The Joy of Weddings

Catching up with weddings and other things

2011-03-20T20:24:00.006-05:00

Vernon & Francine Jackson of "Cayman Weddings" - 6o Years of Marriage

Peggy's wedding had an art-deco theme with masses of fresh peonies

Peggy & Brett's December wedding

I can't believe how time slips away! I have really neglected this blog, which is unforgiveable but... so many things have been going on in our family that I have tried to keep up my website and my other blog. But you know what, I miss Blogger, and I prefer it to Word-Press, so I think I might be blogging more over here in future.

Peggy, my wedding co-ordinator for 2 years, is now my daughter-in-law. She and our second son Brett were married at Pedro St James Castle in early December. It was a fairy-tale wedding with an art-deco theme designed by the great folks at Lions Productions.

Then in February I went off to the US for 6 weeks to await the arrival of our newest grand-daughter who arrived on 8 February. This makes 4 grand-children for us, and three of them live in Cayman so we have to divide our time to make sure we see all of the sweet little ones.

Last night was yet another big event in our family as Francine and Vernon Jackson, my parents, the owners and operators of Cayman Weddings (for the past 26 years!) celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. We had a fabulous event at the Retreat at Lookout (also a great setting for a wedding!) with all the family, and their closest friends. There were at least 4 of their original wedding party present!

So, all those who like to see what the Joy of Weddings is doing, you're caught up. Of course I wore a hat to Peggy's wedding, a fascinator from Henri Bendel New York. For the next two weeks I am indulging myself by featuring a picture of me with my boa and facinator on my profile picture, so catch the look now. For "Royal Family" watchers Kate, the future Queen of England likes fascinators as well, so I think we will see a resurgence of these lovely hats especially this spring.

Unusual features for these Cruisers Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-12-25T19:32:00.009-05:00

This couple had a lot of special features in their Cayman cruise wedding, some of which I had never seen before. The bride planned every detail of her personalised wedding script, and the wedding included special order flowers, special order cake, a conch-shell aisle and flowers on the sand representing the couple's married name.

The Bride's father had a few words to say before handing over his daughter to the groom.
This was the set-up on the beach at Governor's

The Bride and Groom wore these little containers containing salt, around their necks

These are some of the words in the 'Covenant of Salt':

Joy: "Because Groom and Bride desire to seal this commitment between each other and God, they are giving each other permission to hold each other accountable to the promises made here today. Because they want to preserve these promises they will now partake of the Covenant of Salt.

Groom and Bride, today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of salt symbolise your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are, and all you'll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before you today. As they two containers of salt are poured into the third container, the individual containers of salt will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of salt can never be separated and poured again into individual containers, so will your marriage be."

The salt was poured into this hand-made wooden container which was crafted by the bride's father.

The bride and groom take the forefingers of their right hand, dip it into water in the earthenware bowl provided, and then put their finger in the salt which they have both poured into the wooden container. They then put the salt in their spouse's mouth (usually on their tongue). Just before the salt is put in the mouth, the one receiving the salt says,

"I agree to do all that I promise for my (husband/wife), so help me God."

This beautiful two-tier cake was made by Faith at CayKes.

A wedding kiss on the pink sands of Seven Mile Beach

These photos were shot by Yvette McField for Island Photo.

Find out more about our company Simply Weddings -Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners by visiting our website, and "like" us on Facebook at SimplyWeddingsCayman

to see daily weddings, great locations and other facts and ideas about your Destination Wedding in the Cayman Islands.

Governor's is in Top 10 of Wedding Beaches in the World

2010-11-20T20:10:00.007-05:00

There is a growing trend towards Destination Weddings, especially in these tight economic times. If you're thinking of combining a cruise vacation and a wedding, look no further than the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands is a popular port for most cruise-ships sailing in the Western Caribbean.

Most of the clients we see at Simply weddings want to be married on world-famous Seven Mile Beach, which is consistently voted in the Top 10 beaches for a romantic wedding by travel magazines.

The "We did it!" shot

These outstanding pictures are all by Heather Holt Photography for Simply Weddings

On a week-day morning, Seven Mile Beach is virtually deserted in this area

Governor's Beach is about 5 miles away from the cruise-ship landing. You can see the ships in the background of this picture. It is very simple to arrange a tour bus to take you here, and bring you back to the capital, George Town, after the ceremony.

This beach will take your breath away, and your Cayman beach wedding is so simple to plan.

Our Cayman Wedding packages start at $700 for a "no-frills" wedding. You can add pictures like these, wedding cake, champagne for toasting , a wedding bouquet, and transportation for under $2000 for you and your group. Call Simply Weddings, your cruise wedding specialists today at (345)9499933 and speak to Joy or Isobel.

Be sure to visit our new Simply Weddings website for lots more information. Come join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SimplyWeddingsCayman and see our featured daily wedding as well as vow renewals.

Grand Cayman Beach Wedding for Swedish Bride

2010-11-17T21:35:00.009-05:00

This Swedish bride wanted a special, romantic Grand Cayman wedding on world-famous Seven Mile Beach. We took the couple to Mary Molly Hydes Beach, and although the water was quite rough that day, Heather Holt, their photographer, got some fantastic pictures.

While we were setting up, the bride frolicked in the water

I called this image the "Hollywood" shot

This couple were a delight to work with.

I wanted to share these pictures of Mary Molly Hydes beach with my readers. This is a quiet spot in the district of West Bay that we often use with groups. It was very impressive on this particular day. The next week the wave action had temporarily removed a lot of the sand, but in a few weeks time it'll be back, pristine as ever.

We always have a back-up wedding location, because we want to make sure our couples are 100% satisfied.

The colours in these pictures really popped. We were happy that this couple were able to take their images with them, to share with family and friends.

Please visit my new website to find out more about getting married in Grand Cayman

New Grand Cayman Wedding Location Rocks!

2010-10-11T07:33:00.006-05:00

Yesterday 10/10/10 was considered by many to be the perfect day in history for a wedding, and a local couple found the perfect place. Camana Bay, is fast becoming the social centre of Grand Cayman. You only need to go over there on a Saturday morning to see all the activities going on.

However, yesterday afternoon's wedding on the island in the lagoon was private, and beautiful.

There is a promenade deck leading to the island, perfect for a wedding aisle

This sandy area on the north side of the island was perfect for this simple, casual wedding.

One end of the island s sandy, and the other end has decking and built in benches, and...a hammock! You don't have to go far to get many opportunities for great wedding pictures.

