Turks and Caicos

luvpinks21 · January 2, 2012

Hello Eveyone!

I recently got engaged and is very excited about planning my destination wedding. I am thinking of having it over at Turks and Caicos on March 2013. I have a ton of questions but I came up with these five essential questions to start with. I appreciate your responses. Thanks!

1. How is the weather at T&C during March? Can anyone give me any feedback about the heat and humity situation? I am concerned that I might be miserably hot and sweaty if I do a outdoor ceremony.

2. Does anyone know of any all-inclusive resort that have a nice indoor wedding venue? Most of the pictures I have seen have outdoor settings. I would love to have the wedding by the beach but I am concerned it will be too hot.

3. Any all-inclusive resort recommendations?

4. Is it worth hiring a wedding planner? Any suggestions?

5. I have around 25-30 guests (for all inclusive). Any input on how much I should budget?

Tropical Imaging · January 3, 2012

The weather is quite nice here in March (currently right now we are in the low to mid 80's during the day and mid 70's at night). Unless there is a cold or warm front coming in from the states, that would be about what March is like. It won't be hot hot for a ceremony unless you get married mid day. but if you are a few hours before sunset you'll be fine. This time of year we have lovely off shore breezes, in the evening you may even need a light sweater or long sleeves (not cold but when it's windy, it's nice to have if you've been in the sun all day.) Our white sand never gets too hot to walk on, even my kids have no problem walking around in mid day sun on the sand, so there are no worries there.

We only have 2 all-inclusives on island, Beaches Resort and Spa, and the Veranda (we also have a club med, but that is really not a wedding location resort in my opinion and it's a very old dated property). There really isn't an indoor wedding venue here, we just do everything outdoors and it's pretty rare that the weather is bad enough to go indoors for anything. (my house is open air, screens only, no glass windows or a/c). The Regent Palms has an indoor ballroom that could fit in 20-30 guests for a ceremony but that is the only place I can think of. Again, as long as you are not getting married at high noon, you should be very comfortable on the beach or out in a garden setting.

Obviously if you go with Beaches, you'll use their wedding planner and many of the other hotels on island have someone on site. We have 3 independent wedding planners on island. Diane with Island Harmony, Teresa with Tropical Destination Management and Nila Destinations. All have been around for quite some time and know the island and the resorts. Some of them actually work as the resorts designated wedding coordinator if the resort doesn't have someone on staff to do the job. I would initially check out the resorts and see if you can decide on one and then see how you like their on site coordinator. If you feel you need more that what they offer, seek out one of the above.

Hope that helps

Krys

luvpinks21 · January 3, 2012

Great info! Thank you so much!

jenaya · January 6, 2012

luvspink21 HI! I am also getting married in 2013 in Turks and Caicos! I originally thought about March but prices are cheaper after Easter. So we are shooting for the end of April. I have probably contacted about every resort on the island and I have narrowed it down to Grace Bay and Seven Stars. I didn't go with Beaches because they don't allow outside vendors and my photos are very important to me! I am also having 30-35 guests! Maybe we can help each other along!!

Jenaya

Danie · January 8, 2012

OMG! I am so happy to have found bride getting married in Turks & Caicos. I am getting married there in 2013 also. We will stay for 8 night 9 days however the date of the wedding is May 17, 2013 which is a Friday that way guests who only come for the wedding itself can leave on Sunday and relax the day after the wedding. I know that it is definitely cheaper to go in the end of April than March. I do have a wedding coordinator and I used Nila Destinations not for any other reason other than where I am staying does not have a coordinator as it is not an all inclusive resort and it was who they recommended. To date I have been extremelly happy with my coordinator and will be meeting her for the first time in April at our site visit. We are staying at the Ocean Club West which is not a 5 start luxury resort rather it is a 4 star and is not a hotel but rather condos. I got a great deal there for a group rate and all 25-30 of my guest can afford it. My budget is 22,000 for 30 guest and I have already paid the Nila. I can tell you this I do believe it is worth hiring a coordinator because no matter which of the three you choose they all are familiar with the island and the vendors, have been around for years and have done many weddings. Mostly all of them use the same island vendors and they can give you alot of insight on what is normal there such as what the island flowers are, pricing etc. I also know that unfortunately Nila Destinations does not have a package deal for a wedding party of over 12 guest therefore you do have to pay al la carte for everything. However, all of them will give you an estimate as to what cost you are looking at for what you want. For instance, On the rehersal day I am taking all 30 guests on a catamaran crusie with snack and alcohol and then returning to the beach for a BBQ with open bar and the day of the wedding having my wedding on the beach with cocktail hour served on a beautiful deck before the reception at a seperate location close by. The reception will also have open bar along with a DJ and so far my estimate is still 5000 below my budget. That also includes ceremony decorations etc so I suggest hiring a coordinator whoever you choose and having them give you an estimate of the cost for what you are looking at. Personally I don't think Beaches is worth it because its overly expensive, you have to use their photographer and its like kiddie city and I believe thats the all inclusive resort. I do have children and still would not get married there. Let me know what you do choose because I would love to hear what other brides getting married there are doing.

jenaya · January 9, 2012

I just responded to you in another post. I just started the process so I have not set my date yet. I am still trying to make the final choice for the location. I am really leaning towards Seven Stars but I am not sure yet. I am still considering a few more locations. My budget does not include photography or resort stay. I am very excited to see 2013 brides on here! Please keep me updated on your process!

lolo411 · January 17, 2012

Congrats to all you who are getting married in T&C! Grace Bay is absolutely gorgeous. I got engaged there last May and the beach is more beautiful in person than any pictures I saw.

scurtin4 · January 25, 2012

Hi All, I am also getting married in Turks this August at Seven Stars, we are looking for a good DJ, does anyone have any recommendations?

fadeintoyou · March 2, 2012

Hi Scurtin! When is your date? I'm getting married at the Gansevoort in August! Super excited. Unfortunately, I don't have any information about a DJ for you, but I would reach out to the Tropical Imaging people - they seem to really have a good grasp on all things wedding on the island! One word of caution - if you can find Karol's wedding planning blog she mentions that her dj was terrible and touted as a "celebrity dj" and she was very disappointed, so I would avoid him just to be safe haha good luck and fill me in with more details! I'm dying to know about everyone's plans!