Azul Fives

[~Melanie~]

[~Melanie~]

I could keep posting photos all day - but that would probably be excessive. All the pictures here were taken at the resort - so you can see how gorgeous it is. And again - any questions, please just let me know. It's Christmas tomorrow and then my new hubby (still getting used to that!) and I are heading to San Francisco on Dec.28 for a week, so if there is a lag in responding, that's why!

[daisymable]

Thanks so much for the information! The pictures are beautiful.  Have a wonderful week in San Francisco!

[budgetingbride]

hope you enjoyed san fransisco. i love your pics!!! very very nice!! how much extra did they charge you for the chair covers & sashes, i planned on bringing my own pink sashes for GRP but at least the chair covers were free. i believe the chairs stated uncovered in the description of the wedding package. We were booked for the platinum suites and a few of my guess booked for the villas the WC told me we will all be in the one bedroom suite and the deluxe & swim up suited will go into the deluxe room. Some guest felt they were being downgraded from the swim up suite to a deluxe room, i can't please everyone, i guess they'll get over it.  

 

Originally Posted by ~Melanie~ 

I could keep posting photos all day - but that would probably be excessive. All the pictures here were taken at the resort - so you can see how gorgeous it is. And again - any questions, please just let me know. It's Christmas tomorrow and then my new hubby (still getting used to that!) and I are heading to San Francisco on Dec.28 for a week, so if there is a lag in responding, that's why!

[daisymable]

Hi Melanie,

 

Were you able to wear shoes for your ceremony? Also, was the ceremony set up included in the package or did you have to pay extra for the flowers and fabric?

Originally Posted by ~Melanie~ 

I could keep posting photos all day - but that would probably be excessive. All the pictures here were taken at the resort - so you can see how gorgeous it is. And again - any questions, please just let me know. It's Christmas tomorrow and then my new hubby (still getting used to that!) and I are heading to San Francisco on Dec.28 for a week, so if there is a lag in responding, that's why!

[daisymable]

I am not sure if you have read this.  Here a review I just read on Trip Advisor:

 

 

"We were not originally scheduled to stay at Azul Fives, but due to an explosion at the Princess resort; we were relocated to Azul Fives by Karisma. . . BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO US.

I want to thank all the staff and management at Azul Fives – you made our week and most important our Wedding the most memorable time of our life. We appreciate everything you have done for us during that week. We appreciate you being able to take us in such a short notice. We would like to congratulate you on a week of hard work – I have never seen people work so hard while being friendly and smiling all the time.

Faith Wishnie (Karisme Hotels) you are absolutely amazing, thank you for pulling this off – so organized – you got this done!!!! I will keep you in my books for a long time.

Estefania, Claudia & Arturo – (wedding coordinators) Valeria (Lomas Travel) Miguel & Alberto (food and beverages) - Estás personas maravillosas, No puedo gracias lo suficientemente. ;0)

GRACIAS!

Upon arrival, we were treated like royalty. They welcomed us with champagne and personalized check in. We had the option to choose between 3 aromatherapy scents and 3 room scents during our stay. Ok boys! I know you don’t care about this but this is good for the ladies!!!!

Wedding Experience – BETTER THAN PERFECT!

Flawless….

We arrived Thursday afternoon and Friday we met with Estefania, Claudia and Arturo to go through our wedding plans. They are the most fantastic people ever. We were greeted with champagne and or d’oeuvre. Yummy!

We also sat down with Miguel (head chef) What a GEM! He took such good care of us, and he would do absolutely anything for us. We pick the deluxe grill menu. OH my gosh! It was so good - they grilled the meat fresh on the BBQ the night of the wedding! The food was sooooo good!

We also met with Alberto (beverages director).What a sweet man. He made us special purple drink for our cocktail hour to match our wedding colors. He then met with us on our second last day and spent some time with us chatting about all kind of things. Truly wonderful man!

Estefania, Claudia, Arturo (wedding coordinator) & Valeria (off-site wedding contact). I don’t have enough words to explain how great you guys were. From the moment we were switch resort to the day we left your resort – we were treated with so much respect and anything we needed you were there with a smile on. I remember one night having diner with my husband at the Tsuki restaurant and Arturo came to see us to chat and congratulate us – it made us smile, to be greeted like this.

DJ – soooooooo cool !!!! The music was perfect, the lights were perfect and the balloons, the glow sticks and the bubble machine WOW. Thank you.

SPA: The NEW spa is gorgeous, 2 stories with many different treatment rooms. The hair stylists are good and creative.

I DEFINETLY RECOMMEND THE BEACH CEREMONY, COCKTAIL AT THE SKY BAR, BEACH DINER AND RECEPTION AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND HAVING THE DJ ON THE BEACH. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!

