Ditch the ballroom for beachfront nuptials! Our world-renowned beaches are the perfect backdrop for your dream destination wedding. Our top-notch, knowledgeable wedding planners can guide you from idea to ‘I do’ with style and professionalism. Couples looking to avoid a traditional ceremony can escape to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Turks and Caicos Islands is the ideal locale for lovebirds seeking to unite and astound their wedding guests with an enchanting event or a sweet escape for an intimate elopement. Make unforgettable memories and allow our wedding experts to organize your romantic affair in the most idyllic setting in the Caribbean.

The pristine beaches, snorkeling and diving, deserted cays, sparkling turquoise waters, refreshing breezes, starlit nights, luxury hotels and amenities and the happy friendly people of the Turks and Caicos Islands make up the perfect destination for marriages and honeymooners.

Requirements to obtain a marriage license in the Turks & Caicos Islands:
– Photo identification/ passport id
– Birth certificate
– From a certificate of no-impediment the registry, country/state where you reside
– Affidavit of single status (office will provide form)
– Divorce decree
– Death certificate (if widow or widower) and, copy of marriage certificate verifying the marriage between the deceased spouse and declarant
– Copy of legal status (work permit or immigration status)
– Two (2) declaration forms
– Application form for special license. (application form can be obtained from the registrar general’s office or from any marriage officer)
– Copy of TCI immigration arrival and departure stamp
– Visitors or tourist must be in the Turks and Caicos 48hours before submitting application
– Persons under the age of 21 years must have consent from parents or guardians
– Application fee- $250.00
– All copies of documents must be notarized and sealed
– The 22nd day of July 2011 is appointed as the day on which the Marriage Amendment Ordinance 2011 shall come into operation.

Section 12 of the Marriage Ordinance is amended, by inserting after subsection (2) the following new subsection Marriage License Amendment

“(2A) Notwithstanding subsection (2) (b), the Governor may in respect of persons arriving in the Islands aboard a Cruise Ship intending that a marriage shall be solemnised between them in the Islands, grant a special license for a marriage to be solemnised between them the same day of their arrival in the Islands.” Cruise Ship passengers can now apply for a SPECIAL LICENSE for a marriage here in Turks and Caicos Islands on the same day of arrival!

Note: Marriage Licenses are issued at the office of the Registrar in Providenciales. This office is open to the public Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please be advised that any Passports or documentation written other than in English should be translated in advance and notarized by the applicable consulate.

The Island Fish Fry occurs every Thursday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm at the Kids Park in the Lower Bight, Providenciales. The Island Fish Fry is the most sought-after weekly event and features over a dozen restaurant and souvenir vendors, a live band, cultural performances that come together to create an evening of “all things Turks & Caicos”.

The weekly event hosted by the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, entices locals and visitors alike to experience an evening of fun in a family friendly setting. The evening culminates with Junkanoo (a traditional procession of masqueraders in costume dancing to the rhythm of drums, cowbells and other native instruments). Come and enjoy succulent local food, great entertainment and a first-hand look at Turks & Caicos’ culture steps away from the world’s best beach – Grace Bay.

Music / Dance – (Ripsaw)
“Ripsaw Music”. Another name for this type of music is ‘Rake ‘n’ Scrape’. The basic instruments used are the saw, the goatskin drum, the hand accordion, also known locally as the Constentina, hand-made maracas and the acoustic guitar. The main instrument featured is the ordinary carpenters handsaw found in any hardware store. The saw is held with either end in a number of ways to produce a bend in the center of the blade. A metal scraper, usually a long nail, a fork or knife or a screwdriver, is raked and scraped over the teeth of the saw to produce a unique percussive scraping sound, this action is called “Ripping the Saw”. Bending the body and ripping the saw in time with the beat of the music produces a wobbled overtone. This gives you the characteristic sound of ripsaw music. Lovey Forbes and his son Corry Forbes are the fore runners in composing and recording Ripsaw music in the Turks and Caicos.

Lovey Forbes came up with the name “Combina Music” to describe the new mix of Ripsaw and popular foreign music. Jamaican Reggae, Bahamian Calypso and Eastern Caribbean Soca all play a major role in the local music scene. Another popular form of music emerging in Turks & Caicos is Junkanoo.

The exact origin of Junkanoo is not known, but it dates back to the early days of slavery, when the Christmas and New Years holidays were the only times slaves were given any recreational freedom. In the early days, Islanders would wear old clothes painted with bright colors or they would tie colorful strips of ribbons and cloth to their clothes along with other costumes made from cardboard and crepe paper.

In these costumes they would dance to the rhythm of the goatskin drums, cowbells and other handmade percussion instruments, they went house to house singing songs and performing for money, food, candy and drinks.

