Azul Fives Brides 2014

[BDABeachBum]

@@reynbow. I've wondered the same thing about an outside planner, although I wonder if the resort would even charge the crazy outside vendor fee for that as well. I've read on here that a bride (from Azul Beach, another place I'm considering) used a outside florist and it was MUCH cheaper and turned out well. All she did was have so wine in her family or the groomsmen meet the florist at the gate to the hotel and then they brought the flowers up themselves in a taxi (the drive to the gate from the resort was around 2-3 miles from the road I think). she didn't have to pay the outside vendor fee, I think they just charged her a set up fee, which they will already charge you if you are bringing your own decorations, but I was told by my Karisma agent that this cannot be more than $250. I thought about doing this for my flowers as well because u really want peonies and Lomas charges some crazy price for them!

 

I even thought if doing this for my cake as well, I was a specific flavor with filling (which the hotel doesn't do filling in the cake) and a specific design. Plus I've read at Azul Beach at least they don't let you take any if the cake away from the reception. I really want to have cute take away boxes for guests to take back to their room for a late night snack or breakfast the next day! I figured if the cake is brought in they can't tell me no.

 

Same bride also had another makeup and hair artist come to the hotel and the waived the fee because the artist did airbrush makeup (even though she didn't use it) and the hotel did not offer that. They told her she would have to pay for a day pass but then that was even waived since the makeup artist wouldn't be eating there or using the facilities.

 

I've read to try and find a photographer who also does videography so the you only get charged the outside vendor fee once... But even still it may be cheaper to pay to have them stay at the hotel. What the same geniuous bride did for that was " book" the photographer/video into the same room where there was only one persone staying so the price would work out to be cheaper, plus the photographer gave her a discount because of the crazy outside vendor fee.

 

I feel the stress, I haven't completely decided on Azul Fives yet because of the vendor fees and Lomas, although it is in my top picks!

[TinkerSofi]

@@BDABeachBum and @@reynbow. I personally wouldn't hire an outside coordinator but I think it depends how many $800 fees you're willing to pay. They probably would charge for the planner too because she would have to be at the hotel the day of the wedding since the hotel planners don't really know what's going on. 

 

From the info I got after booking at Azul Fives, and from what I understand, they do not allow flowers from the outside (or at least they don't unless you pay the fee), please someone correct me if I'm wrong. This isn't the only hotel that's starting to do this, sadly. 

 

In terms of makeup, they do airbrush make up now so that loophole is gone. With that said, in my opinion it is crazy expensive, running at around $200. 

 

I think it's pretty unfair that they don't let you take the cake, given that you're charged another $300 for it! I think you should be able to and I know i'm going to fight for that. I'm quite disappointed to hear that they don't have a filling. Who the hell likes dry cake?? I'll have to ask about that, because considering the price they charge they are really dropping the ball here. I might not even have a cake if that's the case haha. Also, a good question worth asking is whether they even allow you to bring a cake from the outside. Many hotels don't allow outside food. 

 

We're going with a joined photographer and videographer so we only pay once and we're keeping the flowers to a minimum so paying the $800 for an outside florist is really not worth it. We'll use Lomas's flowers for whatever we'll do and some fake flowers for details here and there. The hair is really not that bad, $90 so I'll get it done there. Someone will have to really convince me that the $200 for airbrush makeup is worth it, because otherwise I'll do the makeup myself or just get the regular makeup which is much cheaper. Another thing I planned was looking for spas outside the hotel, getting everything done there in the morning and just come back in with everything done, but I don't know if that's even realistic. 

 

in terms of music we're just renting the amplifier and maybe a few lights. That way we are sure that we play the music we want. The DJ doesn't have good reviews and the price is honestly out of our budget. 

 

I went with Azul Fives because I fell in love with their venues and the price for a wedding is about the same as other hotels we looked at. We don't have a big budget, which means we're limited in many ways, but from the research I've done, all hotels try to charge you an arm and a leg for everything. They don't have fees for breathing down the aisle because they can't. 

