Beaches Turks AI vs another resort on Turks HELP PLEASE!!

[tyrebride2b2013]

Hi Ladies,

 

We have finally decided to book or reservations and wedding at BTC for June 2013.  For all you brides who have decided to also get married here or have already been married here are there any regrets? I have been reading some other posts on the boards and am now having doubts.  Initially I went with them because we have children as well as some of our guests so it just seemed like the right choice.  However, now I see that there are quite a few other resorts on the island that just aren't AI.  Did any of you consider not using an AI resort? What are the pros and cons of using beaches verses another resort on the island?  As beaches is very costly would it be more cost efficient to use another resort on the island?  I'm just wondering for the guests if I considered every option.  Any advice opinions comments welcome.

 

Thanks
 

[kisha311]

Hey there, 

 

I have also had the same questions and doubts, but in the end I stuck with Beaches for a number of reasons. The main reason is that I went to various tourism websites and read about how much food and drinks and various excursions cost on the island, and I spoke to people who have visited T&C and stayed at cheaper resorts and got their opinions. In the end I was told that because it's an island, the food is expensive so if you're not from a major metropolitan city where the food is expensive, you will be mad! I live in NYC and travel a lot for work so I know that food is a major part of my budget, and alcohol will come into play as well as the festivities go on. Staying at other less costly resorts is an option and fine, but the people kind of negated their "savings" by paying for every single meal, snack, and drink and for cab rides to various excursions and things. Beaches became the winner because I figured people would spend the same amount of money in the end, and at Beaches they have the option of child care, included in the price if they wanted to get away on their own for a while without the kids. 

 

Happy planning, and I hope this helped. 

[tyrebride2b2013]

Hi, thanks so much for your response.  Appreciate the help.  I thought we were all ready to reserve our reservations then I started reading boards and got nervous.  You have very valid points.  I was thinking the same since everything is all included food, drinks, activity, and child care the cost seems worth it.  The boards also state flights are high to turks I am unable to price them because they are not available as of yet.  We are close I am in New Jersey.

 

When is your date at beaches?  Have you been planning long?  How is it coming along? Great to see another 2013 bride and at the same resort. 
 

[kisha311]

My date is 6/22/13! I have been planning for a little more than 2 months. I wanted to give people plenty of time to plan, pay, save, etc so that they wouldn't stress me out. Although that has gone out of the window. Things are moving along, I am scheduled to have my Beaches conference call on the 13th, so then we will really see what things look like. We are bringing our own photographer down with us, I was advised that as long as they are staying at the resort, Beaches won't bother you. I know that a lot of people have used the outside photographers for various photo shoots outside the resort, so that is an option if you're not totally satisfied with the resort pictures! 

 

I am about to ask my TA again about the flights, it's kind of tricky because she said that the airlines release the fares about a year in advance, so the June fares should be out soon. I think the cost of airfare is about the same as going to Jamaica, from looking at the prices for other times of the year. I can't allow myself to get too stressed about the airfare for others because they stress me about enough other stuff! 

 

Are you using a travel agent? Have you scheduled your conference call? When is your date? 

[tyrebride2b2013]

Oh Wow, that is so funny.  We just might be getting married on the same date.  We have not yet booked yet we are trying to decide on the date.  We were choosing between 15th, 22nd and 29.  We decided against the 15th since father's day will be the following day next year and I don' t want to celebrate father's day on my wedding/honeymoon.  Selfish I know. 

 

I know what you mean about the stress.  I am feeling a bit stressed myself which is funny because I thought having a DW would alleviate that. How are your family and friends about you having a DW? 

 

You must be excited having your conference call coming up.  Have you decided on a package?  Are you having an AHR?  I never thought of bringing my own photographer definitely something to look into.  I have been reading the boards about Tropical Imaging, they seem to do great work on the island many of the girls on the board have used them and given rave reviews so I am considering them.  The trash the dress looks like fun. 

 

Yes, we are using a Travel Agent.  She told us the same rates should be available soon. Are you using a local TA or one that specializes in DW?

[kisha311]

There is a different type of stress involved in DW, at least that's what I am finding out. People still contact me with travel questions no matter how many times I give them the website and travel agent info. It's really crazy. In addition, I have had people ask me for a save the date and wedding invite point blank when I really didn't intend to invite them. It's been an experience thus far to say the least, but I hope it evens out and gets better after this.  My travel agent is a general travel agent that was recommended by my mom's friend. It's been alright but I have had to get on her case a couple of times, but nothing too bad. I am a really Type A person, so I am constantly checking things and making sure she's doing what she's supposed to do. 

