Saturday, July 26, 2008

Special "Hands" Ceremony for Maryland Couple

This couple from Baltimore, Maryland staying at Plantation Village had been corresponding with me for some time as they wanted some very specific things included in their wedding ceremony.


I wrote a new ceremony for them using their suggestions, which I was very pleased with. It was
the first time I have seen the following incorporated into the wedding vows
"I promise to take care of myself so that I can live a long and healthy life with you."


The wedding had to be postponed for 24 hours because a summer storm came in unexpectedly and the sky was black! The next day was perfect for their sunset wedding as you can see. I even persuaded my husband to come along as a witness, here we are toasting the newly-weds!

I was so pleased with the ceremony I am creating a new ceremony to use with other couples using the "Hands" reading below



"These are the hands of your best friend
They are holding yours on your wedding day
As you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, and as you share your secrets and dreams. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick and console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, whether tears of joy or sorrow. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will be teachers to all of your children, and the hands that will hold each new child and love them and protect them. May these hands always reach out with love, tenderness and respect May these hands continue to build a loving relationship that lasts a lifetime. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realised. May these hands always be held by one another. May they have the strength to hold on during the storms of every day life. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love."



My Secret Cove was almost completely washed away by the storm, (hopefully this is temporary, and the sand will shift back soon) so we had to move the ceremony, but the waves were still strong. This beautiful sunset was worth waiting for.




Jump, jump for your love!

A quiet moment at the end of the afternoon!

Ceremony and arrangements by Joy of Simply Weddings, flowers by Trisha's Roses, photos by Luis Vallencillo


Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Putting on the Ritz!!

This couple from Delray Beach, Florida were staying at the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman but chose the natural beauty of My Secret Cove for their wedding last week.

Couples like these "rock" shots as much as the beach shots.

Beautiful couple, beautiful day...not a cloud on the horizon


Quick pose with the Marriage Officer!


The Bride had a lovely, non-traditional idea for displaying the wedding rings, and brought this star-fish along as the prop.

Personal concierge Leroy, from the Ritz Carlton drove the couple to their secluded spot, and even stayed to be a witness, and to ensure that a grand occasion was taking place.


Here's to us, and a long and happy married life!
Another good shot of this very photogenic couple. Pictures by Marcus Montana, arrangements by Cayman Weddings, flowers by Trisha's Roses.

N.B. For anybody trying to reach me at mywedding@candw.ky I have been experiencing technical difficulties all week, and this address should be OK by tomorrow. If you would like to call me at (345)5256551 I will call you back right away.

Watch this space, many more weddings etc. coming up, and of course Simply Weddings/Cayman Weddings is gearing up for the big "wedding-fest" for the year, 08/08/08 when we have weddings scheduled from sunrise until sunset!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Your Special Day ...Your Special Way

Whether you want your special day to be just the two of you on a deserted beach....


In the lush gardens of a botanical park...


or even on a boat...


In the middle of a pier...


In our Wedding Gazebo....



Celebrated with another newly wed couple...



Surrounded by your best friends..

Witnessed by your best girlfriends...


With all the boys there...


With a big cake...


With a little cake...(note the cake top, "swans mate for life!")

With rings, "the symbol of the promises you have made to each other" or without...

With or without flowers...



Toasting each other with champagne...or sparkling cider, your choice




Call me for all your Destination Wedding needs in Grand Cayman, or email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Seven Mile Beach is good therapy!

This couple from El Dorado, Arkansas both occupational therapists, picked the West Bay public beach for their wedding last week. Staying at Morritts Tortuga, they came down to the northern end of Seven Mile Beach for their evening wedding.

Beautiful bride, beautiful bouquet... a tropical posy from Trisha's Roses.


School's out and a lot of the town's children enjoy this spot, jumping off the pier into the water.
It was nevertheless easy to enjoy some privacy. The children are always excited to see a wedding, but well-mannered enough to stay out of the pictures.


In the background, across the water is our capital city, George Town.

Another pier-shot, early enough to get some of turquoise water.

Arrangements by Cayman Weddings, photos by Marcus Montana. See our website for packages and an application form www.caymanweddings.com.ky

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Kansas Couple Soak Up the Rays at Governors Beach

This is from yesterday's wedding, probably the quickest turn-around on pictures I have ever had, thanks Luis!

The Governor's beach was quite busy, but we managed to find a quiet spot for the wedding ceremony of this lovely couple from Kansas.

I liked the effect of the bouganvilla spilling over the wall which surrounds the Governor's House.

This photo is taken with the Governor's House in the background. I liked the white picket fence effect.

In summer the sun sets around 7 pm so we started the wedding ceremony at 6:30 pm in order to get good light for the service, but also to catch the last rays of the sun, which made for some fantastic pictures.

This was a simple, but stunning sunset wedding at a popular beach along the Seven Mile Beach strip. Arrangements by Cayman Weddings, photography by Luis Vallecillo.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Sand Ceremony, Wedding Vow Renewal, Grand Cayman

This family had been corresponding with me for at least 6 months. They were planning a family vacation at the Coral Stone Club on Seven Mile Beach and they wanted a wedding vow renewal for the couple's 18 wedding anniversary and a Sand Ceremony that each member of the family could participate in.

Having finalised the ceremony with them by email, I met them a week before the ceremony to go over the details. As the family was from Michigan, the colours blue and gold had to be worked in honouring the Wolverines. Go Blue!

I started out by personalising their "Memory Vase" with their names, the location and date.

K had very definite ideas about what she wanted. Here she is being escorted to the ceremony by her sons. The gerbera lilies in her bouquet had a special significance for her.

The first part of the ceremony was the Wedding Vow renewal.

After the renewal ceremony in which the couple composed and read their own vows, we did the Unity Sand Ceremony. I poured a layer of sand from the beach, after which M poured his layer of royal blue sand.

Then K poured her rose-pink sand and read her promises to her husband and family

Both boys then poured their sand. In this part of the ceremony I introduced a new feature.
Both boys were briefed by me earlier and asked to wite a message for their family on a piece of paper which they placed in the vase. They could chose to let their parents know what the message said later, or not, as they chose. The boys also each placed a sea-shell in the vase, another reminder of this special time. For me, the messages and the shells underlined that each Memory Vase is as unique as the family which creates it.


Following the boys, the parents pored their blue and pink sand and made their promises to their spouse and family in unison.

I topped off the Memory Vase with sand scooped from the beach, but I also first read, and then included in the vase the Irish Marriage Blessing (included below). Here we are admiring the finished Memory Vase, I was very pleased with the effect of the sea-shells. Later I will provide the packaging for them to take their special Memory Vase home safely.
Group shot after the signing of the Wedding Renewal Certificate.

Wide angled shot of the family in front of the Coral Stone Club, yes the sand is really that white, and that clean!

K and M have a celebratory jump, and Fevi catches it, of course!


The end of a perfect day, in the surf Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

Unity Sand Ceremony written and officiated by Joy of Simply Weddings, Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners, photography by Fevi Yu of Passion Photography, flowers by Trisha's Roses.

"May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortunes
and rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward" (Irish Marriage Blessing)