LauraMinn

I just got back from my wedding at Azul Beach-- we were down there from July 28-Aug 2. I freaked out the day before leaving because weather.com predicted 50-60% chance of thunderstorms for the whole five days. Waste of time to worry about it! It rained for about ten minutes on a few days, but it was sunny again immediately before and after, so didn't really interrupt beach or pool time! There were two storms, both in the evening. We had a 6 pm beach wedding with an indoor reception starting at 7 pm. The storm clouds started gathering around 5:15 but the staff were awesome and let us keep the ceremony outside; they even had us start a few minutes early, just in case. The storm hit pretty hard right at 7 pm as we were heading inside from taking our photos. So I guess we got a little lucky there, but I also give full credit to the staff for really working to make sure we could have the outdoor ceremony. Another thought-- the gathering stormclouds made for awesome photos! We have some really dramatic shots with a black sky behind us. Not sure that I like the metaphor that draws for the marriage, but the photos are really cool! I would not worry too much about the forecast, but maybe try to plan your reception for an indoor or covered space, just in case. I was really glad we didn't do a beach reception- even if it hadn't stormed, the wind was too strong most days and nights to comfortably eat on the beach!

Hi ladies! I just got back from our wedding at Azul Beach! It was *wonderful*. I can't say enough wonderful things about the resort and the wedding. I am hoping to write a review this weekend. Please ask any questions you have in the meantime and I'll do my best to respond! I will warn you that we had a fairly low-key celebration, so I might not know much about the bells and whistles, but I'm happy to share whatever information I have!

Thanks Murmel! This information is really helpful.

Hi ladies, I'm getting married on July 30 (yes, one week) at Azul Beach. I am very last-minute and trying to schedule a group tour for 12 to the ruins at Tulum and then shopping and dinner in Playa del Carmen. My travel agent got a quote for us from Lomas Travel for $95 per person. This includes roundtrip transportation from the hotel to Tulum then Playa in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter that seats up to 17 (still $95 pp though), guided tour of Tulum, and a snack. It seems really expensive-- anyone looked into this kind of tour or done one down there? I'm wondering if what other pricing or tour options are out there. I thought I saw someone on here (months ago) post that they spent $400 for this kind of tour, but I can't find the post now... Thanks!

Thanks anyway! Still helpful to know.

Thanks for this insight on the dress code! My FI was planning to wear only shorts the entire time (including for our ceremony, which is super casual). I'll have to make sure he and his friends have at least a pair of jeans with them, I guess! Flip flops are okay for dinner?

Thanks, Melissa! So helpful to hear first-hand what things are like. My FI is worried that the bars close at 1 am...apparently he has big plans to carry on the party into the night. Is that even possible? Do the public places pretty much close up at a certain time and, if so, is beverage service available in rooms after hours? (it's a party weekend, right?!) We actually don't have a photographer. We are really trying to save money and, although I know everyone says the photographer is not the place to scimp, we just couldn't justify the expense of hiring an outside vendor or flying someone in, so we opted to have a family member with a really nice camera and some amateur photography training take some formal shots. Then we'll just ask everyone to post their photos to Flikr or something afterwards. We're having 40 guests-- glad to hear it's possible to do larger groups for meals! One more question: is there a dress code for restaurants and how strictly is it enforced? Thanks, again, for the information!

Does anyone know the resort dress code? I am at Azul Beach, but I'm guessing they're all the same...?

I have a question! I need recommendations for bars/social locations within the resort. We aren't having many formal gatherings except the wedding ceremony and reception, so I want to designate a time every day where our guests can come together and mingle with us and each other. We want to pick a bar or location where everyone can meet for pre-dinner drinks and socializing. My fiance and I would commit to being at a certain location at a certain time each day, and whoever else wants to show up can. We're thinking it would be cocktail hour, so between 5:30 and 7 or so, and people would be dressed for dinner, rather than in swimsuits. Can you recommend a bar or location that would be good for this? By the way, Melissa, your photos are gorgeous!

Gorgeous!

Thanks! They told me that they would close the Blue International restaurant down for the reception. I was a little surprised at that, since we only have 35 people. I haven't been on site, but from what I can see of the photos, the restaurant set up does look a little choppy. That's why I was wondering if it would be an awkward setting for the reception. I'd love to see any photos you have or if you learn anything while you're down there. Good luck with your wedding Melissa! You're really in the home stretch now.

Hi all, I'm getting married at Azul Beach on July 30. We have to submit our final payment in about three weeks, so we're in decision-making mode! I need to decide where to hold our wedding reception/dinner. I was given the options of a beach reception or Blue International restaurant, which apparently they will close down for the event. From what I hear, the Blue International Terrace is ideal, but I was told we need a minimum of 50 people for that space. We will have about 35 people. The beach would be pretty, but I've heard that it's windy and bugs might be an issue. And it may be hot -- our dinner is at 6:30 pm. Does anyone know how they set up the restaurant for a reception? Are people spread all over, or do they move tables around so we're all in the same space? I have never been to the resort, so I'm curious how they would set things up for the events. Where are the rest of you holding your events? For those who've been to the resort, any recommendations on these options? Thanks!

I love this idea for a guestbook! We didn't do engagement photos and have known each other for almost twelve years, so I think what I would do is include photos from over the years of our relationship. Thanks so much for sharing!

