Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[ELAINENYC]

1. I brought all of my own decorations, which was not a lot. I kept it simple. I was charged $150. I brought down gazebo sheers and chair sashes for the ceremony.  For the reception, i brought down lanterns, candles, flower petals to scatter on the table, menus, guest mad libs, and more chair sashes for the chairs at the reception. The only i bought down there were maracas.

 

2. If you use an outside vendor, you can avoid the $800 vendor fee by having them stay for 3nights. I splurged in this dept by using Elizabeth Medina. I did not pay the $800 vendor fee since I told them she was staying for 3 nights. She actually was only able to stay for 2 nights so it was much cheaper than the $800 vendor fee.  The Resort did not give me a problem with her only staying for the 2nights.

 

3. This is really all up to you. Honestly, almost anything looks romantic on the beach! I have seen so many different types of gowns and they all looked beautiful. I did not have a veil and i did not have a long train. I will post pics soon so you can see and then decided.

 

4. I totally agree in this dept. I am only 5ft tall and my husband is 5'10". So I definitely needed to be taller. I opted for platform wedge flip flops for the beach ceremony. Then I changed to heels for the reception. Since I splurged on my photographer, I purchased inexpensive shoes at http://www.bridalshoesus.com/home.php  They charged no sales tax and free shipping.

 

5. I would suggest calling, esp for the older family members. I know its a pain and very time consuming but your family/friends would appreciate it a lot more than an email. Of course, I'm sure there are guests who would totally be ok with an email so those guests i would send an email to.  Plus the holidays are coming up so you can bring it up then and see what feedback you get.

 

6. I did not do any live music. But I wish I hired the mariachi band for the smores bonfire. I did have a photo booth and cigar roller during my reception which was a hit!

 

Hope this is helpful...

Originally Posted by KayaWasTaken 

Now that I'm official, I'm ready to ask my seventeen hundred questions!

 

1. I see everyone talking about bringing down their own decorations... Are there rules on what you can bring, and what has to come from AS? BTW, without this forum, I would have never even known that bringing my own bows etc was even an (awesome) option!

 

2. What was everyone's decision on the photographer? For me, this is probably the most important part, besides actually getting married, of course, lol. I am willing to make this a bigger part of the budget, and give up some other things. I have to say, I am really not crazy about any of the AS approved choices, so I guess I will have no choice but pay the $800 fee... Well, I got some prices, and I really like Elizabeth Medina, but their packages start at $5,250, and $6K seems pretty high! Anyone use a local photographer they loved? Any way to get out of the $800 fee?

 

3. Train or no train? I'm the clumsiest person alive, and I'm convinced I will trip walking down the isle if I have a train, but would having a long veil be "romantic" enough?

 

4. Shoes! I definitely want heels for as long as I can bear it (then will probably switch to white wedges of some sort, yet to find them, too)... Any recommendations for a cute but COMFY white heels? Brands? Stores? Styles?

 

5. How did you go about getting a headcount? My WP keeps saying email, but I can't help but feel like it's tacky to have that be the first announcement of our wedding, especially for older family members... On the other hand, we are inviting about 200 people, but expecting only 40-60 to make it, so printed stuff will get pricey...

 

6. Entertainment: Did anyone have the Fire Dancers or any of the Live Music?

 

That's all for now, I appreciate any input the more experienced of you may have! Thanks in advance!

[TammyWright]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am happy to report that we have added a new member to the BDW Team (and hope to add more in the near future!).

 

Congratulations to Miriam (Murmel).  Miriam has done an amazing job helping Azul Sensatori Brides and will now work on being the Brand Specialist for all of the Karisma Hotels (Azul Sensatori, Azul Beach, Azul Fives, El Droado Maroma, El Dorado Seaside, El Dorado Royal & El Dorado Casitas).

 

She will pretty much continue doing what she has been doing, which is helping BDW brides!

 

Welcome to the BDW Team, Miriam!

[RachelTX]

Originally Posted by ELAINENYC 

 

1. I brought all of my own decorations, which was not a lot. I kept it simple. I was charged $150. I brought down gazebo sheers and chair sashes for the ceremony.  For the reception, i brought down lanterns, candles, flower petals to scatter on the table, menus, guest mad libs, and more chair sashes for the chairs at the reception. The only i bought down there were maracas.

 

2. If you use an outside vendor, you can avoid the $800 vendor fee by having them stay for 3nights. I splurged in this dept by using Elizabeth Medina. I did not pay the $800 vendor fee since I told them she was staying for 3 nights. She actually was only able to stay for 2 nights so it was much cheaper than the $800 vendor fee.  The Resort did not give me a problem with her only staying for the 2nights.