This young couple both work for the Cayman Islands Red Cross

Camana Bay has recently opened a Discovery Centre, which you can visit and learn about the project. Of course there are many other attractions, including a 3D cinema, some of my favourite restaurants, a bookstore and the number of retail shops and services are growing exponentially.

Find other FAQs, wedding packages, real weddings and wedding locations, application forms at the Simply Weddings website and visit Simply Weddings on Facebook to see our daily weddings .

Interested in a romantic beach wedding, or a stunning sunset wedding? See the best Cayman wedding locations at Cayman Beach Weddings also on Facebook.

Getting to your Cayman Cruise Wedding

2010-09-30T14:19:00.001-05:00

Getting on a tender to go ashore
Originally uploaded by gailf548

Grand Cayman does not have a cruise terminal, although its in the works. You have to take a small boat called a 'tender' to get to the cruise landing.

Once you get ashore, I will meet you and take you to my spacious air-conditioned office where you can relax and get ready for your wedding in our Bridal Room while I go and apply for your Special Marriage License.

You will be married and enjoying George Town in less than two hours. Visit my new website at www.cayman-islands-weddings.com for FAQs, lots of pictures, application forms and contact details,

Cheers!

Joy

Meet your Cayman Wedding Officiant here

2010-09-29T19:32:00.001-05:00

Downtown Fountain
Originally uploaded by CaymanIsBest

I wanted to show you the fountain near where I meet my wedding couples. These are the instructions to meet me. When you arrive in Grand Cayman the tender will bring you to the Rayal Watler Cruise landing.

When you exit this area, turn right. You will walk past a large white church, then Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Keep walking about 100 yards and you will see a red-roofed building. This is Bayshore Mall, and this is where the fountain is located, on Harbour Drive.

The Simply Weddings SUV and your Cayman Islands Marriage Officer will be waiting for you, just walk through the mall til you see the Hagen Daaz cafe.

Find out lots of FAQs, check our wedding packages, and download our application form and contact details on my new website http://www.cayman-islands-weddings.com

Thunder Bay Couple tie the Knot in Grand Cayman

2010-09-26T20:59:00.006-05:00

This couple have recently arrived with their son, to live and work in Grand Cayman. They were referred to me by another couple I had married recently. Because they are residents, they had to be married by Banns, and not a Special Marriage License.

Getting married by Banns, means that the couple must come in and see me for an interview and to provide the documentation necessary for their Cayman Islands wedding. The Banns must be published, in this case outside my Registry Office for 7 clear days.

This is the basic difference between a visitor wedding, and a resident's wedding. Whether you live here, or are visiting you still have to get a Registered Marriage Certificate, and in the case of clients who are married by Special Marriage License, my company gets this and mails it to you as part of your Cayman wedding package.

This afternoon at My Secret Cove

Saying their vows

Signing the Marriage Register

The wedding was witnessed by a Guyanese couple I had married last December. Since this couple knew limited people, I was happy that we managed to get another of my couples to be the witnesses required by law.

Joy congratulates the newly-weds

Please visit my website at www.cayman-islands-weddings.com to see lots of weddings and to book your wedding with Simply Weddings today.

Half-Way Around the World for this Cayman Island Wedding

2010-09-11T20:06:00.009-05:00

It was a beautiful,quiet afternoon on Seven Mile Beach. After some heavy showers, the beach was virtually deserted, and just before sunset, the light was remarkable for this Saturday afternoon wedding.

The couple were visiting from Muscat, Oman. They told me they had been together for 18 years. I did a traditional wedding ceremony with the 1 Corinthians reading "Love is patient..." in the new English version.

The beauty of Seven Mile Beach at sunset never fails to touch my heart.

The bride's friend did the decorating, with lots of orange rosebuds set in conch shells, draping tiki torches, and the bridal bouquet.

The decorations were simple, yet elegant

The beach at the Island Club, the happy couple and friends

The "proof" shot. In the background the Island Club condominiums, a great place to stay right on Seven Mile Beach, and a great place to be married.

"We did it!"

This condo complex , the Island Club is "wedding friendly" and so I want to give them a plug. Believe it or not, not all the condominium complexes on Seven Mile Beach allow weddings, or vow renewals on their beach, and some of them are nasty about it.

If you are staying a condo, be sure to ask whether they allow wedding ceremonies on their beach before you book. You can also check with Simply Weddings to see what our experience with that particular condo has been. Another option of course, is to rent a villa if a private beach wedding is a pre-requisite for your Cayman Islands destination wedding.

Please note that Simply Weddings is experiencing difficulties as we transition to our new website, so bookmark our new site here and be sure and visit for lots of informations, FAQs and to download the application form needed to book your Cayman wedding or vow renewal.

Why this Wisconsin Couple Chose Grand Cayman for their Wedding

2010-08-31T21:15:00.008-05:00

I have quite a few clients from Wisconsin, and Minnesota and I'm glad to know that my blog is reaching the mid-west. I try to blog as many weddings as I can, but often it boils down to whether or not I have the pictures I need to tell your wedding story.

I love when brides have the opportunity to have their dad walk them down the (beach) aisle

When there is a large group of family and friends, I like to have them form two lines and clap the bride and her escort down the aisle to the groom and his bestman. This group were all good sports, and that's why they all had a good time and made the wedding fun.

Governor's Beach today for a large group wedding

The bride and groom had requested a Unity Sand Ceremony which would involve the bride's young son.

This turned out to be one of the most beautiful Memory Vases I had seen.

The bride told me that they picked Grand Cayman because they wanted a simple, casual wedding which their family could enjoy. When I left them they were all getting ready to go for a swim and enjoy Seven Mile Beach before rejoining their cruise ship and heading for the next port.

Hamming it up in Grand Cayman, the gang's all here!

Thank you Daniel, for your wonderful pictures today

These pictures were taken on my Olympus camera by Daniel, who did an excellent job in capturing the whole event. So today's blog-post was brought to you by Joy & Daniel.

I hope that you will visit my new website Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman. Here you will find lots of answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, tips for your Destination Wedding in Grand Cayman, and most importantly, Contact Us forms and other neat things.

Of course you can get right to us by emailing mywedding@candw.ky as well.

How to make sure your Cayman Islands wedding is legal.

2010-08-27T20:33:00.004-05:00

The question I am asked most often by visitors who want to be married in the Cayman Islands is "Will my marriage be legal when I get back home?"

Joy, a Civil Registrar, with a newly married couple, and their two witnesses to the marriage

Every so often I try and address this question, and this is what you have to do, in easy steps.

