Synonymous with luxury and exclusivity, Turks and Caicos is a favorite destination among discerning couples looking to host an unforgettable wedding – not to mention, travelers who enjoy a higher-end experience surrounded by breathtaking ocean views. Grace Ormonde, Editor-in-Chief of Wedding Style, took a trip to visit Turks and Caicos herself, sampling the lifestyle and culture of the islands and scoping out which properties would resonate most with her readers. Her first stop was the iconic Grace Bay Club, where a luxury villa experience awaited.
One of Grace’s favorite aspects of her entire trip was how her first impression of the island began as soon as she arrived at the airport. “They welcomed and picked me up, and took me to Grace Bay Club,” she says. “I stayed at a private five-bedroom villa with a swimming pool and my own private butler who also brought breakfast to the villa. They had fruits and drinks waiting, and we had a private chef that came and cooked us the most beautiful dinner at sundown. It was a local menu of shrimp, meat, and sushi, and it was just delicious. The view is so captivating and relaxing, with total privacy on the beach with a pool.”
While having dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants, Grace also learned about a unique Grace Bay Club tradition. “After the hurricane a few years ago, the locals decided to have live music every Friday night to raise their spirits,” she says. “Locals and guests from other hotels go there on Fridays to have dinner and listen to music and the live DJ. The music was amazing, and the food was incredible with generous portions.”
With Grace Bay Beach being one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, the resort offers an idyllic location for discerning couples who are looking to host a wedding in the Caribbean. “The resort itself has so many different parts to it,” Grace describes. “They have several pools, and there was one particular pool section that I loved. I thought it was the perfect setting for a modern destination wedding. It’s beautiful for smaller, intimate weddings and for people who don’t want to have their ceremony in the sand.”
To cap off her luxury villa experience, Grace stopped by the Anani Spa for a massage and facial. Renowned throughout Turks and Caicos, the spa is the perfect place for couples to unwind after a busy wedding weekend, or for wedding guests to indulge in some pampering between activities. Each treatment is designed to promote total relaxation and wellbeing, and a cabana can even be set up on the beach so patrons can enjoy a massage while listening to the soothing sounds of waves lapping up on the sand.
“What I liked about this resort and team is that nothing is impossible,” Grace states. “The staff members all have a ‘can do’ attitude, which I love. I personally recommend Grace Bay Club to anybody who wants to give their guests a special beach wedding experience, and I recommend couples and planners get in touch with Shameka Simmons. I loved her energy – if there’s a way, she’ll find it. Her end goal is to make couples feel like, ‘WOW!’”
>Written By: Lauren Malamala