Tropical Imaging

I am all for making it easier for guests vs harder. I haven't seen a rehearsal at Parallel 23 but have seen quite a few lovely buffets out on the deck by the beach near the pool for brides staying at the Palms. It's great eating and watching the sun go down and the buffets always look tasty. The dinner at the reception will look and feel a lot more formal in the reception room above Parallel 23, I kind of like a little bit more sundress/dressy casual feel by the beach and then watching the sun go down with background music and seeing the stars on the water for a rehearsal but that is a personal opinion. The other option would be dinner at the Sommerset, which is smack dab next door and wouldn't be a far walk at all. They have the restaurant O'Soleil. That would be the closest and only one to walk to. IMHO, unless you are having a sunset cruise where the boat comes to get you off of the beach, it's a lot of hassle getting everyone shuttled somewhere else...having it at the Regent Palms makes it easier for everyone especially you! Whether you want it more casual or more formal is up to you! Krys

You just need to have a tenative date to book with us, we don't double book our photographers on a day so she be scheduled for your day. We tend to recommend setting the ceremony about an hour and 1/2 before sunset to get good light, not too hot for guests and bride/groom and you'll be set for great sunset photos even if you're running a little late. If you go on our regular website vs the blog, we have a sunset calender for the Turks and Caicos....enter in your date and it will give the exact time the sun will go down. Then you can plan from there! Sounds like you are way ahead of the ball game with planning...Feel free to ask anything else! Krys

Quote: Originally Posted by Tropical Imaging There are 3 ladies that we see on a regular basis doing hair. For large weddings they work together on some occasions as well. In no particular order.... Maximes....649-946-5093 Genevieve does hair and Ann (from Beauty and Beach day spa located in the shop)does Make-up. I don't have a website for them but have a pedicure scheduled with Ann this week so I'll check on that. April's Place...April's Place - Hair - Nails - Skin care on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands 649-941-3993 April does hair and has a girl that does manicures and pedicures. I can check on make up Briget [email protected] does hair (use to own Maximes and April worked for her when she first came on island...she now works from home, and does house calls) Shenique (649) 245-5241 Sheque Does hair and make up Full disclaimer here: April does my hair and has for years, Ann does my manicures and pedicures on island and I don't wear any make up. However....Genivieve and Bridget do the hair of many of my friends (and Genivieve does April's hair...LOL it's a VERY small island) I have seen loads of photos of Sheniques work and she does great work as well. We work with all of these ladies, professionally and know them personally. For make up, Ann and Shenique both enhance someones beauty not take over and take a life of it's own. For hair, they are all good and not over the top. They all work with a ton of different types of hair on island (the countries population is very international) as well as having to keep up with latest trends and styles. April just got back this week from the international hair/and trade show...my sister lives in Atlanta and whenever she visits she books ahead to get April to cut her hair...I know others who plan vacations to get a touch up by Maxime or Genevieve. Hope that helps, our blog usually mentions who did hair and make up for a wedding if you want to do a search for particular names! Krys Just realized I called Geraldine, Genevieve....the little one had me up late that night....sleep deprivation....It's Geraldine who is at Maximes/Beauty and the Beach...She's French and a lovely girl....Sorry about that!!! Krys

Hi Kendra, My husband (Andy) and I own Tropical Imaging. I actually don't shoot weddings as often as I used to as one of us has to be home with our kids. I do a lot of album design, commissioned paintings for clients (based on their favorite photos) and teach photoshop and painting at our local schools as well as do family photography (long answer to short question LOL). Ileana is fabulous, she heads up our weddings and you will love her. All of our photographers have been with us for at least 4-5 years and we do a lot of continuing photography education with them by having master photographers down from around the world twice a year to do clinics for our staff. I am very lucky to say that they are all really good people as well and love what they do. As for Friday vs Saturday, down here it really doesn't matter as much. With a Friday wedding, you have less chance of the minister being rushed or late (as they do multiple weddings in the day and May is usually packed with weddings). I am all for Friday weddings! Then you all have Saturday to play before people leave on Sunday/Monday. If you prefer Friday, then go for it!!! April does my hair and has for years so I love her, but I have seen Geraldine, Bridget and Shenique's work as well which is really fabulous. Quite frankly I would trust any of them with an up do (although my hair is short now!). They do a lot more weddings than a normal hairdresser would do because of where we are, so they are very good at what they do. You would have to ask them about the trial, my guess would be you will have to pay something for it. They are extremely popular and have a huge regular clientele on island and are usually booked 2-4 weeks out, so if they are spending time doing a trial run, they are missing out on their regular business, but check to see if they have a trial run built into their pricing. The good thing is, they aren't that far from the resorts, so if you need to stop by their shop for the trial you won't be wasting a lot of time from your holiday. I am a real believer in "gut feeling", I would email them and see who you think fits with you the best! I would also say check out our blog and look at the weddings, we usually mention who did the hair and make up and see their work first hand. Geraldine is closer to the resorts, right next to Ports of call (across from Ocean Club West/Grace Bay Club). April is near Turtle Cove. I don't know about Shenique as she always comes to the hotel, and Bridget works from her home and comes to you. Let me know if I can help with anything else. Krys