1. You have to get a Cayman Islands licensed Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer to perform your wedding ceremony, and then register your wedding with our public records office (also known as the General Registry).

2. You will need a Special Marriage License issued by the Governor's Office, which gives you permission to be married in the Cayman Islands once certain requirements have been met.

3. This Special Marriage License is issued to the Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer who must sign off that your documentation is correct.

4. The Cayman Islands Marriage Law requires your Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer to give you a "Certified Copy of the Marriage Register" at the time of your wedding ceremony. THIS IS NOT YOUR LEGAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.

5. As soon as possible after your wedding ceremony, your Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer will file your marriage with the government authorities.

6. Immediately after the filing you will be able to get a Registered Marriage Certificate, which shows that you have been legally married in the Cayman Islands, and that your marriage has been registered with the public records office.

7. Your Cayman Islands Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer or your wedding planner should arrange for this document to be posted or delivered to you within days of your wedding.

8. Your know you have the correct document if it looks like this:

the reverse has the words "Secure Copy"
the front of the Registered Marriage Certificate has all your details, the names of your witnesses, and the name of your Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer.
on the left hand side you will see a number and some initials eg VJB 501 This tells you that that particular wedding was number 501 for that Marriage Officer/Civil Registrar.
the coloured Coat of Arms of the Cayman Islands is a watermark in the middle of the document.
On the bottom right you will see the raised seal of the Registrar General.

If you have lost your Registered Marriage Certificate or if you neglected to get one from your Marriage Officer, you can email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners is the company of choice for visitors and residents wishing to get married in Cayman. Our wedding packages all include the legal requirements for your Cayman wedding, including the Registered Marriage Certificate.

Cayman Islands residents must be married by Banns of Marriage, following the an interview and the completion of a document called a "Notice of Marriage". Call the Simply Weddings office at (345)949-9933 to make an appointment. Residents are responsible for obtaining their own Registered Marriage Certificate from the General Registry, Citrus Grove, Goring Avenue, GT unless special arrangements have been made with the Simply Weddings office.

The Fierce Dinosaur & The Other Lovely Dinosaur on Seven Mile Beach

2010-08-20T20:05:00.010-05:00

At first this appeared to be just another vow renewal on Seven Mile Beach. In fact, it was quite a special afternoon. The couple who were accompanied by their 7 year old daughter, were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. They are from Pensford, Bristol in the United Kingdom and were vacationing in Grand Cayman.

Mother and daughter had matching dresses & bouquets

The wife is a wedding photographer in the UK and Rebecca Davidson, Cayman's premier wedding photography shot the event. (These unofficial shots, I hastened to say, were shot by me on my Olympus 370).

What made the event so special was that the wife read a story about "The Fierce Dinosaur and The Other Lovely Dinosaur" which touched everyone and reduced us all to tears, since it was light-hearted but full of significance for them. The husband, not to be out-done composed and read an original poem called "Seven Mile Beach" for his wife.

Signing of the Vow Renewal Certificate

The Certificate has the details of the couple, date, place and is signed by witnesses and countersigned by me as the celebrant.

Toasting the occasion with champagne and sparkling cider

Mary Molly Hydes beach is part of Seven Mile Beach

This couple put a lot of thought into making this a special afternoon for each other and their daughter. Special touches made it an afternoon that everyone who took part will remember.

Please visit my new website Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman for details on weddings, and vow renewals in the Cayman Islands. There you will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Destination Weddings, cruise weddings, visitor weddings and resident weddings. You can download our booking form, view pictures and testimonials and choose from many beautiful beach and other locations for your wedding ceremony in the Cayman Islands.

Booking your wedding in Cayman just got easier.

2010-08-12T08:16:00.004-05:00

I feel great. Sam and I are about to jump on a plane and go celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary, and last night the new Simply Weddings website went live! Thanks to Christine at Think Like a Bride, and to Debbi Ballard for getting us together.

Everything about booking your destination wedding in the Cayman Islands just got easier! You can download the application form, ask questions, see locations, and see the day's wedding (or two) on our Facebook page or Twitter feed. You can find us on the map, and see the weather in Grand Cayman.

I like many things about being a wedding celebrant and planner, but one of the best things is being a part of the wedding industry, and meeting so many people who are happy to network and share their expertise.

Thanks to all my couples, past, present and future. We are committed to making your Grand Cayman wedding an event that you will always remember. We promise never to rush you, and to give our wedding couples all the attention that your special day deserves. We will continue to serve you with professional and integrity, and the sterling customer service you are used to.

Thanks to Peggy Moorhead, my wedding co-ordinator and soon to be daughter-in-law for all the things she does to ensure that our business functions smoothly and efficiently. Thanks to Samantha Paul, my daughter for her help and encouragement and for naming the business and the blog and for being a great sounding board. My mother told me once there's a special place in heaven for the mother of three sons, but my sons Dax, Brett and Jesse are fantastic, special young men. I learn from them constantly, although they are now calling me "techo-mummy."

Thanks to all our wedding services vendors, it is a pleasure for me to work with such a great group of people. My associate Marriage Officers, thanks for filling in for me when I need you.

So, bookmark our new site right now and head on over there for lots of pictures and information,

www.cayman-islands-weddings.com

The Daniels Family Hosts a Grand Cayman Wedding

2010-08-10T20:56:00.011-05:00

This was the scene for today's wedding, the very popular Rum Point Club in North Side. The Rum Point Club is a Caymanian institution, especially for a Sunday afternoon at the beach. The catamaran pictured runs across the North Sound to Safehaven. If you're staying in George Town this is a great way to enjoy dining at Rum Point without having to drive for an hour.

Photo by Chris 'George' James

The Rum Point Club is so popular with the Daniels family, that son Chris chose it for the spot for his wedding today. Paula, his bride said she wanted water on both sides as they said the vows they had composed for each other.

The bride and groom get ready for their wedding on the Rum Point pier

John & Wendy Daniels with the newly-weds

Surrounded by family and friends

Joy congratulates the couple, and announces them to the gathering as Mr & Mrs

This is Evan Daniels, self-portrait.

Evan was my photographer for the event. He was also the ring-bearer and one of the readers (together with Chad, and Wendy) for the wedding ceremony.

Evan & Chad read "Happiness in Marriage" and Wendy read "Blessing for a Marriage."

Our 100th Wedding in 2010, at MSC of course!

2010-08-05T15:51:00.009-05:00

Today was a scorcher, it was 90F by 8:30 a.m. when I picked up this couple from Chicago, and their witnesses who came in on one of the Carnival ships. They chose My Secret Cove for their wedding spot, and I was happy for this, because little did they know, but they were our 100th wedding couple for 2010 and we added complimentary champagne served chilled on the beach, to make their wedding even more special.

