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

[JanineA]

Chrissy!!!! How have you been darlin? How is married life? Miss catching up with you. 

[greysgirl]

Hi ladies:)  After beginning to plan a Mexico DW and all the drama associated with that, we've decided to elope to the T&C in April!  Soooo excited:)

[JanineA]

Congrats greysgirl!!! Have you decided where you will decided which resort you will use? 
 

Originally Posted by greysgirl 

Hi ladies:)  After beginning to plan a Mexico DW and all the drama associated with that, we've decided to elope to the T&C in April!  Soooo excited:)

[greysgirl]

Thanks:)  We're looking right now at the Grace Bay Club, the Sommerset, and the Gansevoort.  Any input about these?  It will just be the 2 of us and we like to both have a good time and relax.
 

Originally Posted by JanineA 

Congrats greysgirl!!! Have you decided where you will decided which resort you will use? 
 

 

[JanineA]

Greysgirl all of those are great places from what I have heard. I haven't been to either but in planning my own wedding we did look at Amanyara, Grace Club. Gansevoort and Somerset. In the end we settled on Somerset. The Somerset has a really neat little package if its just the two of you getting married which will include your bouquet, the grooms boot, etc, you can contact the Wedding Coordinator Monique Gaudet for my info [email protected] 

The Gansevoort doesn't have any packages that I know of (they may have updated this) but they will tailor everything to you just the way you like. Teresa Brunner was in charge of their weddings on property she has her own company as well TropicalDMC she is very nice and even reached out to see if I needed help with any vendors or anything even though I didn't choose Gansevoort. You can either contact Teresa or Kanzi Hajouji Kanzi manages the restaurant I believe. Teresa is [email protected] and Kanzi is [email protected]

I don't have my contact for Amanyara and Grace Club since once I eliminated them I threw all that stuff out. I will let you know that Grace Bay was a close runner up and because of friends of ours that stay at the Estates every year we do intend on going back next year to stay there. Krys Mann on this website has given extensive info on all of the resorts here is just a bit of what she has written in previous posts (I copied and pasted so you don't have to do search after search): Of the ones you have chosen I think the Gansevoort has done the least number of weddings.....I think...not sure. 

 

"Grace Bay Club is the same type of resort in pricing and amenities as the Somerset. It has been in operation for more than 15 years and is the oldest luxury resort on island. They have recently added a new section, the Grace Bay estates. The resort is a Condo style resort, full kitchens, living area, and bedrooms. They have one of the few fine dining restaurants (Anacaona) in Grace Bay that is right next to the beach. They additionally have The Grill that has a Beach view. Grace Bay Club has one of the longest stretch of beachfront property on Grace Bay as well. It's 2 hotels down from Seven Stars and really in the heart of the shopping and restaurants areas. All guests can easily walk to shopping/food/groceries. 

With many brides, the cost for guests for rooms is a concern and recently a small resort has been built just in front of the Grace Bay Club called Villa del Mar Villa del Mar

Because Villa Del Mar is not Beachfront, it offers guests a lower cost option. Yet the walk right next to or through the Grace Bay Club is very short (similar length of walk if you are staying in a room at the somerset near the croquet lawn) Many brides have booked some guests at Grace Bay Club and some at Villa del Mar and mixing the group is very easy. Villa Del Mar rooms (also condo style) are really upscale and have gotten rave reviews on Trip Advisor. So that gives you a different option as well.

Here are some recent weddings at Grace Bay Club (receptions are held either at the Grill Rouge, Anacaona or the pool area by the estates).

Go Bears! | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging
Grace Bay Club, Turks and Caicos destination weddings. Wedding Film | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging
The wedding of Stacey & Larry Stauffer at Grace Bay Club, Turks and Caicos | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging
Grace Bay Club, Turks and Caicos destination wedding. | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging
The Wedding of Wendy nd Jamie at Grace Bay Club | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging

 

Oh yes one other notable area at Grace Bay Club is their kids club (if you have guests with kids coming down). They have a really well done kid's program and lots of fun and interesting stuff to do (I have sent my kids there sometimes during school holidays as they will allow locals to pay for daily camp rates). The Regent Palms is also another location with an involved kid's camp if that is something you are looking for. I don't know the cost (if any) for guests, but it may be something you are interested in."

