Your Cayman Islands Wedding Ceremony

Recent wedding at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites, photographed by David Wolfe

In all the glitz , glamour, and excitement of your wedding day, whether it is simple or elaborate don't forget the solemnity of the ceremony itself. At Simply Weddings, once you have booked your wedding I will be in touch with you about the ceremony. Usually I will send you one of our standard ceremonies, and a list of readings so we can begin to personalise the actual ceremony.

If you want to compose your own vows and read, or say them from memory, that's fine with me.

As a Civil Registrar of Marriages, aka Marriage Officer, I am required by law to do a couple of things.

I have to ask you whether there is any reason why you may not be lawfully married to this person. I have to ask each of you in turn whether you take this person to be your wife/husband. The purpose of this is to make sure you are coming to the marriage of your own volition, and not because you're being coerced. I have to pronounce you to be husband and wife in "accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands, and by virtue of the authority vested in me."

I don't have to say to the groom, "You may kiss the bride!", and I don't say it. Instead I turn to the groom, call him by his first name and say, "You may kiss your wife!" I think this phrase is so significant, and I enjoy saying it...it is the first time your fiance is being referred to as your wife.

Sometimes I get asked if I have ever stopped a wedding ceremony. Not yet, but I have come very close to stopping several. For example, if either party is inebriated to the point that I believe they cannot understand the questions I have to ask, then I wouldn't complete the ceremony.

Not so long ago I had a bride who wept uncontrollably. I had to tell her that unless she got her emotions under control I could not proceed with the ceremony. Fortunately this doesn't happen often and the tears I see are tears of joy.

I really appreciate it when couples want to be involved in choosing the words of their wedding ceremony. You can be as creative as you like. Your Cayman Islands wedding ceremony can be as unique as your love, with words that are particularly meaningful to you.

Call me to plan your Cayman Islands wedding today, (345)9499933.

Engage 09- Something Blue, Grand Cayman Wedding Symposium

This week I had the distinct pleasure and privilege of being a delegate at Engage 09- Something Blue, a luxury wedding symposium which was held at the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman 21 -24 June.



The symposium started with a welcome party on the beach at the Ritz, an event designed by Michelle Rago you can see pictures here http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/weddings/2009/06/my-entry-1.html (Unfortunately I only poked my nose in because my youngest son was moving to New Zealand the next day, and I wanted to spend time with him).

As you can see from the programme, some very big names in the wedding industry were in Grand Cayman, Carly Roney from the Knot kicked off the event talking about the company's 2008 Wedding Survey. Lots of interesting facts and figures for wedding industry professionals to mull over.

This is just a portion of the ballroom where the opening ceremony was held. There were 160 delegates, the event was sold out weeks in advance. Delegates came from 9 countries and 26 states, with Texas having the highest number of attendees.

There were some very influential men and women here, see above. I thought they were all down-to-earth, witty and entertaining, and all added value to a very energy-charged upbeat event.
These are the speakers at the Destination Wedding Forum on the second day. To the left is Joanne Brown of Celebrations, the "fairy-godmother of Destination Weddings". Her company Celebrations is based in the Cayman Islands.

Our Department of Tourism organised a Wedding Showcase so that Grand Cayman wedding vendors could showcase their products and services. Here's Peggy, our Wedding Coordinator showing off our table. (We now have Simply Weddings luggage tags to give to all our couples, so don't forget to get yours when you visit our office.)

I was interviewed for a programme on (US) national TV coming out next year, so I'll tell you about it in due course if it comes to anything. Oh yes! You can follow me on Twitter, just enter the name of my blog. I am learning how to use social networking tools, so be patient.

Cayman Boat Wedding for Saskatchewan Bride

It looked a bit rainy, and while I waited for my bride and groom to arrive I had a visit with Captain Marvin at his home in Governors Harbour. At 93 years, Captain Marvin is as sharp as a tack and kept me entertained with tales of himself as a young man. Captain Marvin's Sting Ray City Tours are famous in Cayman, and he himself is a legend in our tourist industry.