With their Certificate of Marriage, after the ceremony

Of course, we had to have the "We did it!' shot

This table set-up comes with all our wedding packages (flowers supplied by Bride)

Champagne kisses!

The did the "Champagne Ceremony" my couples are familiar with. Link your arms, take a sip, close your eyes and make a wish, and then kiss.

Searching for the champagne cork, good thing the best-man could swim

Traditionally it is the Best-man's responsibility to secure the cork, once the Groom has opened the champagne. This can provide a lot of hilarity, as this did, because the Groom shot the cork into the water and the Best-man swam out to get it! Not to be out-done the Bride and Groom jumped in too, and I'm sure they got some great shots of this part of the event.

The newly-weds cool off in the water at My Secret Cove

After the ceremony the four of them headed down to the Tiki Beach Club on Seven Mile Beach for snorkling and celebrations before heading back to their ship.

You have lots of time to enjoy the town, or take in an activity like snorkeling in the crystal clear water of Grand Cayman. Ask us about ways to enjoy your George Town, Grand Cayman visit and see our page "Simply Weddings Recommends."

The Wedding must go on, rain or shine

2010-08-05T13:49:00.013-05:00

A teacher, from Pittsburg, this bride was very involved in planning all the details of her Grand Cayman wedding. She was very happy about the way everything turned out, and I was too.

This Bride was fabulous on her wedding day in Grand Cayman

The ceremony at Mary Molly Hydes Beach

The Bride and Groom say their vows

Each Memory Vase is as unique as the couple who create it.

These were fortunate to have both their mothers present, and the mothers laid down the foundation for their Memory Vase, and added their blessing.

Still smiling after the rain shower that paused, but did not stop their wedding

Posed shots after the ceremony

And time to play in the pink sand of Seven Mile Beach

Thank you to all the wedding vendors who made this possible: Peggy, our wedding coordinator, Cayman Weddings for decorated chairs, Trisha's Roses for arch and florals, VIP productions for video, Bobby Joseph of Island Photo for photography, Faith Gealey-Brown for wedding cake, Michael Lemay for steel-pan music.

Early Morning Wedding on Seven Mile Beach

2010-08-05T13:33:00.010-05:00

This couple from Pennsylvania were in town staying at the beautiful London House on Seven Mile Beach, and they decided to have their wedding early in the morning, because they loved the colour of the water early in the day.

All ready for their Cayman wedding day

At his time of the morning the beach was deserted

With Joy and their Certificate of Marriage

Just another special day on this fabulous, pristine beach

I liked this photo in the hammock

If you're staying at one of the luxurious condominiums on Seven Mile Beach, ask your condo manager whether marriages and vow renewals are permitted on their beach. This can be a great private, alternative for your special event. We like to work with condo properties like London House, who are "wedding friendly"

Rain or Shine, this Pittsburg Bride tied the knot

2010-08-03T19:25:00.008-05:00

Hey, all you Pittsburg fans, Christina and Mark got married today. This is not the official blog entry with the official pictures. No one else has these pictures, except perhaps Kelly. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that everything went beautifully. Christina wasn't even nervous. She did not freak out when we had a short shower right in the middle of the Unity Sand ceremony.

I looked at her to see whether she wanted me to take a break, and she said "Keep on going". Does that sound like Christina?

Seen here at the Simply Weddings office signing their Special Marriage License application

The happy Bride pins on her Groom's boutonnière

This is a very special wedding garter, medallion from Karen's wedding (mother-in-law)

Well in just a few minutes, the sun came out and dried up all the rain and the wet people. Then we had cake and champagne on the beach. They went back to the cruise-ship and continued on their way toCozumel, Honduras and Belize.

"Thank You" to all who came along on the cruise, and who contributed to this very special day

When I found out the Bride was Roman Catholic, (so am I) I said a special wedding blessing for them. Then I took them for an unscheduled brief visit to Hell. (This was to give Peggy a chance to red0 their ceremony script etc. which had gotten soaked at the beach!)

Here they are, Hell, Grand Cayman, sharing a coconut with the Devil

Watch for the official pictures of their wedding ceremony on Seven Mile Beach, in a few days.

Thanks to all those vendors (and family!) who made this such a special day for this couple.

Cayman Vow Renewal for Texan Family

2010-07-26T21:17:00.012-05:00

This couple from Flower Mound, Texas were in town recently, to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Staying at the Ritz Carlton with their two teenage children, they chose a sunset vow renewal ceremony at Governor's Beach, Grand Cayman.

It was their actual wedding anniversary

Both teenagers took part in the vow renewal ceremony

Seen here with their Wedding Renewal Certificate, children and Rev. Harold Paramlall

Having spent their 10th wedding anniversary at the Chandon vineyards, CA they enjoyed the Chandon Rose provided for their toasts

Most couples like to pose "under the coconut tree, darlin' "

This is a lovely part of Seven Mile Beach, and is virtually deserted on a weekday evening

Watching the sun go down, at the end of a perfect Cayman anniversary

Top off your own Cayman vacation with a romantic vow renewal ceremony on one of Cayman's stunning beaches. Add our photography package to capture the memories of this unforgettable vacation. Call Joy or Peggy at (345) 949-9933 and let Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman handle all the details for this special occasion.

Pensacola Wedding Pair Choose Cayman's Turquoise Water

2010-07-16T20:49:00.009-05:00

This young couple from Florida's Gold Coast were in town on a cruise and chose to be married at Governor's Beach, Grand Cayman earlier this week. The bride told me she wanted a spot with turquoise water, and she certainly got her wish at this pretty spot.

With Joy and their Certificate after the ceremony

Their All-inclusive wedding package included sparkling cider for the bride's daughter

Cayman's pristine beaches are blessed with an outstanding colour palette

Family group on this wide, clean beach with a back-drop of cruise ships

Just look at the size of these trees which circle this beach

Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners, are Cayman's leading cruise wedding specialists. Call today to schedule your own beach wedding in this stunning location. Call Joy or Peggy at 13459499933

Photos by Mari of Island Photos and flowers by Trisha's Roses.

Grand Cayman's Newest Visitor Attraction

2010-07-15T07:22:00.010-05:00

Yesterday was quite a busy day, so I got off to an early start with this Georgia couple who came in on a cruise-ship, Grandeur of the Seas. It was early enough that Smith's Cove was virtually deserted, so they had their choice of spots for their Cayman wedding.

