Hawaii — The Knot Community

Cryssv

TashaK24 — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:30:19 +0000

Hi! It looks like I'm the next person after you to get the parasol and there's kind of a gap between us! How long are you on Maui? We get in on the 29th so I don't know if we'll overlap at all. Of course we can figure things out closer ;)

janethebride

caiandcullen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:53:08 +0000

YGPM. Sorry took me so long to respond! I don't check my msgs on this account often :)

Savvy Coordination

nickandjenn33 — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 03:14:06 +0000

Has anyone heard of this company or have experiences with them? Thank you :)

My Dress Buying Experience- Opinions please

kimmykupcakes — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:01:18 +0000

I keep thinking about something that happened to me on Saturday at the dress shop and want to get your opinion about it. See if I should do anything about it or not.

I went to a smaller independently owned dress shop and had a really good experience until the very end. The woman who helped me was fabulous and made me feel really comfortable. She got what I wanted right away and was the one who found the dress I ended up buying. The size I tried on was a little snug in the hips and a little big in the chest. It still felt amazing though.

I've been working-out really hard to get back in to my pre-relationship shape and to just be healthy, again. I gained that being in a relationship and being in-love weight. When I started thinking that my 35 birthday was coming up I knew it was time to get serious with my health and to stop yo-yoing. I cleaned up my eating in January which meant cutting down the sugar and alcohol and making sure I had correct portions. Then I joined a gym at the beginning of Feb and started working with a trainer at the beginning of March. I know work with my trianer, do the treadmill, elliptical and stairmaster, take yoga, pilates, and water aerobics and I swim. I also do a little work out in my office a couple days a week of sit-ups, push-ups, squats, lounges, jumping jacks and 100s. I've lost 20 lbs so far and have gained muscle.

Because I am literally working my ass off, I didn't want to go up a size on the dress so that it wasn't snug in my hips. I knew the hardest alteration on the dress was going to be talking in the top and I didn't want a dress that was going to be even bigger in that area. Especially since I gain and lose in my chest. Was a DD when I started working out and now I'm a D. I know I will get down to at least a C.

The other place I also hold weight is my hips. Yes, I have an hourglass figure. I've already gone down a whole size in my hips since working out. I know I will lose more there. Especially since I do have 14 months until my wedding.

I talked all of this over with the sales associate who helped me and she agreed I should not go up a size and should order the size I tried on. It wasn't like I wanted to order the size below that.

When I got up to the counter there was a "customer service rep" who answered phone calls, put orders into the computer and took payments. She looked at me and then looked at my order and told me there was no way I was going to fit into that dress and I needed to go up a size. I was so taken back, I couldn't believe it. The dress was so close to fitting me. Everything hooked and laced up. The dress was completely on me. She didn't even see me in the dress. I told her no, I wanted to order the size I tired on. She again told me that I needed to order a larger size and would need to lose 45 lbs for the dress to fit me. I was taken back by that, too. My best friend jumped in and said to order me the size I wanted. I then told her I was working out and would have no problem fitting in the dress. We had to go through this two more times, before she finally ended up putting the order in for the size I wanted, but wrote in the notes that she told me to order a bigger size and I would need to lose 45 lbs to fit into the dress. This all printed up on my receipt.

I talked to my mom about it and she said I ordered correctly. I was so pissed at what that woman said to me that I went to the gym the next day and did almost 1300 calories in cardio. There is no way I won't fit into that dress.

I talked to my trainer about it yesterday, too. I think it pissed her off as much as it pissed me off. I showed her the pictures of me in the dress and she thought the woman was crazy for telling me I needed to lose 45 lbs. She also said she would make sure I fit into that dress and had plenty of time to do it. She thought by next month I would fit into the dress if I keep doing everything I am doing.

Anyway, I keep thinking about the stupid woman who said those things to me. It was so rude! I can understand making sure to double check that the right size is being ordered, but to keep telling someone to order a bigger size and to lose weight is not ok. The thought even crossed my mind to leave without ordering the dress because she was pissing me off so much. If I hadn't had such an awesome sales woman help me, I would have left.

