Tropical Imaging

Seven Stars and Grace Bay Club are both lovely properties. Grace Bay Club does more weddings, but it is a larger property and more established (it was the first luxury resort on island). Seven Stars has just started marketing to weddings which also explains the difference in numbers of weddings but is a great little property. All of our wedding planners on island are great (they have to be or they won't stay in business for long). The hotel coordinators are good as well, but no hotel (aside from Beaches) has a dedicated wedding planner whose only job is planning weddings for the property. So the person for the hotel will have other responsibilities other than just weddings. So what does that mean? You can't go wrong either way. But if you want more elaborate planning/decorating etc beyond a standard package, want someone planning rehearsal/excursion options that are not on the hotel's property or if you are just a more type A personality who wants someone completely at your disposal during your planning and on your day, an outside coordinator is a better option for you. If you love the packages the hotel offers and are happy with your response times from the in house coordinator, then there is no reason to go with an outside planner. In some cases the hotel actually uses an outside coordinator to do their weddings. There is no one on island that I know of (and word travels fast here LOL) that is a definite "don't use them". It really comes down to you and your personalty, and what you want your wedding to be. (also depends on your budget!) If you have any other specific questions let me know Krys

Not that I know of (and it's a small small island). We do have two saxophone players (they're brothers and each play weddings), Janardo and Jevon Laporte (if you search You Tube there are a few videos of them playing at venues on island). Both do an amazing job. Perry Delancy sometimes does weddings; he is a classical guitar player. But we don't see him often as he has other regular venues he plays. Krys

Definitely get off property, the island is lovely with lots of other sites to see. Conch Shack (and next door at Horse eyed jacks) are great places to have lunch by the beach and get a different view of the island. You can also head over to the Grace Bay area before or after and check out the Regent Village/Salt Mills shops/Ports of Call shops. You can park in one spot and do the Salt Mills and Regent Village and then drive 1/2 mile down to the Ports of Call area. We have some amazing artists on island in many different fields, but I don't think any of them sell their work at Beaches. My favorite places for unique jewelry/art/crafts: Anna's Gallery at the Salt Mills and Brenda's Ceramic studio a few doors down (I think it's Paradise gifts, I just know it as Brenda's shop, but it has beautiful ceramic ware and jewelry in the window) Anna Bourne has her amazing vivid silk art prints and great jewelry that is unique and fun different gifts, Brenda is a phenomenal ceramic artist, and has big and then small pieces that are ceramic shells and sanddollars in tiles that can be easily taken home and one of a kind. In the Regent Village, check out FOTTAC (flavors of the Turks and Caicos) with our local Bambarra Rum, as well as handmade baskets, bath salts from Middle Caicos and Sea Salt from Middle Caicos and Salt Cay! There are a few other galleries/cool gift shops in the Regent Village as well. If someone is looking for Cuban Cigars, then head to the Goldsmith in the Regent Village (my friend says her husband finds the best deals and quality there, although it looks like we may have a cigar shop opening soon in the Salt Mills). We also have some new coffee shops etc opening in December so that should be fun. Just down from Regent Village is the Pizza Pizza Plaza, and Island Scoop which has great homemade ice cream in very fun flavors (love the mojito ice cream). They also have a little gift shop next door with hand made/fair trade and organic items. Ports of Call is down the road with more gift shops. Dive Provo always has some really unique items in their shop and around the corner from Ports of Call is the Patty Place with fabulous Jamaican style patties for a quick snack or two...Yum! A Little further is Caicos Plaza, with the French Caicos Bakery and Rumours another lovely little shop with unique items. If you are going to go out, shop in the morning (most shops open after 10) or right before heading home and then head over to the conch shack. If you still want to explore more of the island, Chalk Sound is stunningly beautiful, I recommend going to Las Brisas on the water. They make great mudslides/mojitos and have a pool to swim in or paddle boats to go out on Chalk Sound. Some guides will tell to to go to "the Hole" don't waste your vacation time....it's just a hole on some land with water in it LOL...kinda cool but not worth a separate trip. The island is very safe (although like anywhere in the world, don't leave valuables in a locked car etc), and really easy to get around (we have 3 main paved roads...and no stop lights) Do check it out and see what's outside of Beaches! We are a US dollar economy, so you don't have to worry about currency exchange! And don't forget your cameras! Hope that gives you some ideas. Grace Bay Car Rentals will drop the car off at the resort and have always been highly recommended on Trip Advisor. We also have an Avis franchise here as well. Krys