 

We will probably do the beautiful beginnings package, depending on the prices they throw out for the other ones. We will see. There are a couple of things that I really want to have, like a sand ceremony and a steel pan player.  Those are the important things, as well as a kick ass reception! We will have a large party attending the wedding so we are going to have to do a private reception but that's cool. 

 

Everyone is excited about the DW and T&C! Most people have never been so they are truly excited to attend!  How about your folks, excited about the DW?

[tyrebride2b2013]

Oh Wow, I hope things even out for you soon too.  You are so far ahead of me We don' t even have our save the dates or invites yet.  We are working on all of that now.  We are hoping to finalize the date between 22nd and 29th now we asked for a Saturday for those who want to not miss too much work who will attend.  We are using Beach Bum DW travel agent she has been great so far and very informative. 

 

Will you have a large wedding party?  We will more than likely use the Beautiful Beginnings package too with a few additions.  I really want the fire dancer and sand ceremony.  Not too sure if we are a private sit down dinner thinking more along the lines of 1 hr cocktail.  We don' t want to over splurge we are having an At home Reception as well. We are not planning on too many joining us our children, our 6 closest friends, and a couple family members.  Most of our family considers us to be being selfish for having a destination wedding which is why we are going to have the AHR. 

[kisha311]

You will be fine, I have to be ahead of the game due to work. I will be extremely busy from August-November, I work in politics, so I have to get everything done as soon as possible since I will lose a few months to work. 

 

Our wedding party will be 3 bridesmaids, 3 groomsmen, 1 ring bearer and 1 flower girl. His son will be the ring bearer/junior groomsman (since he will be 9 at the time).  The fire dancer looks so cool! I'm not sure that will be in the budget, but it's an awesome idea. Our ceremony is scheduled for 5 or %;30 or something like that, I know I'm paying extra to have it late in the day. I didn't want to do it early since it will be hot. Also, my guests with children will have enough time to do things and get the kids down for a nap and dressed in time for the wedding. We are not planning an AHR, but my FMIL is pushing for one. My fiancee told her that we will not be able to afford it after the wedding so if that's what she wants, she has to pay for it! She also has all of these grand ideas for wedding favors and random things that I am slowly pushing back on because I have made my mind up, and some of her ideas just aren't my personality. It's a juggling act for sure and she wasn't happy initially when we said DW. My own mother was a little upset with the DW idea initially as well, but when I broke it down in cost they all understood. That and the fact that I stated that "WE" were paying for our own wedding so if you don't like it then you don't have to come! If someone wants to pitch in with some money and help, then they get a say in how/what we do and I haven't received any money form anyone!  My mom is throwing a big engagement party/cookout in her backyard for us in August. She has a huge yard and is paying for it herself so I'm going with the flow and allowing her to do pretty much everything that she wants. 

 

This process really shows you people's true colors is all I can say!

[tyrebride2b2013]

That explains why you are so organized with things.  You have a very demanding career.  I haven't narrowed down our bridal party as of yet.  We have  6 children who we want to be included in the ceremony as well as my MOH and our best man who are actually a married couple themselves.  Our time is supposed to be 4pm but we are waiting to see what we are going to do about using tropical imaging.  The fire dancer does seem pricey so we are not sure yet? My dad and my sisters are really upset with the who DW idea.  They aren't even planning on coming.  I was hurt at first but trying to cope with it and be happy with our decision.  I agree with you, we are paying for our own wedding so they should be considerate of that.   Yes, true colors are shining through.  Did you make your own save the dates or order them?

[kisha311]

Yum really sorry to hear about your dad and sister's refusal to attend, it will really be their loss. In the end, the people who are there will matter most, so keep your head up and enjoy your planning. I actually ordered my save the dates from Allurements by Rebecca and she is AWESOME!!!! I really didn't have the time to attempt to make my own so I ordered passport save the dates, I will post a picture tomorrow. She was really good and fun to work with. I was also able to meet with her in person as she is in NYC. It can be pricey and I see why people DIY a lot of stuff. I'm going to do my invitations though, I still want something more traditional.