Friday, October 31, 2008

Lakeland Couples' Smiles Push Storm Clouds Away

This Lakeland Fl. bride had her Destination Cruise Wedding booked months in advance, so I was disappointed when I woke up and found that a strong cold front with strong winds and rain had come in overnight. A look at the Port Authority's web-cam confirmed that all the cruise ships due in that day would be at the Spotts landing. This would put an hour or so extra time on getting the paperwork done, but I was more concerned that the wedding would have to be moved to a nearby church. Fortunately the weather cooperated and she got her Beach Wedding as planned.

This couple was very laid back, and relaxed and that made the wedding very enjoyable for all of us. We were fortunate to get a break in the clouds, and complete the ceremony before the rain started again.

Here are the rings on my new Starfish, being used here for the very first time. This properly cured Starfish was given to me by one of my dearest friends, so it holds a lot of love.



We found some shade and also cut down on the wind which was blowing at 20 knots, a real Caymanian nor'wester.

This was taken at the West Bay Public Beach. I guess we could have used these blue cabanas if the rain had threatened to drench us.
It wouldn't be a tropical island without a few coconut trees, now would it?

Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Cayman Weddings. flowers by Trisha's Roses, photography by Margo of Picture This. Call me for your Destination Cruise Wedding in the Cayman Islands today, (345) 5256551

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Weekend Wedding at the Reef Resort, East End

I met this Boynton Beach, Fl couple at the airport. I had secured all their documents in advance, and only had to get their signatures on the original Special License application and their white immigration cards and I could go and apply for their SML before the government office closed at 3 pm Friday for the weekend.

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon in George Town, but as my husband and I drove east towards the Reef Resort on the other side of the island, the skies began to clear. This is a scenic drive we always enjoy, past the blow-holes, through the quaint district of East End and up to Colliers. Many times my clients tell me they didn't realise that the two resorts on this end of the island were so far away from our capital city, George Town. It takes 45 -60 minutes from my house, depending on the traffic.

This was a group of 24. The bride got a surprise when her parents showed up to witness her special day.


Whether you are traveling as a couple, or with a large group let me take charge of all the legal requirements for your Cayman Islands wedding. I work with all the major hotels and condos. From West Bay to East End, call me for wedding and wedding vow renewal services. Wedding planning services also available. Married less than 2 years and want a memorable beach ceremony with keepsake photos? Ask about my unique Wedding Blessing Ceremony tailored just for you and your loved one. Call today (345)525-6551.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Wedding Fun at Blue Water Beach, Grand Cayman

This lovely young couple from Chandler, Azizona traveling with their family on the "Carnival Triumph" chose Blue Water Beach in West Bay for their early October wedding. I am pleased to see the beach is coming back after being very mashed up by this year's storms.

The bride's mom and dad got a bit teary over the beautiful words of the wedding ceremony.


I was pleased that Luis took time off to shoot this wedding, as you will see he got some fun shots after the ceremony.




This is the wedding cake I like from Treat Restaurant, vanilla four-layered with vanilla creme frosting, topped with my swans wedding cake topper.

Groom's version of the "We Did It!" shot

Boys against girls? This family have a lot of fun together, that was crystal clear.

Groom thinks, "What shall I do with her now?"

So did the boys win? No, this well-loved bride was not thrown in the water.

Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Simply Weddings, flowers by Trisha's Roses, photography by Luis Vallecillo. Call me to book your own fun wedding in Grand Cayman (345)5256551.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Legal Points about Marriages Cayman Residents Need to Know

One of my favourite wedding pictures, my dad Vernon Jackson OBE, JP conducting a wedding at Smith's Cove in 2002

The Cayman Islands Marriage Law (1963) which governs all marriages in the Cayman Islands sets down two distinct procedures for residents and visitors. I have written elsewhere about the procedures for visitors, today I am writing about the procedures for residents (if you are here on a work permit or as a permanent resident) and Caymanians.

If you have been living here for more than 15 days you are classified as a resident, and you must be married by Banns.

When you decide you wish to be married in the Cayman Islands you will need to complete a Notice of Marriage and take this to a Civil Registrar of Marriages or a pastor (marriage officer).

Notice of Marriage

This form can be obtained from your Civil Registrar. Email me at mywedding@candw.ky I will send you the Notice of Marriage, and a document called "Information on Getting Married in the Cayman Islands"

Under new procedures, the Civil Registrar or pastor will ask you a number of questions in other to eliminate any suspicion that you are contemplating a marriage of convenience, which is illegal. To further guard against this, your Notice of Marriage signed by you must be witnessed by a resident of your district who has known each of you for 2 years. (These do not HAVE to be the same two people who will witness your marriage.

Your Civil Registrar or pastor will ask you for a photo-copy of your passport. If you are not Caymanian then you must show proof that you are legally resident. You may be asked to provide a copy of your birth certificate. If your permission to remain in the Cayman Islands has expired you may not be married unless you can obtain a reasonable extension.

If you have been married before, you must provide the original Divorce Decree or spouse's death certificate or a certified copy, in English and the translation must be notarised.

If one party to the marriage is off island immediately before the marriage, the law allows the Banns of Marriage to be published at your Civil Registrar or pastor's discretion. The documentation and questioning referred to above must still be completed prior to the wedding date.

Residents MAY NOT be married by Special Marriage License, this is for visitors. If you live here there is no way around being married by Banns if you want to be married on island.