Here is a link to a wedding we did recently in Grand Turk. My husband just got back from doing photo and video at a wedding there this weekend, when it's posted on our blog I'll come here and post a link to it. http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/09/the-wedding-of-heather-and-tim-grand-turk/ Grand Turk is small, really small. I don't know of any photography companies on the island, we are flown in a few times a year to shoot weddings and families there (we're located in the Turks and Caicos on the island of Providenciales). You can just get married on the beach (there are any "huge" or newer resorts there really, but there are fabulous beaches.) Hopefully that post can give you some ideas. Krys

I don't have a current contact at the Sommerset for events as they were using Diane from Island Harmony but Management has just changed, the condo owners have taken over the resort, the restaurant has closed and Andy just told me they are looking to do weddings with someone in house, but we haven't heard yet who that is. I'll check around and see if I can find something out. Villa Renaissance is nice for small weddings but it has a very small beach. Andy said you may fit 30 people in if it's not high tide but no more than that. Most of the weddings we've seen there are under 20 or so. Are you on Pinterest? I have a board that is Turks and Caicos wedding and reception locations which has lots of photos and you can see at a glance set ups etc. My Pinterest acct is under "Krystin Mann" There is also a wedding details board with fun details from lots of our weddings. Regent Palms is right next to the Sommerset, they have a lot of different options and a nice stretch of beach. Grace Bay Club does as well. If I can track a contact down for Sommerset I'll post here. Krys

I Love Pinterest. {Krystin Mann} I have a board of details from our Turks and Caicos Brides and one on Ceremony and reception locations. That may help people out with ideas on colors/flowers/set ups etc. Hope that may help anyone out! Happy Pinning! Krys

We actually love the Sands personally. When we have had friends/family come on island and not had enough room for them at the house, the Sands has been where they stay (some friends have stayed at Villa del Mar and Point Grace as well). The rooms at the Sands are great and the fact that there are empty beach lots on either side makes the beach really quiet. It's also in a nice walking distance from other resorts/restaurants and shops which is nice. All of the rooms were updated 3 years ago, and Hemingways is a great little restaurant as well. I can't give you specifics on Travel agents, but we do like turkandcaicosreservations.tc for hotel bookings as they seem to keep all of the current deals/offers on all of the hotels in one place. If you check Trip Advisor, a lot of people like them as they are located on island and sometimes get better deals than the current listings on the hotels website. Flights, well they are just expensive down here really compared to other locations. I would check weekly on prices and snap them up if you see anything in the 400-500 range. Occasionally Jet Blue will have slightly less, but not often. Environmental Arts and The Flower Girl are the only two florists on island. Most of our brides/planners/resorts work with Environmental Arts. Their stuff is more varied/modern etc and offer a wider range of options. Prices aren't going to vary much between the two as all the flowers have to be flown in; we're a desert island really so not much grows here that makes great bouquets other than Bougaenvilla. Rehearsal dinner options at the Palms: I have seen them do rehearsal dinners on their lower pool deck overlooking the ocean. It's normally a buffet. There are sometimes some guests in the infinity pool when the dinner starts as people are mingling around, but it's pretty private once the sun starts going down. February is usually not a "Busy" month although there are a few more people around over President's day weekend. You'll see more people around than in September, but really the only time I have felt we were getting busy was during Easter Break last year, and in all honesty it still was quiet compared to East Coast Beaches I grew up going to. Beaches Resort is the only place I see that the beach has lots of people there. Most guests at other resorts spread out and really there aren't a ton of them there. Hope that helps Krys