Posing with Joy and their Marriage Certificate

While I was setting up, I saw another couple getting out of a taxi at the entrance to the park. I said "Good Morning..." and shared a few pleasantries, enough to find out they were also off the Grandeur of the Seas, and also from Georgia.

So, I said, "Oh, you're in luck, because you'll get to see a wedding, and the couple getting married are also from Georgia." Whereupon, one of the couple said to me, " We know who you are, we saw all about you and your weddings on the internet, and when we decided to come to Smith's Cove we hoped we would see you doing a wedding."

Wow! The power of the internet. I never thought I would become a Cayman tourist attraction!!

A gorgeous day for a gorgeous couple!

Here's the 'We did it!' shot, Smith's Cove, Grand Cayman

If you want to see lots of pictures of Grand Cayman weddings, you can check this out on Flick'r.

Of course you can also check out my Facebook pages, Simply Weddings-Grand Cayman and Grand Cayman Beach Weddings.

And big news, my new website is on it's way which will make it very easy to get in touch with Joy and Peggy (13459499933) and see what's happening at Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners.

Why a Grand Cayman Wedding Vow Renewal is a Good Idea

2010-07-06T14:05:00.011-05:00

The weekend squalls had blown through, and today dawned crisp and bright for this Georgia couple's wedding vow renewal at My Secret Cove. They had been to Grand Cayman on a cruise before, and picked it to be the location for their special ceremony.

Our wedding vow renewal ceremony includes the Renewal Certificate, ceremony and chilled champagne served on the beach.

Married 23 years, with three sons, today was about them

I am always happy for the shade MSC provides on these summer days

Across the street is one of Grand Cayman's more famous residences

My clients really like the scenic beauty of Smith Cove's rocks

Sometimes I have sunset weddings up on this promontory

I encourage you to "Share" this and other blog entries with your family and friends by clicking the Share button at the bottom of this post. Also visit our Facebook pages, "Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman" and "Grand Cayman Beach Weddings" for more pictures and daily updates. Please click the "Like" button for a little taste of weddings and vow renewals in beautiful Grand Cayman every day.

To plan your own Destination Wedding in Grand Cayman, as a cruise visitor or stay-over guest, call Joy or Peggy at 13459499933 or email us at mywedding@candw.ky

The Best of a Grand Cayman Cruise Wedding

2010-07-03T17:03:00.015-05:00

It has been a very rainy week in Grand Cayman, but fortunately for this group from Louisiana the rain held off, and we were able to have near perfect weather conditions for their wedding.

One of the props, a starfish held the rings

This is such a perfect spot for a cruise wedding

Smith's Cove was deserted, so the photographer, Mari took full advantage of the variety of shots that she could achieve after the wedding ceremony was over.

The Groom was a good sport

What's a romantic Caribbean wedding without a palm tree?

Here are the ladies

Here are the guys

Here is the whole group

Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners is an independent, Caymanian owned and operated company. We are not affiliated with any cruise company, and we do not work on commission. We offer a simple, elegant, personalised wedding ceremony on the beaches, and historic locations in Grand Cayman. We specialise in cruise weddings, and offer several wedding and vow-renewal packages. We are the first choice for residents and visitors wishing to be married in Grand Cayman. We are a member of the Association for Wedding Professionals International and work to their Code of Ethics. Call Joy or Peggy today (13459499933) or Skype us at Simply Weddings.

Why Grand Cayman is Perfect for Your Summer Cruise Wedding

2010-07-01T13:14:00.009-05:00

School's out, and I see it reflected in how many weddings with kids included I've been doing recently. This family from Tulsa, Oklahoma were visiting Grand Cayman on a cruise-ship today with their four children and I took them to My Secret Cove for a simple, intimate and romantic ceremony.

The children listen attentively to the words of the ceremony

My Secret Cove is less than 2 miles from the cruise-ship landing, in George Town

I did the ceremony shortly after 9:30 am which gave the family lots of time to explore our capital city, and maybe even take a quick run down to "Hell" to get their post-cards stamped, "Hell. Grand Cayman". Since you are not usually due back on the ship until 3pm, you have lots of time for a shore-based activity, either on your own or as part of a pre-booked tour.

"You may give your wife a big hug and a kiss"

While none of the kids were old enough to be an official "witness", if you let us know, we can provide the two witnesses over 18 years of age which is required by law.

This is the "proof" shot to share with all their friends

Don't you just love how they were all colour coordinated?

The kids enjoyed looking for crabs and other sea-creatures in among the rocks

Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners are kid- friendly. We look for ways to involve children in the ceremony if this is something the child and parents are comfortable with.

Here are the Top Five Reasons to Chose Us for your Cayman Summer Wedding

We provide transportation for most wedding and vow renewal packages
Air-conditioned dressing rooms to get out of the heat and dress for the ceremony (less than a mile from the cruise landing, overlooking the water)
We provide witnesses as required
We provide the best value for money of all our competitors
We are the most experienced, and leading providers of cruise wedding services in Grand Cayman.

Visit our Facebook pages "Grand Cayman Beach Weddings" and "Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman" to see what our satisfied customers have to say. Call Joy or Peggy today (345) to book your own Grand Cayman cruise wedding or email us at mywedding@candw.ky

Grand Cayman Wedding Blessing for Indiana Couple & family

2010-06-30T15:54:00.010-05:00

Thanks to this couple from Greenfield, Indiana for sending me some pictures of their Wedding Blessing held in Grand Cayman last week. I am always happy to feature your wedding on this blog, and if I don't have the pictures, and you send me some, then I really appreciate it.

I like this shot with the cruise-ships lined up in George Town harbour

This couple have been married for 9 months and took the opportunity of their recent cruise, accompanied by family members, to have a Wedding Blessing Ceremony here in Grand Cayman.

I will do a Wedding Blessing Ceremony for couples who have been married two years or less, if married longer then I usually do a Wedding Vow Renewal ceremony.

A Wedding Blessing Ceremony has virtually the same structure as a wedding ceremony, including readings, and a blessing if you would like one. Some couples chose non-traditional blessings suck as the Cherokee Wedding Blessing, or the Apache Wedding Blessing while some couples just ask for a prayer.

The bride's daughter is wearing a pendant and chain which her new step-father presented to her during a special part of the ceremony.

One of the things I enjoy about my practice as a Civil Registrar of Marriages is the opportunity to be creative, and to allow couples to personalize their wedding, wedding blessing or vow renewal in ways that reflect what is important to them. In this ceremony, the Groom also made certain promises to the Bride's daughter, including her in their special day and setting the tone for the creation of this new family. This little girl is likely to carry a very happy memory of this day into her own life, and her future relationships.