There aren't hair and make up people at Regent (we do a lot of weddings there), but any of the above will come to your room. I would plan on doing the mani and pedis early in the day together to let things set and dry and then schedule hair and make up in your room when you're getting ready. (Figure out how much time you think you'll need for the hair and make up and add on at least 30 minutes as things always seem to run over time.) In fact it's pretty rare that I have ever seen a bride go to any of the above for their hair and make up...It's a small island, no traffic and easy to get from point a-b, so they come to you. It makes things easier as well for the bride to have things done in her room so she justs puts on the gown and is ready to go...no walking around the resort etc. The Palms spa is fabulous by the way....very nice! Krys

whoops double posted!

Welcome...and Congratulations!!!! I'm partial to the T&C as well. I just listed a lot of hair and make up suggestions in the islands forum, hope that helps. I've lived here 15 years so feel free to ask any questions or get phone numbers etc. I am happy to help! Krys

There are 3 ladies that we see on a regular basis doing hair. For large weddings they work together on some occasions as well. In no particular order.... Maximes....649-946-5093 Genevieve does hair and Ann (from Beauty and Beach day spa located in the shop)does Make-up. I don't have a website for them but have a pedicure scheduled with Ann this week so I'll check on that. April's Place...April's Place - Hair - Nails - Skin care on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands 649-941-3993 April does hair and has a girl that does manicures and pedicures. I can check on make up Briget [email protected] does hair (use to own Maximes and April worked for her when she first came on island...she now works from home, and does house calls) Shenique (649) 245-5241 Sheque Does hair and make up Full disclaimer here: April does my hair and has for years, Ann does my manicures and pedicures on island and I don't wear any make up. However....Genivieve and Bridget do the hair of many of my friends (and Genivieve does April's hair...LOL it's a VERY small island) I have seen loads of photos of Sheniques work and she does great work as well. We work with all of these ladies, professionally and know them personally. For make up, Ann and Shenique both enhance someones beauty not take over and take a life of it's own. For hair, they are all good and not over the top. They all work with a ton of different types of hair on island (the countries population is very international) as well as having to keep up with latest trends and styles. April just got back this week from the international hair/and trade show...my sister lives in Atlanta and whenever she visits she books ahead to get April to cut her hair...I know others who plan vacations to get a touch up by Maxime or Genevieve. Hope that helps, our blog usually mentions who did hair and make up for a wedding if you want to do a search for particular names! Krys

Krowan, What do you want for your rehearsal dinner? # of people etc. Ideas I have seen, Since you are doing the wedding and reception at Regent Palms, a lot of brides do a buffet down by the pool deck just before the beach there. I have seen others use Kissing Fish catering at Bay Bistro and do a barbeque and bonfire on the beach. (Joan from Kissing Fish is very switched on). If you want to do something more "local" I have seen people taxi over to Blue Hills and go with Horse-eyed Jacks. (open air restaurant on the beach, in a more local area...good music etc but long taxi ride for Provo). I have also seen people go to Coco Bistro (my favorite restaurant) and book tables for that (renting out the whole place is expensive as they are booked solid all year round). You could even check with Nikki Beach or Gavenvoort for a rehearsal? Also another popular option is a sunset cruise... Ataberya (Sun Charters - Sailing charters in the Turks and Caicos Islands) and Sail Provo will do private charters. You could get Kissing Fish or Regent Palms to do some sort of wraps or Picnic style food and have rum punch and sail around. Unless it's really rough they'll pull right up to the hotel on the beach. Hope that gives you some other ideas. Krys