Has anyone used the resort-approved photographers? We're just interested in some basic, professional photos- nothing too extensive or artsy, just enough to document the event. I don't want to go to the trouble or expense of bringing our own and paying the outside vendor fees. I'm thinking of getting one of the resort-approved photographers, but only have the packages/pricing to go on. Has anyone had a good or bad experience with them? Anyone heard anything one way or the other? Based on the Lomas website, because we're at Azul Beach, I think the approved photographers are: Caribe, Royale, Photo Booth, Magic Vision. Thanks!

I'm having a July wedding too, and have the same concern! I've heard high 80s and really humid. I'm worried about storms...

Very excited to have our own Azul Beach thread! I'm getting married there on July 30, 2011. Although I'm taking a (very) low-key approach to planning, I love hearing what everyone is doing, because it gets the ideas flowing. I went with weddingwindow.com. They charge about $75 for a 12 month site. You can pay more to customize the domain name. I don't want to share it publicly, but let me know if you would like me to PM it to you. Does anyone know what the dress code is? The resort website says "To enhance your dinning experience, our restaurants dress code is strictly enforced for dinner. No T-shirts, tank-tops, shorts, bermudas, tennis shoes or beach sandals." Is that *really* strictly enforced? My FI's friends will not be pleased (not to speak of my FI...).

Does anyone know what the dress code is at Azul Beach, like in the restaurants? The Karisma website says what I've pasted below in bold, but I'm wondering how strictly it's enforced. No shorts and tank tops, at a beach resort? Seems a bit strict. To enhance your dinning experience, our restaurants dress code is strictly enforced for dinner. No T-shirts, tank-tops, shorts, bermudas, tennis shoes or beach sandals. We're doing our wedding there in July, sight unseen! Thanks!

Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing the details.

Hi! We're at Azul Beach on July 30, 2011. I'd love to see photos from your visit! We've never been there so we are relying on photos on the website (which is terrible!) and things people post here! With the remodel it's definitely been hard to learn about the current setup. It looks like Blue Terrace is out for us because we definitely won't meet the minimum guest count of 50 people. We'll be more like 30-35. I should ask about the restaurant or other indoor space-- I don't mind the beach, but it seems like with the wind, heat, and bugs, it could be uncomfortable. I think instead of a welcome party we're going to use our free reservation at the restaurant on the first day. About 75% of our guests will have arrived at that point, and I'm hoping we can squeeze in at the 25 person limit. I thought about doing a cocktail party, but I don't want to schedule too much and want to give people a chance to explore the all-inclusive aspect of the resort, so I figure we'll do the dinner and then head to a bar or common area. I haven't picked a photographer yet. I've been putting that off because I don't know what to do. The resort-approved photographers are so expensive, but I don't really want to go to the trouble or expense of bringing someone in, either. What are you considering?

I'm getting married at Azul Beach on July 30 and am trying to decide where to hold a private reception/dinner. Does anyone have any recommendations? My WC just suggested the beach, but I am concerned about lighting and bugs for an early evening reception.

Thanks for starting this post! I want a short dress too, but there just doesn't seem to be much selection. I'm getting married outside in Mexico in July, so I also need a fabric that breaths a little-- and that won't show sweat! So far, the best ones I've found have been at BCBG. I've had my eye on this one for a while: http://www.bcbg.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3711644&cp=2769162.4370155&clickid=cat_leftnav_txt&parentPage=family.

Chiming in on the conversation about private meal options! I just asked our WC how the options worked because I was really confused by their catering packet. Here's what the she said: For the pick and choose menus, you are able to pick 2 dinner entrees for guests. Everyone gets the same appetizer and dessert that you choose. However, the dinner entrees need to be decided 45 days in advance, meaning you’d have to ask your guests if they prefer chicken or steak (or whatever two entrees you choose). They can’t decide when they get there. For the family style, petit gourmet and bbq deluxe menus, you pay a per person rate and you receive everything listed on the menus. You don’t have to select anything specific…you get it all! We'll likely go with a private reception because we're going to have only 20-30 people. It's cheap enough to do a private meal, and we'll likely hover right around the 25-person minimum that Azul Beach has for the semi-private restaurant meal.

It sounds like many of you have set aside blocks of rooms at the hotel. We haven't thought about reserving a block of rooms. My travel agent has found flight + hotel packages, and we were going to have our guests get in touch with her to book those packages. I'm assuming if we're booking packages, it isn't possible with the blocks of rooms. Did you do that direclty with the hotel, or through a travel agent? Forgive my ignorance! I want to be sure that we're going about things the best way. My concerns are getting fair prices but also having enough rooms for guests. We're at Azul Beach in July, and were going to get serious about booking in Jan and Feb.

We're getting married at Azul Beach on July 30 and decided to have the ceremony at 11 a.m. Any perspectives on that choice? Our thinking was that we can get the ceremony done early, while the light is good and mosquitos asleep, and then have a wedding luncheon and celebrate for the rest of the day. We're only going down for five days, and I don't want to spend an entire day getting ready, full of nerves. I'd rather get the ceremony and primping over with in the morning, and spend the day having fun with the group. We may even do a couples massage and have some down time just for us in the afternoon, before heading out to the pool (in my white swimsuit, of course!). But now I'm worried that the beach will be crowded with onlookers in the late morning. Any thoughts on a morning versus an afternoon ceremony?

Thanks! I wanted to include a charitable option as well, and I love the idea of finding a charity in the area where the wedding is! I will probably put at the top of my registry page: "Your presence at our wedding would be the best gift. If a gift is your intention, please visit our registries below or consider contributing to the following charitable organizations in our honor." Then I might provide a little description of each organization and why we selected it.