Turks and Caicos October 2012

[JenRoseRDH]

Any other October brides making plans? We are getting married at Grace Bay Club October 20, 2012. After visiting Provo in February, we decided that you really can't go wrong with any of the oceanfront resorts. They are all lovely, well kept and on the same fantastic stretch of beach. We chose Grace Bay Club based on its proximity to many shopping and dining options for our guests, we wanted them to have everything they need within easy walking distance. During and just after our visit we had pretty much settled on Seven Stars. We had an amazing dinner there and the staff was wonderful to us. Unfortunately they scheduled their "owners weekend" the weekend of our wedding and we were told they would not be doing any additional events. Luckily, we were able to get a "3rd night free" booking at GBC making it within our budget. It is a fabulous resort with a ton of amenities.

 

During our February visit, Luise and Ashleigh from Nila Destinations picked us up at our hotel in Turtle Cove and drove us to all the resorts we requested as well as some they thought were along the lines of what we were looking for. They also arranged a cake tasting (yum, yes we will be using Diane!)  and offered to set up a meeting with a florist. There was absolutely no pressure from them to sign up with Nila while we were there. They simply answered all our questions, made suggestions and gave us all the information we requested. It didn't take long after getting home for us to sign up with them as our wedding planner. We have been working mainly with Ashleigh ever since. Nila will be coordinating our wedding ceremony on the beach and Shameka with Grace Bay Club is coordinating our reception.

 

We are planning to use a steel drummer named Kelci Talbot for the ceremony and possibly during dinner. Originally we planned on a band but I'm worried that with a smaller group it may not be worth it. There is a 3 hour minimum for Bowen Arrow, the band suggested to us. We went to a local bar where they were playing while we were there and they were great. They interacted well with the audience and I believe they would be a hit at a wedding. I am on the fence when it comes to the reception music. Anyone out there want to share their experiences with band, DJ, guitar soloist, or just having a friend man an Ipod?

 

What is the best place to go for a gel mani/pedi the day before the wedding without breaking the bank? I'd like to treat my bridesmaids and both mothers but I'm worried that the GBC spa might be more than I want to spend for the 7 of us. I need a good local salon that might be willing to offer a group discount.

 

I booked flights for my family last week, rates seem to be on the low end right now and it is a relief to have it done. We are in the middle of ordering invitations and I can't wait to get the RSVPs back and see who is going to be able to make it. I feel like having a final headcount is going to make some decisions much easier. We have 20 guests already booked. They are booked at the Comfort Suites and the Sands and my family is booked at a villa in Turtle Cove.

 

I still need inspiration for welcome bags and wedding favors. Any suggestions on what would be a hit?

 

Sunset is scheduled for 6:20 that day and we are having the ceremony at 4:30. I am anxious about having enough time for tons of great pictures but not leaving my guests waiting around too long before dinner. I am also wondering if it will still be too hot at 4:30? My fiance absolutely refuses to see me before the ceremony so no pics together ahead of time.

 

I have been in touch with Shenique about hair and makeup- pricy but probably worth it. I like the idea of doing my own but I think that is too ambitious for my wedding day. I want to wear my hair down but I am concerned about wind and frizz with it being on the beach. Anyone have any experience with that? Is it possible to wear my hair long without looking like a disaster by the end of the ceremony?

 

I am hoping that other brides will start posting more on here, I am down to my final 4 months and I need inspiration! I would love to hear what everyone reading this is thinking and planning. I feel like the board has been too quiet lately. It got me to feeling guilty since I hadn't posted anything before now.

[Danie]

Hey Jen:

 

 I also am getting married in T & C but in May of 2013. Luise Bayley from Nila is my coordinator and I have been planning this for the last year lol. We also have met with her on the island in April for our site visit. We met with photographers and are also using Diane for the cake. I believe we will get our flowers from EA and i am not having any special flowers flown in I am using the island bouganville. I also am using Shenique for my hair and make up along with paying for my 2 bridesmaid and the mothers. (Yes it is pricey but I do believe it is well worth it, so I choose to go with the pricer option) I do hear that Maxime Salon which you can walk to from Grace Bay is cheaper but I believe it cost 50.00 every 3 people to come out to your condo which basically works its self out to be around the same price.