These days Junkanoo is more organized. Groups from different settlements would compete against each other for the most outrageous costumes or the best drummers and rhythm section. The costumes have become elaborate, depicting different themes and characters.

Junkanoo happens throughout the year for public holidays and local events. Visitors can see the biggest Junkanoo celebrations on the early morning of New Years Day in particular.

The most popular dance sytle in the Turks & Caicos is “winin” also known as “Wine-up” or “The Wine”. To “wine” is to gyrate the hips from the waist in a circle in the time to the beat of the music being played, usually Rip-Saw, Soca or Calypso. More stylized dances such as the “Shati,” which is a waltz dance and the heal and toe polka combine a mix of European and African heritage and are preferred by the older generation. The “Conch Style” is a local dance that is done by stepping and hooking one foot behind the ankle of the other in time to the ripsaw music.

Parrot Cay
COMO Parrot Cay is a 1,000 acre private resort island and the perfect hide away for the affluent traveler to be pampered while enjoying seclusion and obscurity. Visitors are spoiled at this award winning five star island which boasts 74 suites and villas offering “foot-in-the-sand luxury”. The island is a popular retreat for celebrities who have fallen in love with the altruistic hospitality which is as exceptional as the natural beauty of Parrot Cay.

Find healing through yoga and the Ayurvedic therapies offered at the COMO Shambhala Spa, or just laze the day away at COMO Beach Club, a beach bar overlooking the ocean. Seek adventure on the water, windsurfing or sailing a catamaran, or under it, with some of the best diving in the world. Dine poolside on local delicacies, or sample global dishes from Thailand, Japan, and Italy.

 

How to get to Parrot Cay?
After arrival at Providenciales Airport (PLS) and a drive across the the island on Leeward highway to Leeward dock, the 25 minute trip by water serves as a passage from one world to another reality with tranquility.

Transport with the jet-driven vessel cuts a beautiful way through crystal clear seas. You will see miles of deserted white sandy beaches.

 

Fun Facts about the Island
Three hundred years ago, Parrot Cay (name of the island, originally Pirate Cay) was a perfect hiding place for pirates waiting to attack Spanish treasure fleets, or for hiding from the authorities, with Anne Bonny the most well known among the vagabonds. She set camped on the highest point of the island, where Pirate House, one of our private estate, is now located ; offering spectacular view overlooking at the horizon.
Legend said that there is a treasure burried some where on the island.

Pine Cay
At only 800 acres, Pine Cay sits between North Caicos and Providenciales and is a hideaway haven boasting 2 miles of unparalleled pristine beach, a small number of private homes and The Meridian Club. This private island has a no car policy and is recognized for its environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. With a private marina and airstrip, this island retreat provides the perfect atmosphere to bask in the natural beauty, enjoy bird watching, savor the culinary creations, indulge in a massage at Sand Dollar Spa and beachside yoga, while relishing in world class accommodations. The Meridian Club was awarded Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2019 by the World Travel Awards.

 

Fan facts about the Island
Throughout maritime history, Pine Cay has played an integral role in seafaring exploration of the area. Pine Cay has served as a source of fresh water for seafarers since the time of Columbus where he restocked on his 1492 voyage to Cuba. Today, the Meridian Club in Turks and Caicos takes great pride in its stellar stewardship of the island’s eco-system. Perhaps the most intriguing natural feature of the island, aside from the clear turquoise ocean waters and spun-sugar beach, is Pine Cay’s underwater freshwater lens. A quirk of nature, this limestone formation is a porous structure much like a bath sponge. It causes rainfall to be trapped and held in the limestone “sponge”. Because freshwater is less dense than saltwater, it floats on top. The fresh water forms a lens of pure, freshwater varying from a few inches thick to up to more than 50 feet deep.

Ambergris Cay
Ambergris Cay, an all-inclusive luxury resort island, has over three miles of deserted white sand beaches to enjoy in solitude. The private island is accessible via the longest airstrip in the Caribbean, with the airport having its own customs and immigration facilities. Ambergris Cay offers guests exclusive access to world-class services and amenities. Elevate spa offers treatments from scenic beachfront cabanas and every guest is pampered daily with a complimentary 30 minute treatment. The all-included premium dining can be enjoyed at the two restaurants, Calico Jack and Club House.

The island is so exclusive, it is possible to feel like you are on your own private island, as you can go a whole day without bumping into another guest. Relaxing on the island, which is surrounded by sand bars and coral reefs, is hard not to do, as it is tranquil and serene. The Caribbean sea is mesmerizing, and it is possible to see all kinds of aquatic life while wading through its crystal-clear turquoise water, just steps from the private villas.

How to get there?
There are daily non-stop flights to Providenciales International Airport from many major cities in the U.S. The challenge for most private islands around the world is getting to them, but at Ambergris Cay is easier. Unlike most other private islands around the world, Ambergris Cay has its own airport with a 5,700-foot-long runway, the longest private runway in all of the Caribbean enabling private jets.