I was thinking about writing some on-line reviews saying the experience was great until the working with the woman at the counter. Actually, I am going to at least do that. But, should I do more? Should I contact the manager or shop owner, too? Should I do anything else?

Rainy Wednesday + checklist!

breaness — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:33:49 +0000

It's so dreary here, I swear I haven't seen the sun in weeks between the rain and it being overcast! Daydreaming about Hawaii sun is definitely helping to get me through right now.

I just went through my theknot.com checklist to see how we're doing and I got CHILLS! We don't have anything left until 3 months out. Woo!

I hope you all have a lovely Wednesday!

Finally got around to putting together a planning Bio

breaness — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:15:15 +0000

http://gettingmauid.weebly.com/

I can't believe it took me this long, but I finally got around to putting together a planning bio. I'm looking forward to keeping up with it and using it as a place to keep track of the checklist!

How competitive are you?

aliciacharlie — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:48:31 +0000

I just went to a wedding this past weekend, and FI and I were seated with two couples (one married recently and the other just dating for a year and a half) who are also coming to our wedding. These two couples started discussing possible ideas for wedding games, decoration, food trucks, etc. All seemed creative but being the seasoned bride (been engaged for close to two years so I've seen a bunch of wedding trends come and go), I knew they've all been done before. As they're cooing over the one dude's wedding ideas (which were borrowed from all previous weddings he attended), I found myself feeling strangely defensive. When it was suggested that we maybe jot down these great ideas, I was pleasantly surprised to hear my FI say, "Maybe you should just wait and see what we have planned for our wedding first."

That being said, I was just wondering if this is just the attitue of a proud competition-driven freak (me) or if any other brides feel the need to top all other weddings that have come before in the history of time...? I know I'm not the only one because last year, I had two back-to-back weddings for college friends and at the second wedding, the bride asked us, "Was ours better than theirs?"

Cake topper! PIP

TashaK24 — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:50:16 +0000

Hehehe, I call FI Monkey and he keeps talking about me being Mrs. Monkey, so I got this cake topper to surprise him :)

On another note, Etsy is freaking addicting!!!!

4th July on Oahu

SydneyKate8711 — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:53:06 +0000

Hello B2B!

I've just realised we'll be in Hawaii for the 4th July.

Can anyone recommend a great place to watch the fireworks or celebrate the 4th July? In Australia for Australia Day we have concerts and fireworks etc, is there something similar in HI?

Wedding invitation rec from a former Hawaii knottie!

myday1708 — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:53:04 +0000

Hi ladies, I have not been on TK in forever! I don't recognize a single name! Anyway, I was married at Lanikuhonua back in Feb 2008. Let me know if anyone has questions about Lani or vendors!

But the reason I came back here to post is because the amazing former Knottie who did my programs, table cards and escort cards started her own stationary business! She. Is. Amazing. Anyway, she is doing a giveaway at her new stationary business and I thought I'd pass the info along to the Hawaii Knotties! There will be THREE winners, so the chances are really good!

Details here:

http://www.couturecolorado.com/wedding/2011/04/11/gossip-wedding-giveaway/

Btw, once you are all married and start having babies... Come find me over on The Bump Hawaii board! :-)

I found my dress!

kimmykupcakes — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:14:14 +0000

Very different than what I was originally going for, but I love it! It's so light, breathable and the built in corset is amazing.

Update: Finally adble to post the link!
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=J1232

Invites are in the mail!

TashaK24 — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:36:04 +0000

My sister and I spent 8 hours almost this weekend putting them together, I addressed them last night (with no mistakes, woo!) and bought stamps and put them in the mail today. Yay!! Huge weight off my chest, now to wait for RSVPs :)

Untraditional invite for AHR

breaness — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:38:37 +0000

What do you guys think? I threw this together in about 5 minutes at work so no feelings hurt if you tear it apart.

