Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[RachelTX]

Originally Posted by murmel 

 

Let's see what I can answer:

1) Are you doing an OOT bag or a welcome note? If you are you could include something like "we'll be at the Mojito bar for drinks before dinner on Wednesday and Thursday night 6-7pm, hope to see you all there" (example). As for where the best spot is: the Mojito bar is really central and in the main lobby. Also another great spot is the adult bar (so only useful if your guests are all adults), which is located at the back side of the adult pool. They also have live music in the evenings before dinner (about 5:30 to 7:30pm). 

 

What is considered ADULT?  18? 21?  

 

2) You can ask to have a list of your guests rooms, however they will likely change multiple times, so this may not be exact. (they may also not due it due to privacy issues, so you should ask your WC specifically for that list- NOT the front desk) If you can, have a list of your guests and ask them as you see them for their room numbers. (ie. carry this list in your purse/beach bag for the first day or two). Once you have the rooms confirmed you could get them to photocopy a few to give to your bridal party. We had included a welcome book in our OOT bags with a list of all our guests, with a blank space for the room number. The guests who knew each other, than just filled out the rooms numbers they wanted, I had a master list of all our guests. (to see the welcome book, look at my planning thread:http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/69198/murmels-planning-journal-pic-and-template-heavy)

 

How funny is it that I didn't even think to print off everyone's name and just ask them their room numbers, lol.  Do you think my onsite WC would run about 15 copies once I have it all filled in?  That seems like a GREAT idea.  

 

3) The Mojito bar has a live band/music every evening after dinner and the show (so about 10pm). If you pick a well known/popular song, it's very likely that the band will know it and would be able to play it for you. Usually the lead is also very helpful (especially if you give them a small tip) and will announce it's your wedding and first dance. I have seen this happen multiple times. So be prepared with a couple of song options and you should have no problems. There is usually a DJ every evening in the 'teen club/dance bar' later in the night (about 11pm). It's always empty in there, but if you went with your entire wedding party, you could essentially take it over!

The other option, if you are taking a Ipod dock with you is to simply have everyone follow you to a location (on the beach, quiet area under the gazebo, etc.) and play your first dance with everyone surrounding you. There are lots of spots where you could plug in the dock if required, or if it's just one song, if it's battery powered it could be anywhere! 

 

I'm probably not picking a popular/traditional first dance song....so...we'll probably just go with the ipod dock and out somewhere on the beach.  We have ordered cigars for after dinner and thought we might go get drinks and enjoy them on the beach so that might be the perfect time after dinner to do the first dance as well  

 

Good to know that the band/DJ would probably be willing to introduce us or whatever for a small tip  

 

Speaking of tips....should you/how much should you tip your onsite WC?  I don't really have any "extra" setting up for them to do.....

Hope that helps!

[murmel]

Originally Posted by RachelTX 

 

What is considered ADULT?  18? 21?  

It's Mexico- so I would guess 16 LOL. It's just so that it looks a little more classy (and not to have kids running underfoot).

How funny is it that I didn't even think to print off everyone's name and just ask them their room numbers, lol.  Do you think my onsite WC would run about 15 copies once I have it all filled in?  That seems like a GREAT idea.  

I would print off your guest list at home, and perhaps make copies for your guests. Then just get your WC to print you off a master list (hopefully it will have the correct rooms). Then you can fill in a blank beside your guest name on the lists you have preprinted. (otherwise you might be waiting for quite a while to get 'copies') Also you can hand blank lists to your guests and have them fill in the room numbers they need (ie. your friends will only really want your other friends numbers, while your family will want other family members numbers)

Speaking of tips....should you/how much should you tip your onsite WC?  I don't really have any "extra" setting up for them to do..

It is a personal decision. Tipping is not required, but always a thoughtful thing to do. I would personally suggest about $10-20 for each WC (that deals with you). We had 2 specific WC assigned to us. I took some blank 'Thank you' cards and simply slipped the tip in there and delivered it to them a day after the wedding. 

 

As for the ipod dock, I think that will work out great! Enjoy 

[kathryn83]

Happy New Year, ladies! 

 

I'm sitting down to do some menu planning. Any past brides want to share what you served at your cocktail hour and reception?

[ZaraP]

Where are you having your reception at the hotel?? Got any pictures?? Im still deciding!! :-/ 

[seatkins22]

We are having our reception on the terrace of the Mexican restaurant (called Zocalo Al Fresco).  It is located near the beach (which is where our ceremony will be) and the tradewinds should keep it cool.  I really liked the look of the open poolside gazebo but when we were at the resort earlier this year I found that area to be quite warm and I know my father would appreciate more of a breeze.

[DawnDean]

Can anyone tell me how many strands of lights are needed for the gazebo at Plaza Zavas?  I know there are 6 legs but do they just go up the legs or around the top of the gazebo as well.  Thanks for your input.

[LiLSushi]

Happy new year girls!!

 

I'm excited to announce that this is my first post...and that I can now officially join the Azul Sensatori Brides group!

 

My Fi has booked our wedding in for November 15, 2013!!

 

I'm excited and nervous!!

 

This forum has been a great help in all my research.  I look forward to reading more posts about everyone's planning!

[murmel]

Originally Posted by LiLSushi 

 

Happy new year girls!!

 

I'm excited to announce that this is my first post...and that I can now officially join the Azul Sensatori Brides group!