All of them will travel to the resort. Maxime's is in Grace Bay near Ports of Call. Aprils is on Leeward Highway next to the top of the cove deli. I don't know where Sheneque's home base is, but as I said they all will come to you (I am sure there is a travel fee as it will take them out of their home base and regular clients but I may be wrong). The island is small, pretty much everything is 10-15 minutes away LOL except the airport and chalk sound, we have no stoplights etc, very little if any traffic. Personally IMHO, all of them are really nice. April does my hair, but Genivieve cuts and styles many of my friends and does April's hair. Ann does my pedicures and manicures but a lot of people love the girl at April's and I go to her when Ann is away. I don't ever wear any makeup living here, so I can't personally comment on that, but I've seen the resulting photos of all of their work and they know how to do make up that enhances and not takeover which I think is important. Krys

Sail Provo is the catamaran on island that does sunset cruises. There is also another company on island that is popular, Sun Charters - Sailing charters in the Turks and Caicos Islands It's a hand built large sailing schooner (really pretty boat) named Atabeyra. It tends to be the Boat of choice for a lot of the expats on island. You may want to compare the prices between the two. Other options for places to stay would be The Royal West Indies (I know they were looking to try to attract wedding business this year, so talk to them about specials for booking blocks of rooms). Ocean Club/Ocean Club West are also in the same price range as the Sands and have meal plans as well. Airfare is the kicker, there just aren't cheap flights here, ever. It's cheaper for my family to go to the UK (hubby is British) from the US, than it is for us to fly home from Provo to the States a lot of the time. (and that's a 9 hour flight vs a two hour flight) If you are talking to Kissing Fish (Bay Bistro) check if a buffet type setting is cheaper. They've done some amazing buffets for events on island. (I personally like buffets vs sit down as people mingle and visit more). They may not need as many staff for the buffet as a proper sit down. If you do decide to bring a photographer down, be aware that the fee for a temporary work permit for photographers here is $500. Immigration can decide to turn that down as well. We've had calls from brides this year on island who had their photographers denied permits or entry at the last minute. On both occasions we were already booked. In the current economic environment, the immigration department is getting a lot more "hard core" in enforcing laws. There are other photographers on island besides us, but I won't be giving out there websites If you have a budget in mind for photographer, come into the office and talk to us, we do custom packages all of the time (and you don't have to pay our flights and hotel!). Check at Beaches as well they are doing some crazy deals! Krys

Maxime's number is 649-946-5093, I can't find a website, I'll check with Ann the next time I'm in for a pedicure. April's Place also does hair and I think make up as well...April's Place - Hair - Nails - Skin care on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands or [email protected] We have worked with brides who have used all of the above as well as Sheneque, They have all been really happy with the services. You can check our blog under weddings, we always mention the make up artist or hair if they used one, so you can have an idea of what their work looks like, do a search for their name. Krys

Instead of using your start/end weight as the challenge why not set goals based on working out a certain number of times a week, limiting pasta or bread to 2 servings a day or eating out only a few times a week and cooking together something healthy. You could even set a challenge that each of you needs to find and prepare the other a healthy low cal/small portion meal once a week. The one who has met those quantifiable goals the most wins irregardless of the "weight lost" Comparing weight loss isn't a good goal as everyone loses weight differently, especially between men and women. If you are putting strength training in your workout as well, you could be gaining weight but loosing inches (In the past 6 months since increasing my workouts, I have only lost 6 lbs, but I have lost 3 inches in each of my thighs and 3-4 inches in my waist, most people think I have lost 15 lbs). There are too many variables. But something you both can be equal on is the amount of time spent in the gym, the amount of time spent out of restaurants and the amount of time spent finding healthy options. It also helps bring you closer together, working together for each other to be healthy and strong vs competition on being skinny. Seriously, you could starve yourself and be thin and win the challenge, but your body is what suffers. I would suggest that if you set those kind of goals, the weight/inches will come off. And you may emphasize taking measurements/vs weight to add to a measuring goal if you really need a measurement variable. I've been married 14 years, have been everything from a size 8 (I'm 5'10, swimmers build) to a size 18 right after having kids. Hubby has no clue what I weigh and could care less, but he does care a lot about us being healthy. He never complains about my time spent at the gym or the money spent on personal training, and no matter what my size, he always makes me feel like I am the most amazing woman ever. He is thrilled when we try new healthy meals and is supportive when I don't stock the house with sodas/chips/ice cream etc. Get off the crazy diet wheel and just work together to be healthy and strong. Especially later in your life when you have kids healthy habits are a great practice to be in. Krys

