Travel: Melissa with Beach Bum Vacation

Why get a travel agent?

We NEVER use travel agents in our day-to-day vacation travels.  After debating, we decided to use Beach Bum (based on Knottie reviews) and got Melissa.  Super happy about this.  Melissa compiled guest list information for me, sent me updates on my guests' travel schedules, and responded to emails immediately.  The compiled guest list may not seem like a big deal, but when you're on location and trying to remember when who's coming in when, it's awesome to have.  

Also, on the day we left, we realized we had forgotten our transfer vouchers, hotel food and beverage voucher, and other needed paperwork.  I called and emailed Melissa and got a response within 5 minutes (and I even woke her up!).  She called the shuttle/transport provider and the hotel and faxed each of them all the necessary paperwork.  That's why you get a travel agent.  Love her.

Melissa matched any comparable rates I found online.

Rating: Excellent

Photography: Photography by Shannon

My Photographer= My new Best Friend

We initially were going to use the resort's photographers.  However, I saw a few photos of other weddings the group had done (not on their website) and was less than impressed.  The pictures for me were a lasting memory and therefore something worth investing in.  We got the deal of a lifetime.  I seriously cannot rave enough about Shannon.  Our first experience with her was our Engagement Photos.  She and her assistant, Steve, were fun to work with and full of innovative and fun suggestions.  I think the pictures turned out great!  But, I still wanted to make sure the wedding ones were magnificent.

Shannon also did my B-pics and honestly, which was kind-of my true test.  I loved how they turned out.  I felt very good about myself (which I think many of us will admit is challenging when we are looking at ourself in underwear!!) but they also looked like me and not a photoshopped version of me.

I came to love Shannon and Steve during the wedding weekend.  They photographed the wedding rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, preparation pictures, the ceremony, reception, Trash the Dress, and Brunch.  The poor people didn't take a break!  They were also around, but blended with the group and actually a lot of my guests commented on how sweet, yet unobtrusive they were.  I have more than 800 pictures for my and they are FANTASTIC!  I am so thrilled to pieces.  This was the BEST wedding decision I made (minus marrying Peter of course).

To Atlanta brides, if you can get Shannon, do it.  For DW brides, if you can bring your own photographer, I highly recommend it- and I also recommend Shannon.

Photo courtesy of (and featuring!) Shannon Wright.  Thanks Steve for getting this shot!

Rating: Fan-freaking-tastic

 

Ceremony: Marriott Wedding's in Paradise

I've waited a very long time to do the review on the Marriott.  April was our  wedding coordinator and while nice, she was totally disorganized.  We had a few conference calls beforehand and I feel like some of the things that we discussed she kept forgetting.  On the other hand, she made sure to give the harpist sheet music for a particular song I wanted played for my walk down the aisle- and that happened at no additional cost.  

She also did not mention that the private beach area, where we were set to have the wedding, was washed out by the hurricane.  The hurricane is an act of God and I certainly get that these things happen.  I was, however, irritated that she didn't tell us in advance.  

We had the wedding on the far side of the resort- so it was a bit more private- but their rental jet skis were still around.  Not quite the look I was going for.  In exchange for the location switch, we had a chuppah/canopy whatever you'd like to call it!  So that part was great because I not-so-secretly really wanted one.  However, the florist delivered the chuppah at the start time of the ceremony, delaying everything.  Again, not a big deal except that April had wanted the guests to arrive 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start- which meant that they would have been outside for 45 minutes before the wedding even began (we "negotiated" and had the guests arrive just 15 minutes early, so they still had to stand around and wait 30 minutes.  Fortunately, one of my honorary bridesmaids was there to keep the guests in the covered/breezy Morningstar lobby instead of having them sit in the sun.)  

Flowers were much smaller than I wanted and my bouquet was the wrong color.  I would have happily paid more to get a larger bouquet- so if that's important to you, mention it!  Also, I thought the roses that Havana Blue had (from East End floral) were better quality.  

So, the location is great and it worked out well for us and I still have great memories.  My advice is (1) know that things may not go according to plan and be ok with it. (2) If there are specific things you want (order of folks walking down the aisle, etc) specify it and write it down.  She was confused about the order of stepmom, groom's mom, bride's mom. (3) If you are a control freak (I AM!) have someone else who can ensure everything is going the way that you want it to go.  April is very sweet, and someone I could see myself being friends with, which is why it took me 6 months to write this review.  I just don't think that this role is the best fit for her.

