Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

[dstinationdrmr]

Hi Ladies! I haven't been on in over a week so I have a lot to catch up on. Forgive me if I comment on something that has already been talked about/resolved. I didn't want to make my multi quotes too long and I know it's going to take me FOREVER to catch up! Lol.
 

Originally Posted by amandamarieb 

No way about the colors. I am sure that they are perfect. Where are your pics? I want to see them! 

 

My TA is Camille Hutchinson with DW.com. Honestly I have had a ton of issues with her. She's the exact opposite of Amy in the organization and communication dept and it has been really tough to deal with. I have had to stay on her to get me the things I want but ultimately when my WC tells me no, I go to Camille and she has worked it out. So at least she does that!
 

 

No pics yet. My turn isn't until November so I guess they won't help you much. Sorry!

 

Yeah, sounds like your TA sucks in some areas but I think I would rather lack of organization/communication over not getting you what you really want or getting good deals. Sucks you have to compromise your sanity in the process tho.
 

Originally Posted by beaz2be 

Oh right... I remember all that now.  I love your dresses!  They're going to look awesome.  I have tonnes of time still (May 27, 2011) so I'll be sure to think on it for a bit too.  And I too think the peacock feather idea is a GREAT inspiration. Thanks so much for your input!

No problem!
 

Originally Posted by TLGnhci 

I was considering going to the El Dorado for a night or two as well. 

 

Girls, when you get 20% off a private event, say your reception - what exactly does it take 20% off of?  And I read that someone asked about the ceremony flowers, are they transferred to the reception site? 

 

And, is it lame to not hold a cocktail party and just have guests mingle at a lounge/bar for an hour? 

I would say that the cocktail party isn't necessary unless of course you're getting it for free. I was promised one before booking so I had it in my head that we would have that as a welcome party/rehearsal after party. Getting it free was just the perk that made me keep it as originally planned.
 

Originally Posted by amandamarieb 

 

For the 20% you get it off food and drink. That includes the wedding cake. 

You can have you're ceremony flowers transfered for sure. That'll just be part of your set up fee (probably around $100 depending on what you have to set up.) In an effort to save money, I am having actual bouquets hang from the chairs at the ceremony lining the aisle. Those flowers will be tied loosely with a gold ribbon. When it is time for the reception, my WC will move them to Zavaz Plaza and place them in the gold blume boxes I've bought. And there you go I have centerpieces. They are charging me $60 per bouquet and most of the centerpieces are listed as $100 so I think it's a good deal.  

Thanks for mentioning about the cake being 20% off. I didn't even make sure they had done that for me. Another $100 off!!

 

Can you send me the pics of what bouquet you're getting for $60? I had pics of some I wanted them to do which I thought were very basic but they wanted to charge me $300 for them so I gave up on it. When I saw AmyB's bouquets that she got for $50, it made me want to use them again tho since hers were so nice.
 

Originally Posted by taylorwd 

Okay, this whole not getting deals because you're Canadian is load of crap!! 

I agree!!
 

Originally Posted by taylorwd 

Oh and Meredith, I'm pretty sure we hadn't booked yet when we did the Webinar.  In fact, now that I think about it I know we hadn't.  They say you have to book within 10 days of the Webinar to qualify, and I remember being worried because it took them so long to work out the contract that we didn't book until something like 20 days after.

Thanks. Just like Beaz2be I feel I have to pick my battles. I guess I'll let that one go then.
 

Originally Posted by amcferron 

also wanted to share a few quotes from his e-mail (returned 1 week after i sent it):

 

"I apologize for the delay of my response, unfortunately after the departure our one of our coordinators our volume of work increased significantly and we needed some extra time to get back to all our brides. Thank god this little bump is almost over and we are now committed to get back to responses within 24 hrs.  I thank you for your patience while I get back to you re-mails."

 

Lastly a response to a question i asked him, b/c we aren't booking premium, but my parents are booking honeymoon or presidential:  If another room in my party (my parents) book a premium or honeymoon suite, can we qualify for the free sweet wedding package, Yes! or does it HAVE to be us?? The room must be booked for at least 7 nights + 15 other room nights in any other category. As long as it’s within your wedding group we are ok to honor the free wedding

package to you.

Thanks for that info! It helps me out. Figured we would have to stay in the suite, didn't think to ask about others in our party staying in one.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLGnhci

So, all in all, not an enjoyable experience for me.  I was really hopeful and positive but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.  Luckily, I still have plenty of time so maybe my luck will change, and I will find that special dress that will make that dreamy man of mine melt!

 

Staying positive ~ On a good note, Got my approval from Azul today ~ Definitely 5/2/11.  About to leave for some shopping with my daughter who is 13 and a junior bridesmaid.  Gonna look for some bridesmaid dresses and DIY/invitation type stuff.  Have a great day girls, and thank you all so much for the "luck wishes!" 

Sorry you didn't find a dress but look at it this way, YOUR dress just wasn't there. I know it sucks to get all excited and travel all that way to leave empty handed but I'm sure you will find the perfect one. Congrats on your date confirmation!!
 

