All of you T&C brides out there!!!

[SJnLove]

Okay...I need some advice! Is it INSANE to think of having a nice, inexpensive wedding in T&C My fiance and I really are trying to have everything ie..ceremony, legal fees, reception, hotel, flights (us only, not guests), photography for UNDER $8,000 We are hoping to have around 30-40 guests. We are taking a trip to T&C in July to scope our some places. Here's what we are thinking as of right now....

 

Catamaran..Sunset/snorkel trip-Rehersal Dinner! (we're going for a very non-traditional wedding!

The Sands-Ceremony

Hemingways or Bay Bistro-Reception (small sit down dinner)

 

Possibly Tropical Imaging for photos (im currently pricing on bringing a photographer with us...depending on what will be less expensive)

 

Slap me into reality if i'm in over my head!!! We are paying for everything ourselves and don't want to go broke doing it! Thanks in advance...

[JenniferSS]

It'll be really tough as T& C is one of the most expensive Caribbean islands- nothing is made there and all has to be imported, driving the prices fairly high.

 

You may want to look at Beaches Resort - they'll pick up the govermental fees ( which are high) if your in a concierge room for 6 nights. You can do a private sit down plated meal for $50-75 per person with all drinks included, plus your cake and a champagne toast.

[Tropical Imaging]

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

[Iulia]

Yeah...I've been researching T&C now for a while and prices are up there. I'm working on booking the venue for the end of the year. You might want to check out Nila Destinations or Island Harmony destination wedding planners. Maybe give them your budget and see what they come up with. I believe that you can get a free quote from both of them; hope this helps...

[blacksred]

There is a photographer named ali capron - do a google search he is less expensive than Tropical Imaging, he is just starting to do destination weddings so I am unsure of his experience. This was my dilemma too when we first decided to the island. Tropical Imaging will work with you though and maybe you can pay over time (that's what we are doing) versus trying to come up with alot of money at one time.

[Bronze8584]

I know this thread is old, but I am too planning my wedding in Turks & Caicos!

 

Did you decide on what you were going to do? I am trying to decide between The Sands, Grace Bay Club, Royal West Indies, Ocean Club, and The Windsong Resort. Do you have any opinions on why you did or did not go with any of them?

 

I am also interested in a small dinner following the ceremony. We will only have 13-15 guests at the very most. Did you go with Hemingway's at Sands?

 

Any opinions on the West Bay Club?

 

Sorry so many questions!

[*Meagan*]

I am getting married in T&C in 13 days and I couldnt be happier with tropical imaging and everything they have done for us! THey work with you and you can pay over time. Its made it really easy for us and their pictures are exceptional!

 

We are getting married at beaches and we are truly so excited and think its one of the best ways to go!

 

Good luck!

[Girasole]

We also decided on the Beaches resort & Tropical Images. We are very excited for the wedding! We are doing our pics the day before due to when our family will be there for pictures & are working with David from TI. Flights are definitely expensive. We just booked ours from Philly & they were $520 roundtrip/pp. This was the cheapest I could find the last few months so we booked them. Definitely shop around to different airports if you can, the larger airports definitely will save you $200-300 per ticket. We knew when we decided on T&C that the flights would cost more than say Jamaica or the Bahamas but we wanted a place that was unique that most of our guests have never traveled to. Megan, can't wait to hear how it was...your wedding will be awesome!!

 

Chrissy

[kelly1214]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girasole Flights are definitely expensive. We just booked ours from Philly & they were $520 roundtrip/pp. This was the cheapest I could find the last few months so we booked them. Definitely shop around to different airports if you can, the larger airports definitely will save you $200-300 per ticket. Chrissy

Our travel agent found a flight out of Newark NJ for $408 round trip (May 2010). It's 2 1/2 hours from my house but I'd rather save a couple hundred bucks and drive. Definitely get a travel agent to help you book your trip. They seem to get answers better and fast than I ever could.

Good luck!

[Tropical Imaging]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronze8584 I know this thread is old, but I am too planning my wedding in Turks & Caicos! Did you decide on what you were going to do? I am trying to decide between The Sands, Grace Bay Club, Royal West Indies, Ocean Club, and The Windsong Resort. Do you have any opinions on why you did or did not go with any of them? I am also interested in a small dinner following the ceremony. We will only have 13-15 guests at the very most. Did you go with Hemingway's at Sands? Any opinions on the West Bay Club? Sorry so many questions!

The Sands, Royal West Indies and Ocean Club are all similar in age, price range etc. Grace Bay Club is considered a "higher end" resort compared to the other 3 (which are all quite nice). Windsong and West Bay club are both newish resorts and are further down Grace Bay Beach.

So to give you some help with deciding what might fit your group....

The Sands...no resorts on either side, nice stretch of beach, within walking distance to numerous shops, restaurants boutiques. One of the older resorts on island but just finished redoing the rooms this past year. Hemingways is a great little restaurant and you can have dinner on the beach.

Ocean Club...you have 2 resorts to choose from, ocean club and ocean club west. Ocean Club is across from the golf course and has Club Med on one side and the Tuscany on the other (after the Tuscany it is nothing). Ocean Club West is in between Seven Stars/and grace Bay Club and withing walking distance to many shops, restaurants and the new grace bay gourmet grocery store. Ocean club usually offers a dining plan to allow you to pay for some meals which is a nice option. Ocean Club West is the newer of the two resorts.

Royal West Indies...walking distance to a number of restaurants, further walk to shops. Great restaurant on site. Right next to club med. They do have nice deals going on right now and a beautiful gardens for photo opportunities (loads of flowers etc)

Grace Bay Club is a step higher in price and amenities. Centrally located for walking. Lovely restaurant on the Beach and some stunning pools, a great bar etc. If you go with GBC your guests also could stay at the Villa del Mar across the small access road...brand new, less costly and a short walk to the same beach you use. It's a nice option for a bride and groom who want to splurge but have a lesser cost option next door for guests. That has been a great option for many brides and grooms.

West Bay Club and Windsong are located further down the beach nearer to Turtle Cove. Both are new and located right near one of the few snorkeling areas you can access from the beach. If you stay there, you will need a car or taxi to do shopping and/or restaurants other than the resort options. You cannot walk to other restaurants or shopping from there (well you could but it would be a LONG walk)

You can check out our blogs (listed below) and do a search for the various resorts to see the locations. We have a new website and blog so check our old one as well for past wedding before june of 2009.

Hope that helps you out, let me know if you have any other questions (I've lived here for 15 years, and with an island that is only 22 miles long, you get to know everywhere pretty well LOL)

Krys