 

 I am staying next door to Grace Bay at a 4 star resort due to the fact that it was affordable for our 31 guest and that we are paying for many extra events for the guest. For instance we have a catamaran sunset cruise set up to take everyone out the night before my reherssal dinner. My reherssal dinner will be held at Opus and I will have a DJ with an open bar for all guest and then the wedding night will be a beach BBQ catered by Kissing Fish with open bar and dj. We are also going to charter a deep sea fishing excursion for the guys and I am treating the mothers, my bridesmaids and self to a sweedish massage, scalp massage and eye treatment at Spa Tropique. To answer your question in regards to mani & pedi. I have contacted Spa Tropique and they do offer group rates at least they did for me as long as there was over 6 people. They were even willing to speak with your guests directly. Try sending them an email and let them know that you are a bride (they love brides and will tell you that) and that you are planning on have 7 of you get mani pedi and you want to know what group rates they offer. I believe they are definitely one of the more reasonable spas.

 

When I went for my site visit I was lucky enough to see a beach bbq reception held on the beach which was coordinate by Nila and they had a DJ for their reception. I will say they had a blast and I as a bystander was wishing I was at the reception. The music was current mixed with some oldies and everyone danced the night away. I say that because originally I was going to hire a band for my reherssal dinner and changed it to a dj even though I am having a dj for the reception because their dj was so much fun and they really had an awsome party.

 

Good luck and let me know if spa tropique works for you. Also I believe they are located next door at Ocean Club West and they also come out of your condo but I am not sure if they do that for a mani/pedi or just for massages.

 

best of luck to you both.

[Danie]

Oh and I almost forgot. I actually already ordered my welcome bags. Since my colors are blue, pink & purple. We purchased large monogramed canvas bags for everyone. The men's monogram is in blue and the women's bag are divided between pink and purple monograms. These bag are large enough for us to put all of our goodies in. We will be arriving a few days before all guests and therefore I will have the bags made up and already in their room as they arrive. Inside the bag I am placing items such as monogramed bottled water, a map of T & C, we are purchasing small bottles of rum for each bag, travel tyleonol, OFF spray to keep mosquito away and we have also purchased small glass bottles in which we will have a welcome message in the bottle for each guest. The bag is great and big enough for each guest to use for the beach. Hope that helps.

[JenRoseRDH]

Danie- Thanks for all the info! Good luck to you in all your planning, you are lucky to be getting a nice early start.

 

I love the message in a bottle for the gift bags. Aside from the personalized stuff, are you planning to buy locally or travel with all the goodies?

 

Did you get the name and contact info for the DJ you saw and liked? I have been meaning to ask Nila for their recommendations but haven't gotten around to it.

 

You guys are being super generous doing so much for your guests! I'm sure it is going to be a fantastic time for everyone. And you will be getting some amazing pictures. Who are you using for photography?

 

I took your advice and messaged Spa Tropique, and 2 other places this morning so am waiting to hear back. I asked about nails, hair and make up for myself, 4 bridesmaids 2 mothers and 1 flower girl.
 

[turksbride12]

I just got married last weekend and used Ileana from Brilliant who was amazing- if you are still looking for a photographer I would totally recommend her!

 

I also used Shenique for hair and makeup and it was great.  I was hot but my makeup held all night (I got so many compliments on it) and I had an updo since I was worried about frizz too. 

 

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.
 

[Danie]

Hey Jen:

 

Yes we are lucky to have ahead start. Believe me I have been researching and planning for a while. I thought the message in a bottle thing was cute too. I actually bought the bottles when they were on sale from the The Knot wedding store. As far as the decorations in regards to buying local or taking with us I am going to do both. As I said before we have the bag and i am actually going to pack all the bags and the stuff already bought in a suitcase when we leave and just pay that fee rather than ship it ahead of time. However, I do know Luise told me before that if you really wanted to you could ship things to Nila as your day gets closer and they would hold it for you however I don't know what the shipping cost are I do believe the cheapest way is buy boat but it takes a long time. I am not going to do that. As far as other items such as small local rum, and maps of the island and thigns like that I am going to buy on the island. I actually found a shop on the way to the grocery store when we were there on our site visit and I would like to get some stuff from her.

 

In regards to the DJ know I have found who is the one yet but I do trust Nila especially my planner in guiding me and finding that person. She has found the catamaran guy and recommended the same caterer I had wanted so I trust her.

 

Last but not least, I am planning on using Brilliant. I actually met with Andy on our site visit and he gave me alot of info including prices and I am going to send them an inquiry on line because I would love to use them but I want to see if I can have ileana do our pictures and I wanna see if I can actually make sure she does them not just book and someone else show up. Plus I think I need a custom package not just one of the set packagaes. Who did you use.