 

"The Somerset is a resort that is not all inclusive and the rooms are condo style (very upmarket condo style, Full kitchen, living room, bedrooms). Your guests will have to think about food and drink options separate from their hotel rooms, but they don't necessarily have to eat out all of the time. Many people pick up groceries and either cook breakfast or lunch in and then go out to dinner. Some people may actually find this less expensive than the all inclusive route. The hotel is going to have a LOT less people there. The beach will also be much quieter. Outside vendors are allowed, but they do have a wedding coordinator for the property for you, there are also off site coordinators if you want. The Somerset is within easy walking to a number of restaurants and moderate walking to shops etc. It's next door to the Regent Palms which has a fabulous spa as well. You have a number of options just like Beaches of where to get married on the property and where to have a reception. Kissing Fish Catering and their restaurant Bay Bistro is located next to Somerset, so if you didn't want to have your wedding or reception on property, you guests would have a short (very short) walk next door.

 here are some weddings at the Somerset for you:

The Wedding of Ryan and Marc at the Somerset | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging
The Wedding of Ryan and Marc at the Somerset | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging
Stephanie & Paul get married at The Somerset | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging
The Wedding of Raluca and Dean at The Somerset | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging

 

"The Gansevoort is a great property, modern feel, and is on a great stretch of beach. Here is a recent wedding we shot there

Noah and Stacey's destination wedding at the gansevoort resort turks and caicos | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging

this has video of a day after session, that began at the Gansevoort.

Noah and Stacey's Island Escape beach photo shoot movie - providenciales turks and caicos | Brilliant by Tropical Imaging

They are just getting into promoting weddings and we have a few coming up in the next few months. It's definitely a fun spot on island. 

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."

 

Lastly here is a link to Karol's planning blog for her wedding at Gansevoort:

http://weddingplanningiskillingme.blogspot.com/2009/04/were-back.html

 

Note: I had contacted Karol last year after becoming engage, she was very helpful in sharing her Gansevoort experience with me.

[JanineA]

Wow...that was long. I don't know why its not mentioned but the Somerset has a restaurant on property O'Soliel. Sorry I know that was a book....but hopefully it was helpful. Let me know if you need help with anything else. 

[greysgirl]

 

 

Originally Posted by JanineA 

 

Wow...that was long. I don't know why its not mentioned but the Somerset has a restaurant on property O'Soliel. Sorry I know that was a book....but hopefully it was helpful. Let me know if you need help with anything else. 

 

THANK YOU soooo much for all of that info.  We're still weighing our options but know it will be the T&C.  It's fun to finally be excited about our wedding after all of the stress we went through trying for the last 5 months to plan a DW that pleased everyone else in Mexico.  Life is much better!

[JanineA]

Greysgirl, glad I could help. Like I said Somerset has a cute package if its just two...I want to say its about $1800, comes with simple cake I think and flowers like I said...not sure, but you can ask Monique about it. Good luck and please keep me posted as to how things go. 

[Soon-to-be-Mrs.D]

Janine,

Did you get an email that Monique is leaving the Somerset?  She emailed me this morning and let me know that she and her husband are moving back to Toronto and a new coordinator, Diane (looks like her email is from Island Harmony, a wedding coordinator company in T&C) will be taking over.  YIKES - I'm nervous.  She wants to set up a call next week to ensure a seamless transition.  Just wondering if Monique is going to be around for your wedding or if you will have the new coordinator as well.  Island Harmony sounds like a prety legit company though.  Here is the link: http://islandharmony.com/  So hopefully will have as much, if not more, experience in wedding planning!

Brianna

[Tropical Imaging]

Brianna,

 

Just to soothe your nerves, Diane has been on island for over 3 years now as an independent wedding coordinator.  We have shot quite a few weddings with her over the years and according to my husband Andy (and the rest of the team)  Diane is a detail oriented, type A, well organized lady.  We find all of her weddings well done and brides very happy.  With hotel coordinators, their job includes coordinating weddings but also involves many other jobs with the hotel which many times takes away from keeping in touch with their brides.  With a dedicated independent coordinator, I find brides are much happier with response times and details vs a hotel coordinator.  We are seeing quite a few hotels on island hiring the independent coordinators to do their weddings to make things better for all. 

 

Here is a link to weddings Diane has done at  the Sommerset!

http://www.brilliant.tc/2010/02/stephanie-paul-married-somerset/

http://www.brilliant.tc/2010/03/wedding-ryan-marc-part-1/

http://www.brilliant.tc/2010/03/wedding-ryan-marc-part-2/

 

Hope that helps

 

Krys