myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

We are hoping to get married in Tobago in May/June 2005 and are trying to find a suitable location for the ceremony. We want a small informal beach ceremony with just my two daughters and a few friends. I have never been to Tobago before, although Dave fell in love with the island last year when he went for a friends wedding! We will be there in May next year and are planning to look at various locations when we are there, can anyone give us some suggestions please, I think the jetty on Pigeon Point looks perfect, would this be possible?

Thanks

Linda

Oops!!! we will be visiting Tobago in May 2004 to look at possible venues!

Linda

Hi Linda

We got married in the little courtyard adjacent to the Seahorse Inn. The minister was Brent Hart (possibly the nicest man in the world) and we had a steel band playing at the top of the steps... We had our reception (for 22 people) at the Seahorse Inn and I don't regret ANY of it. We decided that the beach would be too hot, and in fact going down the steps and crossing the road to the beach for photographs after the ceremony was definitely the right way to do it.

I wouldn't get married at Pigeon Point, but that's just my opinion.

Whatever you decide, you are sure to have an incredible time. Where will you be staying?

Rachel (using hubby Andrew's log in!)

Hi Rachel

Thanks for that advice, will have a look when we are there. Having just read the reports posted about Pigeon Point I think I am inclined to agree with you! I have read a couple of messages regarding Brent Hart, how do we find him when we are there?

We are staying at Hummingbird Heights in Scarborough this year with some friends, which looks beautiful on it's website and seems to have a lot of positive responses from previous visitors on this site - I can't wait to get there!

Thanks

Linda

Hi Linda

Brent Hart married me (to my wife, funnily enough) and we are still married so he must have done something right.

Actually I agree with Rachel - him and his wife Christine (top photographer) are stars.

However there is a lot of red tape - we had a wedding coordinator at our villa resort, and I really recommend using one to save yourself much headache.

Marie Dilworth is the person to speak to:

[email protected]

As for beach weddings, my recommended choice would be Canoe Bay, simply as it has beach facilities attached and is not a public beach. Also, Pigeon Point Weddings are limited to daylight hours only - you get turfed out at dusk so if you wish to keep the rum cocktails flowing choose somewhere else

As Glyn says - get a coordinator to sort out the ofifical bit for you (we had to visit the office in Scarborough a couple of times - one when the WI were playing Engliand at cricket and it was quite an experience!). She will also be able to arrange for Brent to do the ceremony. He does a lot of them anyway, being very tolerant towards people coming to the island just to get married. We made a donation towards a new kit for his son's football team (who my hubby and best man went to watch) and we got a picture of them in their new kits through the post a couple of weeks after we got back

I don't know the place that you are staying, but I am sure it will be wonderful. I don't know Canoe Bay either, but if Glyn says it's the one, then it is.

Rachel

Hi Linda

Just thought I'd stick my oar in to say how much I agree with all the advice given here by Rachel and Glyn.

If you’ve read our review of Hummingbird Heights (HBH) you will know our feelings about the place, so it will come as no surprise for me to say you’ve made a good choice. I know that owners of HBH, Shirley and Neil (depends which of them is in residence at the time) will go that extra mile to make sure all arrangements are sorted. They are also good friends of Marie Dilworth of Tobago Weddings, who is without question THE person to deal with when it comes to weddings. I know that Marie has a close relationship with Brent Hart, who certainly has the reputation of being the nicest minister on the island. With Marie at the helm, you can be sure that everything will run sweetly (which is not necessarily the “norm” in Tobago).

Canoe Bay could be a very good venue, for the reasons given by Glyn. It’s also handy for HBH (and Marie). If you use Marie, she will fully discuss all the possible locations and take you out to see them on arrival, before you need to commit yourself.

Hi

Thanks for all of the advice, I have been in touch with Marie and will be seeing her in May, but would still welcome suggestions from anyone else.

hello linda!

getting married at the beach is great, but as someone said before it might be hot. depending on the time of the day...
our wedding was at castara beach (little bay) under a palmleaf shed in front of the boathouse restaurant. the ceremony was planed for 4 p.m. wich would have been great. but since we started late (this is tobago ) and the pastor did the full programm long thing, we started MELTING after the first half. where ever you do it, go there before and spend the same time of the day, to see if the sun is going to blind you.
since it was in january, we can see again and lost only a few pounds sweating (fulled that back up with excellent food).
we did enjoy it a lot and will never forget....with tobago you have chosen a great palce to get married!
all the best for you and your future together!!!

steph&ali

Hallo Linda,
it seems to me, Steph has some problems with the so called heat.
If You are still looking for the best location for wedding, there is just one answer : Englishman-Bay.Right on the beach.
If You find the right local people to support You, it will be the event of Your life.
About ten years ago(that´s a long time in the history of Tobago), we arranged ,no that´s not true, we asked a friend on Tobago (Mr.Mc Knight from Castara), if HE could arrange a wedding-party for my son and, of course for my daughter in law, on Englishman-Beach.It was the party of their life ! With steelband, of course but so much more.Just some samples :The le cotau-singers and dancers, the wedding-cake,so much sermons by different people, a video-tape of the ceremony, of course a genuine wedding-meal and after all this a small boat-trip right into the sundown in a boat decorated with bouganvillea and hibiscus.
There have been about 180 guests. It was the first stay on Tobago for my son and my daughter in law.They couldn´t believe, wha t happened to them. Up to today.
O.K. it´s more then ten yaers ago.But it could happen again ! Find somebody in that area, maybe some professionals.They can do this for You, if You want something like this.
If You prefer something in a five-star-hotel with bar-keeper and manager with blooms, it´s Your choice.
Don´t be afraid about the temperatue, You just have to leave the beach before half past five (pm).At that time the sand-flies take over.

Whatever You choose, I wish You the wedding-party of Your life.

Horst Heiser

Thanks Horst

I can see we will be very busy checking out all the various beaches while we are there! it will be such a burden but I'm sure we'll cope! , one month today we will be on the plane,I can't wait

Linda

Hi Linda
Myself and boyfriend, Rob are getting married in Tobago on the 18th November this year and we are planning a beach wedding also. This will be for ourselves plus about 18 friends/family (including 6 children - ages will be between 9 months - 7 years !).
Maria Dilworth (definately worth contacting - do not use anyone else !) is arranging everything for us and has suggested Englishman's Bay. I would be grateful for any feedback/tips after your trip to Tobago about suitable beaches for weddings. Our wedding is due to be held about 4pm in the afternoon to try & avoid the midday sun but I have now read that several beaches 'close' in the evening. Can you let me know if this is the case ?
Thanks Elaine

Hi Elaine

We will be speaking to Marie while we are there and checking out all possible beaches, I would presume that only the private beaches close early, but maybe someone knows better.

I'll be happy to keep you informed of everything when we get back, only a few more days to go now, we fly out on 20th May

Linda

Hi Elaine

Do not worry - the only beaches that I can think of that close in the evening are privately owned ones like Canoe Bay and Pigeon Point (glad to hear if anyone can think of any others). All of them will be open until at least 6pm however, with sunset around 6.30pm.

Simply go by what Marie says. Nobody knows better than Marie about the best places for weddings. Englishman Bay is one of the most beautiful on the island and Marie will certainly understand the logistics of carying out a wedding there.