Here are some links to wedding photos from Sibonee/Bay Bistro and The Sands. http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...e-beach-hotel/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...-turks-caicos/ You can check our blog for other locations if you want to look at weddings around the islands for ideas http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/category/weddings/ On a personal note, Bay Bistro has done a curry night buffet dinner/fundraiser/silent auction for my kid's primary school for the past two years. I really love it for the location (right on the beach) and the intimacy as well. We usually have less than 100 people at the fundraiser and its a great spot (and the food is always fabulous), and tickets sell quick. It's not the high end, glamorous feel as some of the other resorts, but it has a real quaint Caribbean charm that I really enjoy. Hope that helps. Krys

The Gansevoort is the newest resort on island and its a beautiful resort. We've just finished the commercial photography for all of their promotions and my husband has been called out a number of times to shoot all of the celebrities coming down there. Karol (referenced above) has a lot of information on this forum re: her planning and wedding there and actually she has had the only wedding there so far. (Although I know they would love to have more there) Really nice property and they are handling a lot of events/parties recently for the island as well. Our annual Red cross silent auction and dinner was there last month (a big event on island) amongst others. Check out Karol's planning and that can give you a feel for it. Once we get our recent shoot of the property on our blog I'll post the link. Krys

Iulia, All of GBC is lovely, It's a really nice resort and all of their locations (even by the grill restaurant are great). They do quite a few weddings at GBC so they will take care of you! One advatange of GBC is that all of their reception areas really do have views of the beach/water etc. Hope that helps....as for the distance on island. The island at it's maximum is only about 25 miles long and half of that is undeveloped. Traffic is non existent really, we have no stop lights etc. I get annoyed if it takes me more than 15 minutes to get somewhere....makes traveling back in the US and UK a test of patience LOL. Krys

TCWed10, We have 3 independent wedding coordinators on island, Nila, Teresa from www.tropicaldestinationmanagement.com and Dianne from Islandharmony.com (I believe that is their address). I don't think Point Grace has a dedicated wedding person etc. I do know that of all of the weddings done on island, we don't do a lot at Point Grace. Some hotels for whatever reason don't want wedding business (although recently we have been getting calls from hotels asking for advice on how to get into it). Point Grace is lovely and quiet and more intimate. You may have better luck working with them from one of the coordinators on island. Krys

it's not far, 5-10 minutes tops including getting in the van (seriously). Just not walking distance (probably 3-4 miles tops and we don't have traffic)....actually everything on island for the most part is under 15 minutes....LOL

It's definitely way too much of a distance to walk. You may want to check with GBC because they do have a complementary shuttle service for guests. With it being a lot of people, they may handle the extra arrangements for you. If you have to book a shuttle/taxi let the hotel recommend someone. They will use people they have found to be reliable. I can't tell you about the costs, our taxi drivers/shuttle drivers have a big hold on the industry which fixes rates on the high side. But if you are booking the wedding at GBC, see if you can negotiate in shuttle service as part of your package. It doesn't hurt to ask! Krys

Quote: Originally Posted by Iulia Wow..I was about to contact Tropical Imaging for a quote and availability. Thank you Krys, this really helps ...the pictures look amazing!! Since I have never been to Turks & Caicos I would love to learn about other wedding venues properties on the island. We have to make a decision really soon and any help is greatly appreciated:)Do you have an e-mail address where I can direct my specific questions to? Sorry about the double post up there! We shoot all around the island (as well as the other islands in the country, parrot cay, grand turk etc), if you check the wedding section on our blog you can find all kinds of photos on the various resorts on the island (as well as villas) If you have more specific questions with our pricing or general resort questions etc, you can email my hubby Andy ([email protected] or Ileana who coordinates and schedules all of our weddings, she is at [email protected]) We also have a sunset calender on our website (Tropical Imaging wedding portrait commercial photography video in Turks & Caicos Caribbean) to give you the exact minute of sunset on your wedding day in the T&C so you can plan accordingly your times etc. We obviously don't keep pricing info on the actual venues as there are so many, but can give you an idea who has on site coordinators and off site coordinators that are available as well. We don't have any ties or affiliations to anyone just FYI as we work with all of the resorts and villas. We just want people to come down and enjoy the T&C! Any other questions let me know. Krys

