Congrats to John & Stacia!

I meant to get this blogged before my trip last month! Stacia was so nice to send me these images from her wedding on Lime Tree Beach, shot by Elisha Orin Photography!

Congrats again Stacia & John, it was such an honor to be a part of your day!

Making your own Capiz Shells!

You have no idea how many times brides have sent me this image:

Brides love, love, love those hanging shells. Vendors...not so much. :) They are really expensive and just a slight breeze can turn those beautiful hanging shells into a bit of mess. When done properly though, I admit that it's really pretty.

But back to that expensive part...they are. Last month though, I assisted a bride that used to live here in St. Thomas and the bride informed me that her husband to be planned to build their own arch and would decorate it themselves. I couldn't wait to see it as he cut down fresh bamboo (the pretty green color) and she hang these beautiful shells on the arch.

(Hopefully Jenna will send me a better pic...hint hint Jenna...this Instagram photo makes the wood look dark brown instead of green).

The shells were just gorgeous and I had to ask the bride where she found them. I'm always looking for a good deal on these pricey little discs and much to my surprise, she made them! She said they weren't shells at all but made out of....get this...toilet paper and wax paper!

I did a quick Google search and found this blog. It didn't include toilet paper (disappointing, right?) but I had to share with any other crafty DIY brides out there.

I guess the cat is out of the bag....

Dear Beautiful Bride & Handsome Groom, 

So I am here this week:

I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to think you were bothering me if you emailed or called. I'm in Vegas until Monday to celebrate a friends upcoming wedding (otherwise known as a bachelorette party, right?! Celebrate upcoming wedding sounds classier though). But I am working while I'm away, I really am! Yesterday I sent out ALL of our flower confirmation emails (an email to go over the flower order for each wedding) for our August brides and then I went out and hit the strip. A few hours later, I came back and checked my email and I only had 1 response and it was not a response from a confirmation email. That was a huge red flag for me...I usually get responses to flower confirmation emails within minutes. But it was 1am Las Vegas time and that means 4am Virgin Islands time and well...I went to bed. But I checked it as soon as I woke up, called my husband and said, "honey, did you get any of the 5 emails I sent you yesterday?" and when I found out he did not...and then sent myself some test emails and received nothing back....well, let's just say that snapped me out of vacation bliss!

The IT department can't figure out what is going on (and yes, I reset my outgoing email server to match the hotels, that is not the issue). They are working on the problem but in the meantime, I've discovered that I can get emails to go out if I send them from the lobby. Sigh...I guess that means a lot of slot machines and Starbucks in my future!

So long story short...please don't hesitate to email me while I'm away. Yes, I'm on vacation but I never take a vacation away from work. I'll be in and out of the hotel working in between shopping and spa treatments and OH MY I'M GOING TO SEE ROD STEWART ON SUNDAY!!!! ROD STEWART!!! I can't can't can't wait! Love me some Rod Stewart....by in any event, yes, I will also be working. :) I wanted to make you aware of my IT problems though because I hate not getting back to my clients in a timely fashion and want you to be aware that there may be some delays although I'm trying very hard (and drinking lots of Starbucks) to make sure that the delay isn't too long.

I'll be back on island and going through Starbucks withdrawal starting on Tuesday.

Viva Las Vegas! (and Rod Stewart)

Janelle

PS We are all caught up on emails so if you emailed me recently and did not get a response, please resend the email. We're not sure the extent of the email issue. 

Congrats Sammi & Andy!

Sammi & Andy arrived on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and hosted their ceremony and reception at Secret Harbor Beach Resort with a reception following at Cruzan Beach Club just a few steps away. Today is their one month anniversary - Happy Anniversary Sammi & Andy! I absolutely love your pictures from Megan Biggs Photography:

Congrats Anthony & Molly!

This couple was so much fun! They don't have their pro pictures back yet but Molly sent me some photos given to her by her friends and family...and what a good job they did!

Just as the group arrives at Sapphire Beach Resort for their ceremony on Pretty Klip Point, their hotel called me and said that the transportation had left the mother-of-the-groom behind. Ut oh...I knew the bride was about to be picked up so I called her driver who stated he wasn't sure how it was possible that they left the mother behind, as the groom was the one that did the headcount and said everyone was all there. We got transport for his mom and she was soon on her way but first, I went up to the groom and very casually said....so, um...is your mom here? And he's like of course, and starts looking around to see where she is...I say, um, no you left her at the hotel! His groomsmen got a good laugh!

Mom made it in plenty of time to witness a very beautiful ceremony...

Excited to walk down the aisle!

I think the look on her face says, "hey look, there's your mom!"

We did it!

Congrats Molly & Anthony - you two were a pleasure to work with! Please let me know if you ever surprised your guests with that flying shark!

US Virgin Islands Bridal Symposium

Island Bliss Weddings had a wonderful time this morning at the USVI Bridal Symposium this morning! Thank you Sugar Bay Resort for hosting this fun event and the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism for putting on a great & informative program.

Two weddings, same day, one beach...

We had two weddings planned for Lindquist Beach one day this summer...one was in the morning and one was at sunset, both had the same photographer. Megan Biggs sent me photos of each wedding to show the contrast of a morning vs. evening wedding. Pretty cool - thanks Megan!

Kassandra & Nick's morning wedding:

Chantal and Brian's sunset wedding:

Congrats to BOTH beautiful couples!