 

I don't know if Spa Tropique does hair and makeup but i do know they do nails and massages. it takes a while but they'll get back because as I said they have offered group rates as long as more than 6 are coming.

 

Turks Bride-

 

I have spoken to Shenique and am planning on using her for not only my hair but the mothers and my bridesmaid and I was wondering how you liked your hair? Did you give her a picture or did she just do her thing that day. Also, did she or does she do a trial or just wing it the day of.

 

Daniella

[turksbride12]

I provided pictures the day of and I really liked my hair.  I had it in a low bun with a braid and it was perfect, just like the pictures.  She does offer trials but the services were expensive enough, IMO that I didnt want to pay for a trial because it was $250 I think.  The good thing about that though is that she will change the style when she's done if you have a welcome dinner or whatnot and want to be all prettified for that so you wont show up with your wedding hairstyle. 

 

I was emailing with Ileana when we booked and asked if she could do our pictures and there was no issue about her showing up or passing our wedding off to someone else.  She has sucha  great personality and was really sweet.  I will PM you the link to our pix when we get them if you want.  We had her for 5 hours total. 

 

I also brought three suitcases down of wedding decor because our planner really increased the prices of things for us and I was really discouraged/upset by that so I did everything myself and brought stuff down that I bought at home.  We were in first class and brought a total of 5 checked bags and didnt have to pay anything extra.  I bubble-wrapped and boxed everything inside the suitcases and had no problem, and I packed a lot of glass items. 

 

Which caterer are you using?  We used Kissing Fish and everything (service, food, working with them) could not have been better.  I am really into food and was blown away with how good everything was, our guests are still talking about it weeks later.  Seriously, the were THE BEST!
 

[Danie]

Yea I don't think I am going to do a trial either becase honesty I am paying for me, the bridesmaids and the mothers hair and makeup which as you know is pretty expensive. So I really don't want to put out another 250 for a trial. That's why I was curious to see if you gave her a picture and if it turned out the way you expected.

 

Wow, what do you mean your planner increased prices for you guys. I would be upset to. I was planning on doing exactly what you did and all of my favors and gift bags and things like that I am just going to take the extra suitcases with me. Did you have any problems with customs since you brought so many suitcases and did they charge you any taxes for bringing it in or no.

 

Thats what I want to do. I heard Ileanna was really good and that is who I want to book. My planner said to make sure when I book I tell them that and to make sure that she will actually do the wedding because sometimes it doesn't work like that.

 

I would love for you to send me a pm of your pictures. I bet it was beautiful.

 

For the reception I originally was going to have it at Opus but when there on our site visit was lucky enough to see a beach bbq reception on beach and I chose that for the reception and my reherssal dinner at Opus. So we are going to have kissing fish cater the beach bbq. So I am really exicted that you had them and loved them I heard so much about that.

 

Did you have a DJ or a band and who did you use. Also for your actual ceremoney did you use any music for you or the wedding party when walking down the beach?

 

Thanks so much for your help.

[JenRoseRDH]

Congratulations! Hope your wedding was amazing, I'm sure it was. Where did you have it and who did you use as a planner? How early did you start planning? How long did you stay? How many guests? I'd love to hear how everything went!

 

 

Originally Posted by turksbride12 

I just got married last weekend and used Ileana from Brilliant who was amazing- if you are still looking for a photographer I would totally recommend her!

 

I also used Shenique for hair and makeup and it was great.  I was hot but my makeup held all night (I got so many compliments on it) and I had an updo since I was worried about frizz too. 

 

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.
 

[JenRoseRDH]

Danie-

Thanks for all the info! I am waiting to hear back from Spa Tropique again- they replied asking for more specifics. I also contacted Beauty and the Beach, Maximes and Tangled. It looks like we may have to split the nails and hair over two different places. Much as I would love to I just can't afford to have Shenique do everyone. I think I'll let them all fend for themselves when it comes to make up.

 

I am hooked on the Tropical Imaging blog, I look through the weddings on a regular basis. I have looked at both Tropical Imaging and Eye Spice for photography. I feel it is such a beautiful place it will be hard to get any bad pictures. I have a lifelong friend who is a photographer and may *fingers crossed* give us our photography as a wedding gift. That is an RSVP I am definitely looking forward to!