Maui Coordinator? Tropical Maui weddings vs Precious Maui weddings

Smylesue

Hello Knotties!

Well I'm finally planning my wedding after 3 years... I've been researching online, on yelp and here on The Knot for the perfect wedding planner.  I've called around to several and the two that stick out to me are Tropical Maui weddings and Precious Maui weddings.  I'm having a tough time deciding!  Both Deanne and Lori are very sweet and helpful. 
Lori from Tropical Maui seemed to provide me with lots of suggestions and ideas for my wedding.  Deanne was very sweet too but a little more reserved.  The one and only issue I've notices was Deanne takes awhile to return my calls.  Is this a common issue with her?  I read on one site that a bride flew into Maui on Monday and Deanne didn't call her back until Friday (day before her wedding)... So I'm a tad nervous that she may have a lag time with communication.  The other thing I heard was that she seemed in a hurry to leave at the ceremony.

I honestly don't think I'll go wrong with either one of them but... any thoughts or recommendations on one or the other?

I appreciate any feedback from those who have used these planners.  Thanks so very much!

Susan

tiggy5555

I actually hired Lori but cancelled recently due to some issues I had with her. My vote would be for Deanne out of the two but honestly I'd stay away from the huge companies for a few reasons. They get SWAMPED and response times really suck especially when you are planning from so far away. I'm sure they both would do fantastic jobs BUT if you are looking for someone who "get's your vision" and takes the time to think out of the box, you may want to find a coordinator other then the two you mentioned.

I've learned that the bigger names tend to have these pre-made weddings where you pick from a few vendors and you really don't have much say in being creative, and they aren't really around much until the 6months leading up to your wedding. Not cool with me but it's all personal taste...

Good luck as this has been a HUGE learning process for me.

motoLyn

Hi and welcome!  I don't have an opinion for you.. I just wanted to wish you luck and welcome you.  Also to add that responses are always a little delayed with a majority of the vendors over there in HI.  I'm sure other brides will have reviews for you.  But i just say go with who you feel a good connection with.

Smylesue

I'm trying to reply to both of you separately but still getting used to this site... So I'm sorry if this doesn't reply correctly.

Tiggy85 - Thank you for your input.  You are the first person I've heard negative responses from for Lori but it's good to hear because I want to hear all of the good and the bad!  I'm so sorry that you have recently canceled with her... That doesn't sound good at all.  I have called around to some other places but didn't quite click with anyone besides these ladies.  So many choices out there tho!!  I did talk to a woman from A Dream Wedding Maui Style and she was helpful too. 
Thank you for sharing your opinion, I do appreciate it. 

Motolyn - Thank you for the welcome and support!  It's nice to have a group out there who here to help and listen!  This wedding stuff is WAY overwhelming to me.  Just trying to keep a positive attitude.  =P

Take Care,
Susan

tiggy5555

Hi Susan!

I am not one to speak poorly of anyone but I do believe it's important to share your personal experience with vendors so others can make decisions that will best effect them. My main word of advice is find somebody who really get's you and your FI. This is probably the most stressful thing I have even had to plan and I am a planner by nature.
 I found my dream coordinator in Kara from Your Aloha Wedding. She was super fast to respond, open to me doing some projects on my own (other coordinators frowned on me making my own bouquet), up front with everything she could do for me and cheaper then both the coordinators you are looking at. She also is highly organized and sent me pages and pages of information on restuarants, beaches, photos, musicians, etc. BEFORE I even booked with her. It blew my mind and I knew I was in good hands. Not one of the 12 coordinators I'd previously spoken with was a detailed as her.

I have to give a big thanks to lyssalou89 for leading me to Kara. If you need any more info or have questions send me an email at tiggy85@gmail.com

jessj336

I recently just hired Lori as we clicked immediately on the phone and she has amazing reviews. I have had a few issues where her response time is a bit slow but it seems like all vendors there are on "island time."  I know that she was recently out of town and there were some other family health related issues so that was definitely part of the reason. I did talk to a past Knottie bride who used her and she said she would call Lori most of the time instead of email and she was always extremely responsive. Good Luck finding a coordinator!!

Tanq&Tonic

I think with almost all vendors in Hawaii, picking up the phone to call will give you more success than just email. 

Deanne has been very popular on this board of late, and Lori has been popular for 2 years or more now.  Both have glowing reviews from many brides.  I have not heard of anything seriously bad about Deanne yet (except your mention in the OP), but we have had a recent trend of frustration in working with Lori -- mostly around attention / response time.  There is a thread a few pages back on just this topic.  However, in fairness, I don't think any bride that has actually worked with Lori all the way through her wedding has complained.  Most of those disastisfied have walked away during the interview process or cancelled after placing a deposit because of the lack of responsiveness.  I honestly believe you would be OK with either if you were clear enough with your expectations -- on communications turnaround time, on vendors / freedom of choice, on which dates you expected to meet / hold rehearsal, etc.

iallrd8it

Hello and welcome to the board my vote is for Lori all the way!!! She was my WC (last week) and the wedding could not have been more perfect. She has tons of suggestions and is also super flexible to accomodate requests and vendors outside her usual group. She was always there when i needed to ask her something but sometimes it does take a bit for her to get back to you because a) she is amazing and popular and b) she has her own life too. I never felt neglected or stressed the whole time, i can't say enough good things! Ok now back to my honeymoon

NurseJo34

I'm using Kara Byrne with http://www.youralohawedding.com/ and she is amazing. She is super detail oriented and totally prompt with responses. I'm so happy with her I think everyone should use her!!!

NCSUWolfpack

My vote is for Lori....she is simply amazing! She did my wedding in June, and it couldn't have gone more smoothly....I never worried once because she is so good at what she does!  I'll give a full vendor review soon!

Smylesue

Thank you so much to you all for your input!  I do appreciate it.  Sounds like Kara is good too. I think I will check her out as well.  Hopefully going to make a decision by the end of this week.
I'm the type of bride who wants it very simple and easy.  I'm not into a lot of the details and hoping the planner will just take over.  =P  I'm not looking forward to all the planning actually.. I'm a rare breed, I know...  haha 

Thanks again!!! 
Susan

mauidandy

My vote also goes to Lori!!! She is amazing, seriously. If I was doing my wedding over again, I would hire her in a heartbeat. I don't agree with the above statement about her not letting brides "think outside the box." She definitely works with you to find out exactly what you want, and delivers. And she takes care of all the little details, things you wouldn't even think of. She has vendors that she regularly uses, but that's because they're good! And if you find a vendor that you want to use outside of her recommendations, she is completely cool with that. I booked my photographer and videographer, hair and makeup on my own. Good luck with the planning!