We're just very untraditional and using the typical stuffy (IMO) wording just really wouldn't match the type of party that we're trying to throw :)

Where did you buy mother's corsages?

syoun — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 05:41:42 +0000

I received an updated estimate of charges from my wedding coordinator and corsages are kind of pricey for what I think they should be priced at. They want to charge $35 per corsage...if I had the time I could easily make the corsages but I don't want to commit to taking on any more diy projects while i'm there.

Did anyone order corsages from Costco Maui Florals or anywhere else? If so, could you share pics and price? What about boutinieres?

6 more months to the day!!

dianab0237 — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:38:59 +0000

and I can't wait! I feel like I've been planning forever and we are anticipating our day so much right now! It's been pretty crazy and sometimes I feel like throwing the towel in and just eloping, but...there's no going back! Out of the 60 some people we invited, it looks like about 20 will attend, which is kinda disheartening since about 40 original guest specifically told me they would go before I started planning, but i'm not complaining I just can't wait to get married to my bff and go on our honeymoon and RELAX!!!!

for girls who are thinking about DW's, it is stressful and it IS as much planning as a traditional wedding. You will learn patience through this whole ordeal, but in the end, you'll be married in Hawaii with memories that will last forever!

:::sdl0618 & breaness re: ETSY:::

maui2011 — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:02:57 +0000

Hi Sarah & Brea, I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to you both re: your ETSY posts...very very helpful. I have been living on Etsy the last week tying up loose ends and taking care of the little details. Maybe we could start an Etsy sticky...not sure if that would be breaking knottie rules tho. If anyone is interested in what i bought and from whom i do not mind posting this info. It doesn't appear that my bio will be completed anytime soon...it is sooo out-of-date as i keep on changing my mind. Thanks again ladies!!! J. :-)

Hawaii Bride Calendar & Parasol

Tanq&Tonic — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:10:39 +0000

I've updated the calendar with the names & dates of folks that I know would like the Mahalo Parasol. If you'd like to sign up for the parasol, please reply to this thread so I can update the sticky to indicate you'd like it.

Charlottethebride (April 25) is next to get it from Keltons. Speak up if your wedding is sooner or forever hold your peace :)

Charlottethebride -- please be sure to post here (PM me or page me on the board) when you've received it and I will update to show you have the calendar.

Also, if you're not on the calendar but would like to be, page me on the board or PM me.

Shum1special

melmac26 — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:03:06 +0000

Left you a PM, be sure to check :)

A Call Out to the Ladies who live in Hawaii

sharkbitemiller — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:34:43 +0000

I know this may seem like an odd request...

I'm really torn about flowers. I'm getting a lack of response from florists and/or their prices are through the roof. I consider myself (and some of my family) very crafty women and so I was thinking of going the Costco route to make my bouquet and I know that they sell leis. So I was wondering for you ladies who live in Hawaii...next time you are in Costco, can you take some pics of the different assortment of tropical flowers they have there and what type of leis they have and shoot them over to me via PM or in this message?

Much appreciated!!!!

vent session--FMIL attacks

hotdognbuns — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:09:26 +0000

My FMIL and I have always gotten along just fine. She has a strong personality though. She's a Chinese woman in her early 60s...My FFIL told me once that she has an "inferiority complex"--his words, not mine. I understood a lot more about her when he said that. She likes to put people in their place when she feels threatened or offended. The flip side to her is that I've always felt like her intentions ultimately were good, regardless of how she projects or how brash she can be. I don't always agree with her or how she communicates and behaves, but we usually want the same end result. Like any person, including myself, she is multi-faceted.

A few months ago, she and I were in my car together and she asked me why I was making such a big deal about the wedding. (Jaw on floor) I responded by saying we weren't making a big deal really, but went home feeling like SO WHAT IF WE DO?? We're paying for everything ourselves, so what the heck? I didn't understand where this was coming from at all...all I could think was that since this is a second marriage for us both, she must have felt like we aren't entitled to have a wedding. When she got my FI alone, she went at him too and said that we should be saving for a house and not wasting money on a wedding or something of that nature. I guess that makes me feel slightly better, but still, we're planning this day because we want to SHARE it with our closest family and friends, we want it to be a happy day, and one filled with good memories. She's not making that happen already...

