postage (my mom paid for postage on the invites-- this postage covered all the Thank Yous)	$59.50
Wedding Package (Pearl)	$950
Venue (Beach Gazebo)	$0
Food ($26/person dinner option (100 people+3 children+1 infant+ DJ+20% private party discount) Included table clothes, chairs, dinnerware and gratuity.	$2100.8
Ceremony Decorations (two large corsages, all-white flowers. The resort provided the white sheers for free because they had been left up from a previous wedding)	$140
Centerpieces from Lomas (13 table hurricane lamps, $10 each)	$130
Dance floor (this was an entirely unnecessary expense)	$500
Wedding set-up fee (Free because we only had table numbers and seating cards, which the resort does not provide)	$0
DJ Doremixx ($800 outside vendor fee+$800 for DJ+$4 Western Union charge)	$1604
Bouquets (charged $85, $20 for me and $65 for my MOH. Ended up getting for free because they messed up the flower order)	$0
Favors and Seating Cards (my mom maid the table numbers, so those costs are not included)	$429.89
Programs, Do Not Disturb Door hangers, and Menus	$72.83
Hair (my aunt did the bridal party's hair for free)	$0
Makeup for Bridal Party (4 people) at resort ($314.54+$20 tip)	$334.54
Hotel Room Gratuities	$20
Other Gratuities (Wedding Coordinators ($30); Massages ($40); tips to hotel staff ($70)	$140
TOTAL	$16,397.24

 

NOT included in this budget:

1. Our welcome reception. Since we used our "Free" wedding reception as our rehearsal dinner with family, my mother-in-law covered the cost of the welcome cocktail hour.

2. Invitation postage and Table numbers. My mother covered these costs for us.

3. Transportation to and from the Cancun airport to our hotel was included in our room package.

 

If you think I've missed something or have questions, please let me know.

[PPMay2013]

Vendor list:

 

Wedding Resort: Azul Sensatori

Honeymoon Resort: El Dorado Maroma

Photographer: Sam Hurd (Sam Hurd Photography).  Amazing, amazing, amazing. Pictures to come. Sam brought Doug Pettway as his second-shooter

Dress: The Sample Rack The ladies were very nice and genuinely excited to help me shop. They did push the sale a little bit, but that's their job. I bought a dress by Sincerity.

Dress Alterations: Nilah and Co.  Nilah is one of the least friendly people I've ever met. She will not give you the warm fuzzies. HOWEVER, I think she did a nice job, and I've been told her prices were very reasonable (?I find all alteration prices to be completely unreasonable, so this may be a personal preference). She is in the Philadelphia area.

Groom's Suit: Nordstrom

Rings: Drue Sanders

MOH Gifts: Essie nail polishes

Groomsmen gifts: Sunglasses in yellow, clear and color-blocked

Officiant gift: Map cuff-links  by Kathylorockskeepsakes   She was very quick, though she did forget to send me the proof of the cufflinks before she actually made them and sent them to me. Make sure you're clear on your communications with her.

Stationery: All invitations, menus, programs, thank you, and door hangers were from Vistaprint. We made specialty cards for our families through a GREATVendor,Holly Coy of Heart and Hope Designs.

Ceremony and Reception Decor and Flowers: Weddings by Lomas.  Very expensive, but more convenient for my needs. I wanted very simple and basic.

DJ: DJ Doremixx.  Our party RAVED about him.  Definitely worth the outside vendor fee.

Favors and Seating Cards: We bought customized mugs from Factory21. The vendor was amazing to work with, but the mugs ended up being kind of crappy. The ink design ran so by the end of the week, all of the mugs were just plain white. We also bought starfish bottle openers from Favor Warehouse. We also used them for our seashell seating cards.

Hair: Danita from Sugar House Salon and Spa

Makeup: Azul Sensatori Spa.  The ladies were WONDERFUL. We got massages there too and they were the best I've ever had (Augustin and Miriam).

[kimsing12]

This is AMAZING!! and so helpful!! 104 people!! Truly awesome!!

[Jess878]

Thanks for all the helpful information, very detailed.

[PPMay2013]

Originally Posted by Jess878 

 

Thanks for all the helpful information, very detailed.

 

Originally Posted by kimsing12 

 

This is AMAZING!! and so helpful!! 104 people!! Truly awesome!!

 

Happy to help! Good luck to you and congratulations!! xoxo

[PPMay2013]

Here are some sneak previews from our second shooter/assistant photographer: Doug Pettway from Douglas Pettway photography:

http://www.douglaspettway.com/a-cancun-destination-wedding/

 

Doug was amazing to work with and one of the sweetest people I've ever met. We'd highly recommend him!!!

[m8chow]

Thank you soo much for sharing.  I feel the exact same way about our budget.  We're headed to Azul Sensatori in January and budgeting has been so difficult.  Having this budget breakdown is helping to calm my nerves.  I'm going to start a similar table.  Thanks again!
 

[Marymack]

Thanks so much for the spreadsheet and the pictures are awesome!!!

Here are some sneak previews from our second shooter/assistant photographer: Doug Pettway from Douglas Pettway photography: http://www.douglaspettway.com/a-cancun-destination-wedding/ Doug was amazing to work with and one of the sweetest people I've ever met. We'd highly recommend him!!!

[Recy]

Thank you!!! Your budget was up there!!!!

[PPMay2013]

Originally Posted by Marymack 

 

Thanks so much for the spreadsheet and the pictures are awesome!!!

Thanks Marymack! Good luck in your planning!