Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[2ndtimesacharm]

Originally Posted by DawnDean 

 

I need help with centerpieces.  Are most of you getting them from Lomas?  They are so expensive and I will probably have 8 tables.  I'd love to make my own but not sure how to get them down there... any advice ladies? 

 

What's your "theme?"  We're only having 1 large table so I can't help much but I've heard of some brides bringing plastic vases with them as they're light and likely won't break.  If you have enough bridesmaids you could use their flowers as centerpieces and only have to buy a couple to fill in the rest of the tables.  We are renting beach lanterns for $7 as part of our tablescape which I think are a nice alternative to flowers.  Then we're adding some seashells, beachglass, and these photo luminaries:

 

 

Here's the instructions for making them: http://www.marthastewart.com/267514/photo-centerpiece

 

I'm not using frames, just mats, so I can fold them down easily and they don't add much to the weight of our already heavy luggage!  I'll post pictures of how it all turned out when we get back next month.

[2ndtimesacharm]

Originally Posted by 2ndtimesacharm 

 

 

 We are renting beach lanterns for $7 as part of our tablescape which I think are a nice alternative to flowers.  Then we're adding some seashells, beachglass, and these photo luminaries:

 

 

Sorry, lanterns are only $5 each.

 

http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/details1.php?category=Candles_Lanterns_and_Torches&cpp=3&pagina=3

[JennyBenz]

Thanks so much Elaine!! I have heard so many good things about Doremixx! I'm very skeptical of booking the Lomas DJ's b/c I can't find any information on them at all, so that's probably why everyone books outside vendors! So if I book a room for them for the night we don't have to pay the outside vendor fee? In that case, if it's only $150 pp it definitely beats spendng $800 that's completely useless. Ohh I love Elizabeth Medina's work!! I want to check out her rates, but I'm sure any photographer down there will be a TON cheaper than what we would pay in New York  LOL Thanks for your help =)

Originally Posted by ELAINENYC 

  

I booked with DJ Doremixx b/c he came HIGHLY recommended by many of the past brides and they said it was well worth paying the vendor fee of $800. His fee is not outrageous and if you do not add on extra stuff it would be about $800 for the night. Like you, I was having a hard time looking up reviews of the approved DJ's. I just chalked it up to most brides did not use the approved DJs? that is just my assessment....

As for the photographer, I went with Elizabeth Medina. Instead of paying the vendor fee, I have added her to my guest list since I will be receiving 1 free room. I looked into Claudia photo and Ivan Luckie photography, who also had great reviews from other brides. Unfortunately, they are also not approved photographers.

sorry i am not much help on Lomas approved photographers and DJs

[DawnDean]

Originally Posted by ELAINENYC 

 

 I am keeping the centerpieces very very simple. I do prefer to have flower centerpieces but lomas charges an arm and a leg. So I opted for simple and pretty. Not sure how much this will cost but I can't imagine it being too costly. At least I hope not.

 

Thank you for sharing this.. they are beautiful... one question though, can you bring that glass on the plane?  I didn't think you can for safety reasons.

[DawnDean]

Originally Posted by murmel 

 

We simply went into town and bought some large vases at the local market. I think 8 vases cost us $14US total. Then we bought limes and put them into the vase and filled it with water. Nothing exciting but I think it cost us about $25 US for all 8. You could easily change the fruit to be a number of colours-orange, yellow, red, etc. (see photo below)

I think we spent about the same. I bought the girls some silver jewelry from Mexico (earrings, necklace) and then paid for a manicure and pedicure. You could pay for their hair and get some cute jewelry down there (it's better easy to find some unique pieces which don't cost a lot.).

 

Thanks for the reply... you "went into town?"  I was thinking of that but didnt want to get caught not finding what I needed.  Is it easy to find "stuff" for centerpieces there?  How far was town and which town did you go to?  I think it will be too heavy and difficult to pack the glass vases.  Please let me know where you found them.  Thanks so much.  This board is so fabulous!

[DawnDean]

Originally Posted by Christined 

 

Murmel- when you say "went into town" to get the vases and BM jewellery, did you go to Playa Del Carmen or Puerto Morelos for it? My TA said Playa Del Carmen has much more to choose from (we are getting maracas there but Puerto Morelos does have some stuff and its so much closer.

Ladies, check this out! One of my BMs found this online and I thought it was a pretty cool idea...especially if you want to do some spa things with your crew (this could be an idea to do with your BM as a gift b/c is it is so affordable compared to the resort prices) I like the non profit idea and the fact that your money is going to Mayan women and their families is nice too. Has anyone tried it? Check out the link below and you can also find it on Trip Advisor- great reviews!

http://www.mayaecho.com/Jungle_Spa.html

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g240327-d1466783-Reviews-Jungle_Spa-Puerto_Morelos_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

Are you sure you can get the Maracas there?  I would assume being in Mexico!  I was going to order them before hand and take them down there but anything I can buy once I get there will definitely help!

[DawnDean]

Are you all making your own Menu to place at each seat?  Don't they include that for us?  I thought I read somewhere that  a personalized menu was part of the packages for the reception.  AND, if you did use the ones they provided, were they nice?

[Christined]

Originally Posted by DawnDean 

 

Are you all making your own Menu to place at each seat?  Don't they include that for us?  I thought I read somewhere that  a personalized menu was part of the packages for the reception.  AND, if you did use the ones they provided, were they nice?

 

This has been really confusing for me too but I actually just received an email from my WC about it. I will copy and paste it below with the pic of the menu card she sent me. But yes, I think we will end up making place cards and menus for each guest b/c I think we have to according to this!

