Newbie Azul Beach 2013

[KLPhoto]

Hi Taryn! There should not be an outside vendor fee if your photographer is staying at the resort. I always make sure I stay a minimum 3 night stay, then I am a guest at the wedding. There was one time that the resort still wanted to the B&G to pay a small fee, but they talked to their wedding coordinator and they were able to waive it as well. I've never had a problem and never had a couple need to pay extra

 

Was just at Majestic Elegance last week :

[karyc]

Ha, I know! I started at page 1200 of that thread because I keep reading about how helpful it is, but I don't think I can go back more than that - it's crazy!  Yeah, I didn't think the pics for Caribephotos looked that good, not that I had that much to go on. I actually just booked Derek and Lorena from Photos in Cancun today (and they were willing to split the 800 vendor fee with me). They seem great and I think their photos are gorgeous.

 

I think we-re going to do the rehearsal dinner bbq on beach and a s'mores bonfire afterwards on beach too -- we're inviting ~120 people and i'm really hoping that we don't randomly get a 90% acceptance rate, because i don't want to be in the ballroom for the reception....all of the pics from blue terrace look great. where are you planning to do the reception? 

 

have you guys started thinking about how much stuff you're going to bring down with you? every time i read that azul sensatori site I feel like my to-do list gets longer!!
 

[karyc]

It seems like the rate to have a photographer or DJ stay at the hotel for 3 nights is just about the same as the outside vendor fee...? or maybe i got horrible group rates in my block! we were quoted 727/pp for 3 nights...
 

[KLPhoto]

sheesh how much did they say the vendor fee is? that's crazy!

[TarynM]

I will have to check out Photos in Cancun. I know Samuel Luna also splits or covers the $800 outside vendor fee (depending on the package you book with him). If you hire a videographer as well, would they charge you the $800 for that if it is a different company? You would think the resort would give us a deal considering we're bring 60-100 people to the hotel for a weekend who otherwise wouldn't be there! Never mind charge us these fees. 

 

I'm also planning on the Blue Terrace for the reception. Do you need a to rent a dance floor in there? I hope not.

 

We reserved 30 rooms but my fiancé keeps inviting people so I hope we have enough rooms for everybody. We were quoted $505 per person for 3 nights (I booked in June with the 30% discount promotion).

 

I really want to bring down ribbon for the chairs, welcome bags, and some kind of lighting because the fees charged by Lomas to rent anything are outrageous in my opinion. Did you see the "Mexican doves" you can rent for $250 to release at the ceremony? They are PIGEONS! In case anyone missed it:

 

http://www.weddingsbylomastravel.com/planning/details1.php?category=Butterflies_and_Doves

 

I laughed my ass off when I saw that. The one thing I do really want are the white Tiffany chairs for the ceremony and reception (if that's possible). They look beautiful in all the photos I've seen them in. 

 

I am researching photo and video packages now and will probably go with DJ Doremixx since he's gotten amazing reviews. I was also thinking about the Mariachi Band for the cocktail hour after the ceremony... hmm so many choices!

[KATAYLOR]

Crap! I tried to reply to this and posted it somewhere else by accident. Oops! I'm booked! Expecting 60 people: welcome BBQ on the beach, small rehearsal dinner, sky terrace ceremony and reception at Blue Terrace. Hoping it all works out and my plans come to life! Excited about the resort - gorgeous!

[karyc]

omg, i just saw the pics of the "mexican dove" -- seriously that is hilarious. i almost want to do it just to be funny.

 

i just got rates from DJ doremixx, and he only charges $800 for 1-5 hours, which definitely seems like a good deal compared to the resort's DJ!

 

i'm not sure about the dance floor question...i will look into this!

[karyc]

Also, I agree, Doremixx's reviews are great so I just sent Ivan an email and booked that...I'm glad to be getting some of the bigger decisions out of the way!

[KATAYLOR]

I'm booking Doremixx as well! He was super fast in replying to me. It sucks about the vendor fee but even with the extra $800 he is the same price as the resort DJ....and everyone thinks he's great.

 

Has anyone figured out the timing of their reception? Is it possible to extend the reception past 11pm?

[karyc]

yeah i'm doing the same. have you guys decided on colors or anything? i had been thinking bright orange and hot pink, but am in love with that bright reddish-orange color that's everywhere lately

 

how long do you think it takes before you get promoted out of newbie territory and able to download all of the templates people have uploaded onto this site?