Posing with the whole group

It is becoming very popular to make your cruise wedding, wedding blessing or vow renewal a family affair by including family members who can share in the fun, and also sign as witnesses.

Both a Wedding Blessing and a Vow Renewal include a decorative certificate we give to you as a souvenir. However, since this is not a legal certificate, a child can sign as a witness.

Posed shot on Governor's Beach, Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is a popular stop for cruise-ships in the Western Caribbean. As one of the easiest ports to be married in (you can be married the same day you arrive) it is becoming very popular for cruise-ship weddings on our beautiful beaches.

My family has been officiating weddings in Cayman for more than 26 years, both my mother and father are Marriage Officers. Simply Weddings, is an independent Caymanian owned and operated company specializing in cruise, stayover and resident weddings in the Cayman Islands. We are a member of the Association for Wedding Professionals International and we work to their Code of Ethics. Please contact us on our Facebook pages, " Grand Cayman Beach Weddings" or "Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners" or see our Grand Cayman Wedding Packages here

Call Joy or Peggy (345) 9499933 to book your Cayman wedding service today.

West Virginia Cruisers Enjoy Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-06-26T14:08:00.008-05:00

Last week I did several weddings which included children, as this one did. This couple from West Virginia, traveling on a cruise with the bride's daughter wanted an all inclusive wedding package and sand ceremony which reflected the beginning of a new family.

It was hot & humid and we did most of the wedding ceremony in the shade

The finished Memory Vase had the daughter's white sand in the middle of the vase, to represent her central place in the family.

Posing with Joy and their Marriage Certificate at My Secret Cove

A posed shot on the little beach at Smith's Cove

This beautiful spot is less than 2 miles from the cruise-ship terminal

This is a favourite spot for a Cayman Destination Wedding

Pick your own favourite spot to be married in the Cayman Islands and call Joy or Peggy at 13459499933 to book your Cayman Wedding day. See us on Facebook under Grand Cayman Beach Weddings and Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners

Very Special Wedding Vow Renewal, the Wharf, Grand Cayman

2010-06-24T21:43:00.010-05:00

By the time I met the lady below, I felt like I knew her, since we have been corresponding for over a year about her wedding anniversary and vow renewal in the Cayman Islands. Since she and her family had vacationed jn Cayman before, she knew she wanted the ceremony at the Wharf's private beach, followed by dinner and cake cutting for herself and her husband of 39 years as well as their two daughters.

The little gazebo at the Wharf was a perfect intimate spot for the festivities following the ceremony

Both daughters did readings as part of the ceremony

The whole family took part in creating this Memory Vase, a tangible reminder of this special family occasion

You can add a souvenir of your trip to the top of the Memory Vase, in this case I gave them a small starfish.

A cake-cutting ceremony adds a special touch, especially when captured by the camera

Posing with their Vow Renewal Certificate and the whole group.

Little touches co-ordinated by Peggy of Simply Weddings made this a memorable event.

Trisha's Roses did an outstanding job on the flowers for the occasion

Photography by Dubadah Boldeau. Call Joy or Peggy at 13459499933 to arrange your wedding vow renewal on one of the beautiful beaches of the Cayman Islands. When you are looking for a simple, elegant, personalised event Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners is your first choice.

Grand Cayman Beach Wedding Dazzles for Missouri Newly-Weds

2010-06-24T16:27:00.010-05:00

The bride's mother lives and works in Cayman, so this wedding was in the planning for over a year. We liked how the couple personalised their wedding ceremony, and will incorporate some of the changes to our standard vows which hundreds of couples chose every year.

The wedding guests listen attentively to the words of the ceremony

A special request was to stand in the water while the ceremony took place.

The little coves around George Town can be ideal wedding spots

"You may kiss your wife!"

We did it!

This unusual shot was my personal favourite.

Whether you do the wedding coordination yourself, or choose Simply Weddings for the coordination, wedding services and wedding ceremony we will work with you to deliver reliable, elegant wedding services which will keep your wedding day stress-free.

These beautiful photographs were taken by Fevi Yu, you can find her on Facebook

Call Joy or Peggy today to schedule your wedding in the beautiful Cayman Islands 13459499933.

Visit us on Facebook too, Grand Cayman Beach Weddings and Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners

Second Time Around Grand Cayman Wedding for Grand Prairie Tx. Couple

2010-06-24T14:20:00.013-05:00

Even before I went to pick up this couple from Texas who were getting married in Cayman today, I was making plans in my head for what we would do if it was raining. There is a tropical wave in our area, and the last few days have been quite rainy. Fortunately for us, the rain hasn't come until mid-day and we managed to get all our weddings done, since we try to do them as early as possible after the Cayman marriage bureau opens and we can get the couple's Special Marriage License.

This couple from Grand Prairie, Texas came in on a Carnival cruise for their simple Cayman wedding

We gave them a choice, and they chose My Secret Cove, (good choice!)

This couple were marrying each other for the second time.

Your Cayman wedding can be as simple as this one was

The Groom is a full-blooded Seneca Indian and to honour his heritage the Bride picked the Cherokee Prayer as a blessing. Remember you can personalise your Cayman wedding ceremony with a poem, song or reading of your choice, or ask us to see our extensive list of wedding readings from many different sources, and cultures.

After the wedding, the happy pair are ready to relax and enjoy Grand Cayman, especially the beautiful beaches with their sparkling pink sand, and the clear azure water.

A quiet moment captured before they go off to enjoy picturesque George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands.

This couple were traveling alone, so we provided both transport and witnesses for their no-frills wedding. Ask about additional services you may want added to your Cayman wedding package.
Call Joy or Peggy (13459499933) to book your own simple Cayman Wedding, and visit us on Facebook at Grand Cayman Beach Weddings and Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners more more pictures from the weddings we celebrate every week.
Cayman cruise weddings and vow renewals are our speciality.

The Tropical Spendour of a Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-06-15T14:00:00.009-05:00

This Indiana couple were here as stay-over guests at the Ritz Carlton and chose Mary Molly Hydes beach for their morning wedding ceremony.

The "Cord of Three Strands" ceremony indicates that God will have a central place in the marriage

The Groom holds the cords which are attached to a ring, and the Bride completes and fastens the braid.

This was such a happy couple, they made everyone around them happy too.

This couple opted for non-alcoholic grapejuice, but we got them the kind with a cork so I could do the cork ceremony for them.

