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

[Kana2011]

Hello Everyone,

 

I'm a newbie here!  So, I'm 90% sure that I'm going to stick with a T&C DW.  I've been all over the place (in my head) since getting engaged - but I have a good feeling about this one. 

 

It seems that despite announcing a DW - a lot of relatives & friends are coming.  I so didn't expect that!

 

I've narrowed down my choices to The Palms & The Somerset.  From what I've been reading, it's probably just the toss of a coin as the resorts are similar & next door to each other.  I've also looked through Tropical Imagining's pictures (who I'll be contacting once everything is planned) and my gut is telling me The Palms.  But, I can probably be swayed still at this point.

 

I enjoyed reading through all the previous posts and like the option that The Sands is nearby to offer my guests an alternative to the expense of the Palms or Somerset.

 

The flight cost makes me nervous, but hoping that once JetBlue starts flying out of JFK in February, it'll help with the price.  Most of us are coming from the NY/NJ area anyway - so we can easily fly out of JFK, Newark or Philly - whichever is cheapest.

 

Experienced brides, do you recommend going through a travel agent or contacting the resort(s) directly?  I don't know any good travel agents, so that will be another dilema.

 

So, what am I missing???  I never expected planning a DW would be this difficult or stressful.  Thank God for this site - it's helping tremendously! 

 

Thank you!!!

Kerry

10/01/2011 (???)

[Tropical Imaging]

Kerry,

 

Continental also will be starting flights from Newark so that also might be an option for guests.   October is slower so you should be able to get much better rates on hotels and airfare vs the spring time.

 

I would contact the resort directly and see about discounts for booking a group.  (but wait until after Jan 4th as the hotels are swamped right now!)

 

Krys

[Soon-to-be-Mrs.D]

Hi Kerry!

First of all - CONGRATS!  The hardest part is narrowing down the island, and then the resort to have the wedding.  We did tons of research and found that Turks and Caicos sounded like our best fit for us.  We actually took a planning trip down to scout out places back in February (we are getting married March 19 and couldn't be more excited)... I did a ton of research on the hotels before I came down and narrowed it down to 5 places.  Palms, Grace Bay Club, Somerset, Point Grace and Seven Stars.  We went and saw the Somerset first, and I fell in love instantly.  I told my fiance I didn't even need to look anywhere else.  Of course, we did though, and by the end Somerset was still number one in my eyes.  The Regent Palms was a close second as the food is awesome, hotel rooms are amazing and the pool area is fabulous.  And don't even get me started on the spa!  incredible!  However, we wanted to have an outdoor reception and the only space they had to accomodate our 75 guests was the lawn, and they can't do sit down meals out there - only buffet, which we didn't want to do.  It was also across the parking lot from the rest of the resort, and right next to the road.  They do have a nice ballroom if you aren't opposed to having it indoors.

 

We are having our ceremony on the beach, cocktail hour on the pool deck and wedding on the croquet lawn at the Somerset.  The croquet lawn is right next to the restaurant and DOES accomodate sit down meals.  Diane, the new coordinator there, is FABULOUS and been instrumental part of our planning process.  She literally getes back to you in minutes when you email her and is so detailed oriented.  The woman at the Regent Palms had completely forgotten that we were meeting with her on our planning trip, just seemed disorganized and distracted, which turned me off instantly.  She was actually on her phone most of the time when giving us a tour of the Palms  

 

Will you be doing a planning trip at all?  I highly recommend it if you can!  I'm sure you will be 100% satisfied with whichever place you pick - the beaches are gorgeous and the hotels are so nice.  Most of our guests are staying at the Sands and the Sibonne as more economical options.

 

Good luck with planning - if have any questions let me know!  Happy Planning!

 

Brianna

[Kana2011]

Hi Brianna,

 

Thank you so much for your helpful & informative post!  Also, congrats on your upcoming wedding!!!  I can't imagine how thrilled you must be, now that it's only 3 months away!

 

I was trying to plan & decide on the resort without making a planning trip.  I'm trying to save my vacation days for the wedding & honeymoon.

 

Can I ask you what your thoughts were of Seven Stars?  This resort has climbed our top choices, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of reviews from brides about this resort. 

