MauiBride2B

your hard work paid off cause those look GREAT!

they look awesome!!!

SOME OF THE BEST I'VE SEEN!! great job and very informative invites!!!

Total price for all materials: $65 (I have lots of extra materials left over too) Price per magnet from total cost: $1.08 Price per magnet not including left-overs: $0.72 If anyone wants the extra magnets, tags, or business cards, let me me know I have 89 magnets, 29 tags, and 100 cards

You did an amazing job and I can't even imagine what your invites will look like!!!

Since I have gotten so many ideas from this wonderful website, I thought I should return the favor. I sent out these STD's in Christmas cards back in December so I could save on postage The only problem was that our date changed (to a day earlier) a month after I already sent them out. But thankfully I could post that on our wedding website so everyone was aware of the update. Here's what I used: Magnets: 3.5" x 2" adhesive magnets purchased in a box of 100 from Staples Paper: Avery Clean Edge Business Cards (#8873) - Linen Textured, Two-Side Printable white Ink Jet cards. 2" x 3.5" Tags: "Paper Reflections" Creative Tags - Small 4-1/4" x 2-1/8" - purchased from Joann Fabrics Ring Punch: Martha Stewart Embossed Diamond Ring double craft punch purchased from Michael's Teal Raffia Scotch Scrapbooker's Glue with 2-way applicator (This stuff is the best!) Here's how I did it: Downloaded the free software Avery Design Pro and used the template for #8873 paper Purchased the palm artwork from iStockPhoto All of the design was done in Avery Design Pro. It was super easy to use and allowed me to customize everything! I also created a black border around the outside of the card to differentiate the card from the tag because they weren't the same "whites". The cards came in a perforated sheet so I didnt have to cut a thing! I attached the card to the tag with the scotch glue and then put the magnets on the back. I punched out the diamond rings from silver scrapbook paper and finally tied the ring to the tag with the raffia/ribbon. Everyone loved them!

anyone checked them out yet?

thanks for the help everyone! I will try this and keep my fingers crossed

Thanks MarieSam! When you state "certified letter", what exactly do you mean? I've never dealt with legal issues before so this is all new to me. In her contract, its states "Reservations will not be confirmed until receipt of this form and a non-refundable retainer of $2000 plus a deposit of $1000 for Olowalu Plantation House made payable to Blue Sky Weddings" In the Olowalu Plantation House Rules it states "If an event is cancelled outside of 180 days of the occasion, the deposit is fully refundable." In my case, I did not cancel and kept the same date, however because I cancelled my contract with BSW, they were refunded the deposit, and I had to make another deposit for a new contract. But in another portion of the same contract it states "Reservations will not be confirmed until receipt of this form and a non-refunable deposit of $1000 made payable to Blue Sky Weddings" After speaking with Olowalu, they said my deposit was fully refundable but it was up to BSW to refund me. I looked BSW up on BBB and they are not even accredited! I'm an idiot and should have looked them up before signing. When I released BSW, I did so in a professional manner and nicely explained my reasons for being dissatisfied. I then got a response that was completely exaggerated for a rebuttal and it was the most correspondence I had from them since they were hired. The problem I am concerned with is that she is a business woman, not a wedding planner and she only cares about the $ put into her pocket. You'll never meet her, and she doesnt even go to your wedding, someone else you've never talked to before would be there. That's crazy! So needless to say, where should I start? Contact BBB or send the certified letter? I'm not sure how to threaten in a professional manner

I was soo unhappy with my planner, Blue Sky Weddings, and we had a couple unfortunate events come up in the family, that I decided to fire them even after I had paid our deposit for their services ($2000) and the venue ($1000). In the few months she was "helping" we did not book any vendors other than the location at Olowalu, which I found myself. Now she wont give me any of my deposit back, not even the $1000 for the venue. Even though I am still using Olowalu on the same date originally booked, they offer 100% deposit refund and it is refunded to BSW because they issued the check (even though I paid for it) and Olowalu has to give me a new contract without BSW. So now I've had to pay another $1000 deposit for Olowalu and BSW wont refund me claiming its for all the work they did (even though they got a retainer of $2000 on top of the Olowalu deposit). I have been fortunate enough to find Lori of Tropical Maui Weddings who has been absolutely wonderful, but I'm $3000 in the hole and dont know what to do about getting any money back from BSW. Anyone have any suggestions?

