miro2be

We also just returned yesterday after 13 days in Mexico (honeymoon included!) I just briefly looked through some of the posts and it seems even all the brides have such different experiences! I will try to post of the big things and post pics as soon as possible! Anyway, overall everything was awesome! One of my biggest concerns was having the reception on the beach with the wind--but I'm so glad I did and I can't imagine having done it any other way! It was perfect!!!! The wind screens that they put up right along the shoreline blocked all of the wind. I'm not sure if they automatically put those up or if you have to ask for them, I can't' exactly remember at this point. But our wedding day seemed just as windy as every other day. Our guests did so much dancing people were actually sweating during the reception. And no the wind screens didn't even cost extra!! They were able to even add more to screen all 70 guests that we had. So those of you set on getting married on the beach, I would highly recommend it! It was awesome for us anyway. Also, we had the ceremony at Zocolo Beach (which I thought was a bit more private than the other beach side), and a cocktail hour at Zocolo Alfresco. For a smaller group, I think a reception could work here, but for our size I think it would have been awkward. Couple of other quick good things.... -For the most part, all of the food and drinks were great! Much better than most all-inclusives! -Staff and service in our experience was great-we had no issues with the front desk. Staff is always friendly, lots of people always cleaning, getting you drinks etc. -We did the bonfire through the friends and family division as a welcome party two days before our wedding. Other than the wedding, this was the highlight for most people! It was so fun! They organized a game which helped get people moving, laughing etc. and then I (being a huge lover of games) had everyone go around and say how they knew the bride and groom (but in a funny way). Well after the drinks had been flowing all of the sudden you have people standing up saying the funniest things/stories of us it was such a hit! We brought our own IPOD and they set up the speaker was music was great and easy to control too! Anyway, would definitely recommend it!!! (Oh and by the way, yes the tiki torches kept blowing out, and they would keep relighting the for the most part). -The onsite coordinators we worked with were for the most part very accommodating and organized. They really are pros at this. I, like many of you, had a zillion issues with the off-site team and there doesn't seem to be much coordination between the two departments. I am really surprised to hear they changed a ceremony location on someone at the last minute!!! That is awful but I'm glad it worked out. -The minister we had did a great job. I would recommend taking the template he or she uses and then making it your own-inserting your own readings, wording etc. It really helped our ceremony feel special and personal. Couple of negative things... -My flowers were AWFUL. Nowhere even close to what I ordered. But that's probably part of the problem. I had submitted a pic of what I wanted vs. picking something they already had. Even though I got a quote and confirmation and paid extra for them, they weren't the same colors, or even the same flowers as I requested. So my wedding coordinator ending up spray painting them an hour before the wedding! They were still awful but better. Anyway, I ditched them after the ceremony and am also getting 100% refunded for them so it certainly didn't ruin the day! -The dance floor they set up for my beach wedding was way too small for my group, and it also looked uneven and a little unsafe! Whatever they quoted in the price package it defintely wasn't as big as those dimensions, and no way could it fit 60 people like they said it would. After my ceremony I saw it and asked them to pick it up and we would just dance on the bare sand. They accommodated this right away and picked it up during the cocktail hour. I'm sure it would have been fine it we had a smaller group, but I really thought it would restrain people from dancing because it was so small! Anyway, dancing on the bare sand was great! It was so much more natural and since all 70 people were dancing the whole night I can't imagine having done it another way. -The resort lost of one my friends' luggage during the checkout process. I'm sure this was just a freak thing but somehow the bellboys "misplaced" it or it got taken or put on the wrong bus or something. I am working with her to help get her reimbursed. -Out of 70 people, they were only a few with room issues. One or two toilet problems, my parents didn't have a safe or a working TV, some complained the air conditioner was loud, and some had issues with hot water. (We found it you let it run for like 10 mins before you wanted to shower it was fine!) One other thing for this "new plaza" area....they were putting the finishing touches on it the day we got there. We had a cocktail party there the night before the wedding. For 70 ppl, the area felt huge. But we also had only cocktail tables, not sit down dinner tables. I think if its set up properly, this area could accommodate larger numbers. But yes, it is a little less private than the old plaza area. Anyway, some minor construction STILL going on, but nothing major. Thinking its going to keep getting better. Like I said, overall our experience was great! Will post pics as soon as possible As far as swine flu, so sorry those that are leaving now have to worry about it! We have had lots of things working against us in Mexico lately!!! Anyway, we just spent 13 days there (and in Cancun) where if you didn't turn on the TV at the resort you didn't even know about the swine flu. Anyway, we feel fine, our guests feel fine, and some of them are even getting time off of work just because their companies are making them stay home for a few days symptom free. As of now, sounds like the US is making a bigger deal of it than it is right now anyway. It is cause for concern but not panic. Hopefully, with no cases in Cancun/Riviera Maya area your guests will not cancel!!!

So with wedding less than 4 weeks away...... Is anyone still going for the beach reception? That's where I am booked but after reading all of these reviews now I am not sure. Has any past bride has a good experience with a beach reception? I've only heard about the brides that switched it before. Has anyone been a wedding here or anywhere in that area where they had the reception on the beach? I really didn't want to get a tent bc I felt it defeated the purpose the look of the beach reception. I'm kind of at a loss now of what to do. Also, does anyone know...for the DJ list....Tiffany tells me you can submit songs you want and see if the DJ can get that music. I am not so sure about this? Is it better to get them on CD or Ipod or what format and just bring it with you? does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks for the info girls! I can't have the Plaza b/c the other wedding is booked at the Wave which from what I am told is fairly close to the Plaza (or at least you'd see or hear the other wedding going on)...can anyone confirm this who's been there? So, not to be too tight at Zocolo I think I will just go with the beach. I am a little worried about the wind but I think it will be great. Now I am considering the whole tent thing....but I kind of want it just bare on the beach. Those that have done or seen the beach what do you think? Would you then need addtl decoration for the tent? Melissa-for the DJ...did you just take away and add from his list or did you write your own list and they said he'd just "play it for you." How much control are you giving the DJ

Can anyone who has actually been to this resort give input on a venue for 66 people...we can't have the Plaza and from what I thought Zocolo was too small...but now it sounds like they are changing on that with this 50-70 ppl thing. Can you have a dance floor there? If not, I think we are just doing it on the beach if there are no other options. Also, for anyone who has somewhat larger groups, are you doing any other private rehearsal dinner/cocktail parties other than the events of the wedding day? And lastly!! (for now) Can you share your ideas for the actual out of town bag/boxes you are using? I can't seem to find anything I like!!!! Thanks for your help!

Hello ladies!!! I have been booked for awhile (April 19th, 2009) and am finally getting on this site!!! thanks for sharing all of this great info!!! How many of you are hiring or have hired an outside photographer? Any reason for the opening delay?

Ok so I am going to stop stalking and start participating!!! My name is Lisa and am getting married next April 19th at Azul Sensatori in Riviera Maya! I look forward to all of your ideas and feedback to help plan this wedding!!!