Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[~Nicole~]

Congrats JHarwood2be! Can't wait to hear your review!

[lilmisssunshine]

Hi Lilmisssunshine,

 

 

Glad it all turned out great in the end. We leave in 3 weeks, and i still havent decided on Chicken or beef? what do you have?

 

Thanks,

 

I went with the chicken option and all my guests loved it! We had 3 vegetarians and I chose a pasta option which was also amazing (I think with sundried tomatoes and eggplant) for them. Everyone raved it was the best meal they had all week:) hope this helps

[lilmisssunshine]

First of all I wanted to say how sorry I am for all of you brides who have a wedding coming up. this swine flu is probably stressing you out beyond what I could possibly imagine. Although I am no expert, my sister is a pharmacist and specializes in vaccinations. I spoke with her this morning because with just returning from Mexico I am a bit worried myself. Here were a few of my questions with answers. Again please dont let these be your only bases for decision. There are several theories and opinions based on who you talk to. I just want to share with you what I learned myself.

 

1) Is there a possibility I am infected if I feel fine?

I returned less than a week ago and so far I feel fine. I am a bit achy with muscle soreness but I am training for a marathon and am always a bit sore. In the media they are saying the swine flu has an incubation of 48 hours. The fact is that most flu viruses may have an incubation period of 10days to 2 weeks so you should be cautious for 2 weeks and aware of signs and symptoms. Also avoid touching/shaking hands/kissing/hugging if at all possible. Wash hands after any contact with another person.

 

2) How are people dying from the swine flu?

Most people dying are elderly and imunocompromised patients in Mexico. Please realize healthcare is not the same there as it is in the USA. Many people do not have immunizations/vaccinations.

 

3) If I have the flu shot will I be safe in Mexico?

Its hard to determine there are so many different types of flu viruses. Some believe that the flu virus is no longer 100% effective after 3-4 months so if you had the flu shot in early winter then it is not as effective right now if at all. ( our flu season is not typically in april and may). It is believed by some that the flu shot may be effective against the human strain of the flu swine so it may help prevent it in those who have been innoculated but again no one is certain.

 

I have also heard that many airlines are refunding or switching airfair to other destinations at no cost. So maybe considering another location may be a possibility if you have enough time and energy to do so. Again I am so sorry for you girls- hang in there. And be careful if you do chose to travel to Mexico. Im sure that whatever you choose will work out fine and just as beautiful as you imagined:)

[miro2be]

We also just returned yesterday after 13 days in Mexico (honeymoon included!) I just briefly looked through some of the posts and it seems even all the brides have such different experiences! I will try to post of the big things and post pics as soon as possible! Anyway, overall everything was awesome!

 

One of my biggest concerns was having the reception on the beach with the wind--but I'm so glad I did and I can't imagine having done it any other way! It was perfect!!!! The wind screens that they put up right along the shoreline blocked all of the wind. I'm not sure if they automatically put those up or if you have to ask for them, I can't' exactly remember at this point. But our wedding day seemed just as windy as every other day. Our guests did so much dancing people were actually sweating during the reception. And no the wind screens didn't even cost extra!! They were able to even add more to screen all 70 guests that we had. So those of you set on getting married on the beach, I would highly recommend it! It was awesome for us anyway.

 

Also, we had the ceremony at Zocolo Beach (which I thought was a bit more private than the other beach side), and a cocktail hour at Zocolo Alfresco. For a smaller group, I think a reception could work here, but for our size I think it would have been awkward.

 

Couple of other quick good things....

 

-For the most part, all of the food and drinks were great! Much better than most all-inclusives!

-Staff and service in our experience was great-we had no issues with the front desk. Staff is always friendly, lots of people always cleaning, getting you drinks etc.

-We did the bonfire through the friends and family division as a welcome party two days before our wedding. Other than the wedding, this was the highlight for most people! It was so fun! They organized a game which helped get people moving, laughing etc. and then I (being a huge lover of games) had everyone go around and say how they knew the bride and groom (but in a funny way). Well after the drinks had been flowing all of the sudden you have people standing up saying the funniest things/stories of us it was such a hit! We brought our own IPOD and they set up the speaker was music was great and easy to control too! Anyway, would definitely recommend it!!! (Oh and by the way, yes the tiki torches kept blowing out, and they would keep relighting the for the most part).

-The onsite coordinators we worked with were for the most part very accommodating and organized. They really are pros at this. I, like many of you, had a zillion issues with the off-site team and there doesn't seem to be much coordination between the two departments. I am really surprised to hear they changed a ceremony location on someone at the last minute!!! That is awful but I'm glad it worked out.

 

-The minister we had did a great job. I would recommend taking the template he or she uses and then making it your own-inserting your own readings, wording etc. It really helped our ceremony feel special and personal.

 

Couple of negative things...

