shakeimap

Thank you! We cruised so we just had the ceremony the day the ship docked in St. Thomas.

I'm not sure if you decided on a planner yet but I was married on Magen's Bay in November 2009. My planner was Leslie from Perfect Weddings and I highly recommend her. I hired her 2 months before for my wedding after my other planner disappointed me and she was amazing. Here is a link to my pictures.  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044542&id=1431069700&l=e109a357c3  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044544&id=1431069700&l=bcf4a9c6db   Leslie hired our photographer, Kelly. She was AWESOME. She wasn't intrusive and the results were incredible. Let me know if you have any questions. Â

I was married in St. Thomas in November 2009. I decided against using the Carnival planners because they told me that they couldn't give me details about my ceremony until 2 weeks before the wedding. That was just too nerve wrecking for me. I hired Leslie from Perfect Weddings. She was actually my second choice after my first WC didn't work out. Hiring Leslie was the best decision I made. The woman is absolutely fabulous!!!! The cruise lines will tell you that it's better to go with them if they have to re-route and don't go to St. Thomas but you can always book with them at the last minute if that happens and you can purchase insurance cover any loses with the other planner.

Leslie was my WC for my November 2009 wedding. I'm not sure if you wedding has taken place yet, but you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE her. I actually hired her 2 months before my wedding after my first WC wasn't working out. She is amazing and so professional and responsive.

Leslie was my WC for my November 2009 wedding. I'm not sure if you wedding has taken place yet, but you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE her. I actually hired her 2 months before my wedding after my first WC wasn't working out. She is amazing and so professional and responsive.

I was just married on Magen's Bay on November 10th. Kelly O'Brien Uszenski was my photographer. Her fee was included in my wedding package for 1 hour of photography and I paid for an additional hour for $550. I have ownership fo all or my digital photos. I am beyond amazed by Kelly's work and would HIGHLY recommend her. She was such a pleasure to work with and she truly captured the essence of my wedding. Each time I look at my photos I am taken back to the way I felt on that day. KO Photo A few of my photos are featured on her blog. Shakeima and Andre Chatman KO PhOTO

Quote: Originally Posted by mddugas Shakeimap... Who are you booking your mini tour with? That's exactly what I want to do! Hi mddugas, My wedding planner extradoniarre, Leslie Dawson, made arrangements for the tour. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go on the tour. Our ship docked late so instead of getting our marriage license before the ceremony, we got it afterwards while our guest went on the tour. Our guests did enjoy the tour though. Honestly, it was so hot that day, I wasn't terribly disappointed that we didn't go. ;-)

Hi Everyone, I want to pass information along to any brides that are cruising to St. Thomas. Apparently, they do not adjust their clocks on the island like we do so your ship's arrival may actually be an hour later than you expect. For example, our ship's itinerary has us docking in St. Thomas at 10:00 am on the day of the wedding. It will actually be 11:00 am island time. As you can imagine this will really have me in a whirlwind to try to get my license and make my 1:30 ceremony. If you haven't checked it out, I suggest you ask your WC. Just wanted to pass this along.

Hi Everyone, I want to pass information along to any brides that are cruising to St. Thomas. Apparently, they do not adjust their clocks on the island like we do so your ship's arrival may actually be an hour later than you expect. For example, our ship's itinerary has us docking in St. Thomas at 10:00 am on the day of the wedding. It will actually be 11:00 am island time. As you can imagine this will really have me in a whirlwind to try to get my license and make my 1:30 ceremony. If you haven't checked it out, I suggest you ask your WC. Just wanted to pass this along.

I invited everyone to the wedding that was close to me and we really wanted to be there. Manly close friends and immediate family. Not everyone could afford to go to the wedding so I'm having a girls night as a way for them to celebrate with us although could not make it to the wedding. This was my MOH of honors idea and she insisted that it be done. Also I eas feeling bad about people coming to the wedding and giving gifts. I am not requesting gifts and have not registered anywhere.

Quote: Originally Posted by kpuckrin I hope you both have a great time! You'll have to check in when you're back and let us know how it went. I will be sure to do that. This forum has been very helpful for me so I will make sure I share anything I learn. It's nerve wrecking planning a wedding from a distance so I will calm nerves as much as possible. I'll be sure to tell you all about Leslie too. But you have been working with her longer than I have so you already know how great she is.

Quote: Originally Posted by Prettyhazardous Sounds like fun... Maybe we'll see eachother on the tour. What ship are you on? We're on the Carnival Freedom. We are on the Carnival Glory. What stops are you making on the tour? We are going to Drake's Seat, St. Peter's Greathouse and Paradise Point. Our tour leaves the beach at 4:00. That would be so neat if we ran into each other.

Quote: Originally Posted by Prettyhazardous Shake where's you wedding? We are on the same day possibly the same beach lol. I'm on Lindquist and then my reception is at the Grille Room on the Mahogany Run Golf Course. I'm getting married on Magen's Bay Beach and having a mini reception on the beach. After the reception, we are doing a mini tour of the island. We will then have dinner and dancing on the ship.

Quote: Originally Posted by Scubadiva You are getting married in a month? Yes, my wedding is Nov. 10th 2009.

