I'm looking for a place for a CASUAL (elopement type) wedding in the caribbean. I've narrowed it to Provo or Tortola. Air to Provo would be much cheaper, and getting married on Provo sounds simpler. Yet I fear I'll be disappointed by Provo's lack of mountains and by the coolness of the March water. My favorite things are snorkeling, gorgeous beaches, and exploring nature. Help me decide! Thanks!

Based on your post and your concerns, I'd say go for Tortola. There is more off-the-beach snorkeling on Tortola, the water will be a bit warmer in March, and you'll have the dramatic backdrop of the mountains. The beaches are less spectacular than Grace Bay beach, but perfectly lovely in their own right. There is better hiking on Tortola and more of an opportunity for exploring nature. Plus, you can take day trips easily to other islands such as Jost van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, or St Thomas--just depending on your tastes.

If the cost of getting there is a major concern, you can fly to St. Thomas (STT) and then ferry over to Tortola from there. This is usually less expensive than flying directly into Tortola.

I think you'd be better off in Tortola. If your primary objective was the beach, then Provo would be the answer. But exploring nature is really not possible in Provo b/c it's a flat, arid country with little scenery.

The place is about the beach.

In Tortola, look at the Sugar Mill as I know friends of a friend who stayed there and loved it.

I stayed at the Sugar Mill in July and simply loved it. The rooms are very comfortable and casual, not fussy at all, and the food there is wonderful.

Sebastian's is even more casual, a little bit up the road from the Sugar Mill. There are also lots of very nice villas in Tortola to choose from, if you and your fiance(e) want more privacy. Long Bay Resort is another option. I'd advise staying near that end of the island, as many of the best beaches and snorkeling points are along the north shore. It also puts you a nice distance from both Road Town and West End, the points of departure for many day trips and ferries. Check out the www.bviwelcome.com website for lots of fun information.

We just returned from 8 days in Tortola and it was heaven! We stayed at Long Bay and I cannot say enough good things. The staff were wonderful! There was a wedding while we were there and the setting is amazing!

Let me put in a good word for Provo. Not having been to Tortola, I can't compare the snorkeling and beaches between the two islands but it would have to be absolutely fantastic in Tortola to be in the same league with the beach at Grace Bay in Provo.

Let me suggest a perfect wedding/honeymoon destination for you - Coral Gardens Resort. Coral Gardens is located directly on THE snorkeling center of Provo. You'd only have to roll out of bed and step in the water and you're there. Can't get much closer or better than that. Coral Gardens has a wedding and honeymoon package that they feature on their website (http://www.coralgardens.com/) so they're familiar with the requirements for hosting these events. It looks to me like it might run you about $500 or so a day in May (the website isn't clear on what the low season rates are for the honeymoon package) which would include all your meals, a sailing cruise, daily car rental, and other extras. Looking at this package makes me wish me and my significant other were getting married again.

While Provo is not the most scenic destination in the Caribbean, there are other parts of the Turks and Caicos islands that are plenty scenic, especially beautiful and isolated Middle Caicos. A lot of Provo sailing companies offer half day or full day cruises to the Middle Caicos that includes some great snorkeling and usually a barbecue lunch too.

As far as the water is concerned, by March it will be just about as warm as any other Caribbean destination.

I see today on tripadvisor.com that a couple just reported back on their wedding and honeymoon at Coral Gardens. Thought you might appreciate reading it (includes a couple of pictures too). Hopefully, you can copy and paste this link. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...nd_Caicos.html

Two Very different islands. Been to both. I agree with the others that if having white sand beach with clear calm blue water is your primary concernt than T&C wins. However if you are looking for nature/hiking/gorgeous views typical caribbean then Tortolla wins. Beaches are nice but cannot compare to T&C. Also we enjoyed doing day trips to VG and Jost Van Dyke (which has white bay which in my opinion has a slight edge over Grace Bay). Lots to do on Tortolla. In terms of casual/elopement/romantic I think Tortolla wins. All the resorts on T&C are on Grace Bay and there is tons of construction so not a very romantic island. Hope this helps.

The difference between going to Jost Van Dyke to snorkel while in Tortola and Coral Gardens while in Provo is that the former (Tortola) requires a ferry or sailing trip to reach the snorkeling site, while the latter (Provo) only requires that you step out your door in the morning.

Summersunny said that the three criteria he is looking for are favorite things are snorkeling, gorgeous beaches, and exploring nature. Coral Gardens on Grace Bay is superior to any beachside destination on Tortola for snorkeling and a gorgeous beach. Tortola, in contrast, is superior to Provo for exploring nature. The difference is that, on Provo, you can enjoy the snorkeling and the beaches from your front door while sailing to other places on TCI to explore nature.

In fairness, I should add that my statement that "Coral Gardens on Grace Bay is superior to any beachside destination on Tortola for snorkeling and a gorgeous beach" is based on what I've read as I haven't been to Tortola. Others who have been to both islands can offer a better comparison of the snorkeling and beaches. But I do know that the snorkeling and the beach at the Coral Gardens is the best I've ever seen. Maybe, I'll just need to visit Tortola to check it out for myself. After reading the posts here, Tortola (and the neighboring islands) do sound very appealing.

I agree with Laby. We have been to both Tortola and Provo, as well as lots of other places in the Caribbean, including many high-end resorts. But Coral Gardens just can't be beat for combination of the beach, the accomodations and the snorkeling. The beach, particularly, is extraordinary -- flour-soft, blindingly white sand, and the wonderful snorkeling reef begins only about 10 feet off shore! In addition to beautiful coral and lots of the usual reef fish, we saw a number of huge hawksbill turtles there. And the water is almost always very calm. Go there, you'll love it!