Budget and Planning Thread-- Azul Sensatori

[PPMay2013]

One of the ways we saved some money was by not using flowers at the reception. (And the resort messed up on the flowers for me and my MOH, so we got a refund for that too.) No one noticed or every said a thing. I love flowers and completely understand if they are an important item to you. But, for those of you trying to figure out where to save, flowers and centerpieces are an option. Enough lights are included with the outdoor location area that minimal table lighting is needed. We used 1 hurricane lamp at each table with a starfish as the table number. We got two hanging corsages for the ceremony, but they weren't needed. The staff, without prompting, brought them over the to reception and placed them on the seating card table for added decoration. Also, the table runner you see on the seating card table was provided in-kind by the resort staff who set up the reception site. We neither brought it nor asked for it. These are just two examples of how the staff will go out of their way for you to make it a great event. And yes, at one point my new husband decided to throw me in the water..in my wedding dress. Here are some wedding photos from Sam Hurd Photography. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some photos from the second shooter, Doug Pettway, are here: http://www.douglaspettway.com/a-cancun-destination-wedding/

 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

[bridemoonpalace]

This really great info! We keep coming up with items we didn't include in our initial budget. I'm going to use your numbers as guide and a checklist to make sure we didn't forget anything else! Thanks for posting!

[lolita2014]

Thank you. We just confirmed our date yesterday (June 20, 2014) and I have been wading through all the info trying to figure out what our final cost will be. This helps a lot.

[PPMay2013]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridemoonpalace 

This really great info! We keep coming up with items we didn't include in our initial budget. I'm going to use your numbers as guide and a checklist to make sure we didn't forget anything else! Thanks for posting!

Happy to help!  Good luck and let me know if there's anything I can do to help! xoxo

[RandL2015]

Love this thread.

[Jb2b]

Hello Brides,

 

I am getting married on Nov 8th, 2014 @ 11am at Azul Fives.  I am expecting around 80+ guest (maybe close to 100).  I've selected the "Always and Forever" wedding package.  This package has minimal decorations and I am interested in adding my own touches.  I've read a few responses suggesting to bring your own decorations with setup fee of $250.  My biggest concern is traveling with the decorations and favors for guest.  I do have a wedding planner who will be traveling with me to the resort.  Should I have her bring these items?  I just don't want to be stressed out over this when traveling.

 

We are planning to do the private event/reception following the wedding.  I haven't yet decided the location as our wedding is taking place in the AM.  My fiance and I are just really excited about being able to have so many family and friends attend our wedding.  We both LOVE to party and would really like a fun filled reception.  I hoped to add my own decorations to this as well.  Does anyone have any opinions regarding the DJ?  The cost is like $1500-$2000.  Pretty steep for a DJ that I am not familiar with.  I did read somewhere that you are able to send them music (happy about that).  I've also heard from some past brides who used the DJ that they would have also been okay using the IPOD & Speaker setup.

 

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[HerreraNovia]

OMG so helpful!!!!!! The AZ prices are confusing. They are the packages but don't list the price per person for the food and cocktails. But this helps 100%!!! Thank you for posting this! Forget what other people may say, You are the Best!!!!

[lolita2014]

This thread was so helpful with my wedding planning, so I wanted to share my wedding expenses.

If you read my review I wasn't charged for the extra guest over 40ppl at the Spoons Welcome dinner and I wasn't charged for set-up fees. We also received two free cocktail parties which we used after the ceremony and as a farewell party the night before most of our guests left.

