Valentine's Day 2009 Wedding... in the Cayman Islands!

image by Luis Vallecillo

As a wedding planner and celebrant I am very aware of the huge percentage of wedding proposals made and accepted in those magical days between 25 December - 1 January. In fact I have already booked two weddings for this red-letter day. In a few weeks time all the wedding slots for Saturday, 14 February 2009 for both Simply Weddings and Cayman Weddings, my parent company will be filled.

This Valentine's Day is likely to be very busy for Cayman Islands wedding professionals because it falls on a Saturday, the most popular day for weddings among the resident population.

Here are 9 tips for a Valentine's Day 2009 Destination Wedding in the Cayman Islands.

1. Book as early as possible. Most companies require a deposit to book your day and time.

2. Use a wedding planner, she knows local vendors and conditions.

3. Choose a local photographer, and ask to see his/her work.

4. Pick your bridal flowers early, most Valentine's Day florals MUST be ordered 2 -3 weeks in
advance.

5. Check whether your wedding planner has a refund policy, just in case of any last minute
interruptions.

6. Get to know your wedding planner and Marriage Officer, it's your day and it should be your
way

7. Pay attention to the legal requirements of your Cayman Islands marriage, make sure you
have the proper documentation to ensure the legality of your marriage worldwide.

8. Make sure your Marriage Officer arranges to send you your Registered Marriage Certificate,
the legal document you need when you get back home, once your marriage has been filed
with the Cayman Islands public records office.

9. Tell all and sundry you're getting married and expect that everybody you meet is going to be extra nice and extra helpful - everybody loves a bride.

And have fun, weddings are supposed to be fun!

image by Marcus Montana

St Valentine's Day is also a popular day for Wedding Vow renewal ceremonies. Whether you're celebrating 5, or 50 years together you deserve to mark this momentous occasion in your married life. Had a simple registry office wedding at home? Make your dream of a Caribbean Wedding Celebration come true with my Cayman Wedding Blessing Ceremony, and get the pictures! Destination Cruise Wedding, Wedding Vow Renewal and Wedding Blessing special available for all ceremonies booked by 19 January 2009 for 2009 Cayman Islands visitor weddings. Some conditions apply, including deposits by 30 April, 2009. (Please note I perform only one cruise wedding per day, to give you my full attention) Call me now (345)525-6551 to book your Cayman Islands beach wedding in 2009. or email mywedding@candw.ky

Cayman Islands Beach Wedding Made Simple

Every year I get dozens of requests for a barefoot beach wedding. By far the most popular request is the beach at sunset. My choice for a sunset wedding would always be Seven Mile Beach, followed by the beach in the Rum Point, Cayman Kai area.

This wedding took place on the beach next to the Marriott Courtyard's Gecko Bar.

This is a very popular spot, and is usually quiet, Blue Water Beach, West Bay, the most northerly tip of world-famous Seven Mile Beach.

Couples love the idea of coconut palms in their wedding pictures. The near by cabana provides welcome shade on hot summer days.

The beach near the Governor's House is wide, clean and beautiful, as is the water.

This is one of my favourite parts of Seven Mile Beach, Mary Molly Hydes Beach in West Bay

This is really how it looks. This shot was taken in the morning around 10am at Bus Stop 29.

At the end of the day, the beach is deserted.

Always popular, Smith's Cove in George Town near the harbour is great especially for cruise weddings.

This is a little private beach next to the Wharf Restaurant in George Town

Call or email me to set up your Cayman Islands beach wedding today. Packages cover all legal requirements including the Special Marriage License visitors require and start at US$650

You bring the joie de vivre and I'll take care of the rest. Phone (345)525-6551 or (345)9269933
or email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Wedding at Pedro St James Castle, Grand Cayman

Today's wedding was at one of Grand Cayman's most popular wedding spots, the gazebo at historic Pedro St James Castle.

Wedding colours were tangerine and brown, arrangements done by the bride's daughters.

The happy couple grab a quick kiss after the nuptials.

The courtyard at Pedro St James is a perfect reception spot. Catering by one of Cayman's very popular restaurants, Champion House.

The three-tier wedding cake decorated with a variety of orchids was the creation of Michelle Miller.

The newly-weds pose with their marriage officer.

Official photographer was Stephen Best, these photos are taken on my new Olympus 370. Ceremony by Joy of Weddings for Cayman Weddings, your choice for resident weddings for the past 25 years. Call Francine today at (345) 9498677 to schedule your 2009 wedding, or visit the Cayman Weddings office at Suite 205B, Centennial Towers, West Bay.

My Secret Cove...still the best

If you want a starfish as a souvenir of your Cayman Wedding, let me know in advance.