Little Water Cay
If you want to see iguanas around a deserted island – this is the place. Easy to get to via kayak from Deep Blue located on the Leeward side – or you can take one of the many day boat rides out here. Kids would love it. Not a whole day type adventure, but definitely worth the half day trip.

Providenciales – World Renowned Luxury
Providenciales is the third largest island in the Turks and Caicos chain and the hub of tourism activity. More commonly known as Provo, the 38 square mile island is home to Grace Bay Beach, recipient of the World’s Best Beach award year after year from several travel and tourism publications. Your vacation experience will begin with your arrival at the Providenciales International Airport and you can choose tostay in one of the many ultra-luxurious villas, resorts and hotels throughout the island. While Grace Bay Beach is renowned for its powder like sand and crystal clear waters, the island also boasts additional unspoiled beaches worth exploring such as Long Bay, Sapodilla Bay, Blue Hills Beach, Pelican Beach,Taylor Bay, amongst others.

For the discerning traveler, Providenciales guarantees exclusive opulence and luxury as well as serene solitude and unspoiled nature. Whether it’s a round of golf at the 18-hole Provo Golf Club, Thursday’s Island Fish Fry, indulging in rejuvenating spa treatments, sampling our culinary delights, snorkeling at Smith’s Reef or swimming with Jojo the dolphin and his friendly counter parts, there is no shortage of ways to relax and unwind.

Grand Turk – World Class Diving
Discover the unparalleled diving and rustic charm of Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands. The island attracts avid divers eager to experience one of the world’s greatest wall diving meccas, with a drop of nearly 7000 feet. This ‘Mount Everest’ of wall dives is just ¼ mile from the beach on Duke Street. Rent a car or take a leisurely stroll shaded by bougainvillea and yellow elder to fulfill your island exploration. Grand Turk has must-see sites including The 1852 Lighthouse, Philatelic Bureau, St. Thomas Anglican Church (built in 1823), Salt Museum and Cockburn Town which, in addition to Duke, Queen and Front Streets, are lined with restored 18th and 19th century Bermudian style architecture from the Salt Raking era. Behold Guanahani Beach, the site of the monumental first landfall of Christopher Columbus during his voyage to the New World in 1492.

 

Grand Turk throughout its history
The collection of historical experiences on Grand Turk continue at the John Glenn Exhibit which depicts the astronaut’s momentous splashdown off the coast of the island in 1962 when Glenn became the first American to orbit earth.

A holiday on Grand Turk is incomplete without visiting the historic Guinep House which is the location of the Turks and Caicos National Museum. The museum houses vivid exhibits which tell the timeline of the Turks and Caicos Islands history from their Lucayan roots through to modern times. The museum also features an exhibit of Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest known European shipwreck discovered in the Western Hemisphere.

 

Memorable Vacation in the Island of Grand Turk
When booking your vacation you can choose accommodations from luxury villas, colonial style inns or boutique hotels. You can take a picture with a friendly donkey or enjoy happy hour at a rustic beach shack. Enjoy a swim and picnic at Governor’s Beach which boasts miles of unspoiled shoreline or indulge your adventurous side with an excursion to the nearby Gibbs Cay to feed stingrays. Enjoy the best in Turks and Caicos cuisine at one of the local restaurants and immerse yourself in flavorsome island dining experiences.

The Island was awarded Best Caribbean Beach Port by Porthole Magazine in 2019. The Grand Turk Cruise Center consists of a 3000-foot pier, the welcome facility and the recreational area. On an area of approximately 14 acres, a recreational center includes a swimming pool, 1,000 feet of beachfront, cabanas, shops and the world’s largest Margaritaville, providing food, beverages and Jimmy Buffett memorabilia. The Welcome Center has been designed based on Grand Turk/Bermudian architecture, influenced by the Bermudian influx into the salt industry thriving in the 17th and 18th centuries.

From the remnants of the salt raking industry to the esteemed supremacy of government, the island is the ideal destination to immerse in the best diving, heritage and culture of the Turks and Caicos. You will delight in the old-world allure of the island and its friendly people.

North Caicos – An Emerald Retreat
The Island commonly referred to as the ‘Breadbasket of the Turks and Caicos’. North Caicos is a 30 minute ferry ride from Providenciales which makes the island popular for day trips or dual vacations. Tourists can lobster dive with local fishermen in the tranquil waters, kiteboard in Bottle Creek or explore places of interest such as Flamingo Pond, Cottage Pond, and Wade’s Green Loyalist Plantation, among others. The island is well known for its lush tropical vegetation, agriculture and pristine beaches. Take a visit to the island’s farms where agriculturalists expertly harvest a number of crops such as callaloo, plantain, okra and sweet potato that are sold throughout the Turks and Caicos. Wake up in paradise and enjoy the scenic views, unspoiled beaches while sipping on fever grass or moringa tea, just two of the locally grown, herbal blends.