There are a lot of kissing pictures in their wedding photographs

Big hug for the Maid of Honour

This was a good time of morning for great pictures, and it was a beautiful Cayman wedding day

I liked the slippers, so I wanted to show them to you

Romantic beach weddings are what Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman does best. We are the Cayman Islands' leading wedding specialists with hundreds of satisfied customers. If a Cayman beach wedding is in your future, or if you just want to ask us questions about how it works, visit us on Facebook at Grand Cayman Beach Weddings, see our page Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman and send us a message (free of cost!) or call us 1345-9499933 or text us 13455256551.
Get started planning your Grand Cayman wedding or vow renewal today.

Imagine Your Cayman Garden Wedding here

2010-06-14T19:51:00.010-05:00

Today was a public holiday in the Cayman Islands, and I spent the morning checking out the newest wedding location in Grand Cayman.

The Wedding Gazebo

One of the newest, and most delightful settings for your island wedding is Cayman Garden Weddings, located in the Prospect residential area, on the outskirts of George Town. This beautiful tropical garden is the creation of Vinnette Glidden who developed the garden at her residence for her own enjoyment. She opened it to the public for weddings and other events after hosting a few weddings for family and friends, and so the idea of Cayman Garden Weddings was born!

Joy and Vinnette enjoying a shady spot in this lovely garden

The garden is ideal for an intimate wedding with just a simple ceremony and short photo shoot, or a large wedding followed by a reception. The location can easily accommodate up to 200 persons for a poolside reception, or courtyard cocktails.

The courtyard with the rustic cottage as a back-drop, buffet set-up under the canopy

The courtyard is large enough to set up a serving area

A larger wedding took place on the lawn

There are many interesting features throughout the garden, which will provide interesting photography backdrops, these include a wishing well, swing, decked and tiled area, and of course the mature trees and flowerbeds. Chuppahs, arches, and other wedding props are available for rent.

One of several water features which add to the overall ambience of the garden

You can rent the venue and do everything yourself, or Cayman Garden Weddings will coordinate the wedding for you. You can find Cayman Garden Weddings on Facebook.

For your ceremony here, or at any of the other beautiful wedding locations in Grand Cayman call Joy or Peggy (1345-9499933), visit our website here or check us out on Facebook under Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman or Grand Cayman Beach Weddings.

Tiki Beach Grand Cayman hosts its first wedding

2010-06-12T20:04:00.005-05:00

Tiki Beach is Grand Cayman's newest ocean-side restaurant and bar. It opened on 29 May 2010, to much fanfare and its private cabanas, and other upscale features are proving popular with visitors and locals alike. Today I officiated Tiki Beach's first wedding, and I can see that it is soon going to be THE place for romantic beach weddings in Grand Cayman, especially for groups of either visitors or residents.

Taken from one of the terraces at Tiki Beach, over looking world famous Seven Mile Beach

I have always liked this particular part of Seven Mile Beach because it has a shallow, protected lagoon which makes it perfect for small children, or less-adventurous swimmers.

The bridal chuppah was set up on the beach, so the bride can make a grand entrance

The reception was held under one of several canopies over-looking the water

The Bride and Groom pose with their attendants

I like the fact that there is a lot of shade. This is really a perfect spot for an afternoon or sunset wedding. If you're just hanging out, there are lots of beach chairs, umbrellas and cabanas for rent. You can also sit around the huge bar in the middle of the restaurant which overlooks West Bay Road. The icing on the cake, for us locals, valet parking so you don't have to cross four lanes to get to the beach.

If you think Tiki Beach sounds like your place you can find them on Facebook under Tiki Beach, Grand Cayman for lots more pictures. If you'd like to talk about having your wedding there, call Joy or Peggy at 13459499933 and don't forget you can see many more beach weddings on Facebook at Grand Cayman Beach Weddings.

Grand Cayman Beach Weddings is on Facebook

2010-06-10T14:17:00.002-05:00

This is probably my favourite Grand Cayman Beach Wedding photo. It was taken by my cousin, Patrick Groleau who is a wedding photographer in Maine. I have thousands of pictures of beach weddings in Grand Cayman, you have seen hundreds of them on this blog.

Sunset wedding, Governor's Beach, Grand Cayman

It occurred to me that when couples are looking for a spot for their Destination Wedding in Grand Cayman, they are not going to go through my 300 + blog posts. So I have created a page called Grand Cayman Beach Weddings on Facebook. Everytime I have a bit of time I dig into my archives and post one of the beautiful locations for a real wedding I have done in the past two or three years.

What I didn't except is that many of my couples have taken the opportunity to send me messages and to just say "hi". I hope that you will like my Grand Cayman Beach Wedding page and enjoy the memories I share when I think about all the brides and grooms that have made us at Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman part of their special day.

If you are just getting started thinking about a Destination Cruise Wedding, or a stayover, or resident wedding you can ask a question, send me a message, join the discussion, or just get involved with our Grand Cayman Beach Wedding community. Please visit our Facebook page and learn more about getting married in the Cayman Islands, and my company, Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman.

Cheers,

Joy

(aka Joy of Weddings)

Canadian Cruisers Chose Cayman for Double Vow Renewal

2010-06-08T15:11:00.008-05:00

I broke my own rules today, because although I had one cruise wedding booked, there was no way I was going to turn down the chance to do a 25th anniversary vow renewal for these Canadian couples. Mary Molly Hydes beach was the spot we chose, since there were five cruise ships in the harbour and we wanted both privacy and shade.

This husband found Simply Weddings on the internet, when he and his friend decided to surprise their wives while on their anniversary cruise.

The ladies told me they had two days (!!) to find their dresses, but they looked outstanding.

They each had the Champagne Ceremony, and enjoyed a bottle of the Simply Weddings Bubbly.

I did separate ceremonies, different vows, and different readings for each couple.

I wanted today's vow renewal ceremonies to be the highlight of their Caribbean cruise, and to create a lasting memory they could tell their children and children about.

Looking at their champagne corks from the Champagne Ceremonies

I am a true romantic, and I love to do wedding vow renewal ceremonies. Sometimes, like today, a husband or wife will choose to add something personal and special to them, to the ceremony and this is fine. Twenty-five years of marriage is something very significant to celebrate and I enjoy the opportunity to be a part of this grand occasion. It gives me a lot of joy to share such romantic occasions with our visitors, on Cayman's beautiful beaches.

