Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[pbrozek]

Here's some ideas on how I cut corners:

• brought down my own paper lanterns - ~$40 for 20 lanterns from asianideas.com. They fold flat in your suitcase.
• made my own LED throwies to light the lanterns - ~13. Bought the LED lights and Batteries from ebay. Search the forums for "LED Throwies" for complete material lists.
• brought down my own centerpieces - ~20 for 5 vases, and I'm filling them with limes purchased locally in Mexico. Add a little water to the vase and voila, centerpieces.
• I'm arranging a bride side vs. groom side beach/pool volleyball game so that everyone will have a chance to meet each other - FREE
• paid for the amplifier for the reception - ~$250. We made our own playlists for the wedding.
• we did spring for the sheers for the ceremony, but that's it.

 

As for what's available for your reception, check out http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/

 

I hope that helps!

 

Originally Posted by kathryn83 

Well I'm brand new to BDW, and am thisclose to choosing Azul Sensatori for my May 2013 wedding. I spent this weekend reading the last year of posts on this thread, so I hope my questions aren't too redundant.

Our budget is extremely limited, so I'm wondering the best way to cut corners. It seems like a lot of you brought your own decorations. I was planning on using whatever sparse inclusions came with the free or Pearl package, but now I'm feeling like I should budget for sheers or lanterns or something. How little do you think I could get away with?

I was also trying to come up with options to enhance my guests' experience, but I'm having difficulty obtaining much information since we haven't booked yet. I'm thinking the s'mores bonfire would be a suitable welcome gift. Then I was considering doing the donkey bar (sans donkey) as a private cocktail reception after the ceremony. We'd follow this with "free" reservation dinner at Spoons (are there other options?). Does this make sense to do? Is there a better option? I don't think we'll have a DJ or anything like that since I'd rather spend my resort fee money on a photographer.

How much in the way of extras (flowers, setup, hair) would you estimate you spent?

I would love to just book the resort and figure it all out later, but since we're cash-limited it'd help me to be able to ballpark additional expenses.

This thread is amazing; thanks in advance!

 

(and this might be a double post)
 

 

[pbrozek]

I can't belive it's here ladies! I leave on Saturday for Mexico! Wish me luck. I hope all the planning and hours stressing are worth it!

 

Thanks again everyone for helping me during this process. Your experience and kindness have been invaluable.

 

YAY!

 

Paula

[Suenorelle]

what did they charge you for set up of bringing your own materials? just curious as we were going to bring some items but they have not quoted us the fee. Also, did oyu need more than the amp in regards to speakers for the reception music or were you ok with just that. We are flying in our DJ and figuring out what equipment he will be able to bring vs. rent.

Thanks!

[larazach]

I ran into the same issue with Sunwing Vacations. They gave me the best quote but then required that I put down $150 per guest to hold their spot. This had to be done within 14 days! How on earth can they possibly expect me to know who was coming within that time and if i quote too many, I lose my deposit!?! I then went to Flight Centre, sent them the quote Sunwing gave me and got the same price plus the put $400 down to hold 30 seats for 90 days. We booked right away and are getting married this October 3rd, 2012! So excited.

[Suenorelle]

Ours is actually just direclt with the hotel for rooms.. not even counting flights... hmmm...

If you do book rooms via a travel agent do you still get the free room for your stay via the free BG package?

We are just getting started on the travel portion of details so I really appreciate everyone's advice!

[jsal4]

My wedding is October 12, 2012. 

 

Coordinating travel is very hard. I did it for my sister's wedding about 2 years ago, but for 16 poeple. We are expecting 50-75 people, so that's why I am using a travel agent. Some guests have had lots of questions about the traveling and I have been researching and updateing my website to share with the other guests. Take a look at my website, under Travel Arrangements (www.weddingwire.com/kurtandjosephine). Hopefully this helps you out!