Originally Posted by amandamarieb 

Ok so funny story. I NEVER call my WC and today I was supposed to call my TA's supervisor to discuss all of the problems that I have had with her. I called and began pleading my case and she was being unresponsive like nothing. Mid-way through my two minute rant, I realized I called by WC and not the supervisor. I had been complaining to her about my TA and poor thing didn't know what was going on. BUT from that we bonded and she's really terrific. We walked through my planing document line by line, went over questions, she gave me suggestions, made updates, etc... She's fantastic...even going to try and get the price of the chivalry chairs down too...so I can have them at both the ceremony and the reception. FINGERS crossed. 

Funny how mistakes wind up being beneficial. It was meant for you to talk to her apparently. Don't you have Carolina? I'm glad you spoke to her because I still haven't even gotten my email where she was supposed to introduce herself to me. If I hadn't been so busy the last week I would be pissed right about now!
 

Originally Posted by jazz04 

Hey girls just wanted to share our wedding website at www.weddingwire.com/danandjasmine

 

I was told also today that uncovered chairs for the ceremony are unlimited and only covered chairs are charged for that is awesome!

Great website! Nice pics and I like the set up of your pages.

 

Are the chairs you referring to the plain white ones? That's actually a great deal.
 

Originally Posted by Mahalo79 

Hi ladies!  So we are in the process of picking our wedding package.  is it my imagingation or is the free sweet wedding package actually the same or better than the pearl package??  i think we will ask for the free package and then spend the money on photographer.  FI is not sold on a private reception, he thinks the restaurant is just fine.  I am not sure, I need to find a review from someone who's done it!  Then we would just go to the disco after?  I am going to talk to my Mom about it, if she will pay for it then FI has no argument to why we can't have it lol.  Crossing my fingers!  Anyone else going to the Spoon?  Do you have to just decorate your own tables or just have it how the restaurant already looks.  I am not sure about this!

Yes, the free wedding package has more elements than the pearl package. Silly! We are doing a private reception because we wanted our own music/dancing, etc. So, I guess it just depends on your view of what your reception will be. Sounds to me like you know what you want and I would say don't settle. You only do it once right? Good luck getting your mom to pay for it. I know that would help out a lot.

[JaimeTalis]

 

 

Originally Posted by Mahalo79 

 

RSVP Question.

Hey ladies,

So our invitations are going to print, the final thing I need to choose is the RSVP date.  Our wedding is April, the price I have for my guests is only guaranteed for 30 and we are inviting 50+ so not putting a price.  I have no idea when to tell them to RSVP by.  Any suggestions??  We have 22 people coming already and that's immediate family and bridal party, so it will be a suprise who else comes.  I figure some people are all talk and no action.  What did you put for RSVP's?  Thank you!!

p.s going wedding dress shopping tonight, so excited!!

 

Our wedding is in May '11 and we sent out the invites in June '10  (they were originally supposed to be STDs, but really turned out to be full blown invitations).  We were nervous people wouldnt send back RSVPs that soon, so we called it a "Preliminary RSVP" and asked for it by August 31st.  We gave Yes, No, Maybe response options.  We've gotten about 30% back and have 3 weeks to go!  Around November/December we'll start contacting the "Maybes". 

 

[beaz2be]

 

Originally Posted by amybermuda 

Hi girls!  I just updated the "what I would do again, what I wouldn't do" thread!  This thread really helped me decide what was important to me, so I wanted to post the link so you girlies getting married can check it out.

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/6691/what-i-would-and-wouldn-t-do-again

Definitely going to go check this out right now!  I imagine it will have me hooked in no time.  Thanks!!

[dstinationdrmr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahalo79 

Oh and I was going to post this link, I tried on this dress and fell in love with it, but don't want to buy the 3rd dress I try on, so many more out there!  I am only about 5'4 and have no curves, so I love this dress makes me feel like I have some.  Just wanted to share!  I am wondering if it is beachy enough?  I guess it is appropriate!  Also it is under $800 with 25% off if I get it before end of august.  Maybe I have been watching too many say yes to the dress episodes with 10,000 dresses, but isn't that super reasonable?! 

  

 

 

Pretty. I only went to 3 dress shops and when I went to one of them it was really because I was looking for my mom's dress. I say, think on it until the end of the month. If you can't shake the thought of the dress....buy it! I too am very indecisive. After I got my dress I started thinking I had made the wrong decision (it came down to 2) and wanted to go back and get the other one. What made me change my mind and stick with the one I ultimately chose was the fact that the one I chose is classic. I hope that 20 years from now I don't look back at it and say "What was I thinking?!" The other dress was a little bit more trendy. So, with all that being said, this dress is very classic. I don't think it will "go out of style" per se. So, go for it! If push comes to shove and you do change your mind later, hop over to the "buy, sell, trade, freebies" area of the forum and sell it OR take it to a consignment store in your area and make your money back. For that price, I think it may be worth it.
 

