Azul Beach Weddings 2014

[girlinthecity97]

@@talicea7812 - you are so on the ball and way ahead!!!!  i'm beyond annoyed i can't see the pics unless i reach 150 posts or pay $30. i'm thinking i may have to break down and just pay the $30....there's no telling when i will hit 150!  i really can't wait to see them.  i hear you on invites & great tip re finding a designer to make some of things for you!!!! i'm thinking i will make all of my invites, from shower right on down to the wedding. i have 2 coworker friends who love a good craft and graphics project and are pushing me to go DIY all the way around. although my sister is throwing my shower, she's always last minute and the coworkers want to do the invites. 

[talicea7812]

Hey...whoever wants to pitch in and help you...let them

 

The invitations were a real undertaking. luckily I have a job that doesn't require much of me so I've been able to do all my crafting here.  This week I've been working on my bouquets.

 

Again, I got the idea off etsy and did some internet searching on how to make the flowers.  its actually really easy just super time consuming!!! They are turning out nicely and I've decided I will def be using them.  I just ordered my peacock feathers& brooches today. I can't wait for everything to get here so I can see the finished product.

 

As for cost...saving tons! the bridesmaid bouquets on etsy average about $70.   Many are higher.  The brides bouquet with the feathers and brooches are about $200.  Altogether I estimate I'll spend $60-70 on everything The brooches are what really increased the price...but I want the bling.

when is your wedding? pretty far off right? and you said you're going to the dress rehearsal?

 

We just couldn't afford it.  between the stay, air and just losing the time at work...we couldn't swing it.  Azul was recommended to me by a travel agent friend...that's why we ended up there.

 

I also went to a wedding a couple years ago at dreams cancun! loved it.  they have dolphins right at the resort.  if you are looking into other places, I would say check there.

[girlinthecity97]

@@talicea7812 - ok i'm now a "supporter" so i can see the pics! EVERYTHING is beautiful!!! who was the artist that helped you on etsy if you don't mind my asking?  love Love LOVE it!!! the wedding is going to be gorgeous & i can't believe the flowers are easy. i broke the crafting news to my sister re the brooch bouquet and shoes. she seems on board i know i said it before but i REALLY love your colors and theme!  i also like your location - df really wants to get married on the beach but i don't want to, however, i'm starting to reconsider.  

 

this really has inspired me to start ordering samples and trying out invitation ideas. i want to go with a pocket invitation. unfortunately,  i can't really do the passport or boarding pass idea b/c it's already been done by a couple of friends. another friend who married in pr last year did a pocket and i thought it was really useful for keeping my flight, hotel and invitation info all in one place. i'm really loving the monogram band and may try that around the invitation.  was the monogram hard to make? i'm guessing it's more tedious/trial & error than anything? 

Edited January 14, 2014 by girlinthecity97

[talicea7812]

The Etsy artists shop is called "Whirlibird."  I think the person did an awesome job.  only complaint is the response time is very slow!

 

Have you picked colors/ themes yet?

Here are my Bridesmaid dresses (by Impressions): the original plan was the purple, royal, & teal...but one of my girls dropped outta the mexico ceremony...so ill be using the teal in the flower girl dress.  The flower girl dress attached is similar to what my daughter will be wearing.  Everything has a lil lace bc my dress is all lace

[girlinthecity97]

The Etsy artists shop is called "Whirlibird."  I think the person did an awesome job.  only complaint is the response time is very slow!

 

Have you picked colors/ themes yet?

Thanks!! I will check them out.  

 

Theme/Colors: yes, it's classic black & white. i always wanted one & df is pretty conservative on colors - this year we actually had a christmas tree.  he "surprised" me with a white one and refused to let me put colored lights or decorations on it, only silver. i want the decor and invitations to have a "pop" am thinking of adding pale gold aka "champagne" into the mix. i got the   when i mentioned this but don't care. he'll adjust so i'm thinking i will order sample pockets in both a pale gold and black along with black and pale gold matting to see which one i like best.  decor wise, i love candles and think i want to go with floating ones in glass cylinders with a string of orchids inside and have guests name cards in small gold or silver picture frames.

 

save-the-dates: those will be colorful. i'm doing luggage tags & have already designed the inserts via zazzle. thankfully df likes them or else he'd have to get over himself lol. i'm now debating whether or not to create a postcard to go with them for those relatives who don't use the internet a lot.  the postcard would list the wedding date, location and contact info for the ta. i can't really get all of that on the luggage tag insert. 

 

as SOON as we lock down our hotel, i'm pulling the trigger on the save-the-dates. i've been "banned" from advanced ordering. if it was easy to receive packages at work, i'd just go ahead and order some things an have it delivered at work so he'd be none the wiser  . 

[talicea7812]

haha...my fiancé really doesn't care too much.  He gives a lil input here and there but not too much

 

Do you have a travel agent yet? Once I had my resort locked in and booked they provided me with postcard/ save the dates...free.  We gave them to ppl we knew weren't going to come but sent as a courtesy.  Ppl we knew were coming got the magnet save the dates.

 

I love the luggage tag idea.  I was considering doing that as a favor but not sure.  I came across some personalized candles on oriental trading and I kinda like that idea too.  They could be set out on the dinner tables and lit to provide an elegant candle lit dinner.  at the end of the reception everyone could take one home.  Not sure yet tho.  Still trying to figure the little things out.

 

I would like to do OOT bags and found lots of cute affordable stuff on oriental trading and etsy.  My fav things are personalized packs of gum & lip gloss!  Both things that people use regularly.

[girlinthecity97]

lucky you lol re minimally involved fiance. mine likes to say he isn't involved and doesn't want to be but his actions are saying the contrary.  i haven't begun to think of dresses for my niece who will be a jr. bridesmaid or my little flower girls. i really love the candle, gum and chapstick ideas you posted!  i think i may have to put 2 of those choices in my bag. right now i plan to put a beach towel, tumbler, "frown upside down" kit (e.g., aspirin/ibuprofen, pepto, immodium, alka seltzer etc...) weekend itinerary, mini crab mallets to rep the home state/town (maryland) and i haven't figured out what else.  

 

i thought i would give starfish wine bottle stoppers and cork screws as favors but my mom thinks i should go a different route. i may veto her opinion.  

[talicea7812]

I also came across some other cute ideas on here for the OOT bags...but my main concern is carrying all the stuff to Mexico. I'm trying to pack as light as possible!

 

I used to be big on heels but they take up so much room when packed so I've been looking only for flats.  My hope to get all my clothes in one (large) suitcase

Im also looking into the day after kits because after researching the OOT bags and seeing everyones ideas...im thinking some of the stuff Im planning on is kinda tacky. 

[girlinthecity97]

hahaha @ tacky - i'm sure it's not bad or as bad as you may think. next week we are going to down to check out our final choice hotels before doing a contract. thanks for the tip re ta providing a postcard free. i will look into that!

 

i hear you re not wanting to pack a ton of oot bag stuff. i'm heading down the latter part of next week and plan to pop into the kukulcan (sp?) mall and walmart in cancun to see what i could buy there instead of trying to bring it down with me for the wedding. i'll let you know what i find!

[talicea7812]

that would be awesome! we were thinking about going to the walmart down there for stuff.  I heard theres also a MAC down there.  I was thinking about going there to get my makeup done.  my hope is that they would do a better job than the ppl at the resort.

 

I had my make up done at the resort for my last destination wedding.  we paid $50 and I don't think the woman was formally trained. another bridesmaid ended up just washing it and doing it over herself.  I don't want to run into that issue. Plus I can prob do a trial run here and they do a makeup chart for you to take with you so the mexico mac will use the same products.