Iulia, If you want to see some photos of recent weddings at Grace Bay Club, check out http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...race-bay-club/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...ks-and-caicos/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...race-bay-club/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...shak-part-two/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...-is-beautiful/ It's a really lovely property, located in a nice central location on Grace Bay, which means your guests can walk to a lot of shopping and restaurants on island (as well as the new grocery store on Grace Bay). For guests that may find prices high at Grace Bay club, check out Villa Del Mar across the small road, lovely rooms and pool with access to the beach. We've seen a few weddings where people had guests at GBC and Villa Del Mar and it worked beautifully, as guests didn't have to be taken in a taxi to the wedding hotel. Ocean Club West is next door as well for a lower priced option for guests. Karol's wedding was at the new Wymara resort which has also been getting rave reviews. There are quite a few locations on island that can fit the bill so to speak. I find having photos to visualize is good and there are plenty on our blog. http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/ just select the wedding option and you can see all of the different properties around. I know a lot of the hotels are really looking for wedding business this year and there are a lot of deals going on, airfare to Provo has come down quite a bit for us (not at Mexico prices but much better than last year). hope that helps Krys

Iulia, If you want to see some photos of recent weddings at Grace Bay Club, check out http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...race-bay-club/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...ks-and-caicos/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...race-bay-club/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...shak-part-two/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2009...-is-beautiful/ It's a really lovely property, located in a nice central location on Grace Bay, which means your guests can walk to a lot of shopping and restaurants on island (as well as the new grocery store on Grace Bay). For guests that may find prices high at Grace Bay club, check out Villa Del Mar across the small road, lovely rooms and pool with access to the beach. We've seen a few weddings where people had guests at GBC and Villa Del Mar and it worked beautifully, as guests didn't have to be taken in a taxi to the wedding hotel. Ocean Club West is next door as well for a lower priced option for guests. Karol's wedding was at the new Wymara resort which has also been getting rave reviews. There are quite a few locations on island that can fit the bill so to speak. I find having photos to visualize is good and there are plenty on our blog. http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/ just select the wedding option and you can see all of the different properties around. I know a lot of the hotels are really looking for wedding business this year and there are a lot of deals going on, airfare to Provo has come down quite a bit for us (not at Mexico prices but much better than last year). hope that helps Krys

Club Med and Beaches are the only all inclusive here on island. However a lot of the resorts do have different plans that may include meals. I know Ocean Club and Ocean club west have had actual meal plans. A number of hotels are including meals right now as an incentive to book (even Amanyara sent out an email last week that includes meals for certain dates, of course at their prices it still is way over the top for most LOL). Check around, there are a lot of deals to be had. Krys

You could check out Andy Turner, he's British and relocated to Umbria a few years back. Speaks English but knows the ins and outs of italy as he lives there. website is Wedding Photographers: Italy & UK - iMAG1NE Krys

Congratulations! and Good Luck on the planning. Jamaica and The T&C are two very different islands so it really depends on what you are looking for. Obviously I love the T&C and have lived here for 15 years. But Jamaica is a lot of fun as well, both have very different beaches, activities and nightlife (The t&c is quiet). If you want to see some weddings at the Somerset, these are some links to our blog of weddings there. Sometimes it helps to make a decision one way or another to see the settings etc. http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2008...set-grace-bay/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2008.../jen-and-john/ This one was at the Catholic church, with getting ready and reception at the Somerset http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2008...onio-italiano/ This post has a lot of details/ food/cake/beach set up http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2008...great-wedding/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2008...annah-came-in/ http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2008...kah-and-chris/ There are more on the blog, just search the Somerset, but these can give you some ideas to help with your decision. Hope that helps Krys