Originally Posted by msmarmar123 

How many BMs are all of you having? 

I'm having 5 BMs and just found out this week that only 4 GMs are coming (although 5 agreed to be in it). I would say DO NOT ask anyone to be in it just to make the numbers even! It seems those are the people that give you the blues. My thought was to just have the GMs process in, then have the BMs come in after. Pics may be lopsided but oh well.
 

Originally Posted by MaggieandJay 

Big NEWS Ladies! I bought my dress on SATURDAY! I am very pleased with it and it was the second time I tried it on. I really love it and think it is perfect for the vibe of my wedding! PLUS It was on Sale so I only used 1/2 my budget! SO EXCITED!!!

Congrats!!! I remember that feeling!! Amazing it was UNDER budget too.
 

Originally Posted by Steve&Julia 

Hi Maggie,

 

trust the DJ cut off our songs twice our first dance and mother and groom dance it was going to get ugly when he messed up so much.  I totally would have perferred my $1500 and just had my friend do it which is what happen.

 

I will try to post a few pictures my photographer came from NY with me but he was great and much cheaper.  My friends had such a blast we were in the pool every  night.  I can't add the photographers pics because of the size but it was well worth trashing the dress

if you want to see it let me know I'll send them to you via email.

Cute pics! I'm not a big fan of yellow but that really looks nice!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach 

Hi Ladies! I've been MIA because we went camping for the past 4 days and once again, I am trying to play catch up in my "real" life as well as around here. :-)

 

Quote:

You are funny. I just wanted to let you know that I ordered my new BB today so that we can resume our late night BBM chats! I miss chatting with you and was beginning to have wedding chat withdrawl while I was up in the mountains!

 

Lastly, I second your motion on theknot.com. I only use that site now to pull photos from for inspiration. Other than that, I find it pretty useless.

Camping!? Sounds like fun. We went for Halloween last year. Kinda spooky but we had fun.

 

Email me your new pin!! We have to catch up!!

 

As far as theknot.com goes...it was amazing for picking out my dress and it has a great budget tracker, but that's about it. I glad I used it to pick out my dress tho. I probably wouldn't have found it otherwise. That was the only place I'd ever seen it.
 

Originally Posted by bigboponthebeach 

So here are the rates that our TA provided for our wedding week for the two of us.  We will probably forego the Free Wedding Package and remain with the Pearl because as you can see, the Premium Suite doesn't seem worth it. If any of you past brides have any thoughts on this, I'd love to hear them.

 

7 nights in Premium Jacuzzi Suite - $2002.16 per person
7 nights in Luxury Jacuzzi Ocean view - $1310.80 per person
7 nights in Luxury Jacuzzi Jr. Suite - $1,205.24
7 nights in Jacuzzi Jr. Suite - $1126.36 

Yeah,  I guess it wouldn't make much sense for you. I still haven't heard from my TA or been introduced to Carolina at the moment, but that would be a lot for us to think about and weigh our options. It may not make sense for us either.

[taylorwd]

Great advice AmyB!

 

You didn't miss out on the steaming, BTW.  I dropped off my dress on Friday morning and they brought it back that night still VERY wrinkled.  They whisked it away the morning of the wedding to fix it, but it still wasn't perfect IMO.  No one noticed but me, but still for $50 I expect better!

[msmarmar123]

Off to go camping in a few....don't know what I'm going without BDW for a couple days....

[daniepps]

 

 

Originally Posted by msmarmar123 

 

Quick Question....does AS have a certain schedule for the Beach BBQs?  Are they every day?  Once a week?  Just for dinner? 

 

 

Everyday from 11am-3pm.

[TLGnhci]

daniepps ~ You're not too far from me!  Have you picked a dress yet?  If so, did you get it locally, or have you found any good shops in the area? 

[daniepps]

Hello ladies.  I'm back!!!!!  I had a wonderful time and wish I could've/would've stayed longer.  We tried to extend our stay.  The resort was very accomodating but we would've ended up paying $600 each to change our flight which was completely out of the question.  I want to do a review but when I looked under that thread I saw that it was closed so I don't know where to do it.  I was reading back a couple of pages and saw someone asked about the DJ.  We didn't use the DJ.  I used my iPod which worked out perfectly.  I made a playlist and just played it straight through. The WC worked the iPod and we had one of our guests be the MC. It worked out fine and saved a lot of money because all we had to pay was $250 for the amplifiers and speakers.

 

If anyone has any questions about the resort or WCs ask away.  I'll be happy to answer.  And if anyone knows where reviews go please let me know.

[daniepps]

 

 

Originally Posted by TLGnhci 

 

daniepps ~ You're not too far from me!  Have you picked a dress yet?  If so, did you get it locally, or have you found any good shops in the area? 

 

 

My wedding was last Saturday so yes I picked my dress.  I actually ended up getting it from David's Bridal.  I saw a picture of it in a magazine and decided that was the dress I wanted.  I still tried on several others but I ended up with the 1st one I saw.