Banns of Marriage

Basically this is an announcement of your upcoming marriage which must be published as a Public Notice for 7 clear days in order to give any objectors an opportunity to have their say. Any objections must be in writing and the objector must appear before the Civil Registrar or pastor to defend his/her objection. A Civil Registrar must sign and publish these Banns outside their business office. All Banns for Cayman Weddings/Simply Weddings are published on a Notice Board near to the West Bay Pharmacy, on the ground floor of Centennial Towers in West Bay.

The Banns will state your full name as given in your passport.

They will state your CONDITION - this is, never married, or divorced, or widowed.

They will state your CALLING - this means your occupation, what kind of work you do.

They will state your AGE at your last birthday.

They will state your length of time residing in the Cayman Islands.

They will state your ADDRESS this means your residential address not your Post Office Box number.

Lastly it will state your father's name. If your father is deceased, this is indicated as (dec.) If your father is unknown, your mother's name can be used indicated as (mother).

Some people wish to have their Banns as a souvenir, if you do, let me know and I will give them to you once the 7 days have expired and there have been no objections to your marriage.

Banns of Marriage are valid for 3 months from the day of publication.

Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate

At the ceremony your Civil Registrar will give you a signed copy of your Marriage Certificate. This is the gold-coloured certificate you see couples holding on this site. As soon as possible after the wedding, your Civil Registrar will file your marriage with the General Registrar of Marriages in the Citrus Grove building on Goring Avenue.

Once your marriage has been registered you should make arrangements to get your Registered Marriage Certificate from this office. The registered Marriage Certificate will say "secure copy" on the back. On the front it will give the details of your marriage, and it will have a watermark of the Cayman Islands crest and the Registrar General's seal.

This is the legal document you will need to show your change of status to "married".


This is a picture of me being presented with my letter of appointment as a Civil Registrar of Marriages for the Cayman Islands.

Book Your Date Early!

Most residents choose to be married on a Saturday afternoon, so reserve your date early to avoid disappointment. I do a limited number of Sunday weddings which attracts an additional charge.

Your wedding is a very special occasion and I want to help you make it a day to remember. I have been officiating at weddings in Cayman for 14 years. Please call (345) 5256551 or email (mywedding@candw.ky) me if you have any questions.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Stunningly Lovely Bride Stars at Governor's Beach

This was one wedding I missed, since I have been away. However, when I saw the pictures I really wanted to post them. The wedding celebrant was my mother, Francine, the couple and their group were staying at the Westin, an easy walk down the beach to the Governor's.

The gorgeous bride was captured by Patrick Groleau, my cousin visiting from Maine who just happens to be a very good photographer, filling in for Marcus Montana who is away at the moment.


Girls day out, and the weather was fine despite the worries!

The ring exchange, with Francine Jackson officiating.



The newly-weds hold their Certified Marriage Certificate.

These wide beach shots were so good I just had to show them.

A little stroll on the sparkling pink sands.

There is a saying here that once you have got Cayman's sand between your toes you just have to come back to the islands.
One last shot, to give you a taste of the sunset, the water and the sand...a perfect backdrop for a lovely couple. My mom, who has officiated at almost 3000 weddings, said she enjoyed this one very much, so I know these were a very nice couple...best wishes for a long and happy married life!

Ceremony and arrangements by Francine Jackson of Cayman Weddings, flowers by Trishas Roses, images by Patrick Groleau.

See our website at www.caymanweddings.com.ky and get an application form for your own Cayman Wedding today.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Sun Comes out - for Arkansas' Couple's Wedding

When this couple from Arkansas, staying at Plantation Village , arrived in Grand Cayman it was pouring rain, and it rained all day the day they were supposed to have their sunset wedding.
Consequently, we rescheduled for a 10 am wedding. and the sun stayed out just long enough for
us to get the ceremony done.

As a result of the rainy weather, this end of Seven Mile Beach was completely deserted.

The Bride chose a tropical bouquet of gerberas. lilies and denrobium orchids. The groom told me that these little Starfish, seen here holding the rings before the ceremony, are called "chocolate chip" Starfish.


What I like to call "The Proof Shot"! Here the newly -weds hold their Certified Copy of the Marriage Certificate.
Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Cayman Weddings, flowers by Trisha's Roses, photography by Marcos Montana. Call me for your simple, elegant, personalised wedding on beautiful Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands, packages start at $650 - (345)5256551

Smith's Cove Sparkles for Knoxville Couple

When this couple arrived we were having a downpour. We spent the morning bef0re the wedding going from site to site trying to figure out which location would work best. We even went and had a look at a very wet Hell! At last they settled on Smith's Cove, and we crossed our fingers that the rain would hold up and they would get a good sunset for their evening wedding.

This Tennessee bride was breathtakingly lovely... the camera loved her, and I just couldn't decide what photos to choose so I might have gone a bit overboard.

It's so good to share your day with a special sister!


"With this ring, I thee wed"...I don't really use these words, but you get the picture.

Cheers, and all the best to the newly-weds from the whole group.

The Bride and Groom with her parents and sister.

The Bride and Groom with his parents.

Because of the rainy afternoon this beautiful spot was virtually deserted.


The newly-weds pause of a final shot before heading off to their wedding dinner at the Reef Grill.
Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Cayman Weddings, flowers by Trisha's Roses, photography by Marcos Montana. Call me to arrange your own Cayman Wedding today, (345)5256551 or email mywedding@candw.ky