Originally built in the early 1970’s as a country club for private members, the resort quickly transcended into a hub for sports enthusiasts, relaxation seekers and vacationers from around the world. By the 1980’s, the resort was the place to “see and be seen” attracting celebrities, heads of state and socialites as frequent guests. After an $80 million dollar renovation project the Turnberry Isle Miami is transformed into a world-class resort. I was honored to speak to Annette Winkler, the Director of Social Catering at Turnberry Isle Miami she answered the following questions on what it is like to plan your wedding at Turnberry Isle Miami.

GO: What is your unique role when it comes to a couple’s wedding day and how does your property distinguish a couple’s experience as opposed to getting married somewhere else?
AW: My role as Director of Social Catering allows me the opportunity to truly embrace our client’s most dreamed of day. My goal for the couple (along with their parents, bridal party, guests and vendors) is that their day is seamless and effortless.

Together with our dynamic team, we use every resource possible in order to ensure that our clients feel that they are the most important individuals, each moment throughout their wedding day and weekend. Our goal is to create countless and beautiful memories. Our mission is to serve, enliven and inspire each other and our clients.

On the wedding day, not only am I here for our clients, they also will receive hands-on service from our Event Concierge, VIP Services team, Banquet Director and Resort Chef. I have found that our events and the overall experience of our clients are more successful by introduced clients to our team well in advance of their wedding date. This step is important to us (our team) as it allows for the opportunity to develop relationships with each other, which instills trust and confidence. They realize that our team is here for them each step along the way and that they are in excellent hands. Together we make countless efforts to ensure that our client’s wedding day is flawless.

GO: From start to finish, what can a couple expect if they choose to get married at your property?
AW: I always tell my clients that my number one goal for them is that their experience is seamless, stress free and most of all, enjoyable.

GO: If you had to describe your property in three words, what would they be?
AW: Mediterranean-Inspired, Tropical, And Exquisite!

GO: Do you have areas where a couple can elect to take their wedding pictures at your property?
AW: Absolutely, there are so many wonderful areas around the Resort for wedding photos. Starting at our main entrance, there are water features with coy fish and turtles, the Spa and Fitness Center features a magnificent and dramatic spiral staircase, the Lobby Lounge, located just off of our main lobby is light and airy, yet elegant and sophisticated with colors of blue, silver and mahogany along with a fireplace and long open bar, a stunning 64’ waterfall is located on the 18th green of the Soffer golf course; BOURBON Steak restaurant features an interesting cork greeting piece at the main entrance and also a contemporary brick wall; our loggia walkways throughout the resort featuring bamboo and exotic landscape; our Mediterranean-Inspired Cascata Pool Deck features a large banyan tree with orchids along with two cascading fountains. Indeed our Resort features many picturesque and intimate photo opportunities.

GO: Do you have customizable packages? Tell me a little bit about them?
AW: Absolutely, while wedding packages are available, we embrace customize menus for our clients, as we recognize the importance to accommodate their taste specifications. Additionally, we feature a Kosher kitchen, which has been quite successful for us since it’s opening in 2008.

Our packages include a complimentary suite for the bride and groom on their wedding night, special accommodations for the couple’s parents, a private cabana at our Laguna Pool, a couple’s massage at our award-winning Spa and a complimentary chef’s garden tour. Our packages also include an Anniversary Program, which includes a return stay on their One Year Anniversary in one of our fabulous suites and a mini replica of the top tier of the couple’s wedding cake

We also feature “Love Interests Classes” so that the couple can learn and share each other’s interests from cigar & bourbon appreciation to grilling, expert foot massages and more. At Turnberry Isle, we customize everything so no two weddings are the same. For example, using family recipes to celebrate the couple’s culture and heritage.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
AW: It is our pleasure to offer custom menus, featuring local, organic and sustainable ingredients. We design personalized wedding menus with clients together with our Resort and Banquet Chefs. We’ve even planted a fruit tree in our Chef’s Garden in honor of the wedding couple, then incorporated the fruit into their wedding menu as well as made note of the special fruit on their printed wedding menu. Our Wedding Cakes are created and custom designed for our clients by our Executive Pastry Chef.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting married at your property?
AW: Schedule a site visit and see first-hand how stunning the entire Resort is. There is something for everyone here at Turnberry Isle Miami.

GO: Does your property have any unique features (i.e. wedding website) that you would like us to share with our readers?
AW: Our newly renovated, Mediterranean-inspired resort offers many unique features. The Magnolia Courtyard overlooks our signature 18-hole island green and a 64-foot waterfall, while we also have an elegantly appointed 12,000 square-foot ballroom. We also feature a Chef’s Garden, two 18-hole Raymond Floyd-redesigned championship golf courses, a private beach front Beach Club right on the Atlantic, the Spa and Fitness center, a tennis facility with four clay Hydro Courts, three pools including a new lagoon-style pool featuring a waterslide, lazy river, private cabanas and poolside dining, a supervised children’s program and an array of recreational activities. The Resort itself is positioned in the center of luxurious landscaped gardens.

Turnbery Isle Miami
19999 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
T: 305.932.6200
turnberryislemiami.com