A Trip to Paradise

by William Wise

Courtney and Taylor visited Italy in late September of 2022 (about a year out from their target wedding date) to tour venues. They claim it was by far one of the best things they did. The scouting trip forced them to think about things like the availability of air conditioning and an on-site restaurant. They were able to decide if they wanted to request that everyone stay at the resort.

There’s a lot to think about, but once you’re feeling the storied Tuscan sun on your face, you’ll be in a much better position to make informed decisions that will impact your loved ones who are paying a lot to come to your wedding.

Create a wedding email account.

The frst thing Courtney did when they got engaged was to create a free Gmail account for the wedding correspondence, and she claims it’s a lifesaver. Both she and Taylor can access it, and they are able to store vendor contracts on the Google Drive attached to the email.

*BONUS TIP*

Get married BEFORE you leave.

Yes. You read that right. Getting legally married outside of the US is quite an ordeal and far more expensive than you think. Save yourself the stress and pay a visit to the courthouse the week before you leave so you can enjoy your truly magical Italian wedding without added hassle and cost. (It’ll be an excuse for two anniversary gifts in years to come!)

Buona fortuna!

There are a few generally accepted ideas of what paradise is. Some think paradise is a quiet lakeshore cabin in the wood. Others think it’s a quaint hamlet nestled in a dramatic mountain landscape, while still others claim beautifully white, sandy beaches, gin-clear water, and copious sunshine are the components that make up a proper paradise.

Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is a British Overseas Territory of about forty low-lying corral islands sprinkled in the Atlantic Ocean, just southeast of the Bahamas. I’m here to say that Grace Bay on the north shore of the island of Providenciales is, in fact, paradise. At least, it’s as close as we can get in this lifetime.

Think I’m wrong? Go and see for yourself. And you should consider staying at Windsong on the Reef. A quiet resort with well-appointed rooms and suites, Windsong isn’t the most glamorous resort on Grace Bay. It isn’t a party spot or a see-and-be-seen destination. It isn’t a stationary cruise ship with loud restaurants and shows six times a day. It is a beautiful little hotel on a picture-postcard beach with a very good restaurant and bar, a peaceful pool, an impeccable staff, and its own natural coral reef for worldclass snorkeling. It can be all-inclusive, and unlike many all-inclusive resorts, the food is fantastic and the drinks aren’t watered down. In fact, with its gorgeous dune seating, the restaurant is a destination in itself. Windsong is perhaps the perfect lodging for a family trip to paradise. Just a suggestion.

Getting to paradise is easy. American fies non-stop from DFW, and most resorts will have shuttles. If you plan on staying on the resort property of your choice, with only the occasional dinner or shopping excursion, don’t rent a car. Be aware, however, that taxi fare on Providenciales is larcenous. Paradise isn’t free. If you plan on dining out a lot or cruising around town, renting a vehicle may be the way to go.

As for dining and shopping, there are luxury jewelry shops, basic T-shirt shops, and everything in between; restaurants range from street food to fne dining. There are a few restaurants you should absolutely visit: Da Conch Shack, Hemingway’s, and especially Coco Bistro.

Food and shopping are great, but the stars of paradise are the beaches and the water. According to TripAdvisor, Grace Bay Beach is one of the top fve beaches in the world. Most of the resorts have snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards for use by guests. Windsong and other resorts also have Hobie Cats catamarans for guests to sail in the bay.

If you want to explore farther afeld, there is no shortage of tour companies offering everything from parasailing and guided scuba/snorkeling trips to deep sea fshing and catamaran outings. I highly suggest a half-day trip with Caicos Dream Tours. Enjoy snorkeling on a giant reef where to see beautiful coral formations and sea life. The tour stops for an hour or so of exploration on Iguana Island, which is aptly named. Caicos Dream Tours boats can be described as party barges. There is loud music and alcohol, but it is totally appropriate for kids of all ages. They serve lunch and nonalcoholic beverages, too.

Finally, you really should charter a private boat for a day and cruise to North Caicos Island. (Trust me on this.) Be sure to stop at a local spot called

Seashell Beach. As you will discover, it, like Iguana Island, is aptly named. Your guide can point out the remnants of an old British army fort, and you can even see sunken cannons. If you’re lucky, you might come upon some dolphins to swim with. We did, and it was mindblowingly incredible.

If you’re feeling adventurous, and if you’re a bit of a bird nerd, you can rent a car on North Caicos, which is rather rustic, and drive out to see famingos by the millions roosting on a huge inland lake called Flamingo Pond. This is also aptly named – the good people of TCI don’t waste their time on fancy nomenclature.

Speaking of the islanders, they are friendly and helpful. They know you’re there to relax, have fun, and spend money. They will offer you whatever they think you might buy, but as tourism is the basis of the TCI economy, you should support these lovely people and buy mementos of your trip.

Or you may decide to never leave. It is paradise, after all.