 

3. This is really all up to you. Honestly, almost anything looks romantic on the beach! I have seen so many different types of gowns and they all looked beautiful. I did not have a veil and i did not have a long train. I will post pics soon so you can see and then decided.

 

4. I totally agree in this dept. I am only 5ft tall and my husband is 5'10". So I definitely needed to be taller. I opted for platform wedge flip flops for the beach ceremony. Then I changed to heels for the reception. Since I splurged on my photographer, I purchased inexpensive shoes at http://www.bridalshoesus.com/home.php  They charged no sales tax and free shipping.

 

5. I would suggest calling, esp for the older family members. I know its a pain and very time consuming but your family/friends would appreciate it a lot more than an email. Of course, I'm sure there are guests who would totally be ok with an email so those guests i would send an email to.  Plus the holidays are coming up so you can bring it up then and see what feedback you get.

 

6. I did not do any live music. But I wish I hired the mariachi band for the smores bonfire. I did have a photo booth and cigar roller during my reception which was a hit!

 

Hope this is helpful...

Elaine-  Can you tell me more about the cigar roller.  The way the description reads I am not exactly sure what to expect.  

[kathryn83]

Thank to all the recent brides for the updates on your experiences! 

 

We're shopping right now for an iPod dock to take down with us. Has anyone brought their own recently? Any issues that we should be aware of?

 

Thanks!

[vlivins]

Hi ladies!

 

I am just wondering if anyone has the measurements for the white folding chairs for the Sky Deck? I am looking to do something like the pic below to make a mismatched ceremony and I plan to make the chair covers myself with different patterns (with the folding chairs instead of the tiffany ones)

[RachelTX]

Originally Posted by vlivins 

 

Hi ladies!

 

I am just wondering if anyone has the measurements for the white folding chairs for the Sky Deck? I am looking to do something like the pic below to make a mismatched ceremony and I plan to make the chair covers myself with different patterns (with the folding chairs instead of the tiffany ones)

I don't but LOVE the idea!!  I considered doing something like this as well....but then decided not to.  Good Luck!  I know it will look fabulous!!  

[TammyWright]

Just a reminder, Karisma Hotels Wedding Webinar is this Saturday @ 9:00am PST.  The link has more information on how to register.

 

There is still time to register, but spots are limited.

[JennyBenz]

Hi there!! I heard about it through another bride [believe it was murmel], there are markets in Cancun.Market 23 and Market 28 offer supplies & favors, decoration etc. It's a "local" area, so not as tourist-y but you can negotiate price for sure! I would say bring cash and if possible use pesos, so they can't get you with coverting to US dollars =) I just googled those two markets and a lot of useful info. came up check it out!!

 

Originally Posted by MK0386 


I'm interested in learning more about the markets, too! How far are they/ how much is a cab there?? Where can I learn more about what they have to buy there? I'm assuming it's all cash and negotiable prices?

Welcome back and congratulations!!! I'm sorry to hear about all of the hiccups you had with cooridnators. I work w/ Lynda as well and I think most of the planners in that office take FOREVER to repsond! It's one thing when it's months away, but when final payments are due, you'd think they would be on top of it! Also, I must have asked them a hundred times about set up fee and I knew there was a way they'd find to charge more, which is crazy! But atleast it was only $100 more and not another $250! I'm sure it all turned out lovely even with the few headaches throughout the day. Can't wait to see some pictures!! Oh and also, I really think you should email or call a manager regarding the issue you ahd w/ the decorations being returned in such a terrible state. I would definitely not let that be forgooten about so easily, there's a reason you're bringing them home, so you have momentos! What a shame =(

Originally Posted by erinkatherine 

Quote:

[JennyBenz]

Hey! OK first thing first, I would check w/ your wedding coordinator to see what kind of chairs they can provide for your ceremony/reception. When I inquired, the only chairs they use are white and foldable. If you are looking for something like in the picture [which i LOVE] the resort will definitely have to get through Lomas and they are NOT cheap! But look into it, maybe you can even do the covers with the white chairs?? This is beauitful though!!

Originally Posted by vlivins 

Hi ladies!

 

I am just wondering if anyone has the measurements for the white folding chairs for the Sky Deck? I am looking to do something like the pic below to make a mismatched ceremony and I plan to make the chair covers myself with different patterns (with the folding chairs instead of the tiffany ones)

[kathryn83]

Been hard at work on sourcing items for our OOT bags. Am so stuck on what to get the MEN. Does the resort have any sort of innertube rental/pool floats for adults? Thought that could work if they don't offer anything.