 

My Fi has booked our wedding in for November 15, 2013!!

 

I'm excited and nervous!!

 

This forum has been a great help in all my research.  I look forward to reading more posts about everyone's planning!

Welcome to the forum! Can't wait to hear more about your wedding planning 

[JennyBenz]

Hi Lil Sushi!!!

Congratulations and welcome to the forum!! You will find such great advice, tips, and ideas on here! Feel free to voice any concerns, share your thoughts, or ask all the questions you have =) We're here to all help each other!!

 

I know what you mean about being excited & nervous- Just know, since it's a DW, there will be hiccups, and you have to accept that. I would get organized, jot down everything you need to do as far as planning and have it all in one place. I put together a list of all the events we're having, vendor information, and all the extras such as decorations, printing jobs, DIY projects, etc and then included prices & balances. This way, you can see what's done, what's paid, and what needs to be taken care of. Hope that helps! The first thing you should do is review the reception & ceremony locations & finalize them with your WC ASAP! I learned this from experience, be sure they confirm it with you. I thought my WC at the time did confirm the locations and then found out they weren't so i lost out on them and have to move elsewhere on the resort. Your WC is there for any & all questions you have- don't be afraid to ask!!

 

So here are some things to think about first:

-What kind of ceremony & reception do you want? Will it be a private event [private area] or will you have a reception dinner in one of the restaurants? Will the ceremony be legal [following Mexican law, it's recognized in the US but you'd have to take the marriage certificate to city hall to be registered. Will it be symbolic? This means it's not a legal ceremony [you'd be legally married back at home or wherever you choose] - this way you can skip all the requirements of a legal ceremony & pretty much create the entire ceremony as you'd wish!

 

-Vendors: Photographer & DJ- You can use one of the resort's vendors if you choose- If you happen to like someone else that's considered an "outside" vendor, keep in mind there will be a "fee" of $800 to allow them on the resort for your wedding day. One way to get around this is the can be booked as a guest [minimum 3 night stay], which most of the time is still cheaper than the $800- this is what we did and we were still paying WAY less than the house vendors wanted to charge- score!

 

-Save The Dates; If you haven't sent these yet, you should send ASAP. This gives your guests a chance to plan ahead & determine if they can make it to the wedding. You can find lots of amazing ideas on the DIY forum!

 

-Budget/planner: Definitely decide on a number, but be prepared not to stick completely to it. 90% of weddings go over budget, so what I did was account an extra $XX for those "just in case" funds.

 

-Look into a travel agent who is also a "gourmet all-inclusive" agent. They can get you top notch group pricing, and provide you with worry-free bookings, as well as giving you some amazing freebies =) 

 

OK I'll stop now, as I'm not sure if you've already done all this- but if not, hope this helps =D

GOOD LUCK & DON'T WORRY!!! It will be a beautiful day, let the days to come be filled with excitement & happiness!!

 

XO

Jen

 

Originally Posted by LiLSushi 

Happy new year girls!!

 

I'm excited to announce that this is my first post...and that I can now officially join the Azul Sensatori Brides group!

 

My Fi has booked our wedding in for November 15, 2013!!

 

I'm excited and nervous!!

 

This forum has been a great help in all my research.  I look forward to reading more posts about everyone's planning!

[JennyBenz]

Hello lovely brides & brides-to-be!! Hope you all had a fabulous holiday & a very happy new year to you all!

[this is very long, sorry, I'm just super excited today hahaha]

 

I had a lot of time off from work due to the holidays, so I really cranked up the wedding planning!

I got tons done, and I'm so excited to say something unexpected happened... I SAID YES TO MY SECOND DRESS!

LOL I can't believe it, I just randomly walked into David's Bridal with my friends to see the Vera Wang Bridesmaids dresses and this VW gown was screaming my name!!!!! I am just so happy- I mentioned a while back I saw my first dress that took 8 months to arrive, and broke down b/c it looked soooo very different & unappealing! I was unhappy & worried with how the outcome would be once it's altered- so since my heart wasn't completely in it, I guess my eyes went wandering!!! They are complete opposites, one is a vintage inspired fitted lace gown and the new one is modern and layered and dare I say puffy! LOL Now, my only concern is how funny I am going to look carrying two huge dress bags onto Jet Blue's airplane hahahaha

 

I'm also working on centerpieces, I threw out the old idea-- Originally, I was going to do large & medium size square vases with floating candles and submerged orchids. Our reception is on the beach so I knew the candles would constantly be blown out and then the vases I received are gorgeous, but SUPER heavy. To bring about 25 or so of them down is just impossible- so onto the next idea! [but if anyone would like to see them in case there's an interest for buying a few LMK! It's just too many for me to bring down]  I have an obsession with mason jars so I tested out an idea and love it! I'm going to do different styles on each table, so mixed materials like in the picture. I'm also going to get a larger size jar, so it would be 1 bigger jar & two smaller ones per table. Ignore the petals in the far right jar LOL I was trying everything that day! I have pomander balls for the aisle decor, so was thinking of maybe using them to sit atop the large mason jars? That way I have some color- either that or will be receiving individual stems from my flower vendor and putting those in the large jar. There will be large votive candles in each jar, to add more lighting to each table as well =)

 

So many ideas- what do you guys think???

XO

Jen

 

[L to R: Lace wrapped w/ raffia tie, Burlap rope, Twisted cotton braid, & twisted cotton rope]