Turks and Caicos advice for everything!

Hi everyone,

Im new to this site and hoping to get any advice:)

We are getting married in Turks was wondering if anyone knows of transportation companies that will do airport tranfers for large groups rather than paying for a taxi per person etc? We have about 50 guests.

Has anyone gotten married or will be getting married at The Somerset?

thanks

There are a few of us getting married in Turks, check out the Islands thread which will give you tons of information.

Sadly, the taxi drivers (union) on island have a real influence here and squash any attempt of hotels/companies that might infringe on their monopoly. You can talk with the hotel/coordinator you are booking with and see if you can arrange for transfers to be included with your fees, but there isn't a company other than the taxi drivers that will transport from the hotel.

On a more positive note, we've done a lot of weddings at the Somerset and it's a great resort. My youngest daughter just went to a birthday party yesterday on their croquet lawn and the lanterns were still set up from a wedding the night before, it looked fabulous.

If you want to see some photos of weddings at the resort here are some:

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

Those are just a few to give you some ideas, we had one saturday that isn't up on the blog yet, if you want to see more, just use the search in the blog, there are also some engagement sessions that can show the resort as well.

Anything else you want to know about the island please feel free to ask, I've lived here for 15 years (wow can't believe it's been that long...LOL)

Krys

Sadly, the taxi drivers (union) on island have a real influence here and squash any attempt of hotels/companies that might infringe on their monopoly. You can talk with the hotel/coordinator you are booking with and see if you can arrange for transfers to be included with your fees, but there isn't a company other than the taxi drivers that will transport from the hotel.

On a more positive note, we've done a lot of weddings at the Somerset and it's a great resort. My youngest daughter just went to a birthday party yesterday on their croquet lawn and the lanterns were still set up from a wedding the night before, it looked fabulous.

If you want to see some photos of weddings at the resort here are some:

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

Those are just a few to give you some ideas, we had one saturday that isn't up on the blog yet, if you want to see more, just use the search in the blog, there are also some engagement sessions that can show the resort as well.

Anything else you want to know about the island please feel free to ask, I've lived here for 15 years (wow can't believe it's been that long...LOL)

Krys

Welcome MeiLing!!

I am also getting married in Turks & Caicos this June at Villa Renaissance. I have no advice regarding the taxi situation, but I hope your planning is going great!

When is your wedding date?

Welcome to the forums, lots of tips and great information are here!

Thanks for everyone's advice and congratulations to all the brides to be!

That's too bad about the taxi's but I guess everyone needs to make some money:) does anyone know how much they charge per taxi and how many people will fit in the taxi? are they set rates or negotiable?

JanineA: are all your guests staying at the Somerset as well? Where have you decided to have your reception? are you using the onsite wedding planner or doing your own planning using other vendors?

We're getting married August 2010! Yikes! it's creeping up:)

I have seen some pictures from the wedding planner from some previous weddings at the Somerset and it just looks beautiful!

Alcohol is soooo expensive here!

How is everyone keeping the alcohol costs down? Or am I the only one that finds it crazy expensive?

We thought we would do open bar but then it can add up more than the food. Now we are thinking per consumption but are worried about the tallying because we have heard horror stories about the counts being wrong and no way to prove it.

We are hosting an open bar for 3 hours for our reception and it is EXPENSIVE, but we did not want to have to worry about it....

Hi MeiLing,

yes all of my guests will be staying at the Somerset. We have encouraged everyone to stay there and luckily guests that did shop around decided Somerset was the best value for their money. It also helps that we got a great deal on rates with our wedding. We are having an open bar. I really compared everything to the prices here in Miami and in comparison it is somewhat equal. So we decided to go with an open bar for about 3-4 hours and after that anyone who wants to keep drinking can purchase drinks. The goal is for everyone to have fun, not get trashed at our expense. I did not go with a separate wedding planner. I am using Monique from the Somerset. I was told by another bride that she is very efficient and quite capable of pulling it all together. I must admit though that as the day approaches I am worried that I may need an actual planner the day of. Monique is a wedding coordinator and from what I understand she overseas everything running smoothly but I am unsure as to whether she really pulls everything together. Like I am freaking out because I need someone that is going to make sure that the respective sites are decorated, and the fans put on the chairs and things like that. I'm not sure she really takes care of stuff like that. I still need a clear definition of what she will handle and what is left up to me. I am having my reception at the hotel. It will be on the lawn. How many people are you having at your wedding MeiLing? Where will your reception be? Are you using Monique as well or did you get an outside planner (Diane from Island Harmony)?

Not sure if MeiLing is still around but if you are I spoke to Somerset today and the cost of taxi from airport to hotel is $22 for 2 people and $11 for each additional. So basically $11pp. Good luck!