 

If you're very set on getting most vendors from the outside, including a planner, have you looked into an outside venue? That might be cheaper than paying all those $800 fees and your guests get to stay wherever they want. The only bad part being that your time spent with them will be more limited than if you all stayed at one hotel (which can also be arranged)

[BDABeachBum]

The cake thing is ridiculous, I agree, especially if you are paying for it! I've wondered if they won't charge the outside vendor fee for a cake with filling since they don't offer it. I'm sure the baker will deliver it to the hotel so you won't have to go out and get it, and they wouldn't need to be on grounds so they aren't actually coming onto the property. If anyone finds out about this, please let me know. 

 

I don't want the airbrush makeup, I'm not sure how well it would hold up in the humid climate. I live on a tropical island and its crazy humid here and nothing stays on my face without some super professional high standard setting spray. I've been doing a bit of research on local area make-up artists that do hair as well (mine is unruly in the humidity) and would actually consider going off resort to have it done. I know this sucks but, hey, gotta look good for those wedding pics!

 

I really want peonies for my bouquet and Lomas charges an insane amount for them, something like $75 PER peonie! Insane! Local florist don't even charge a third of that! 

 

Still trying to decide between Azul Fives, Grand Velas or Playacar Palace....Anyone else want to share why they went with Azul Fives??? Its so hard making a choice when you can't see the places!

[kmk2016]

Girls- I was going to comment when I got back- but since it's a hot topic- I am here now at the dress rehearsal and talked to my wedding coordinator about the whole cake issue at length. She said that the rules (health/food) state that they can not cut/box the cake for you to send off with your guests to their rooms at the end of the night- BUT they will cut it and then you can have a member of your party assigned to boxing it up for your guests in small boxes to take back to their rooms as a favor- and there is no problem. They just can't package it for outside consumption due to health standards. So problem solved!!! Make sure your coordinator knows ahead of time of your plan and have your boxes down at your reception location. They won't leave it out forever because of it being so warm and the safety with cream based layers- so as soon as you cut the cake... Or before toooo long assign someone to box it and place a box at each guests seat for later. She said they normally will keep cake out in heat for max 2 hrs

 

 

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[BDABeachBum]

@@kmk2016 Thanks so much! Did they happen to mention about being able to do any filling in the cake? Don't bother to go back and ask, I'm sure you have lots to do anyhow! Was just wondering

[kmk2016]

Yes... I actually tried them all today!!!

 

They ALL had filling except for the carrot and the gluten free options. I actually talked to the chef who makes them. The chocolate with chocolate cream, and the red velvet with cream cheese filling were delicious! They actually were all good. Funny thing is- some almost had TOO MUCH filling and not enough cake!

 

 

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[BDABeachBum]

Oh fantastic!!!!! I'm really hoping for a chocolate with coconut filling (or vice versa) for one layer and champagne with strawberry filling for another! 

 

Why don't they advertise this on their website for the cakes?????

 

It may sound silly but this makes me want to lean towards Azul Fives even more! Oh decisions decisions!

[kmk2016]

Ok/ you can't choose your filling/cake combination... They have that set. So chocolate with chocolate is the combo/ and the vanilla cake with options like rum cream, strawberry or vanilla. Red Velvet with cheesecake cream... Praline with cream.... Champagne and vanilla cream...And a few others I can't remember

 

 

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Edited June 8, 2014 by kmk2016

[BDABeachBum]

Ah, darnit, squash my dreams! hahah.... well at least the fiance would be happy about the chocolate on chocolate

[kmk2016]

Ah, darnit, squash my dreams! hahah.... well at least the fiance would be happy about the chocolate on chocolate

Haha- truthfully? My FI (who didn't come for the site visit) wanted this too- and I was originally opposed/ but it was delicious. Rich dark chocolate.. Not to sweet and sooo creamy. I'm thinking of three tiers.. Red Velvet, Champagne and Chocolate.

 

 

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