Wedding Planner Issue

[LysaandRob]

I am wondering if I am being neurotic, but... our wedding is in 8 months and we have hired a wedding planner. (I prefer not to use her name, since we hope to continue the relationship, if possible.) We booked the ceremony site, and reception location, but nothing else done yet. Here's the issue... I have been reaching out to her with emails (about 4 emails in 6 weeks) and one phone call (last week) but not getting the response I had hoped for. During the phone call last week, she told me she would get back to me with recommendations by the end of last week and not a word heard back from her on this.

Is it really too early for worrying about things like photographer and DJ? I've been told by others that the actual planning for an island wedding, after the site is chosen/booked, doesn't need to happen until 4 months out.

I can't imagine doing this from the states without a planner, but at this point I could call photographers and some other people on my own. My fiance is inclined to seek out another planner, but I like the personality of ours (when we met her) and she has gotten rave reviews on this forum.

Should I relax and give her some more time???

[Arubalisa]

I've been told by others that the actual planning for an island wedding, after the site is chosen/booked, doesn't need to happen until 4 months out.

I think if you read some of the more detailed reviews of planners, you will find that your situation is fairly normal... Persistence and patience.
Not saying that everyone works according to island time, but the island itself runs on island time.

[cyclone promotions]

i think she will get back to you soon

it was a really really busy wedding season in august it will slow down a little give her a call and i hope that everything will be alright

[superyooch]

LysaandRob - I totally understand what you are going through. I am from NYC so I want answers yesterday! When I first booked the reception/location I had a billion questions! I'm a month away and things are still not finalized. I realized after communicating with other Aruba brides on the forum that things will get done and not to stress!

What really helped calm me was putting together a "summary" of what I needed for our wedding. I made a little report with pictures of what we wanted in terms of flowers, decor, menu, etc. instead of having tons of emails confirming details all over the place. I am going to send this our wedding planner in a week so he can make the final arrangements.

And yes, Cyclone Promotions is not kidding when he says it's been a busy wedding season! My wedding planner said he had 15 weddings in July!

Private message me if you want to discuss more in details!

[Ples]

Originally Posted by LysaandRob

Is it really too early for worrying about things like photographer and DJ? I've been told by others that the actual planning for an island wedding, after the site is chosen/booked, doesn't need to happen until 4 months out.

We're getting married in just about a year, in the US, and we've already booked our photographer and are looking to book our DJ. We have had a few people of each say that they're already booked on our date (which is, admittedly, a Saturday during the summer). Just FYI.

[sunnysmiles]

I'm sure it is a crazy busy time with weddings right now.
What bothers me is when people say they'll get back to you by a certain time and don't (no matter what situation it is). If they know they can't get back to you for 2 weeks (especially when you're 8 months out) then they should tell you that, not leave you hanging.
I'm sure things will work out. You have time on your side but I'd certainly keep it in the forefront of your mind (how could you not?! LOL)

[Karen Lutzker]

There is no excuse for ignoring a wedding couple's emails, even if it is a short reasuring email. Constant communication either by phone call or email is a must no mater how many months in advance of the wedding date. The wedding planners living in Aruba can get very busy with civil ceremonies during the day and wedding ceremonies late afternoon and evenings they and many times they are hardly in their office and lose sight of an anxious couple needing answers. When you are planning a wedding from so far away I can just imagine how you must feel and truly understand the stress that you are under. Planning a destination wedding in another country is not the same as planning a wedding here in the United States. If you are not happy with the way things are going with your wedding planner, you should be up front with her and let her know how you feel and ask her to be prompt with her replies and ask her to be up front with you and let you know what has been done thus far and what has not been done and the decisions that she needs you to make to get the planning process on a positive note.

[Cple]

Be very patient. My son had a beach wedding at the Amsterdam in June. The planner will get back to you soon. The same thing happened to my son and his wife. They will be in touch with you more often, the closer the date gets. You have to remember, things happen much slower in Aruba. Everything will work out just fine. Good Luck with all your plans,,,,,:

[Karen Lutzker]

I totally agree that things happen much slower in Aruba. We have been visiting Aruba several times a year going on 34 years and understand how things work. However, the fact remains that just ignoring a couple living so far away from Aruba planning their wedding should be acknowledged and questions answered in a timely manner no matter how far out their wedding date is. That is just good customer service!

[christinew]

My wedding is a little more than a month away and I still have not ironed out all the details. My wedding planner has kindly asked for my patience because she has been very busy with lots of weddings over the past few months. I know it can be frustrating for us living in the states and used to service "yesterday", but everything will work out....eventually...lol. Best wishes for a very special day!