You will recall that the summer storms and hurricanes played havoc with My Secret Cove, making it unusable for several months, I am pleased to report that it's back, better than ever making it a great alternative to Smith's Cove if the wedding group is small.

Even though this was a 10am wedding in the middle of the week, Smith's Cove was very busy so we were pleased to have the tranquility of MSC for this simple wedding.

I always ask my couples if they would like a prayer of blessing. Most of them would.

I am running an unadvertised Holiday Wedding Special until January 19, 2009. This is for visiting couples (new bookings) only. Package includes all legal requirements, marriage officer and ceremony, tropical bridal flowers (see blog entry 6/4/08), one bottle iced champagne, photography (40+images on a CD) and transportation to and from wedding site for up to 5 people. Total cost US$1200. Conditions apply call me at (345) 5256551 0r email me mywedding@candw.ky

Christmas Eve Wedding in Red Bay

Christmas Eve I went up to Red Bay to do a wedding for a resident couple. Weddings done at home can be very beautiful, as this one was because the setting was lovely. They had decorated their garden gazebo, the perfect place for an afternoon wedding.

Joy with the groom's mother, who is from Scotland. This is the groom's parents home.

Here we all are waiting for the bride, who was given away by her brother

It's not legal until the paperwork is done!

Congratulating the newly-weds!

A family group shot

The newly-weds pause for a portrait.

Call me for your Cayman wedding. Eight days notice required for resident couples. Visitors can be married the same day by Special Marriage License. Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, photos by
Mark Jewell. Email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Fun in the Sun, Smith's Cove, Grand Cayman

I hope you enjoy these new pictures, from a new photographer Dubadah pictured below with the bride.

This wedding was shot at Smith's Cove, Grand Cayman at 5:30 pm

Bride and Groom making their mark in the sand

Umhhhhh! It's all over now, and I told you not to be nervous

What Bride doesn't like pink, this bouquet was spectacular.

Unusual ring shot!

Different photographers like different shots, I like these shots up on the rocks above the cove.
Photographers enjoy the colours and textures of this scenic spot, very popular for weddings

This was a very simple arch hung with gauze, but a great effect for a tropical wedding.
Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, flowers by Celebrations, photography by Dubadah Boldeau. Call me for your own fun wedding in 2009...(345)5256551 or (345)92MyWed

Merry Christmas from Simply Weddings

This is me with my grand-daughter. We had just had our hair done because it was her 8th birthday. She told me a few days ago she hopes I will still be alive to do her wedding. Then she corrected herself and said she hoped I would still be in business.

Christmas for us is all about the children, our four and our three grand-children. I really missed my daughter today, as she is in NJ. Hopefully she will be home soon and we are planning a big family get-together. I was blessed today to be able to visit with all my family including both my mother and father.

Here with my husband and grand-kids, 8 years, 5 1/2 years, and 3 1/2 months

By December 31, 2008 I will have officiated at 123 weddings for the year 2008. It has been a great year for me. I meet lots of very nice people, including some brides and grooms who will always stand out. (You know who you are, and I hear from you on Facebook all the time). I am looking forward to another good year in 2009, which starts off with a 5oth Anniversary renewal on 1 January. Look for some great pictures. Then I have a very special Wedding Blessing on 6th January for a US serviceman presently overseas and his young bride.

To all my readers. clients past and future, may God richly bless you and keep you safe in 2009.

Remarkable Sunday Sunset for Local Couple

This was a Sunday afternoon wedding I did a few weeks ago for a local couple. The ceremony took place on Seven Mile Beach, between Calico Jacks and White Sands condos.

A kiss for my Mommy on her special day!

Family smiles on the beach!

When I saw these pictures I couldn't believe how spectacular the sunset was.

The end of a very special day.

Sometimes you are very, very lucky and get this type of sunset on your wedding day. Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Party Mart, photos by Luis Vallecillo.

Romantic Wedding Gazebo as Alternative to Beach

Caymanians and residents have been choosing the Wedding Gazebo on Boltins Avenue, West Bay as the place to celebrate their nuptials for the last 15 years. One tip is that there is no rental charge if your wedding is being arranged by Cayman Weddings. The garden can accommodate up to 30 people for a reception, and chairs can be provided at a nominal fee.

The Wedding Gazebo is sometimes used as a bad weather back-up for visitor weddings, but this visiting couple chose the lush setting of the Wedding Gazebo over the beach last week. although it was a nice sunny evening.

Cheers from the witnesses and best wishes for a long and happy married life. By law, each wedding must have two witnesses over the age of 18.

Ceremony and arrangements by Francine Jackson of Cayman Weddings. Tropical flowers by Trisha's Roses, photography by Jim Gates of The Studio Cayman. Call (345)9498677 or email weddings@candw.ky for your own romantic wedding.