96.5 TIC Radio Interview with Christine Lee, Salt Mack and AdventurUS Travel Owner, Kristi Upton
Love, Celebration & Giving Back: Inside a Dream Destination Wedding at Beaches Turks & Caicos
There are places in the world where you instantly think, “This is where I’d get married.”
And Beaches Turks & Caicos is exactly that kind of place.
During a special broadcast from the resort, we caught up with one of the top travel advisors in the world — Christy Upton — to talk about destination weddings, unforgettable celebrations, and how travel can change lives.
“Destination Weddings Aren’t Hard — They’re Magical.”
There’s a common misconception that planning a destination wedding is complicated. According to Christy? That couldn’t be further from the truth.
With resorts like Beaches (and their adults-only sister brand, Sandals Resorts), the planning process is seamless. Add in an experienced travel advisor, and couples can actually enjoy the experience instead of stressing through it.
“Our number one goal is to remove the stress. Go enjoy the day — let us handle everything else.”
From travel logistics to guest accommodations to ceremony coordination, Christy and her team make it flow effortlessly.
And yes — the wedding setups here are as stunning as you’d imagine. Picture a few elegant white chairs in the sand, turquoise water stretching to the horizon, and the Caribbean breeze carrying the moment. Guests at the resort can even quietly watch ceremonies unfold from a respectful distance — a beautiful reminder that love is always in the air.
From Connecticut to the Caribbean (and Everywhere In Between)
What surprised us most? Christy isn’t based in some tropical office overlooking the ocean.
She’s from Suffield, Connecticut.
While snow piles up back home — hot tubs nearly buried — Christy travels the globe planning weddings and celebrations everywhere from Montana’s mountains (especially during COVID pivots) to tropical beaches worldwide.
Her secret? She often tags along to ensure everything goes perfectly.
Not a bad office view.
It’s Not Just Weddings Anymore
Destination weddings may be the beginning — but they’re far from the end.
Christy specializes in what she calls “weddings and celebrations.” And that includes:
💍 Proposals
🌴 Honeymoons
🤰 Babymoons
🥂 Anniversaries
💞 Vow renewals
🎓 Graduation trips
👨👩👧👦 Multi-generational family vacations
🌅 End-of-life celebration trips
🎉 Even divorce parties
Yes — divorce parties.
Why let a difficult chapter define you? Travel can mark a new beginning just as powerfully as it celebrates a union.
Travel With Purpose: A 501(c)(3) That Changes Lives
Perhaps the most powerful part of Christy’s story is her agency’s charitable mission.
She founded a true 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of her business to give back through travel. Families, friends, or coworkers can nominate someone deserving of a wedding, honeymoon, or special trip. Her team of 38 agents reviews submissions and selects recipients each year.
This year alone, they funded:
A full wedding
A honeymoon
A family trip to Beaches
A 10-year vow renewal on the beach
A catamaran cruise celebration
A special trip for a Connecticut family facing stage four breast cancer
Another local family even donated in honor of a loved one they lost, allowing another family to create memories during an unimaginably difficult time.
“The whole reason I got into travel was to create memories.”
And that’s exactly what they do.
From “I Do” to Every Milestone After
Christy’s approach reframes travel completely.
It’s not just about booking flights. It’s about walking alongside families through life’s biggest moments:
The honeymoon
Baby’s first birthday trip
10-year vow renewal
25-year anniversary
Graduation
Multi-generational gatherings
Even end-of-life journeys
When you see it that way, travel becomes something much deeper.
Not just a getaway — but a timeline of love.
Thinking About Your Own Celebration?
If Beaches Turks & Caicos taught us anything, it’s this: paradise isn’t just a backdrop — it’s a feeling.
Whether you're dreaming of saying “I do” barefoot in the sand, renewing vows at sunset, or simply celebrating a new chapter, destination events are more attainable — and more meaningful — than most people realize.
And sometimes, the best memories begin with a passport stamp.