Check out www.turksandcaicosreservations.tc, they list all of the resorts and have some of the best deals around. If you're looking at the Sands and Sibonee as options for your guests, I can give you an idea of hotels close by. Next to Sibonee is The Sommerset and the Regent Palms. Currently the Sommerset does not have the restaurant open (change of management) so I would check if catering is an option. On the other side of the Palms is the Alexandria. On the other side down from the Sands is Point Grace which is a smaller quieter boutique resort. The beach in front of the sands and Point Grace is very wide and not a whole lot of activity on either side. Point Grace sometimes gets overlooked as they are a bit smaller, but I have friends that love staying there when they come on island. The Palms and Sommerset tend to do a lot more weddings so they have the event thing down and either have a wedding coordinator on staff or contract on the coordinators on island. Further down the island you could stay at Grace Bay Club/Grace Bay Estates and have wedding and reception there, with Villa Del Mar right next to it and Ocean Club West on one side. Carribean Paradise Inn is just down the access road for those on tighter budget. Any other questions let me know. Krys

Don't have ann's email address just yet, but called the salon and left a message for her to call me...will post it once I have it. Krys

As long as a room is paid for 3 nights in the photographers name, we have not had a problem with it. I would say we've done it about 4-5 times in the past 2 years, and had no problems. Ileana can give you details. Here is a three part blog of one that was done in June there: http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/06/turks-caicos-beaches-resort-veena-litty-part/ http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/06/turks-caicos-beaches-resort-veena-litty-part-2/ http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/06/turks-caicos-veena-litty-trash-dress-shoot-part/ My husband Andy shot these. Krys

I can answer one of your questions: in order for TI to cover your entire wedding at Beaches, a room must be booked in the photographers name for 3 nights minimum. We have had brides do that and book a low rate room and use it for a gathering place/storage place etc or overflow of guests (we won't actually stay there, but it just needs to be in the name of the photographer). Then you just book whatever package you want with us directly. If you email Ileana, she can give you the full details on that bit. Krys

Hi, I have lived here in the T&C for over 15 years so maybe I can help. September as a general rule tends to be busiest regarding hurricanes (and the hottest and most humid month of the year). For the most part, we usually don't have lots of rain in the fall, unless some crazy weather front moves in from the US. We do get afternoon or occasional showers but here, rain lasts 15 minutes and moves onwards and many times it can be pouring 2 miles away and clear sunny skies are all around. Basically the rain doesn't last. Have we had rainy weeks in the past during oct/nov? yes, but no more than any other month of the year. I love the late october/november months here personally. It's just cooling off (and by that I mean not icky hot, it's a nice temp) and perfect weather during that time but the water is still warm for great swimming and the water tends to still be as a general rule really calm and flat. The winter months will bring some stronger winds and a higher chance of choppy seas. The island itself is much quieter, with hotels generally getting ready for the "season" and airfare is also better as well. If you're looking at Oct/Nov, I would go more towards late oct vs early and anytime in November. We have been known to have a hurricane come through during those times but really that's rare vs September which always seems to see us boarding up for something. Hope that helps Krys

Hi, We haven't seen a lot of weddings at West Bay Club. After living here for 15 years, I have found there are resorts that market and pursue weddings and other resorts do them when asked but don't actively go after them. I would see WBC being in the non-marketing one. It's a lovely resort (honestly there really aren't any bad ones here LOL). It is further down Grace Bay Beach than some resorts. You will need a taxi/rental car to go to shops/groceries/other restaurants than the ones just around you. The stretch of beach it's on is lovely, two great snorkeling reefs are within easy walking distance and there are a couple restaurants at hotels nearby. Here are a couple of weddings/renewals we have done there. Hope that helps. Krys http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/08/the-wedding-of-jennifer-and-david-at-the-west-bay-club/ http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/09/turks-and-caicos-islands-baby-and-bams-renewal-of-vows/ http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/05/west-bay-club-wedding/