-My flowers were AWFUL. Nowhere even close to what I ordered. But that's probably part of the problem. I had submitted a pic of what I wanted vs. picking something they already had. Even though I got a quote and confirmation and paid extra for them, they weren't the same colors, or even the same flowers as I requested. So my wedding coordinator ending up spray painting them an hour before the wedding! They were still awful but better. Anyway, I ditched them after the ceremony and am also getting 100% refunded for them so it certainly didn't ruin the day!

 

-The dance floor they set up for my beach wedding was way too small for my group, and it also looked uneven and a little unsafe! Whatever they quoted in the price package it defintely wasn't as big as those dimensions, and no way could it fit 60 people like they said it would. After my ceremony I saw it and asked them to pick it up and we would just dance on the bare sand. They accommodated this right away and picked it up during the cocktail hour. I'm sure it would have been fine it we had a smaller group, but I really thought it would restrain people from dancing because it was so small! Anyway, dancing on the bare sand was great! It was so much more natural and since all 70 people were dancing the whole night I can't imagine having done it another way.

 

-The resort lost of one my friends' luggage during the checkout process. I'm sure this was just a freak thing but somehow the bellboys "misplaced" it or it got taken or put on the wrong bus or something. I am working with her to help get her reimbursed.

 

-Out of 70 people, they were only a few with room issues. One or two toilet problems, my parents didn't have a safe or a working TV, some complained the air conditioner was loud, and some had issues with hot water. (We found it you let it run for like 10 mins before you wanted to shower it was fine!)

 

One other thing for this "new plaza" area....they were putting the finishing touches on it the day we got there. We had a cocktail party there the night before the wedding. For 70 ppl, the area felt huge. But we also had only cocktail tables, not sit down dinner tables. I think if its set up properly, this area could accommodate larger numbers. But yes, it is a little less private than the old plaza area.

 

Anyway, some minor construction STILL going on, but nothing major. Thinking its going to keep getting better. Like I said, overall our experience was great! Will post pics as soon as possible

 

As far as swine flu, so sorry those that are leaving now have to worry about it! We have had lots of things working against us in Mexico lately!!! Anyway, we just spent 13 days there (and in Cancun) where if you didn't turn on the TV at the resort you didn't even know about the swine flu. Anyway, we feel fine, our guests feel fine, and some of them are even getting time off of work just because their companies are making them stay home for a few days symptom free. As of now, sounds like the US is making a bigger deal of it than it is right now anyway. It is cause for concern but not panic. Hopefully, with no cases in Cancun/Riviera Maya area your guests will not cancel!!!

[JHarwood2Be]

Here are some photos of the old plaza. It appears to be mostly finished. One night I was there they set it up with chairs and a projection screen, so sort of like an outdoors convention. Maybe they plan on using it for the nightly shows, I'm not sure.

 

We were glad to hear that the new plaza was finished and it was available, so that is where our reception was. It worked out perfectly. It is closer to the guest rooms. I remember a few people walking by, a few on their balcony but it was not intrusive at all.

 

I'll post more in a little bit...

Oh yeah and we've been blogged! Tamm’s Photos

Just one teaser photo!

[pepper55]

Congrats and welcome back! I can't wait to read your full review, I'm sure you guys had an amazing time!

[weddingchick]

Hi Jenny!

 

Welcome back!

 

I can't wait to see your photos! The one on Tamms blog is awesome!

[Hoosierfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHarwood2Be Here are some photos of the old plaza. It appears to be mostly finished. One night I was there they set it up with chairs and a projection screen, so sort of like an outdoors convention. Maybe they plan on using it for the nightly shows, I'm not sure. We were glad to hear that the new plaza was finished and it was available, so that is where our reception was. It worked out perfectly. It is closer to the guest rooms. I remember a few people walking by, a few on their balcony but it was not intrusive at all. I'll post more in a little bit... Oh yeah and we've been blogged! Tamm’s Photos Just one teaser photo!

Yea - welcome back! Great photo on Tamm's website - anxious to hear your report and see more pics. Congrats!

[love]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHarwood2Be Tracy, We just got back. Everything was great! Pack your meds and hope for the best. The chances are extremely slim. Once you're there, you'll forget all about it! I'll post more tomorrow!

Hello jHarwood,
Congratulations, I want to know how it went im gettin married in october 11, and im not sure if im gone change destnation or not my guests are really worried because first they were concerned about the drug war know this, and im not sure it i have the energy to do the same all over again but, how was the resort/ did your guests loved everything? did you have fun?

[Anon101]

JHarwood, welcome back and congrats! Hope you had a wonderful time!

 

Question for you (and all others): how important was it to take the site visit? We're thinking of cancelling our site visit and wondering whether we need to reschedule it. On one hand, we really want to see the place, do a food tasting, etc. But, on the other hand, we'd probably postpone it until fairly close to the wedding and would rather not spend the money if we don't have to (and in terms of food, location, etc., it seems like we can figure out most things through this board and the offsite coordinators). What do you think? Thanks!