Then at a family bbq one night, Ms. Passive Agressive comes out. This time she asks me why I chose my date. I said why not...I mean, it just seemed like a good date, kind of feeling like I don't need to explain all this stuff to her and already feeling like this is going to a bad place. I was right. She then says that its in the middle of soccer season, to which I respond that I don't know if my daughter will be playing soccer this year but she wasn't listening to my answer because she was gearing up for her next big blow. She says to me that she doesn't know if she'll be able to make it the wedding because her grandson MIGHT have a game that day!!!! WHAT?! I simply said, well, that's fine, but the rest of the family will be at the wedding.

I'm 100% sure that my FI's nephew/her grandson will be at our wedding. His dad is a groomsman and I know that they're family understands that a wedding is more important that a 14-year old boy's soccer game that happens every weekend. So all I can think is that she was trying to get under my skin. Awesome. She didn't say it in front of my FI or any of the family that would have told her that they would be coming to the wedding and not going to the POSSIBLE soccer game.

I told my FI about it and he was shocked. I told him that I handled it the best I could, but that he needs to get to the core of her beef because she can't keep picking at me like this. If he has talked to her, he hasn't said anything to me, but knowing him, he doesn't want to stir up confrontation. If it were solely up to me, I'd have already cut her from the guest list. I simply don't want anyone there at the wedding that will bring clouds to our day. I want happy memories and I just have this feeling that since it has nothing to do with her, she will do something(s) that day to give me/us bad memories. If she doesn't wanna come, then don't come. But stop ruining it for me...geez!

Phew. Ok thanks. I needed to get that off my chest.

Invitation Address

aliciacharlie — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:36:25 +0000

Hi all,

I'm having trouble trying to decide how to address my invitations. I am having a few older relatives come to the wedding. They will need drivers as they don't drive themselves, but I'm not sure how to address the additional guest....? Would it be Aunty and Uncle X and guest? Would I need to find out the driver's name and address it directly to that person? Would I need to mail a separate invitation to the driver? Any ideas?

:::Kimmy:::

maui2011 — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:15:48 +0000

You rock girlfriend!!! THANK YOU big time!!! I will forward your drink menu to my caterer who is also bartending to ensure that we are on the same page and ask them to give me a list of the alcohol brands that are available on Maui so we can buy the ingredients. BIG THANK YOU!!! J. :-)

Finally have a date!

meldyan84 — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:00:19 +0000

Finally have a date for our wedding. August 23rd, 2011 in Kauai. We have decided to work with Rev. Christine from Kauai Wedding Blessings. She is super friendly and I think it will work out well. Now I get to plan locations and finally shop for a dress. Things are starting to come together. Just had to share!

It's jewelry weekend - Gift for mom [PIP]

breaness — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:26:02 +0000

I posted a little over a month ago about getting custom matching rings made for me and my mom as a gift to present to her the night before the wedding.

I got them made by Daniel M Jewelry on etsy and they're lovely! I can't wait for them to arrive in person :) I got silver for me since my wedding set is white gold and yellow gold for my mom to match her wedding set :)

Things are looking good!! We are getting Mauied!

tiggy5555 — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:16:50 +0000

With a little less then a year and a half to go I have got some major things done this past week! First we have a date!!

September 26th, 2012!!

Next we have a ceremony venue: Olowalu Plantation!!
I hired a photographer this week as well as a coordinator. We will have a group around 20 people and we are on a somewhat tight budget because we are paying for some family members travel expenses. We are hoping to keep all other costs down with DIY projects. Privacy was key for us so spending extra on the venue ended up being a no-brainer ..

We want to have a nice dinner after the ceremony in the west side of Maui so......FI has treated to a 3 night trip this September to try out places, take a look at our venue, have an engagement shoot with our photographer, meet the coordinator, taste some cakes and make a final decision on our dinner spot!!! I love him! We already have our rings/bands so thats another big check off my list.