Hi, I am trying to sort out the first week of school and watching out for TS Maria which seems to be headed here, but thought I would post info on hair and make up This is copied from a post I submitted a while back on T&C Make-up and hair: here is some info on the regular hair and make up people we see on island There are 3 ladies that we see on a regular basis doing hair. For large weddings they work together on some occasions as well. In no particular order.... Maximes....649-946-5093 Geraldine does hair and Ann (from Beauty and Beach day spa located in the shop) does Make-up. contact info is posted above April's Place - Hair - Nails - Skin care on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands 649-941-3993 April does hair. She doesn't do make up. Briget [email protected] does hair (use to own Maximes and April worked for her when she first came on island, she worked from home after her son was born but now that he has just turned 11, she's opened up Tangled Hair Salon in Ports of Call Sheque (649) 245-5241 Sheque Does hair and make up Full disclaimer here: April does my hair and has for years, Ann does my manicures and pedicures on island and I don't wear any make up. However....Geraldine and Bridget do the hair of many of my friends and Bridget does my hair if Aprils off island (and Geraldine does April's hair...LOL it's a VERY small island) I have seen loads of photos of Sheques work and she does great work as well. We work with all of these ladies, professionally and know them personally. For make up, Ann and Sheque both enhance someones beauty, not take over and take a life of it's own. For hair, they are all good and not over the top. They all work with a ton of different types of hair on island (the country's population is very international) as well as having to keep up with latest trends and styles. April goes every year to the international hair/and trade show...my sister lives in Atlanta and whenever she visits she books ahead to get April to cut her hair...I know others who plan vacations to get a touch up by Maxime or Geraldine. It's not uncommon to have all of them working together with large bridal parties, they are all friends and very good to each other. Additionally it's a SMALL island and if you don't do good hair and make up, you won't last a season here. All of these women have been in business minimum 5-7 years with most in business here more than 10 years. All of these ladies have very established clientele on island, so depending on when your dates are, If they are coming to you, which involves packing up and travel time etc, vs coming to the salon where they can book you and other clients in before and after, they will charge accordingly. Hope that helps, our blog usually mentions who did hair and make up for a wedding if you want to do a search for their particular names and the wedding will pop up! Krys

Brilliant by Tropical Imaging Krys

Hi, Island is fine, some flooding in low lying areas and tree branches down etc, but no structural damage anywhere etc and more importantly no loss of life. Airport is open, and flights are coming in and most of the island has power. The resorts and Grace Bay area had power the whole time in most places. Resorts and restaurants are open for business, except for Beaches which has closed for a few weeks. There are no reports of damage there, but as in years past whenever we have any kind of storm in August or September, Beaches will shut for a few weeks after, I would check with them to keep updated if your wedding is in September as we have heard conflicting reports on their reopen date. Our office and staff and their homes are all fine...all are feeling a bit soggy but drying out as the sun is shining again. Everyone was unpacking boxes/computers etc yesterday and pulling down all of the hurricane shutters and starting to sort through the 3-4 days of email that has accumulated. Andy was on the phone with West Host our server for a while again yesterday as soon as he heard about the virus again. We had been assured the blog had been secured but we are waiting to find out what happened again. This is the current update posted on the situation: We’ve just had a report of another virus on the blog. If you have uptodate virus software you will be fine, but if you get any messages asking to update your adobe software or such, do not click on them ! For now please be very careful – I have the web team working on this again to remove the malicious code…..thanks for your patience. We haven't had any problems with it affecting Macs and currently only one report but we are taking it very seriously (Andy is not happy, hurricane and virus not a great combination LOL). You can check us out on FB in the meantime if you want to see some photos. Thanks for all of the messages and patience! But for anyone worrying...island is open for business, water is blue and sun is shining!!! Krys

