SunCelebrations responded with the following comments:
Our SunCelebrations team was surprised and disheartened to read the true feelings of the client above about her vow renewal. While we were aware of minor miscommunication during the planning and preparation process, we were under the impression the couple was elated with their ceremony and celebratory dinner. Particularly because they asked that the entire SunCelebrations team take a photograph with them, we felt they would fondly remember their experience working with us. When they both thanked us and hugged us goodbye before our departure from the venue, our team felt that everyone involved had a positive experience. As the client stated in a follow-up letter to us “after all is said and done, everything ended up turning out beautiful.”

To address her specific points:

- Cindy did not arrive an hour late to meet with the clients. The clients had the confirmed appointment time wrong. The photographer, which the couple met with earlier that day, called Cindy and told her they were planning to meet an hour earlier than agreed. Cindy called the couples’ cell phones and their villa to let them know that she couldn't be there early (she had another appointment) but could not reach them. So, Cindy left her other appointment early and arrived 20 minutes after the couple (which was 40 minutes earlier than the confirmed appointment time).

- Regarding the bell tower, the couple was able to enjoy their champagne, cake and dinner at that location. Our process for reserving that space entails sending clients’ basic information and pictures (the e-mail she referenced), awaiting client confirmation, placing the reservation, providing dinner menus for clients to pre-select from, and relaying those selections to the executive chef at the resort. Because we never received a confirmation e-mail or call from them in response to our correspondence, we believed they made alternate dining plans.

- Regarding the ceremony spot, all beaches on St Croix are public and no sites may be reserved or “guaranteed.” The client was informed of this fact prior to their vow renewal date. While we had informed the resort’s sales office (in charge of weddings) of our ceremony site plan, another wedding planner had already set-up chairs, a wedding arch and other décor. Although there was nothing we could do to remedy the situation, the “groom” of the vow renewal above was irate and raised his voice at a member of our team on her first day of work as well as at resort staff. The site that they did use was about 100 yards down the beach and is the favored spot of professional photographers on the island. We regret they were offended by our referencing the type of package they opted to purchase, but the fact is, the larger the wedding or vow renewal, the longer the set-up time required. Thus, a larger wedding had been set-up earlier that day.

- Because SunCelebrations has never owned a clothing steamer, there was miscommunication regarding our ability to supply one to them. We informed the client, as we do all of our clients, that we do not have steamer and do not recommend local dry cleaners. Carambola Beach Resort's Spa has a steamer that they will allow clients to use on their own as a courtesy. Because we cannot be held legally liable for the cost of any client’s special occasion clothing should damage occur in the steaming process, regretfully neither SunCelebrations nor staff at the resort spa are able to assist clients. This information was given to the client on multiple occasions.

- We time our sunset events very carefully and create detailed timelines to ensure everything goes according to plan. We research the specific sunset time for the event date and consult with photographers to ensure couples’ photos will have ideal lighting. We started this client’s vow renewal right on time, even a few minutes early. They came nowhere close to “missing the whole sunset.” A SunCelebrations coordinator was sent to the spa to assist the bride in lacing her gown so that the photographer could take “getting ready” pictures. When that assistant arrived, the bride had already requested the photographer help her to finish getting ready early.

- The elements included in the Signature Elope Package they purchased may be viewed on our website: www.suncelebrations.com/elope. The client mistakenly thought the package included specialty linens for up to ten tables. However, as stated on our site and in their signed agreement, the package accommodates up to 10 people (including the bride and groom). Since the couple decided to have a private dinner in the bell tower immediately following their ceremony, they requested to forego our typical beach set-up which includes a table draped with specialty linens and china provided for wedding cake. Because they were being served by the resort’s adjacent restaurant, it would have been inappropriate for us to use specialty linens on a restaurant table. However, we did set-up their table quite nicely including fresh local flora.

- Regarding the vow renewal certificate, although it was not a part of their package, Cindy genuinely wanted to make something beautiful for them, especially because she officiated their ceremony. The client made no mention of this request until after the ceremony. Because Cindy is a graphic designer, she wanted to invest adequate time to create a keepsake they could frame and cherish for years to come. Unfortunately her travel and business obligations had not yet allowed her to do so.

- The call the client references was placed to Cindy’s cell phone at 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The client’s “urgent” matter was to ask that her bag, which would include the box for their wine flutes, be placed under their dining table. As stated in our contract and at the close of every e-mail we send, our normal business hours are stated “Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. AST.” While we welcome clients to schedule calls with us outside these hours in advance and certainly understand when urgent matters occur near their event, this was not a truly urgent matter. However, her call was answered promptly and politely "What can I do for you this morning?"