I must say that hiring a coordinator relieved all my frustrations...it's worth looking into even if you are on a tight budget.

HAPPY DANCE TIME!!!

Planning Frustrations

WinstonsGirl — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:37:45 +0000

OK, so I'm quite new to this, but I'm getting quite stressed about it, and I"m not sure if this is all normal. I've been e-mailing a few hotels on Oahu that we're interested in, as they seem to have all inclusive packages that sound nice and easy to me, and they take weeks to get back to me. Is this normal?? Don't they want my money?? We're really interested in one and we're about ready to book if everything goes well, but I've been waiting close to a week now and nothing.

My Mom is also killing me with questions. She's never seen a DW before, only heard about them, and is quite traditional in her thinking until she gets a feel for things. She was surprised about us wanting to go away, but she's good with it now, but everything I bring up has a downside. I know she's just trying to make sure we've thought of everything, and it's also her trying to sort out how this will actually be a wedding if we don't follow the traditional ceremony, drinks, dinner, reception/dance but her questions are starting to get to me. She mentioned beach luaus with some hotels, and how will this affect our outdoor hotel reception if there's a big party on the beach. I said our hotel doesn't seem to do that based on it's website, but I think she's worried a 600 person monster party is going to appear 30 ft away on the beach and drown out our non-existant toasts.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm more frustrated with not being able to get anything done and starting to feel a little stressed over it. Thanks

Kendra

Indecisive about the photographers :S

maniac0511 — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:27:19 +0000

So I'm having a dilemma. I've been in touch with a few photographers; AnnaKim, Joanna, and Shawn Starr. They are my top 3 (love Mike Sidney as well .. grr). Deciding which one to go with is very difficult. I love vibrant, yet soft colors in AnnaKim's photos.. they are like something you see in wedding magazines!, but she's pricey out of the 3 .. not by much. Shawn ... I love his camera angle, artistic style, ... but not too crazy about the vintage retouched photos and his turn around time is pretty long!!! ... but his package price is decent. Joanna .. her work is some what similar to AnnaKim's .. package price is a bit lower than Anna.

Thought? Recommendation? Comment? I'd appreciate it! :) Thank you ladies!

Cherished in Hawaii Wedding Planner

Liz1/1/11 — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:36:20 +0000

HI, has anyone used Cherished in Hawaii Weddings for thier wedding? It seems legitmate, but I guess you can never be sure on the internet these days. If you have used them how did it go? I have been talking to Carrie and she seems amazing, I just want to be sure before I send in my deposit. Thanks in advance !

I finally got THE ring :)

breaness — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:58:45 +0000

So after much thinking, I realized that the double-bling look (diamond band on engagement ring and diamond wedding band) was a bit too much for me. I had 100 days to return my diamond band to the store, so I did that after 2 weeks of "sleeping on it."

Had a bit of drama when trying to find a plain white gold band because they didn't have anything in the store that I liked and the lady thought I was nuts. I just knew what I wanted. A 2mm white gold band that is the same thickness (height wise, how it stands off the finger) as my engagement ring.

I ended up not buying from them but instead getting it custom cast by a custom jeweler nearby. It was perfect first shot. I probably spent all of 10 minutes in their store total for both trips-- the one to commission the piece and the other to pick it up.

It's perfect! I love it! And it doesn't hurt that it was $1,400 less than the diamond band ;)

I think it sets off the engagement ring perfectly :)

p.s. ignore the ugly fingernails. I got a manicure minutes after I took this picture. -oops!-

I would love some input on Rev wear!

Berryluv81 — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:49:15 +0000

We are having an outdoor ceremony but my gown is more on the formal side and FI will be in a suit and everything else is semi-formal. I'm thinking maybe the Rev's traditional hawaiian outfit with head wreath-thingy may seem out of place although I really do like it.

So...this leaves us with him in a white or black shirt with black pants. My gowns ivory soooo I thought that white might look odd but then I worried the poor man would be hot in black. Any suggestions?