 

Category (All prices based on 55 adults including bride and groom and 4 children)        Prices Paid

 

Airfare (ATL-CUN) (used frequent flier miles)                                                                   $84
Checked Bags                                                                                                                  $40
Transportation to hotel and airport parking                                                                      $175
Hotel Room (discounted $2280 Bride & Groom Stay Free Promotion)                             $1304
Photography                                                                                                                     $1430
Engagement Photos (includes make up)                                                                          $150
Marriage License                                                                                                              $54
Dress                                                                                                                                $630
Dress Accessories (sash, veil, veil weights,earrings, barrette, flip-flops)                         $121.50
Dress Alterations                                                                                                              $145
Groom’s Suit rental                                                                                                           $90
Wedding Rings                                                                                                                 $1188
Maid of Honor Thank you gift                                                                                           $100
Bridal Party Gifts                                                                                                              $259
Groom’s gift                                                                                                                      $256
Stationary (save-the-dates, invitations, thank you cards and postage)                           $649
Websites (wedding site, honeyfund.com)                                                                        $39.98
Welcome Dinner at Spoons                                                                                              $0
Wedding Package (Free Sweet Wedding Promo)                                                            $0
Venue (Beach Gazebo)                                                                                                    $0
Reception Dinner ($22/person x 55 adults and 4 children (free), discounted 20%)         $968
Ceremony Decorations (one large corsage, gazebo sheers, chair sashes)                     $121.50
Wedding Cake (20% discount)                                                                                         $272
Reception Decorations (chair sashes, Table luminairies, LED lights and candles)           $87.50
DJ (Mega DJ)                                                                                                                    $1000
Bouquets (including boutoniers and corsages)                                                                $120
Out-of-town Guest Bags, ceremony fans, handkerchiefs                                                 $204.13
Guestbook, gift box, Reserve signs                                                                                 $31.29
Etc (cake topper, bouquet holder, sand ceremony, sand, garter belt….)                         $92.45
Hair & Makeup (done by bridesmaid)                                                                               $0
TOTAL                                                                                                                            $9612.35

@@PPMay2013 Thank you for sharing!

[lolita2014]

 

Hello Brides,

 

I am getting married on Nov 8th, 2014 @ 11am at Azul Fives.  I am expecting around 80+ guest (maybe close to 100).  I've selected the "Always and Forever" wedding package.  This package has minimal decorations and I am interested in adding my own touches.  I've read a few responses suggesting to bring your own decorations with setup fee of $250.  My biggest concern is traveling with the decorations and favors for guest.  I do have a wedding planner who will be traveling with me to the resort.  Should I have her bring these items?  I just don't want to be stressed out over this when traveling.

 

We are planning to do the private event/reception following the wedding.  I haven't yet decided the location as our wedding is taking place in the AM.  My fiance and I are just really excited about being able to have so many family and friends attend our wedding.  We both LOVE to party and would really like a fun filled reception.  I hoped to add my own decorations to this as well.  Does anyone have any opinions regarding the DJ?  The cost is like $1500-$2000.  Pretty steep for a DJ that I am not familiar with.  I did read somewhere that you are able to send them music (happy about that).  I've also heard from some past brides who used the DJ that they would have also been okay using the IPOD & Speaker setup.

 

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

@@Jb2b

Not sure if you have picked a DJ yet. We were married June 20th at AS and used Mega DJ.  They were awesome.  I filled out the request form and gave specific songs for things like Bridal party entrance, cake cutting, garter toss and Haitian music (my family is Haitian) and line dances like Cupid Shuffle. I also gave him genres, R&B, hip-hop, light rap... He followed all my requests and my guests loved him. Everyone from age 3-80 was on the dancefloor until the lights came on.  My guests loved the DJ so much some thought we had brought him from the US.

[Jb2b]

@@Jb2b

Not sure if you have picked a DJ yet. We were married June 20th at AS and used Mega DJ.  They were awesome.  I filled out the request form and gave specific songs for things like Bridal party entrance, cake cutting, garter toss and Haitian music (my family is Haitian) and line dances like Cupid Shuffle. I also gave him genres, R&B, hip-hop, light rap... He followed all my requests and my guests loved him. Everyone from age 3-80 was on the dancefloor until the lights came on.  My guests loved the DJ so much some thought we had brought him from the US.

I'm relieved to hear that someone had a great experience with a DJ.  We fill that this will be one of the most important thing for us and our guest.  I see that Mega DJ's rate is $1000.  Does this include the outside vendor fee?  We will be at Azul Fives and they charge an outside vendor fee.  Also would you have the website or contact info for Mega DJ?  Thanks for your reply!! Oh and CONGRATS!!!