Quote: Originally Posted by kpuckrin Shake, GREAT choice with Leslie! She's the WC that I have been workind with for 8 months now...very patient, and quick to respond. Great service! I think you're in good hands. Thanks for the feeback Kpuckrin! So far Leslie has been amazing. I'm happy to get additional reassurance though. Now the count down begins. I can't believe I'm a month away!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by sherri shakeimap, Thank you very much for clarifying that Weddings the Island Way is NOT the wedding coordinator who responded to you like that. What they said to you is very unprofessional. I hope that everything works out for you. BethGrubb, My suggestion is to have your wc set this up for you! Happy Planning and Congrats! Sorry for the confusion. And thank you for your best wishes. I feel good that I'm back on track now that I am working with Leslie Dawson. She has been amazing so far and I've received great references from her past clients on her work. AND AGAIN FOR THE RECORD WEDDINGS THE ISLAND WAY WAS NOT MY PREVIOUS WC...LOL.

Okay after all the posts about the confusion on who the planner I WAS using, I started to feel bad because I really don't want to ruin anyone's career. I went back to the email that I got from the planner and this is a direct quote. "Every wedding just takes a lot of time to make sure that they are perfect and we are at the beach making sure that our weddings go smoothly almost daily and by the time we get back, we don't feel like doing office work, we're just tired." In your opinions, was I being unreasonable or would you also look for another planner?

I'm sorry if I caused confusion. I didn't realize that there was an Angela at Weddings the Island Way. Repeat, I did not originally contract with Weddings the Island Way. Ashley, my new planner is Leslie Dawson at Perfect Weddings of St. Thomas. So far she has been beyond great!!!! Let's hope this remain that way. If they don't then I am afraid that I will have to classify myself as a bridezilla which I'm trying to avoid with every fiber of my being...lol.

As an update, I have found another planner and I am very satisfied so far. Instead of just responding to email, my new planner actually picked up the phone to call me and we have already had several conversations about my wedding. I actually like her ideas. She is not only arranging a ceremony on the beach along with the reception but we will also have a mini island tour for my group. I think I can breath easy now. For the record, I don't know if it was just timing or me being impatient for things not working out with the other planner. I am in no way trying to speak badly about any one.

Quote: Originally Posted by sherri Hi Scubadiva, She can't be using Weddings The Island Way, because Tina nor owner Erica would ever say something like that! Something was taken out of context or something, that is for sure! Hmmm, wonder what this is all about? Shakeimap? Weddings The Island Way, I am so sorry that you were mistakenly picked as the planner that I was using. I actually talked to you guys on the phone about this situation and you were very helpful. To Scubadiva, I was not refering to Weddings the Island Way. I'm not sure where you got that from but they were not my planner. I never indicated who my planner was.

Quote: Originally Posted by Scubadiva http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t48622 Post #8 Please correct me if I am wrong and she isnt using you guys. But I thought she was! I am not using Weddings the Island Way. I never indicated who my WC was because i am not trying to talk badly about any planners. I was just expressing my concern. I am happy to report that I found another planner and things are back on track. I'm very happy with the amount of communication this planner is showing me

Hi Everyone, I am so worried about my wedding. In the beginning I have been able to get in contact with my WC immediately but now that we are closer, I'm having a hard time reaching them. They did let me know that they are on the beach most days and when they come back to the office they don't feel like working. I know that things are laid back on the island but that is driving me crazy. Do you think I should try to find another planner? My wedding is on Nov. 10th which is coming up pretty soon. I already know of one other wedding on that date. Yes Ashley I'm talking about your wedding. (SMILE). How are things going with your planners?

Hi have been working with Angela but I'm getting nervous because I can't reach her. She has been responsive in the past so I don't know what's going on. My wedding is Nov. 10th. If I don't hear from her soon, I may have to go with another St. Thomas wc but I'm afraid I won't be able to book someone this short notice. I already know of one wedding in St. Thomas on the same date. Yes, Ashley - I refering to your wedding. :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Prettyhazardous Shake we have the same wedding date. Also my wc is doing another wedding that day as well... Did you know that day was Marine Corp Bday??... I'm clearly marrying a marine haha. No J/K I actually just found out it was their bday (I am really marrying a Marine thou, but I actually picked the date). Welcome to BDW. Hey Ashley, Sorry for the late reply. I have been on a mental hiatus from my wedding planning but I realize that I need to get back on it. I can't believe it's 6 month's away. We are cruising also but leaving out of Port Canaveral. I checked out your wedding website. It's really good. I'm going to steal a few things if you don't mind. I especially like your tips. This is actually my second marriage. My first husband was a Marine. I guess you will be spending all of your anniversaries at the Marine Corp Ball...lol. Let's stay in touch as things get closer. We have 61 people booked so I know I'm going to need someone to vent to trying to manage everyone...lol.

1. Name-Shakeima 2. Where are you from-Charleston, SC 3. Where are you getting married in St Thomas-Magen's Bay 4. When are you getting married - November 10, 2009 5. Who is you WC -Paradise Bridal Consultants (Angela)