Newbie...I am thinking Turks and Caicos!!!

[Tropical Imaging]

Hi Karey,

 

Sorry to hear about the problems with the Gansevoort.  I will ask my husband tonight about music restrictions at Grace Bay Club, but I know I have shot weddings there well past 11pm and music was going strong.  They may have an 11pm or 12pm cutoff because they don't want to disturb guests in the late hours.  We do lots of weddings there, so I don't think it's an unreasonable restriction if there is one.  Otherwise, brides would not book! 

 

I like the locations of GBC and Seven Stars, because it's a lot more convenient for guests to go to shops/restaurants/grocery stores etc without having to have taxis or rental cars.  You also have Ocean Club West and Villa Del Mar by these properties if you have any guests that are looking for a lower cost option and yet they still can be close by.   If you want an idea of basic room rates, check out www.turksandcaicosreservations.tc .  They keep all of the hotel/villa information on island and sometimes have better rates than the hotel web site and keep up to date on all of the current deals going on. 

 

Just a heads up as well, Next weekend the island is PACKED for the 4th of July weekend.  I have talked to numerous people in the hotels this week and we are really surprised to be this busy late into the season.  Just know if you don't get an immediate response, they may be running about quite a bit.  But if you don't hear back within a few days, email again!    Let me know if you have any other questions on the island and I'll try to help out!

 

Krys

[Tropical Imaging]

Here are some recent weddings, one at GBC, and another at Seven Stars:

 

http://www.brilliant.tc/2011/06/turks-caicos-grace-bay-club-kortney-kelseys-wedding/

 

http://www.brilliant.tc/2011/06/wedding-mimi-rob-part-2/

 

Hope that helps

 

Krys

[kareyusc]

Thanks so much Krys.  Yes, it was really disappointing to put so much work into the planning process, just to be screwed in the end...but what can you do?  We received information from GBC over the weekend and actually like thier pricing structure better than Gansevoorts as well.  I think this will be the way to go for us.  I just want to talk to Shameka first in order to make sure we are comfortable working with her.  Based on your feedback, she sounds like she could be more than capable. 

 

With the wedding your attached from GBC, where was the dancing held?  I think this is the adult pool, but it is hard to tell where the party actually takes place.  Please let me know.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Tropical Imaging]

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

[kareyusc]

Thanks Krys...that definitely helps!

 

Am having trouble hearing back from Shameka...but you did warn me about that.  I will try to be patient

[Tropical Imaging]

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

[Tropical Imaging]

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.

[kareyusc]

Thanks so much Krys.  I really appreciate the information.  I was starting to get a little nervous, but that now makes a lot of sense!!!

 

Everything that I need to know at this point can only come from the hotel (room rates, F&B minimums, event space requirements, etc.).  I really appreciate your help here.  It is so nice to actually be able to get feedback