 

Somerset is still on our list.  I think it's just not high on the list because I actually live in Somerset, NJ and want a wedding that doesn't remind me of home.  

 

Thank again so much!

Kerry

Soon to be Mrs. A! LOL!

 

[Soon-to-be-Mrs.D]

Hi Kerry - I don't blame you for wanting to save vacation days for the wedding... whichever place you choose will be beautiful, I'm sure.  That's funny about you not really wanting to get married because you are from Somerset, lol.  It's a really nice place though!

 

Seven Stars was one that we came across when we were down there.   I had seen it in doing my research, but wasn't really interested because I wanted more of a Caribbean feel, while this seemed more Miami-ish to me online, kinda like Gansevoort.  We didn't actually meet with anyone when we were down there, we sort of just strolled around the hotel and gave ourselves a tour just to see.  It was more of like a higher-rise hotel from what I can remember, while all of the other hotels were only a few stories tall.  It seemed like they had a nice pool area and bar outside though.  I think I remember someone telling us that they were under new management and were trying to get more people in there.  Sorry I can't be of more help with that one.

 

Another thing to consider is the Kissing Fish catering company if you wanted your reception on the beach - we are actually doing a beach BBQ through them for the rehearsal dinner, which we are inviting all of our guests to.  It will be casual buffet style, but set up on the beach under tents with a bon fire.  We ate at their restaurant Bay Bistro at the Sibonne and it was SO GOOD!  They can also do more formal meals too, not just BBQ.

 

Let me know if you have any more questions!

 

Brianna

[Tropical Imaging]

Hi Kerry,

 

There has only been one or maybe two weddings at the Seven Stars resort since it opened, which is why there is a lack of information.  (I posted a link to one we shot a while back).  The resort was taken over by a management company run by the owners last year, and they are just really starting to market it more.    It is one of the most centrally located resorts within walking distance to everything and they have a long stretch of beach in front of them.  I know a few of the owners at the resort and many of them don't rent out their units so the resort is pretty quiet (not crowded at all).  It is the tallest building on the island and has a more modern feel than some of our other resorts, but reviews and comments from guests at the resort always are positive on Trip Advisor. 

 

You may want to check with one of the on island wedding coordinators for information on the wedding side as well.  Diane from Island Harmony, Teresa from Tropical Destination Management and Nila Destinations are the 3 island coordinators. 

 

Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you.

 

Krys

[lm3682]

Kerry,

I'm getting married at the Seven Stars on April 9...so I can't tell you a ton about it yet, but I will say, Niki, the onsite wedding planner, has been excellent to work with. I've found her very responsive, willing to work with me on ideas and given honest and helpful feedback. We're getting married on the beach with the reception outside on the pool deck and they're shuttling our guests from the Sands hotel. We're expecting about 40 guests. I had difficulty with some of the other properties I looked at being willing to host the wedding when the majority of my guests weren't staying there. I needed to be able to keep my guests at a more moderate hotel, but wanted an upper end wedding hotel. The Seven Stars was willing to do that. I'll keep everyone posted on how it all turns out a few months from now!

Lindsay

[JanineA]

The Seven Stars is a very beautiful property. My MOH and his partner stayed there while attending our wedding and I had the opportunity to visit them. The hotel is very very nice. 

[Kana2011]

Lindsay,

Thanks so much for your reply!  Everyday I get closer to booking Seven Stars.  I too would love to have the ceremony on the beach and the reception on their teak deck.  I hope you don't mind that I'm going to copy you!  "Imitation is the highest form of flattery!"

 

I actually just sat down last night and started adding up everyone who expressed interest in joining us.  I had been planning on 25 guests, it looks like there will be more like 40.  So, I love the idea of the shuttle between the Sands.

I'd love to hear any more of your wedding plans that you're willing to share (have copied - LOL!).

 

Thanks!

Kerry

 

[Soon-to-be-Mrs.D]

This is probably a dumb question to ask at this point since my wedding is two months from now down in T&C, but does anyone know what we have to do to make our marriage legal in the US (if anything)?  I've tried to search the internet for what we need to do to make sure our marriage will be valid, but can't find anything.  I live in upstate NY, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference as I know the laws differ from state to state.  Any help is appreciated!  Thanks in advance!