 

- For the private event in Zocalo Alfresco, Dena was asking me to decide on menu options now. We have looked at it and we want to give the guests 2 options for their main course. So do we need to ask them their choice before we come there and have numbers all ready to go? Yes! I will need to know the number of entrees selected in order to calculate the total and for the hotel to make sure the correct number of entrees are made.  Are you thinking on having the ‘Pick and Choose Menu’?  If so, you will need to select 1 first course, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert.  Each guest would have the same 1^st course and dessert.  You will also need to make menu cards/entrée cards so the servers will know who is getting which entrée. And in the Silver package there is a personalized menu card included, is that for the private dinner? What does it look like?  The personalized menu card is for the semi-private dinner reservation for up to 40 guests at Spoon International.  I have attached what the menu card looks like.

 

 

Originally Posted by DawnDean 

 

Are you sure you can get the Maracas there?  I would assume being in Mexico!  I was going to order them before hand and take them down there but anything I can buy once I get there will definitely help!

 

I have searched high and low to figure out a way to get the maracas for the wedding b/c I love them and think its a cute idea. So I have found a lot online but we didn't want to pay to get them shipped to Canada and then pay extra luggage fees to take them back to Mexico. My TA, who got married here a couple of years ago, got hers in Playa Del Carmen. She went into town one afternoon and got them for about $3 each, and there were a tonne to choose from. They won't be personalized but we plan on taking little cards with a saying and our wedding date to attach to them with ribbon or something. Or someone else suggested to bring a couple of those silver or gold permanent marker pens to write on them with.

[ELAINENYC]

JennyBenz - Nice to see someone from NY on this forum!   Sorry i was not clear..let me clarify.  If you use an outside vendor, you either pay $800 or you add them to your guest list, meaning they stay for a min. of 3 nights.  Since I am booking over 15 rooms, I will be receiving 1 extra room for free (3 night stay for double occupancy).  So I am giving this free room to Elizabeth Medina and her assistant.  So on my Wedding Detail Sheet, it states "photographer - outside vendor". But instead of adding $800 onto my package, my WC wrote "on guest list".  If you are interested in Elizabeth Medina, I can email you her price listing and the different packages she offers.  Just send me an email... [email protected].  Photographers anywhere outside of NY would be cheaper. lol.  Do you live in manhattan? I use to live in UES, but my rent was getting ridiculous so i am now residing in bayside.

 

DawnDean - Good Question - i should probably double check with the airlines, but I had planned on dividing it amongst my family and myself and placing it in the carry-on bags (of course wrapped tightly in newspaper). I have carried glassware before in my carry-on and never had a problem. But you never know these days, since they seem to change the rules on what you can and cannot carry-on to the plane. Sill not sure if i am flying AA or Jetblue but i'll call both just to be sure... And yes, i totally agree, this forum is awesome and its only b/c the brides on here are soo supportive and helpful!!  BTW- i planned on buying the maracas when i arrive....i'm sure this will not be difficult to find.

[murmel]

Originally Posted by Christined 

 

Murmel- when you say "went into town" to get the vases and BM jewellery, did you go to Playa Del Carmen or Puerto Morelos for it? My TA said Playa Del Carmen has much more to choose from (we are getting maracas there but Puerto Morelos does have some stuff and its so much closer.

We went into Cancun. See the note below for vase info please!

 

The jewelry we bought at the local Market 28-the souvenir and jewelry market. 

 

Originally Posted by ELAINENYC 

 

 So glad you posted this question! I am budgeting for less since I am already paying for their hair, make-up, & dress. I am hoping to spend about $50 on each bridesmaid (i have 4) on something meaningful. Unfortunately, 2 out of the 4 girls are not big on jewlry. I am open to any suggestions. What about your groosmen? What are you getting them? Same thing, I am hoping to spend about $50.

Instead of jewelry, about a nice shoulder shawl? Cool pair of new sunglasses? Or a nice bottle of wine (at home)?

Groomsmen- we bought them watches (but it was closer to $100 each). But there are lots of beautiful watches out there for $50. Fossil, Casio, etc. Other ideas- personalized flask, pen.

 

Originally Posted by DawnDean 

 

Thank you for sharing this.. they are beautiful... one question though, can you bring that glass on the plane?  I didn't think you can for safety reasons.

That's true. You cannot take glass as carry-on. However if it is securely packed into your checked luggage (ie. suitcase) they will accept it. Just be prepared to have the glass break. Which might mean packing extra, or being able to deal with the idea of missing a few vases/centerpieces.

Originally Posted by DawnDean 

 

Thanks for the reply... you "went into town?"  I was thinking of that but didnt want to get caught not finding what I needed.  Is it easy to find "stuff" for centerpieces there?  How far was town and which town did you go to?  I think it will be too heavy and difficult to pack the glass vases.  Please let me know where you found them.  Thanks so much.  This board is so fabulous!

We actually went into Cancun. (both Cancun and Playa del Carmen about 20 minutes away). We hired a private driver with SUV through Lomas (and I think it was about $160 for 4 hours). I can also suggest a few rental car companies which will pick you up, take you to their office and then get you into a car. (they will cost you about $55/day). We travelled to Market 23 and found the vases and limes there. You can also visit the local Walmart=we have seen vases there as well. (just be prepared to have a different size/shape. When we went there were square, oval and cylinder vases. We knew going down that we wanted a vase...we were open to shapes/sizes and found them no problem.) (if you were to look at a map we found the vases in a party supply store which was on a road, in the south east corner of Market 23 (it's known as the food/candy/party market.))

 

Originally Posted by DawnDean 

 

Are you all making your own Menu to place at each seat?  Don't they include that for us?  I thought I read somewhere that  a personalized menu was part of the packages for the reception.  AND, if you did use the ones they provided, were they nice?

We did not get menus included with our wedding. We had menus printed at home and brought them with us.