Welcome Justine and Congrats!!! I am using Lori Lawrence and actually switched to her after I was soo unhappy with my first planner, Blue Sky Weddings. Lori is soo much more personable and makes sure everyone is done the way you want it! Unlike BSW who just wants to make a crap load of money off of you for things you done even need or want. I would definitely recommend Lori 110% and I haven't even had my wedding yet! She doesnt charge hardly anything compared to how much love she puts into her work. And her husband Jamie has the greatest voice in the world, we're using him for our ceremony music. We're getting married at Olowalu because the place is amazing and private and we can bring our own everything. The downside, you pay a little more for rentals. If you get married at a resort or restaurant, you are restricted to their services, but might be a good option if you are looking to make things easier on yourself from a planning standpoint (although that's what Lori is for!) We are staying at the Westin Kaanapali Villas in Lahaina, just north of Black Rock. I know that food is quite expensive in Maui so I chose the villas because they have a fully equipped kitchen in each room and even bbq's on site so people can go to Costco and save a ton of money compared to eating out. It appears their rates are quite higher, but when you get a group discount for your wedding guests, its is more comparable to other resorts that dont have near the amenities as the villas. And the rooms are huge and have separate bedrooms if people want to share rooms. Beware of lower costs at other resorts because there are a lot of hidden charges. Most resorts charge a resort fee of $25 per day, plus parking and other things $10/day! When all that stuff is factored in, including their food and drink prices, it gets pretty expensive I'd be happy to help if you have any other questions. I'm planning everything from the mainland and had never been to Maui before up until last weekend for a last minute trip to meet Lori and do a couple tastings. Good luck with your planning!

I'm not sure if I noted we got the Olowalu Plantation reserved for October 16th! I had to change to a day earlier than originally planned but at least we got the venue we wanted. It was very difficult to find a venue large enough for 50 guests that wasn't at a resort. I didnt want to be restricted to the resort's vendors.

Quote: Originally Posted by Erika J My FI's cousin is getting married at the Plantation in June and the food cost is reasonable at just under $30 per person. Hey Erica J! Where did your FI's cousin get their food/catering from? And by the plantation, do you mean Olowalu?

We're in the same boat, never been to Maui and live in SoCal (seems like a lot of brides on here are as well). It seems really scary but the information on the internet is endless!!! And think about it, you'll be getting married in Maui... the planning will be easier than doing it in your backyard

Hi Thanda! I am also getting married in Maui but in Oct of this year. I had no idea where to start as we had never been to Maui so we have completely relied on the internet. Sounds scary but I think everything will all work out because we have no expectations and who could complain when they're in Maui!!! How many people do you expect to attend your wedding? Are you looking for formal, quick, relaxed, convenient? All of these things played a huge part in our location choice, and we finally decided on the Olowalu Plantation (even though I fell in love with it when I first looked at it). Because we expect around 50 guests, it was hard to find a location to accommodate such a "large" party. We could have gone to one of the restaurants like Seawatch or resort like the Westin, but I figured people are travelling so far to come that we would rather have a ceremony and reception in one private location instead of a public one in multiple venues. Granted, it is a little more expensive, but the thought of people watching us that we didn't know was a bit difficult to fathom. Also, we decided on a wedding planner, Blue Sky Weddings. Even though I like to do a lot of things myself, we figured it would be best to have someone local to arrange the necessities and keep everything in order. Hope this helps!