Maui wedding at Gannons... I am so confused.

BeardGonsalez

Hi there. I am getting married on Maui in about 6 weeks. I am really confused. I have been trying to plan this wedding since January and I feel like I haven't gotten anywhere. I am getting married at Gannon's and I am using their on-site coordinator. I keep seeing pictures of people's weddings at Gannon's and there are so many little details. I am confused at how all those little details get planned and come together... I haven't even been able to get linens or flowers set in stone yet... My coordinator and I keep going back and forth but nothing happens... is this normal for 6 weeks out? I feel so confused... I thought having a coordinator made things easy but I just feel so lost. I don't understand how other brides are having such amazing details at their Gannons weddings and yet I don't even know what linens or flowers will be booked and ordered yet. Am I stressing too much? Is this normal? Does everything happen closer to the wedding? I am really confused. I just want it to be a nice wedding for my guests to attend. 

tiggy5555

A lot of the brides make their own decor items. Ceremony programs, custom dinner menus, table decor, etc. Then they ship or deliver it to the restaurant and have the coordinator set it up. As for flowers, most places have preferred vendors like Dellables and you can organize the floral details through her yourself. You should have some of the things done already being 6 weeks out but you still have time to get them completed now that your are actively ready to finish the planning.

 Also the coordinators I've seen at restaurants are busy and may not devote as much time as you'd need to plan those tiny details. I'm sure things will work out but I would start calling around now to get the final touches in place. Good luck with it all  

FSForever

Who are you working with at Gannon's?  You need to call them and voice your concern.  I would be stressed if 6 weeks out I was feeling as you do.  Let her know that you need to see where you are at your planning stage and that you want it in writing.  
I am not sure which pictures you have been looking at but I know most of the brides that have posted Gannon reviews and pictures on this thread did a lot of their decor themselves.  I am getting married there next June and instead of hiring one of their WC I opted for an independant DOC and a lot of DIY, but this is because I love that aspect.
Hang in there and let us know how it works out. 

AKWinterBride

The girls above are correct, many of the little details you see in pictures were bought/created by the bride.  I had programs, fans, menus, etc. all made by a vendor on Etsy, I bought our table overlays and napkins because it was just more economically wise, and I ended up taking 2 35gallon rubbermaid tubs full of stuff with me when we left for our Maui wedding. 

I am just someone who couldn't sit on the sidelines and wait for stuff to happen, so I made it happen myself!  You should definitely call your coordinator and let her know that you have some concerns as you are 6 weeks out and have items that haven't been reconciled yet.  However, if you are hoping for little details like tags, place cards, menu's, etc., I would suggest  you head to Etsy right now as there is a lead time for many items. 

Good luck!

melmac26

Agree w/ the ladies above...I bought my own napkins & shipped them to my planner ahead of time. I made wooden wedding sign & "Mr" & "Mrs" signs. Place cards, etc...But places like Michael's (or any craft store) have packaged items that you can use to make some smaller detailed items, or favors, or programs. If you have a color printer it's really easy. Most of that stuff has a website that you go to, to get the template from & then just fill in your info & print. Otherwise, search the boards for girls who are willing to share templates to help you make some "detail" items
Try to not stress too much, but DEFINITELY get proactive. Be frank with the planner & find out what she really is covering & what she was anticipating you take care of.

maui2011

My date twin..specifically what small details are you taking about? Is it paper related, decor related or both? The ladies have given you great advice but if you could be a little more speicifc that will help us assist you better. You really need to get on top of your coordinator ASAP. J. :-)

Tanq&Tonic

IFirst off, don't worry, 6 weeks is still enough time, but you need to get on top of things quickly.  I'm with the other gals -- what details are you thinking are missing?  I think you also need to clarify what kind of coordinator she is.  I see 3 kinds:

1.  Wedding designers -- these are really people who pull together everything about the wedding.  The vision, the colors, the flowers, the details.  These are usually very, very expensive.

2.  Wedding coordinators -- these are people with whom you share your own vision and photos of what you like.  Then you DIY some and they help you book and execute the rest.  In addition, they serve as your DOC (see #3).  I think most of the brides on this forum fall into this bucket.

3.  Day of coordinators -- these are people who might recommend some vendors, but really don't kick in the bulk of their work until the day of the wedding, where they help manage your timelines, set out menu, orchestrate the vendors, etc

It sounds a bit like you might think you have #1 when you really have something closer to #2 or #3.  I highly recommend you connect with Gannon's, get on the same page on expectations, and share pictures of the types of details you want, as well as the type you will provide.  Like the other gals, all of the details were things we handled ourselves....table numbers, letterpressed menus, organza chair ties, etc.

If you can share more, all of us are more than happy to help.  FWIW, we did not have linens, flowers, or menus at the 6 week point yet.  Like I said, NO WORRIES!

BeardGonsalez

Thank you for all the feedback. I spoke with them on the phone yesterday and I am feeling a lot better. I guess I am learning that I am the type of person that is very organized and I like to be in control of everything. I am having a hard time with the loose... fly by the seat of my pants... wait til the last minute approach. But, after talking to the coordinator, I feel better. 

I have been working on all the small details... I am making our own chair signs our of wood in the shape of doves and painting them white with "bride and groom" on them. I am also hand making our guest book using pictures of us with each guest from when we were kids/teens... etc and we're going to have them sign next to the photos of them... so this will be something very fun for our guests to see themselves in and something special we can cherish forever. I ordered special silver beaded chargers and matching place frames ... so I think that will look nice. I ordered a vintnage hanky for around my bridal bouquet... I am doing starfish wine stoppers as the favors... I will need to add little matching ribbons... I am having my table runners hand made from etsy... and I am making my cake topper myself. 

Does anyone have any other suggestions for a maui wedding? I want it to be personal and unique and crafty... and I feel like I am missing things... I just don't know what...

Nicole

BeardGonsalez

oh and our flowers are stargazer lilly with white roses... and our cake is white with stargazer lillys and little white beading. And we have our menu done. I just need flowers to be ordered, and linens... and details... stuff like that. Maybe I need to just take a chill pill. :-D

tiggy5555

Ok. Your OP made it sound like you had nothing. You have plenty! I would just take it easy, make sure your not stressed before you head out and maybe take care of Honeymoon details or excursions with friends. Maybe you are looking for more projects now that your almost done. Ordering linens and flowers won't take much...relax

maui2011

The only details i can think of are:
- welcome letter
- dinner menu
- table numbers
- ceremony program
- fans
or you can DIY a ceremony program/fan combo either paddle or petal. 

Oh and i haven't finalized my table linens yet either. No worries. HTH! J. :-)

BeardGonsalez

I am trying to relax...it's not that easy... I want to get my little hands dirty!!! :-D

maraminz

I know you posted this last year but I'm hoping you can help me. Our wedding will be at Gannon's on Aug 13, 2012.... I have a separate wedding planner who is working with the planner at Gannon's... But I still have questions. So.... Did you have to bring your decorations to the restaurant the day of the wedding or before? And did they set things up or did someone you know set things up? Do you have any advice for a wedding/reception at Gannon's?