When I have out-of-town guests I always use Captain Marvin's boats, and have done so for many years. In fact while I was talking to him, Captain Marvin told me about one of his guests who had been returning to Cayman for 27 years, and who always used Captain Marvin's , and you can too www.captainmarvins.com

So we set off on the "Oh Boy" and headed out into the North Sound. This Saskatchewan bride met her future husband in Cayman exactly 12 months ago, he was working as a boat-captain on one of the dive boats, so you see why they decided on a boat wedding.

Posing with Joy near the very windy prow of the boat.

Lots and lots of champagne followed. The groom is very entertaining, and told me about his early life and how he came to Cayman. All in all, we had a very pleasant afternoon, I certainly enjoyed it very much.

Boat weddings are quite popular with residents especially. Call me at (345)9499933 to arrange your Cayman Wedding on land or sea, or email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Family Style Wedding in Grand Cayman

This groom contacted me to start planning the wedding, as a surprise for his long-time partner. One unusual twist, their blended family which included five children would be coming along too.
This was a big day for all the family. I loved the pink, white and turquoise theme.

I was happy to have my new office open in time for this wedding, since this group was on a cruise, and also since they were going to Stingray City after the wedding

This was a special order bouquet, design and ribbon provided by the bride.

All the kids got sand-dollars and starfish as souvenirs.

Photos by Wes Weber see http://www.wesweberphotography.com Ceremony by Joy for Simply Weddings, flowers by Trisha's Roses. Call me for your own barefoot beach wedding on spectacular Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman (345)949-9933 or see our website at www.cayman-islands-weddings.ky

Another Reading for your Cayman Wedding Ceremony

I used the reading from Captain Corelli's Mandolin for the first time for the couple below. It was given to me by my good friend Dr Judith Gates, who I asked to be a witness for this couple. Judith actually got this reading from another friend, Wendy Medd's daughter's wedding. I thought it was so perfect for this couple, and they agreed. When I get around to planning my own 40th Anniversary Wedding Vow Renewal (I have 3 years lead time!) this is what I'm going to use.

From "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" by Louis Bernieres

"Love is a temporary madness
It erupts like volcanoes
and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision
You have to work out whether your roots have so
entertwined together
That it is inconcievable that you should ever part
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness
It is not excitement
It is not the promulgation of eternal passion
That is just being "in love"which any fool can do.
Love is what is left over when being in love has burned away
And this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other
Underground
And when the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches
They find that they are one tree, and not two".

The words of your Wedding and Vow Renewal ceremony should mean something special to you. I provide you with scripts and readings, prayers if requested, Memory vase, and whatever you need to make your wedding in the Cayman Islands an unforgettable event. Start planning early, and I will ensure that all the details for your spectacular special day are in place. Contact Joy at www.cayman-islands-weddings.ky or call her at (345)949-9933.

You Can Recommend Me to Your Friends on "Linked In"

Since 2009 began I have officiated at and/or planned almost 70 weddings in the Cayman Islands. Many of these are Destination Cruise Weddings, but I also celebrate weddings all over our three islands, for visitors as well as residents.

In two years, I have built up my own company Simply Weddings, worked with my mother and father Francine and Vernon Jackson of "Cayman Weddings" and now I have opened my own office and bridal room in George Town, Grand Cayman.

Every single week my clients tell me they are pleased with the simple, elegant and personalised service of Simply Weddings. They like the fact that they can ask as many questions as they want, and they like the personal service of a small, family business.

Since I started my blog Joy of Weddings, this has added a lot to my exposure as a Destination
Wedding Celebrant and Planner. Now, in addition to the thank-you notes my clients send me, and other things as well...you can recommend me to your friends through the social net-working programme "LinkedIn" where they will find me under http://www.linkedin.com .

This is an easy way to see the new photos and entries on my blog, and find out what's new in the world of Cayman Islands weddings. So come back often, and tell your friends, ye hear!

