Second Guessing - Is Beaches T&C Worth the Extra $$

Help... I'm starting to second guess my decision to have my wedding at Beaches Turks & Caicos - mainly because of the costs. When we started planning, my "requirements" were: White sand beach, turquoise blue water, tropical, and a place that would allow children (being this is my second marriage and I have an 11 year old duaghter). Before I found this forum, I put a deposit down with DW.com, I gave a $50 deposit, was assigned a TA and the only suggestion she had was Beaches Turks & Caicos or Jamica. (TA Jennifer, I wish I would have found you before I put down my deposits!!) After doing some research on my own, and after finding this site and reading reviews on this forum, I decided Beaches Turks & Caicos it was! We were told by the TA (and by a Beaches customer service rep) that we needed to book a Concierge level room for at least 6 nights to get the BB wedding free and to also waive the $700 Gov't fees as well. So we booked the Govener's 1 Bedroom Honeymoon Suite (one night free with this catagory) for $6954. My parents are booked in the lowest catagory room for $4,800 for the week. When people hear this, they tell me I could take a two week cruise to Europe for less than that! I know April is Spring Break and the prices are slightly higher, but this is when my daughter has a track out break from school. I seriously considered taking her out of school and moving the reservation to May when the prices are lower, but I was told by the Beaches Cust Service Rep, that the $700 Gov't fees are NOT covered for weddings held in May, Sept or Oct. no matter what catagory you book. So again, that drives the price right back up again.

 

Besides venting, I just want to know that I am not going to be disappointed with Beaches T&C after spending this amount of money. I know a few of you have shared your amazing wedding stories and you seemed to be very happy with your choice. Would you do it all over again, and spend the extra money to have it here?

I'm getting married in Jamaica so I'm no help with the T&C part of your question but it seems weird the government fees wouldn't be covered during certain months. I'd double check that if I were you...seems fishy.

Have you considered dropping DW.com and going with a more qualified TA? This probably means losing your $50 deposit but it may be worth it to have an experienced professional to help you with the planning.

Hi Michelle! We got married in May & our government fees were included with our room/wedding cost (free wedding with the conceirge). We actually looked at April as well but it was so pricy we moved it to the beginning of May...the Luxury Honeymoon Suite was originally what we booked for $4500 for 8 nights, our TA got us a room upgrade so that wasn't the actual room we stayed in. If you have some flexibility in your dates you might want to look at a week or two ahead/behind your original date for pricing. As for the resort, your daughter will have a blast! There is so much to do there for kids. I would definitely go to T&C again to get married and at Beaches! We are even looking at visiting other resorts because all-inclusive was just so much fun and a great option. Feel free to pm me if you have questions.

I think if you have a certain amount of rooms booked, they will waive the $700 fee. But I am not going to have more than 6 rooms booked. the prices for early/late April are still the same. May, my daughter is back in school. Decisions, decisions...

I agree, Michelle - we are getting married at Beaches in Turks in May and are told that the government fees are covered, in fact, on the Beaches website I believe it says if you stay for 6 nights or longer in a premium category or higher room, the government fees are paid.

I also originally started with DW.com and put down a deposit. You can actually get that back, all you have to do is ask. If you want to switch to a different TA, you can still do that if that would make you feel more comforablt too! Good luck! I am getting married in Jamaica so I can't comment on T&C but all the pics and reviews i have seen have been amazing! I wish i could afford it!

Hi Michelle, This was our original choice. The only reason we didn't go with it is because we felt it was too expensive for our guests. When one of my coworkers found out I was getting married there (at the time) she told me she had gotten married there and that it was the best ever! She spoke (and still speaks) so highly of her experience. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Michelle I can't help you because I am not marrying at Beaches but I would say to double check that the Govt fees are not covered for weddings held in May, Sept and Oct (sounds very fishy). As you can see there are quite a few ladies who got married in May and it was covered. I know Chrissy's (Girasole) wedding was also small only about 10 people. You may want to also pm *Meagan* and a few other ladies who got married there since they will be able to help. Good luck and I hope it all works out! It may not be the cheapest but you can be assured that the Turks & Caicos is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean to get married!

Hi Michelle - as you know we are having our DW at Beaches T&C in May and the government fees are covered. I have no idea why they would tell you that unless you moving the reservation somehow takes away from their commission from the reservation. But regardless, giving you false information is not cool.

 

Yes, Beaches T&C is more expensive than many other resorts. T&C is just expensive in general...it's a newer destination island....if I remember right, tourists just started visiting in the mid to late 80's. But from everything I've read and heard from others that have been there, it's going to be worth it Our reservation is for one week, in the Honeymoon Grande Lux King room, and I think our reservation is right about $4k (for 3 of us) if I remember right...so about $2k per person. I think if we booked it for just the 2 of us it was about $3,500. And yes, you could do a 2 week cruise for the same amount (we usually cruise once a year and always get a balcony cabin and for the 3 of us it's usually just under $2k), but it depends on the experience you want for your wedding. If you really think the cost is too high then it's not too late to cancel your reservation and book a different trip. You should never feel forced to stick with something you aren't comfortable with.

 

Also - it's not too late for you to switch TA's....if you do decide you want to stay at Beaches, maybe try reaching out to TA Jennifer and see what's involved with transfering your reservation. I know it can be done, but she could better explain what needs to happen.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide

Thanks for all of your advice ladies! I really have my heart set on T&C and I am looking forward to having my wedding there. It is just frustrating when you get conflicting information. I don't know if switching TA's is an option at this point. I just don't feel like my current TA has any more knowledge about Beaches T&C than I do. I am doing all the footwork and she is booking the reservation. I don't know, I was just counting on a TA from DW.com to be able to provide a little bit more for me. I'm still watching for the prices in airfare. Looks like the prices are finally starting to come down!! Just wish I could get a direct flight - but that is not going to happen from Raleigh!