Hi Emilie, Just send an email, Ileana can give you an estimate when they will be available. We have had a record breaking busy year and still want to give the attention of detail in editing to every bride. All of our staff takes some holiday time in August and September (our slowest months) as most of them have been working solid from March-July and we've been unusually busy for August this year (Andy had to postpone joining us in the states for holiday by a week because of last minute bookings). Kelly just returned and David is due back end of the week, Andy is off for 10 days and Ileana heads out in September. Do not expect any response for 3 days as we are prepping for Hurricane Irene this morning who is due to hit us head on today and tomorrow (all hard drives/computers and equipment are stored in a closed room, everything is put away and boarded up and then our staff has to have time to prep their homes). It's looking to be major, so power could be out for a few days or so after she passes. We'll update as we can. I would suggest sending the email this weekend or early next week. I can check for you next week as well, just send me a PM reminder. We take hurricanes very seriously and make sure all of our data is backed up and stored as well as possible, but we also make sure we give all of our team plenty of time to prep for their own homes (as well as time to unboard after it passes and then put everything back together at the office). Getting ready on island for a category 2/3 takes a ton of physical work. We'll update on the island after the hurricane passes on the blog to keep future brides updated. We find photos to show that we're still standing helps a lot. Krys

Hi, I was just catching up with Andy on island (I'm off island visiting the US), and he told me they finally found the virus about 7-10 days ago and have removed it from the site and have taken preventive measures so it won't happen again. So the blog now is all clear with lots of new posts. Krys

We've been working on a new blog and website for about 6 months now and Andy updated and switched everything over this weekend. Safe to go back to the blog and check out new posts.... Krys

Hi, I am off island right now but emailed Andy last night and he had responded "its a trojan virus - only affects pc's and is not consistent so no one has "found it" on the website.....very bizzare" We still have our web company checking it out to see if they can find anything on the site as they haven't so far, and will post a notice on the blog as well. Krys

Grace Bay Suites is about a 1/2-3/4 mile max away. Probably a 15-20 minute casual stroll. Caribbean Paradise Inn is just around the corner from Villa Del Mar and a bit closer, not as new as Grace Bay Suites but nice and quaint, that might be another option. Check turksandcaicosreservations.tc for rates etc. Krys

Just talking to my husband and wanted to pass along some info. He said Shameka is taking a few days off (no weddings or corporate groups for them this weekend). It's her first day off in 6 weeks, so you may not hear back until first of the week. He said she's been working flat out. He also said he had talked with her a while back and there are no minimum guest rooms that need to be booked at GBC to have the wedding, just the B&G need to stay there, and many times guests will stay at Villa del Mar/Seven Stars and Ocean Club West. Just wanted to pass along the information.

Email her again! We've been trying to stress to hotels wedding people the importance of prompt response but sometimes the message doesn't seem to come through (I am pretty sure there are a few weddings there this week though so she may be giving on island brides her full attention). If there is anything else I can help with on info gathering for now though let me know! Krys

Congratulations and welcome! I have lived here in the T&C for about 16 years now, and know the country pretty well. What are you looking for in a resort/wedding? We can narrow it down from there. You can check www.turksandcaicosreservations.tc which is a great comprehensive website that lists all of the resorts and villas on island and they keep all of the current deals and prices in one place. (I have no relationship with them, just a good site we all recommend on island because you can get info all in one place) You can also search The Islands location here on the forum and search for Turks and Caicos within that and get an idea of past brides. Ask away, hope we can help! Krys

In the photo the dancing was held by the pool in the Grace Bay Estates part of the resort. I think it is the adults only pool (I know it's not the kids pool). Usually they dance around the large area just below the bridge over the pool area (to the left of the bridge in the photo, it's a quite large flat space, and we haven't seen anyone end up in the pool who wasn't planning on it in the first place LOL). They are set up to plug in electronics over there as well. I have also seen receptions and dancing by the Grill Rouge area too, they set up for eating and then clear tables out for dancing there. I believe they give you a few options to choose from. I have also seen reception cocktails by their infiniti bar by Anacaona restaurant. They do quite a few weddings there and Brides do seem to be happy with them. Hope that helps! Krys