 

I have been working with a wedding coordinator that works directly with Azul Sensatori but is located in Miami. They assigned her to me when I booked my wedding. I am actually almost done planning everything with the hotel for now. I have ordered flowers, sheers, sound system (no dj for us), made my spa appointments, reserved the location of the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception and booked my photographer today (I decided to go with an outside vendor, Ivan Luckie....his work looks amazing and worth the extra money). All I have left is ordering the food, which I can't do until I have a head count on the number of guests attending. Also, I am bringing my own decorations and they advised that their is a charge that must be paid in cash on the day of the wedding, when I asked how much she advised no more than $5 per guest. It didn't really make sense to me but I feel like it will still be cheaper than getting all the decorations from them.

[Suenorelle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsal4 
 

My wedding is October 12, 2012.

 

Coordinating travel is very hard. I did it for my sister's wedding about 2 years ago, but for 16 poeple. We are expecting 50-75 people, so that's why I am using a travel agent. Some guests have had lots of questions about the traveling and I have been researching and updateing my website to share with the other guests. Take a look at my website, under Travel Arrangements (www.weddingwire.com/kurtandjosephine). Hopefully this helps you out!

 

I have been working with a wedding coordinator that works directly with Azul Sensatori but is located in Miami. They assigned her to me when I booked my wedding. I am actually almost done planning everything with the hotel for now. I have ordered flowers, sheers, sound system (no dj for us), made my spa appointments, reserved the location of the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception and booked my photographer today (I decided to go with an outside vendor, Ivan Luckie....his work looks amazing and worth the extra money). All I have left is ordering the food, which I can't do until I have a head count on the number of guests attending. Also, I am bringing my own decorations and they advised that their is a charge that must be paid in cash on the day of the wedding, when I asked how much she advised no more than $5 per guest. It didn't really make sense to me but I feel like it will still be cheaper than getting all the decorations from them.

 

 

 

Thank you sooo soo much for the info!!! We are getting married on the 19th of Oct. we booked Ivan Luckie as well. Have you met him? We did durring our site visit. He is fantastic! Great choice going with him! Really great guy! And yes - amazing work!! We are thinking about bringing our own DJ down. What did they charge you dor the sound system?

Thanks for the info on the room bookings - so did you figure out rates with the person in miama and then loop in your travel agent? We got to the point of disucssing rates - so want to make sure we can still bring in a TA. Thanks!!!

[murmel]

 

 

Originally Posted by pbrozek 

 

I can't belive it's here ladies! I leave on Saturday for Mexico! Wish me luck. I hope all the planning and hours stressing are worth it!

 

Thanks again everyone for helping me during this process. Your experience and kindness have been invaluable.

 

YAY!

 

Paula

So excited for you Paula! Good luck with the packing (I am sure there is lots to pack LOL), safe travels and lots of sunshine. Have an amazing time, and remember to take some time to just enjoy yourself. Have a beautiful wedding, and can't wait to see pictures when you get back!

 

Originally Posted by Suenorelle 

 

what did they charge you for set up of bringing your own materials? just curious as we were going to bring some items but they have not quoted us the fee. Also, did oyu need more than the amp in regards to speakers for the reception music or were you ok with just that. We are flying in our DJ and figuring out what equipment he will be able to bring vs. rent.

Thanks!

The set-up fee is really random. The per person cost, is based on how much stuff they may have to set up (ie. table decor, seating charts, favours, etc.). I think we paid $120 US and have 63 guests. They set up lanterns, centrepieces, seating charts, name cards, menu cards, and stuff for the kids table. But I have also heard some brides get charged $50-250 US. So what you need to know, is it is a "cash" price, you must pay cash for the set-up. It essentially goes straight to the staff who are doing the extra work, so a lot of the time it just depends on who your WC is.

 

The amp system rental had lots of speakers, and a mic for $250. It worked out really well for us, but keep in mind we just had an iPod to play music on. They had a staff member fade the music on/off for us when our MC or guests came up to use the mic. Not sure if it is a DJ type system....as your WC for the full details as to what is included.

 

 

[kathryn83]

Great tips, thank you!

[tkuzma]

Hello everyone!

 

I've been scouring this forum for awhile now and trying to read the threads from the beginning (there's so many!). I am so excited because I finally received my confirmation for our ceremony on February the 7, 2013!

 

Looking forward to chatting with you all