Azul Fives Brides 2015

[Laurena1229]

Hi Ladies!

 

So excited to finally begin planning this thing. @@Lilgabri03, your trailer is amazing! You looked great, Congrats!!

 

@@ashhtayy we are totally wedding twins! I was hoping maybe some of you could help me out. I'm totally at a loss with beginning the planning process. What are some of you ladies doing in terms of the packages? Are any of you doing a private event? I am a bit confused with the packages as it says semi-private dinner in one of the restaurants. Is that something we have to do for our reception? I would like the meals to be served at the tables our guests will be seated at during our reception at our reception location, but I guess that means that we would need to then host a private event. So can the semi private dinner option be used for something else such as a welcome dinner?

 

What are you ladies doing? Private events? Memorable moments? Always and forever?

 

The memorable moments packages seem good, its just that its very limited for the number of guests. Like the ceremony chairs are covered up to 24 guests under that package and an additional $15 per chair for every chair after that?! Seriously!? For the reception it might work as it covers three tables and we can add more, but that could be costly. Not sure if its better to build on the always and forever package and add certain elements or to go with the memorable moments package and just add more tables.

 

@@ashhtayy our guest lists will be about the same size, do you know what you will be doing?

@@Laurena1229 welcome to the forum! and you are right; if you aren't addicted yet, you will be.

 

we might be twins - summer(ish) weddings for both of us, Azul Fives, no facebook, Toronto area brides, sky deck, extending the reception time, approximately 60 guests, etc.

 

i haven't negotiated anything yet so i can't give you any tips but i look forward to hearing from anyone that has. i agree - the prices are insane but the venue is just SO beautiful; hard to say no.

 

@@TinkerSofi is getting married VERY soon at AF and will likely provide us with TONS more information post her nuptials.

 

@@snswedding2016 is attending the BDR (brides dress rehearsal) at AF as well. have you looked into attending? we want to so badly but it doesn't look like it will work out as my FI just started a new job and i just got promoted - needless to say, work is about to get very hectic for both us.

 

happy planning!

I did look into attending the brides dress rehearsal a few months ago, but it didnt work out. My FI and I are looking to hopefully visit the resort in September - might see you there @@snswedding2016. I checked to see if there were any dates available for the BDR and its sold out for 2015! I would really like to go scope it out, theres pros and cons of doing that though especially if you are locked in already. I'm paronoid that I would go and find a reason that I would think my guests wouldnt like about it. *Positive thoughts Laurena* Its the people pleaser inside of me..one thing I am worried about is the beach. The seaweed has been an issue in some areas not just in Mexico, but Mexico seems to have been getting the worst of it. I've seen some places get it pretty bad, but its not the resorts fault. I'm sure they're doing what they can to make sure the beach is usable. Good ol mother nature. There's alot of us from Toronto, it would be great to all meet up and have some drinks this summer!

Edited July 26, 2015 by Laurena1229

[TinkerSofi]

@@Laurena1229 hey! welcome to the forums and congrats on your upcoming wedding . 

 

We are using the semi-private dinner as a welcome event and then paid for a private reception at the sky deck for our wedding. The only problem with the sky deck is that you can't have plated dinner, only buffet or family style, which was ok for us, but I know a lot of brides want the plated dinners 100%. 

 

We didn't get their packages. They weren't around when we first booked our wedding, and when they came up, after doing the math it didn't seem like such a good deal for 30 people (we had 40 people at the time when I looked into them, but still). I found that you pay a lot for a limited amount of guests, and while it looks pretty, you're also paying for a lot of extras that in our opinion weren't necessary. We decided to go with the always and forever package for the ceremony and bring our own decor and then we just paid $250 for each memorable moments table for the reception and then bring the rest of the decor. It was what we found cheapest. We also upgraded to the sky deck for both the ceremony and reception so that was our splurge . 

 

Let me know if you have any other questions! If it's not me that knows the answer, the other ladies on here are really helpful

[snswedding2016]

@@Laurena1229 let me know if you end up going in Sept, we'll be there for sure. Maybe we can grab a drink together if you end up going around the same time as the BDR.

 

LIke @@TinkerSofi we went with the Always and Forever basic package and added on from there. We're having our ceremony on the terrace (the level below the Sky Deck) and our reception will be in the garden. We are bringing all of our own decor with the exception of a couple small things we're getting from Lomas. We did upgrade to a private event and we're using our semi-private dinner for our rehearsal dinner the night before. In terms of chairs, I agree it's ridiculous that they only cover 24 chairs in the package. What I found out was that, that is for the upgraded chairs (chiavari), if you want the basic garden chairs (which I think look really nice) they are free of charge.

 

We're going fairly simple and especially since we're paying for our parents travel we had to trim our budget accordingly. I'm really happy with what we've chosen so far. Our bill at the moment (it may go up since I still have 5ish months left to add things to it ) with the resort is just over $3000 for 51 people (kids included). Keep in mind that this doesn't include decor we're bringing, gifts, attire etc. We initially budgeted double that amount though for the resort and I feel like we're doing pretty well.

 

 Side note: regarding Toronto brides and drinks - have you seen the "GTA brides meet up"? You should join us! At the moment we're trying to plan for drinks on a patio for Aug 14!

Edited July 28, 2015 by snswedding2016

[Eryncita]

Hello Azul Fives 2015 Brides!

 

I am posting in both the Azul Fives 2014 & 2015 fourms. I am having my wedding at Azul Fives on April 2nd, 2016 and having approximatly 40-60 guest. I am interested in any recommendations for videographers. I would really like to get imput from past Azul Fives brides about their own experience and overall quality of their choosen videographer. If you used either of the two Azul Fives approved videographers (Caribe photograph and Matias Cano) or if you choose to go with an outside vendor. I would really appreciate your assistance.  Thanks

[TinkerSofi]

@@Eryncita i just came back from my wedding, sadly haha. We used Octavio Montes and his team for photos and video and they were great! We run out of time to do some of the shots I wanted, but we only had about an hour to do all the photos for the couple. I'll share as soon as I get the video. 

[mariahlewis22]

Has anyone been able to use an outside vendor for hair and makeup at Azul Fives? I really want to use Styling Trio but so far the resort hasn't been cooperative in letting me use another vendor. Styling trio does have a studio 8 minutes away but I dont know if that is a good idea? Any thoughts?

[TinkerSofi]

I got my hair and makeup done at the resort and I have no regrets. They were great and it was easy because you're right there. I'm glad I didn't go outside the resort to get it done, there's so many things going on that day that I really didn't want to add a trip to that. I'm trying to recover today haha but I'll post pictures soon

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[snswedding2016]

I uploaded this to my planning thread but forgot to upload it to this thread as well. Here are the dimensions of the garden gazebo if anyone needs it. 

 

[catrionaanne]

Has anyone been able to use an outside vendor for hair and makeup at Azul Fives? I really want to use Styling Trio but so far the resort hasn't been cooperative in letting me use another vendor. Styling trio does have a studio 8 minutes away but I dont know if that is a good idea? Any thoughts?

I booked with Styling Trio! I was unable to negotiate having them come on site, but I am wiling to go to their studio... their work is amazing and my hair and makeup is something that is extremely important to me!

[LisaBear]

Hello All

 

I just booked my wedding at Azul Fives for 8/8/16!! Super excited! It will be on the Sky Deck! We are planning on having a Smores Welcome party and haven't chosen area for reception yet, we really don't wanna spend extra money just to have it outdoors and in Aug it may be hot and humid, any suggestions? Just so yall know, in 2016 all prices in the Banquet menu and desserts will go up 10%