Azul Beach Hotel - POST HERE!

Jess878 · March 7, 2013

Yea I didn't know about the 300 limit... Hmmm I really have to go back and see how much I've pd for stuff.

gillianr718 · March 10, 2013

Originally Posted by KaelaMcD

We had no trouble with the dress code. I've heard mixed reviews about this, though. We were there in October, which is technically low season where I think they may be a little more "lax" on the rules because there are many fewer people at the resort. From my memory, my guests dressed "appropriately" for dinner. You don't really have to "dress up" or get fancy, I just don't think they want people walking in wearing a wet bikini covered in sand for dinner. One of my Aunts' said that at Chil Lounge they asked her to put on shoes when she came in off the beach for lunch one day. But expecting shoes is pretty low expectations if you ask me!

About two weeks before the wedding we sent out a snail mail letter to all of our confirmed guests with more specific details about the resort, the schedule, tips, etc. I think we reminded our guests about the dress code then. I can send you a copy of what we sent if you want to it for reference.

Hey Kaela,

I'd love to see your letter as well if you don't mind. Please email me at gillianr718@gmail.com. Thanks!!

renese79 · March 12, 2013

Hi Kaela!

quick question, when you brought your own sheers, how much did it cost to have them set it up? Did it still work out less? Love this idea, but their telling me I'd still have to pay to have them put it up.

renese79 · March 12, 2013

HI Kaela,

THank you so much for sharing all this great information!! Hope Im not bugging you but was it extra charge for having them put up your sheers you brought and set up the maracas on your table? I was told this would all be extra for the coordinators to do (like $5 per guest, per event you want help setting up something, so it comes to a ridiculous extra fee even with just 25 guests!). I just have to ask b/c I know planners (in the States) say one thing then you get there and (so I hear) the on-site coordinators are much more relaxed and don't nickel and dime you on everything little thing. Trying to create a good budget, your input is invaluable!!)

thanks!

Ren

KaelaMcD · March 13, 2013

Originally Posted by renese79

Hi Kaela!

quick question, when you brought your own sheers, how much did it cost to have them set it up? Did it still work out less? Love this idea, but their telling me I'd still have to pay to have them put it up.

Originally Posted by renese79

HI Kaela,

THank you so much for sharing all this great information!! Hope Im not bugging you but was it extra charge for having them put up your sheers you brought and set up the maracas on your table? I was told this would all be extra for the coordinators to do (like $5 per guest, per event you want help setting up something, so it comes to a ridiculous extra fee even with just 25 guests!). I just have to ask b/c I know planners (in the States) say one thing then you get there and (so I hear) the on-site coordinators are much more relaxed and don't nickel and dime you on everything little thing. Trying to create a good budget, your input is invaluable!!)

thanks!

Ren

First, you're not bugging me at all. :-) To answer both of your questions, yes, I had to pay a "service charge" for the things I brought, including the sheers for the gazebo. I think the $5 per guest is accurate, although, they told me (and I suppose it can always change) that they put at cap at $250 max, which I think is what I paid. I had almost 60 guests, so it would have been more had they actually charged $5 per guest. And, btw, that was the charge for ALL the extras I brought, so they didn't specify this much for the maracas, this much for the gazebo, this much for the place cards, etc. I gave them everything that I brought (it was a lot, see below!) and they gave me the flat $250 price which I thought was reasonable considering what I WOULD have paid had I gone through Lomas or an outside vendor for some of the stuff I brought. For example, the sheers were going to be upwards of $200 just to rent! What??? Then we'd still have to pay the "service charge" for all the other stuff anyway. So, for me, it was well worth the cost, and definitely saved money in the end.

The $250 got me:

-set up of the gazebo sheers

-made sure all guests had programs (DIY project)

-maracas at every place setting at reception

-set out "place cards" which were names tied to starfish in a box of sand (another DIY project)

-set out table cards at each table different tropical drinks (yet another DIY project)

-set out 24+ blue glass votive candles (again, thank you Amazon) as a supplement to the floral centerpieces (bc they were $4 each on Lomas!), they of course decorated these ahead with the florist

There is not an additional charge for two, very skilled, on-site wedding coordinators. I understand it's probably built into the cost of whatever package you purchase, but still, I didn't mind the exta "service charge" considering the amazing service they provided me and my guests. For example, everything was done exactly the way I wanted from my bridal luncheon (which required set-up that they didn't charge extra for) to the cocktail party, to the ceremony and reception. Everything ran so smoothly, and the resort threw in "extras" that were worth a lot to us, ie; upgrade to the honeymoon suite, names in the fountain in the lobby, every bartender catered to our guests and knew our names, to name a few...

Hope that helps!

Kaela

Amanda Hammett · March 13, 2013

Kaela,

So you didn't use table runners at the reception? Also, were the blue glass votive candles heavy? I was concerned about the shipping costs. Thanks in advance for your help!! I leave in less than 60 days!!

KaelaMcD · March 14, 2013

Originally Posted by Amanda Hammett

Kaela,

So you didn't use table runners at the reception? Also, were the blue glass votive candles heavy? I was concerned about the shipping costs. Thanks in advance for your help!! I leave in less than 60 days!!

Amanda-

No, I didn't use any table runners at the reception. I just didn't think it was necessary, especially on a square shape table...I only had blue votive candles around a floral centerpiece. I don't really know how heavy they were, but we didn't ship anything. We strategically packed everything in our suitcases (I think we checked four bags total, plus two carry-ons, including my wedding dress which I carried on) and just made sure they were all under 50lbs.

girltravel77 · March 14, 2013

Hi Kaela and any other brides who got married at ABH! I was wondering if any of you had guests stay outside the resort and how the day passes work? One of our groomsmen and our officiant (a married couple) are staying outside the resort, but we'd like them to spend the day before the wedding and the full day on the day of the wedding with us at the resort. How is the 8 hour policy enforced? Also, when I looked back out our Azul contract it says guests with day passes are not allowed in any of the guest rooms. Is this enforced? Any help you can provide is much much appreciated!! Thank you, Melissa

Amanda Hammett · March 15, 2013

Did you buy floral centerpieces for each table from Azul/Lomas? Do you have a picture? I'm torn....I planned to take my own tables runners and I bought clear bowls to fill with water and place floating candles to use as centerpieces. I was hoping that since the candles will sit down in the bowls, the wind won't blow them out. I also bought the colored water beads to place in the bowls for more "color". Help! LOL

KaelaMcD · March 15, 2013

Originally Posted by Amanda Hammett

Did you buy floral centerpieces for each table from Azul/Lomas? Do you have a picture? I'm torn....I planned to take my own tables runners and I bought clear bowls to fill with water and place floating candles to use as centerpieces. I was hoping that since the candles will sit down in the bowls, the wind won't blow them out. I also bought the colored water beads to place in the bowls for more "color". Help! LOL

Amanda,

Here is a picture of our floral centerpieces. It was a tough choice for me too, because they are expensive...I think mine were somewhere around $60/table? I did have them at each table, with the votive candles, and the table card. The resort, of course, sets out the place setting and linens, etc. I also made menu cards, place cards (ie; the names tied to the starfish), and had the maracas, all shown below as well. I think when the photographer took the pic of the centerpiece, the place settings weren't completely set, so it might look a little "bare" but it didn't once everything else was on the table.

I think you're probably okay with the candles in the bowls. There was a light breeze the evening of our wedding, definitely not enough to blow out a candle. I guess that could change if it was windy...although, now that I think about it, they do have storm screens that they can lower if/when there is wind/rain. So, all that to say, you'll probably be safe! :-)