Back when my husband & I got married, we really didn’t have money for a large wedding…or a medium sized wedding! LOL! We were married by a Justice of the Peace. That never bothered me, I’m shy & quite introverted, so the thought of a large wedding always freaked me out.
Over the years, I did wonder what it would’ve been like to have a “fancy” wedding. As our 25th anniversary approached, I kept toying with the idea of renewing our vows. We had planned to renew them back in 2005, on a trip to Hawaii. I suffered a miscarriage at 16 weeks gestation just before our trip & those plans went down the drain-I was broken hearted about losing our baby. We still went to Hawaii (everything was paid for and we couldn’t reschedule or get a refund), but we cancelled all plans to renew our vows.
When we decided to visit Beaches Resorts* in Turks & Caicos for the first time, I started revisiting the idea of renewing our vows on the beach. The more I thought about it, the more I knew we had to do it. But how? I’d never planned a wedding before, and didn’t know anything about coordinating everything. I wasn’t sure we’d be able to pull it off.
In stepped the wonderful Beaches Resorts staff! I spoke to them on the phone before our trip & they assured me everything would be taken care of, all I needed to do was bring along a copy of our marriage certificate. Marriage certificate? I hadn’t seen that slip of paper in decades, literally! Since this is a real wedding, performed by a real minister, you cannot do a vow renewal ceremony without your original certificate. I got online & ordered a copy from the great state of Alaska, where we were married & it was mailed to me in a matter of days.
Beaches Resorts told me I would meet with my Wedding Planner once we arrived on the island & we would iron out all the details. I was nervous, but I put my faith in them & tried not to freak out.
Planning
Once we arrived on Turks & Caicos and checked in to Beaches, I met with my wedding planner. She was so sweet, easy-going & pleasant – she immediately put my mind at ease & we started planning a wedding! MY wedding! She explained how the events of that special day would unfold. I chose what music I wanted playing as I walked in (All of Me by John Legend) & what music I wanted playing after the ceremony (One Love by Bob Marley). She let me know that our vow renewal package included a massage for the hubby & a spa service for the wifey. We would also be receiving a full breakfast in bed (which I changed to breakfast out on the balcony, so we could watch the waves). We had the option of doing a romantic, candlelight dinner on the beach, but with our young son in tow- we passed on that one. Next it was time to taste the wedding cakes! We didn’t have a cake when we got married the first time, so this was a special treat. I tasted several cake samples & decided to have one layer Red Velvet & the other layer Vanilla. There would be hors d’oeuvres for us to munch on (we fancy!) and champagne … only we don’t drink, so we switched it out for sparkling cider & juice! The photographer would be on site to snap pics of our ceremony & afterwards we could pick as many (or as few) as we wanted & pay for them.
(Where we had our reception, photo above.)
The last thing to decide on was where exactly on the beach I wanted to renew our vows. We walked to the beach & I was shown several potential wedding locations. There were arbors, pergolas and beach spots to choose from. I chose on the beach, in the sand- I couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. Barefoot toes in the sand- a dream come true! After the ceremony, we would have our little reception on one of the decks right there on the beach. And that was it! Our vow renewal was all planned out. It was easy, painless & I enjoyed every minute of it.
Retie the Knot highlights
I know you’re thinking all of this was probably really expensive, right? That was one of my concerns in the beginning too. When I saw the price, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Our vow renewal ceremony at Beaches Resorts, Turks & Caicos was just $300! That’s it.
Here’s what we got for our $300:
- Personal pre-travel ReTie the Knot Planner and dedicated ReTie the Knot resort team
- Ceremony musical accompaniment (pre-recorded)
- Celebration cake, bouquet and boutonniere
- 30 minute Delightful Reception with sparkling wine and cold hors d’oeuvres for the ReTie the Knot couple and up to 6 guests
- Commemorative certificate
- 30 Minute Foot Massage for the Groom
- Manicure for the Bride
- Keepsake gift
- One (1) 5″x7″ Honeymoon photograph
- Honeymoon dinner for the ReTie the Knot couple at a resort specialty restaurant with white-glove service and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine
- Romantic Honeymoon night turndown service for Bride and Groom
- Mimosa breakfast-in-bed any morning of choice
This was the wedding of my dreams! Exchanging vows on the beach, toes in the sand, & the surf crashing behind us. It was absolutely beautiful. (Yes, I cried like a baby!) So many people came up to us afterwards, telling us they watched the entire ceremony and congratulating us. I’m so thankful to the staff of Beaches Turks & Caicos for taking care of everything for us & making my dream wedding a reality.
If you’d like to Retie the Knot at Beaches Resorts or Sandals Resorts, please know you will be in good hands. To those of you thinking about getting married at Beaches or Sandals, even better! Why? Weddings are FREE for guests booked at Beaches & Sandals Resorts! 
A piece of my heart will always be in Turks & Caicos-and with the Beaches Staff. I look forward to my next visit to my island home.
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