The population of approximately 1,400 people live in the settlements of Bottle Creek, Whitby, Kew and Sandy Point.

How To get To North caicos?
TCI Ferry and boat charters offer daily trips making the Island easily accessible. For adventurous travelers, car and bicycle rentals are available as well as taxis and guided tours.

South Caicos – Unparalleled Eco Oasis
Commonly referred to as “The Big South”, the island is a marine paradise best known as the fishing capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The 18 square mile island has a brilliant blend of luxury and quaint accommodations that includes Ocean & Beach Resort, East Bay Resort and the island’s only five star property – Sail Rock Resort.

How to get to South Caicos?
South Caicos is a quick and impeccable island getaway as it is only a ninety minute ferry ride or short twenty minute flight from Providenciales. The close proximity makes the Island ideal for dual island vacations in Turks and Caicos. Visitors are drawn for its fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving along the wall. Go bone fishing in the flats guided by expert fishermen or snorkel right off the immaculate beaches. Head to the heart of the town to enjoy a down-home island meal or treat yourself to a gourmet meal in a restaurant. Experience superior diving at Amos’ Wall, Eagle Nest and The Arch.

Ditch your flip flops and prepare to unwind and unplug while making personal connections with the friendly Harbonians (a colloquial term for natives of the island). Spend a day on the water catching seafood for your dinner or visit one of the popular plants to purchase fresh fish for a proper ‘sea to table’ dining experience. Catch, tag and release turtles with local tour operators then end your evening with exotic cocktails and dancing to the sound of ripsaw music.

Middle Caicos – An Emerald Retreat
Making up the other half of the ‘twin islands’ is Middle Caicos. It is the largest island in the Turks and Caicos Islands chain. A visit to this grand isle is an ideal experience and is the perfect opportunity to explore the dramatic cave system and revel in discovering the maze of caverns in The Indian Cave and Conch Bar Cave. The Island is home to some of the largest limestone cave systems in the Caribbean region with the underground caves extending for miles and connecting to the ocean. Adventurous travelers can go off the beaten path and enjoy hiking, biking and hobie tandem kayak fishing.

There are three settlements on the island. They are Conch Bar, Lorimers, and Bambarra. The settlement of Bambarra was established on the North Shore of the island in 1842 by survivors of the shipwreck of the Gambia, a Spanish slave ship bound for Cuba. “Bambarra” refers to the Bamberra people who lived on the shores of the Niger River in West Africa. Learn more about Turks and Caicos history.

 

Mudjin Harbor in Middle Caicos
Mudjin Harbor offers breathtaking views of the picturesque beaches and Dragon Cay and you can stargaze from the striking limestone cliffs along the coast. Take a piece of the Island home with you by purchasing a straw hat, purse or wallet, hand woven by the charismatic and industrious people of the island. Middle Caicos is also home to beautiful Bambarra Beach, an impeccable beach camping site and also the scene of the annual Valentine’s Day Cup.

 

How to get to Middle?
Thanks to the constructed causeway between Middle and North, one can take the TCI ferry from Providenciales to North Caicos and ground transportation to Middle. Also Taxis and Car rentals are available on North Caicos to explore the islands.

Salt Cay – Charming Eco Oasis
Time stands still on Salt Cay, the 2.5 square mile island in the Turks Bank, where you will experience an authentic, modest slow place to island life. Arrive on this ‘island that time forgot’ via ferry or airplane and be shuttled around by golf cart. It is easy to get caught up on the allure of the island and fall in love with the charm of Salt Cay. At every turn there are remnants of the island’s past as the center of the salt industry with the lingering presence of longstanding salinas and preserved Bermudian architecture, there are ample opportunities to get lost in historic significance of the island. The island’s enchanting bed and breakfast style accommodations welcome returning guests year after year. The quaint island has a population of less than 80 residents who are well-known for their kind hospitality and jovial nature.

 

Salt Cay Highlights
Visit the ruins at Taylor’s Hill and discover one of the most breathtaking views on the island. This is an ideal island for whale watching – and even swimming alongside them – a favorite pastime for visitors during January and April when migrating humpback whales populate the azures off the island. However, giant humpbacks are not the only visitors to the tiny island that you may enjoy watching. South creek is where the pink flamingos are most common and at the south tip of the island watching the waves from the Atlantic and Caribbean smash into each other. Feral donkeys are quite often your companions on there ventures. This quiet and tranquil environment is also a popular rest stop for migrating birds – gaining the approval of avid birdwatchers. Recommended as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Salt Cay (see Wikipedia) has a wealth of authentic island experiences!