In the future, we will ensure to reiterate plans with our elope and vow renewal clients so that similar misunderstandings do not occur.Our SunCelebrations team was surprised and disheartened to read the true feelings of the client above about her vow renewal. While we were aware of minor miscommunication during the planning and preparation process, we were under the impression the couple was elated with their ceremony and celebratory dinner. Particularly because they asked that the entire SunCelebrations team take a photograph with them, we felt they would fondly remember their experience working with us. When they both thanked us and hugged us goodbye before our departure from the venue, our team felt that everyone involved had a positive experience. As the client stated in a follow-up letter to us “after all is said and done, everything ended up turning out beautiful.” To address her specific points: - Cindy did not arrive an hour late to meet with the clients. The clients had the confirmed appointment time wrong. The photographer, which the couple met with earlier that day, called Cindy and told her they were planning to meet an hour earlier than agreed. Cindy called the couples’ cell phones and their villa to let them know that she couldn't be there early (she had another appointment) but could not reach them. So, Cindy left her other appointment early and arrived 20 minutes after the couple (which was 40 minutes earlier than the confirmed appointment time). - Regarding the bell tower, the couple was able to enjoy their champagne, cake and dinner at that location. Our process for reserving that space entails sending clients’ basic information and pictures (the e-mail she referenced), awaiting client confirmation, placing the reservation, providing dinner menus for clients to pre-select from, and relaying those selections to the executive chef at the resort. Because we never received a confirmation e-mail or call from them in response to our correspondence, we believed they made alternate dining plans. - Regarding the ceremony spot, all beaches on St Croix are public and no sites may be reserved or “guaranteed.” The client was informed of this fact prior to their vow renewal date. While we had informed the resort’s sales office (in charge of weddings) of our ceremony site plan, another wedding planner had already set-up chairs, a wedding arch and other décor. Although there was nothing we could do to remedy the situation, the “groom” of the vow renewal above was irate and raised his voice at a member of our team on her first day of work as well as at resort staff. The site that they did use was about 100 yards down the beach and is the favored spot of professional photographers on the island. We regret they were offended by our referencing the type of package they opted to purchase, but the fact is, the larger the wedding or vow renewal, the longer the set-up time required. Thus, a larger wedding had been set-up earlier that day. - Because SunCelebrations has never owned a clothing steamer, there was miscommunication regarding our ability to supply one to them. We informed the client, as we do all of our clients, that we do not have steamer and do not recommend local dry cleaners. Carambola Beach Resort's Spa has a steamer that they will allow clients to use on their own as a courtesy. Because we cannot be held legally liable for the cost of any client’s special occasion clothing should damage occur in the steaming process, regretfully neither SunCelebrations nor staff at the resort spa are able to assist clients. This information was given to the client on multiple occasions. - We time our sunset events very carefully and create detailed timelines to ensure everything goes according to plan. We research the specific sunset time for the event date and consult with photographers to ensure couples’ photos will have ideal lighting. We started this client’s vow renewal right on time, even a few minutes early. They came nowhere close to “missing the whole sunset.” A SunCelebrations coordinator was sent to the spa to assist the bride in lacing her gown so that the photographer could take “getting ready” pictures. When that assistant arrived, the bride had already requested the photographer help her to finish getting ready early. - The elements included in the Signature Elope Package they purchased may be viewed on our website: www.suncelebrations.com/elope. The client mistakenly thought the package included specialty linens for up to ten tables. However, as stated on our site and in their signed agreement, the package accommodates up to 10 people (including the bride and groom). Since the couple decided to have a private dinner in the bell tower immediately following their ceremony, they requested to forego our typical beach set-up which includes a table draped with specialty linens and china provided for wedding cake. Because they were being served by the resort’s adjacent restaurant, it would have been inappropriate for us to use specialty linens on a restaurant table. However, we did set-up their table quite nicely including fresh local flora. - Regarding the vow renewal certificate, although it was not a part of their package, Cindy genuinely wanted to make something beautiful for them, especially because she officiated their ceremony. The client made no mention of this request until after the ceremony. Because Cindy is a graphic designer, she wanted to invest adequate time to create a keepsake they could frame and cherish for years to come. Unfortunately her travel and business obligations had not yet allowed her to do so. - The call the client references was placed to Cindy’s cell phone at 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The client’s “urgent” matter was to ask that her bag, which would include the box for their wine flutes, be placed under their dining table. As stated in our contract and at the close of every e-mail we send, our normal business hours are stated “Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. AST.” While we welcome clients to schedule calls with us outside these hours in advance and certainly understand when urgent matters occur near their event, this was not a truly urgent matter. However, her call was answered promptly and politely "What can I do for you this morning?" In the future, we will ensure to reiterate plans with our elope and vow renewal clients so that similar misunderstandings do not occur.

SunCelebrations responded with the following comments:
Vicky - we are so happy that we were able to help you with your last minute booking at Carambola Beach Resort, it is one of the gems of St Croix! We wish you both much happiness and look forward to seeing you on St Croix in the future!Vicky - we are so happy that we were able to help you with your last minute booking at Carambola Beach Resort, it is one of the gems of St Croix! We wish you both much happiness and look forward to seeing you on St Croix in the future!

SunCelebrations responded with the following comments:
SunCelebrations appreciates the candid review given above by our client "Missing St. Croix." We are sorry for our delayed replies and know that her e-mails should have been responded to more quickly. The lead planner for this wedding is no longer a member of our team.SunCelebrations appreciates the candid review given above by our client "Missing St. Croix." We are sorry for our delayed replies and know that her e-mails should have been responded to more quickly. The lead planner for this wedding is no longer a member of our team.