My fianc&eacute; and I cannot afford a wedding, but we DO want to elope to a beautiful white beach with clear blue waters. I have already been or don't want to go to: Nassau, Paradise Island, Jamaica, St. Croix/St. Thomas, Hawaii, Aruba,. <BR>--I need to stay within a 5-hour flight of DC. <BR>--We can go in Feb. or March. We can't afford much more than $5 - 6 K and I was hoping to stay 10 days.<BR>--Has anyone been to Club Med in Turks & Caicos? Is Club Med nice? We want a peaceful gorgeous place that has a some nightlife/dancing.<BR>--And finally, does anyone know a good DC area travel agent?<BR>--Thank you all in advance for your help.<BR>~Karen

try sand at grace bay in turks and caicos.

Try Virgin Gorda...Little Dix Bay is a wonderful resort. www.littledixbay.com...it's quiet, relaxing, and reasonably priced. The people are very friendly. I found a deal on LibertyTravel.com. Expect to pay less than $4,000.

Nina,<BR>Does that include airfare? What about the cost of a wedding? Is food included, Meal Plan?? Spending money will also be needed! Feb and March are the most expensive times to travel to the Caribbean. Karen, If possible, can you change the date of your elopement to November? You will be within your budget as prices are half in November and the weather is great! You will have more freedom to choose where you want instead of restricting yourself. As my husband and I got married almost 2 years ago on Virgin Gorda (in November), I know first hand of the hidden expenses incurred - it adds up fast. <BR>Beware of Liberty Travel there are restrictions and hidden costs (my friend works there and when I travel I DO NOT use Liberty Travel, but my own TA)

If nightlife is important, you may want to consider something other than T and C. Also you can get great package deals through Apple Vacations and they do fly out of DC. Check with any travel agent.

I agree that www.Libertytravel.com is a good starting point with prices. Also; www.wheretostay.com and<BR>www.caribbean-on-liine.com are good resources for info.<BR><BR>Turks is beautiful but like one poster stated, it is VERY quiet but Club Med will offer some nightlife. We did not stay there but did tour the grounds and it is a beautiful property. Rooms are standard - nothing great at all but the beautiful is unbelievable.<BR><BR>Have you considered the out islands of the Bahamas? Beautiful location for a wedding, private and romantic.<BR><BR>I believe that Jolly Beach is a couples only resort in Antigua that is moderately priced and have heard good things aobut it.<BR><BR>Sandals Halcyon in St. Lucia a a very romantic and beautiful resort with good food and service. Nice thing there too is that you could really book the lowest category room and be very happy with it as they really are no different at higher levels. Also, for the money, you get to use the larger Sandals down the road - more bang for the buck. Sandals is known for its weddings and the property is really pretty.<BR><BR>Good luck - we too were married int he Caribbean and it is a wonderful experience!!!!

Thank you all for your considerate replies. Unfortunately we cannot go in November due to family obligations. From what I have seen there doesn't seem to be a lot of fluctuation between prices in Feb/March. Now I am extremely interested in St. Lucia!

Hi, my husband and I also could not afford a wedding and a honeymoon so we decided to get married at Sandals Halcyon Resort in St. Lucia. We stayed 11 days and it cost us just a little over 5k for everything. The wedding was free, although we couldnt resist buying some of the pictures. We had the best time and enjoyed every minute of the vacation. Good luck to you and your fiance.

Hi Karen: If you do decide on St. Lucia and nightlife is important, you will be much happier staying on the north end of the island. The south is very laid back, quiet but pretty, with virtually no nightlife and very limited dining. Much more restaurants and bars/clubs in the north end where travel is easier as well. Also, from what I've read on this site over the years, it seems the resorts are more lively in the north than in the south. <BR><BR>Please be aware, however, that 90% of the water is a very dark blue and the sand is your typical beige to dark beige color.

My recommendations, based on 30 years of traveling to the Caribbean, are:<BR>(1) Cap Juluca or Cusinart Resort on Anguilla. St. Lucia has received alot of bad press lately concerning run-down resorts and bad service. The USVI are nice, but not on the level of Anguilla. Morningstar resort on St. Thomas is very nice. Nothing on St. Croix worth talking about. Aruba is like Miami Beach in the Caribbean. Radisson is best resort on Aruba. Hawaii is not within a 5-hour flight, so I guess that is out.

The Club Meds are a good idea. You seem flexible on your travel dates. Can you do mid-week to mid-week? Have you looked into SkyAuction? That may work out well for you.<BR><BR>Can you wait until late April? You could save a bundle by waiting a few weeks.<BR><BR>

I'd try Ladera at St. Lucia. Friends rave about it, and it is affordable. Looks so romantic!

My husband and I just recently married at The Rendezvous resort in St Lucia, FANTASTIC, its an all inclusive couples only resort, the wedding is free you only pay for your extras such as flowers etc. The wedding coordinators sure know their stuff.<BR>There is lots to do, if thats what you want or you can just relax and drink cocktails all day......<BR>Whatever you decide Good luck and congratulations.