Rating: Fair

Note, the picture to the left is the lobby/courtyard area at the MorningStar hotel.

Hair/Makeup: Megan at Jon Michael's in Marriott Frenchman's Reef

I thought Megan did a great job with my hair and makeup!  She did my hair for the rehearsal dinner as well as my hair and makeup on the big day.  Highly recommend her!

Wedding Reception: Havana Blue

Event Manager: Elizabeth Smith

Given the type-A, detail-oriented person I am, I really wanted the reception to go off without a hitch.  I wanted a cool atmosphere, great food, great drinks, and nothing remotely like hotel wedding food (no offense!).  Elizabeth was always super friendly, but on occasion, I worried we weren't communicating perfectly.  We made a point of visiting the restaurant every night leading up to the event and I think developed some sort of relationship with the manager, Elizabeth, and some of the bar staff.  That helped a ton!

I created a detailed schedule (not just for this- for everything!) and Elizabeth did a tremendous job executing everything!  I ended up with far more details than I had planned on initially-- Gocco-printed table numbers, a guest book, my own menus, escort cards which required assembly (flowers put into the vase), a specific play-list for our wedding dances, etc.  All of it came together perfectly.  A team of waitstaff was waiting for us to enter at the start of the reception with three pre-picked cocktails so the celebration could start immediately.  They had plenty of staff there for refills and for passing out the appetizers (also pre-selected). Everyone was friendly and great.  

The escort card flowers from the East End Flower Shop were beautiful (I'll have pictures eventually on the details page!).  And they arrived before my wedding flowers (but I digress).  I believe they did the flowers for the Wedding Cake as well- and it was gorgeous.

The one hitch- I had paid and planned on having the entire space to ourself from 4 - 5:30- as written into our contact.  However, they rented out the Privado to another bride beginning at 5:00 (in part, this is related to the departure of one event manager and the arrival of another).  Ironically, her party was just entering as I announced to my guests- "We have the restaurant to ourselves until 5:30- you know how I don't like to share!- but it will open to the public at 5:30."  Whoops.  The restaurant credited me 1/3 of the early-open fee but- if it weren't my wedding night- I would have pushed for more.  They stopped playing my music once the other party arrived and it totally changed the dynamics.  But, I guess that's me being a slight Bridezilla.

In any event, my guests largely didn't realize the SNAFU and seemed very happy with the food and the service.  The food was fantastic.  We "just" went with Menu A, which is the lesser-priced option, but it was fabulous.  Quality, presentation, etc- all very good.  Nothing hotel-foody about it (side note: it's entirely independent from the Marriott).

Rating: Very Good/Excellent

USVI Shuttle Service: Islander Taxi Service

Alvin is the Man!

I had some concerns, admittedly, about randomly contacting a Shuttle Service on St. Thomas and making reservations well in advance--  especially given that I had never been to the island before.  With 30+ people in the wedding party, and a Rehearsal Dinner and Celebratory Brunch offsite, I needed transportation.  I checked with Trip Advisor and contacted one of the board's suggestions, as well as Islander Taxi Service and another company.  Davis, with Islander Taxi Service, was extremely prompt in his email replies to me.  And, he happened to offer me the best deal.  

I reserved our day with a simple Paypal payment and that was it!  Alvin, the head of our group, called me to confirm a few days prior.  He called Friday, just before the Rehearsal Dinner, to let me know that he wasn't sure where I was, but it was raining where we were headed (rain is spotty on St. Thomas, I've learned). He said not to worry- that all the places of our Rehearsal Dinner activities were under cover and everything would be just fine.  We got stuck in traffic on the way to the restaurant- he called the restaurant and let them know!  On Sunday after the brunch, several of our guests had last-minute plan changes- no problem- he re-routed one of the vans to swing by Magens Bay and then the airport.  

In short, Alvin was fantastic and a total stress reliever for me.  His prices are very reasonable- but don't be fooled.  He and his crew are extremely professional and courteous and their vehicles were the nicest ones we traveled in all week.

Rating: Excellent

  

 

Rehearsal Dinner: Herve Restaurant

Celebratory Brunch: Indigo Bar and Restaurant