Nashville Tennessee Couple Have a Grand Cayman Day

Summer is truly here, and the days can be real scorchers. I am happy that thanks to our new office we can get our cruise weddings done very early. Not only does this get everybody out of the sun, but it gives our couples the opportunity to see more of the island.

An early cruise wedding depends on two things, the couple getting most of the paperwork to us beforehand, and us picking them up nier the cruise terminal as early as possible, ie 8:30am our time (9:30am ships time or EST)

Peggy and I were looking forward to meeting this couple since they were going to be the first to use our facilities at our new George Town office.


Readers know where this, and couples are really impressed, as I was the first time I saw it.





The bride is carrying a special order bouquet of hot-pink calla lilies from Trisha's Roses

Official photography by Aaron of Picture This, and I will post some official photos as soon as I get them. These quick snaps courtesy of my Olympus FE370.

Now you can call our George Town office direct 345-9499933 and our 800 number soon come (as we say down here) But the best way to get us is still mywedding@candw.ky

or through our website at www.cayman-islands-weddings.ky

All our packages include wedding planning services, and all legal requirements. Our Cayman Wedding Vow Renewal and Cayman Wedding Blessing Packages include transportation from the harbour and back( for up to 6 people) and a bottle of chilled Simply Weddings Bubbly for toasting. Call Simply Weddings today to make your Cayman Cruise Wedding event truly memorable.

Simple Cayman Beach Wedding

This groom listed his occupation as a "Living Historian". Which I found fascinating.
This was the simplest of weddings. Just the couple, their two dive buddies and witnesses and me, at My Secret Cove.

I get a lot of enquiries about a simple, Cayman beach wedding. This is as simple as you can get. The cost is US $650 and this covers all you need for a legal wedding in the Cayman Islands.
Call me at (345)9499933 or see my website at www.cayman-islands-weddings.ky

Simply Weddings George Town Wedding Office Opens for Business

Our new Simply Weddings office on North Church Street opened on 1st June. This will provide added convenience for our cruise wedding clients, stayover visitors, as well as local clients who work in our capital city, George Town.

Notarial Services, Justice of the Peace services are also available by appointment

Front view of the Simply Weddings office taken from North Church Street

The walkway to the Simply Weddings office taken from North Church Street

The front yard of Simply Weddings

We have lots of parking, and when you exit your car follow the stepping stones to the right of the ERA Kirkconnell Realty Building.

This is our wedding coordinator, Peggy.

These are our government issued licenses to operate and to conduct marriages in the Cayman Islands

This is the first of our cruise couples to get ready for their ceremony at our office.

Obviously a work in progress, this is one view of our Bridal Room.

The first bride to dress in our Bridal Room

Our office hours are Mon- Fri 9am - 3pm (after this we are officiating at weddings), or by appointments. Phone (345) 9499933 and fax (345)9499934. Email mywedding@candw.ky
visit our website atw ww.cayman-islands-weddings.ky

Simple Grand Cayman Wedding Ceremony for Brooklyn Attorneys

This young couple from Brooklyn, NY were staying at the Turtle Nest Inn in Bodden Town and drove down to My Secret Cove for their sunset wedding last week. I always consider this the perfect spot for weddings which include children, like the couple's young daughter.


Saying their vows. They chose the "Happiness in Marriage" reading for their ceremony. Once you have returned the completed application form,and paid the deposit of $200 to cover the cost of your Special Marriage License I will send you a script of the ceremony, and a list of readings for you to consider. Over the next couple of weeks I will work with you to personalise the ceremony and then give you your own script to keep as a souvenir.


A quiet moment when the ceremony is over, to reflect on their new status as newly-weds

The end of another perfect day in the Cayman Islands

Ceremony by Joy for Simply Weddings, photos and flowers provided by the couple. Call me for your own simple beach wedding in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac or Little Cayman. Our new office number is (345)949-9933 or you can call me on my mobile (345) 5256551. Email mywedding@candw.ky and see wedding packages at www.cayman-islands-weddings.ky