Service at this resort is top notch. The people were so friendly and helpful and would do anything to help you. We had four younger children in our group and the staff was so accommodating and friendly to them all the time.

Pool – infinity pool was amazing, looking out to the ocean. You can’t ask for better than that! Pool staff were always there bringing you towels, setting up your chairs. They come around with cold scented towels, evian spritzer and gourmet “treats†like fruit/frozen fruit on a stick at the pool. Thank you Christian!
We always had a good pick of chairs – although the resort was busy it never felt like we didn’t have room to sit. The bar staff coming up to serve you your drink on the beach or at the pool It was PERFECT! These boys work hard!
The Rooms – it doesn’t matter your room type they are all gorgeous. They are all nicely located. Almost every room has a pool side and swim-up bar.

Food/Drink Service:
• Food was amazing – Luis our favourite server, WE LOVE HIM!
• Breakfast at Flavours was amazing, the “food display†(they don’t use the word buffet) but it was awesome and they would make you anything you want
• Ate lunch at Sea Olives (Mediterranean) for lunch and diner several times, sooooooooo GOOD
Asian restaurant called Tsuki was amazing and would make whatever you wanted especially in terms of sushi.
• Also have 2 “gourmet corners†(snack bars) the Lizards and the Palmas at 2 of the pool bars...had amazing guacamole, thin crust pizza & panini! The staff there is so fun!!!! And they work really hard -
Entertainment (daytime/night time)
Lester and Halario – were the funniest, most entertaining guys there! Excellente! Water aerobics, salsa, volleyball, Human darts, croquet etc. We ask for music they play music. Great guys!
Zky Bar after diner is amazing, great ambiance, large plush outdoor “bedsâ€. Great drinks & music and shows
AZULITOS: There is a full kids club on site, with a kiddie pool and kiddie beach beds. They also offer the Fisher Price Toy Lending Program plus the My Gym trampolines and climbing equipment. They will also offer in room movies and popcorn service!!
I wish I could go back to this resort right – it was clean, beautiful, fun, the weather was great.
5 star hotel!!!!"
 

 

[~Melanie~]

Hello again Azul Five Brides!

 

My photographer, Claudia Rodriguez, has posted our wedding slideshow, so I thought I would share the link if anyone was interested. If you are looking for a great photographer, I highly recommend her or any of her photographers on staff. She is fantastic.

 

http://claudiaphoto.com/slideshows/claudia/december10/melanie_randy/

 

I agree with the Trip Advisor review above whole heartedly. Faith Wishnie, Erika, Valeria, Arturo and Estefania did an amazing job at making our wedding something wonderful. Given that we were all Grand Riviera Princess refugees, the fact that it all came together so wonderfully in such a short period of time should speak volumes.

 

The resort is stunning - which i hope you will be able to see in some of the pictures.

 

I'm home from our San Francisco honeymoon now, so if anyone has specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

[TLGnhci]

Awe, great pics.  It looks beautiful!  I am getting married at Azul Sensatori, and I kinda wish I could switch!!  That's bad I know.  I'm sure my experience will be great as well, but this place does look AWESOME!

[TLGnhci]

How did you get the little grooms cake?  How much were they?  Did you do a civil ceremony or symbolic?  And did you use the "exotic gazebo" set up?  Sorry for all the questions!!  THanks!

[~Melanie~]

Oh - budgeting bride - just saw your question.

 

Yes, we paid extra for the chair covers and sashes. Azul Fives does everything through Lomas Travel for weddings, and Arturo, who is onsite at the hotel actually works for them. So, the DJ, the gazebo decorations, chair coverings, etc - were all through Lomas Travel.

 

We went with the Exotic Gazebo, which included:

*4 Poles with Sheer Fabric (Hotel Standard), 2 large hanging corsages with Tropical flowers (any colour), and Rose petals any colours from 48 roses.

The cost of that was $220USD. and then we decided to upgrade to get some colored shears.

 

The chair covers and bows were $5USD per. And we had 25 - which wasn't very smart because I wasn't taking into account the wedding party. That just occurred to me. Oh well!

 

My main bouquet was included, but i had to pay extra for the bridesmaid bouquets, boutonierres and corsages. The flowers on the gazebo were part of the exotic gazebo package as well as the rose petals.

 

I did have heels to wear, but because of being on the sand we all wore matching flip flops! (Not that you saw mine). I'm a bit sad I didn't get to wear my heels, but sinking in the sand would not have been fun. Because of that, we did pay for a dance floor for 30 people and it was well worth it.

 

Here is the link for Lomas Travel that shows you all the extras you can do and the costs:

http://weddings.lomas-travel.com/planning/

 

I hope that helps answer your questions budgeting bride and daisymable!