Do something special for your next wedding anniversary, call Simply Weddings for your own vow renewal ceremony (1345-9499933)

Louisiana Couple Marry in Romantic Sunset Grand Cayman Wedding

2010-06-06T19:53:00.007-05:00

For this Louisiana couple it was all about the sunset, for their Grand Cayman wedding today. Although they were staying at Morritts in East End, they came down to Plantana condos on Seven Mile Beach where they said their "I do's" at 6:50 p.m. Just is time to get fantastic sunset pictures of Seven Mile Beach.

Quick cuddle, before their wedding ceremony at the water's edge, Seven Mile Beach

The bride and groom were relaxed for their Grand Cayman sunset beach wedding ceremony

Group shot of the family who came along to be a part of their Grand Cayman wedding.

We did it, and here's the proof!

Posing with Joy after the ceremony

The sun slips below the horizon, bring to a close another perfect day in Grand Cayman

Thanks to Sam Eliot for snapping these pictures on my Olympus 370 while I was busy doing the wedding ceremony. It was a pleasure meeting this whole group, and I hope they enjoyed their Grand Cayman vacation.

When you're ready for a Grand Cayman destination wedding or vow renewal, give Joy or Peggy a call (1-345-9499933) for your simple, elegant, personalized wedding from Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners. We arrange all the services needed for your Grand Cayman wedding.

Building a DIY Chuppah for Your Grand Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-06-04T19:36:00.009-05:00

Part of being a company which specialises in "simple, elegant and personalized" Grand Cayman beach weddings is being able to give the couple the details they want for their Cayman wedding. We have always been able to offer chuppahs and arches from other vendors, but lately the cost of both of these have skyrocketed to the point that I have almost been embarrassed to quote on these items.

Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners have always been about giving great service, and great value for your Cayman Destination Wedding. So the challenge was how to build a DIY chuppah which would be portable, easily erected on the beaches we use yet elegant enough to fit the whole ethos of our company.

Fortunately for me, my husband is a DIY enthusiast. His job was the design of said chuppah, and my job was to find the materials. My secondary role was to research the findings of other DIY chuppah makers, and for this I turned to my colleagues on the Bridal Tweet Forums.

The biggest challenge was to find a way to anchor the bamboo frame in loose sand. Some people recommended tin pails filled with pea-gravel. This was the break through we were looking for. Unfortunately this method was simply too cumbersome, and difficult to transport over multiple uses. It did lead to a solution which was more in keeping with our circumstances.

Here is the finished frame. It can be dismantled and set up as an "arch" as well

Here is the frame done with silk flowers and leaves

This is a picture of the finished chuppah as I will use it for a garden wedding at my house. The chuppah covering can be changed as required. You can add fresh or silk flowers, or have no flowers.

Call Joy or Peggy to customise your Grand Cayman wedding (345)9499933 or email us here.
Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners, your choice for visitor and residents' weddings in the Cayman Islands.

Take a Mini-break to Get Married in Grand Cayman

2010-06-03T08:48:00.005-05:00

The Memorial Day weekend is over, and I thought it would be a good time to talk about how you can take a weekend break, and tie the knot in Grand Cayman. With just a little forward planning you can make your Grand Cayman wedding a simple, but meaningful event.

Having contacted me only a few days before, this couple from Chicago flew in on Saturday afternoon for their Memorial Day wedding. Peggy and I worked with them to provide transportation and witnesses for their simple wedding at Governor's Beach. The key to a weekend wedding is that we are able to apply for the Special Marriage License in advance, and pick it up once we have the couple's ship's cards or white immigration slips.

Saying their vows under the sea-grape trees, Governor's Beach, Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is served by most large airline companies, American, US Airways, Continental, Delta, Air Canada and British Airways. In addition, Cayman Airways, the national carrier of the Cayman Islands provides flights to the island from five US gateways, including JFK.

There are several hotel chains which provide accommodation, including the Ritz Carlton, the Westin, the Marriott, Comfort Suites and Ramada. Additionally there are several smaller hotels which are locally owned and operated. Ask us for our recommendation, we do not accept commissions and recommend only those Cayman properties we can personally vouch for.

The newly-weds pose with their Certified Copy of the Marriage Register. Since they left the next morning, we will post their Registered Marriage Certificate to them once their marriage has been filed.

Champagne and bridal flowers are surprisingly affordable

Of course we hope you will be able to spend several days enjoying our beautiful island, but if you only have a couple of days we will be happy to make the arrangements for your Cayman wedding. Remember summertime in the Cayman Islands is a good time to get flight, and accommodation bargains. Call Joy or Peggy (1345-949-9933) or email us here.

Today I heard a really stupid thing about your Cayman Marriage Certificate

2010-06-01T20:44:00.005-05:00

Your Marriage Officer signs 3 copies of your Cayman Marriage Register. The duplicate copy, seen here is filed with the General Registry immediately after your Cayman wedding

One of the questions I get asked most is, "Will my Cayman marriage be legal when I get back home?" The answer is a resounding yes, your Cayman Islands registered marriage is legal world wide.

It has come to my attention that one of the hotels in Grand Cayman who also offer wedding services, is telling clients that they have to purchase 5 copies of their Registered Marriage Certificate. This is not correct. This is a US$100 additional charge which is totally unnecessary.

The Cayman Islands Marriage law says that every Marriage Officer must give a couple whom he/she has married, a Certified Copy of the Marriage Register.

This is the Certified Copy of a Cayman Islands Marriage Register

Not every Marriage Officer gives a certified copy which is as nice as this one. This is not your legal marriage certificate. You get your Registered Marriage Certificate once your Marriage Officer has filed and registered your marriage with the General Registry. The General Registry is the public records office for the Cayman Islands.

Each couple that I marry with a Special Marriage License, will get their legal marriage certificate mailed to them within 7 - 10 days, at no additional cost as part of their Cayman wedding package.

The Registered Marriage Certificate has "secure copy" written on the reverse. On the front page, in addition to all the couples details, their witnesses names, and the Marriage Officer's name, it has the coat-of-arms of the Cayman Islands, and the raised seat of the Registrar General. It looks very official, and you will not get it confused with the certified copy.

What you need to do when you get home:

When you get home, you should go to the public records office in your city or town (the same place you would go to register a birth, or a death, usually) and let your county clerk know that you have been married. The public official will then make a notation in their records. He/She might take a photocopy, or in exceptional circumstances, keep the physical copy of your Registered Marriage Certificate.

If this happens, then you will be able to write to a Cayman marriage officer to get another copy. If you write to me at Simply Weddings we provide this service at a cost of $25. In all the hundreds of couples I have married, I have never heard of anyone needing five copies of their Cayman Islands Registered Marriage Certificate.

If you have a question about your Cayman Islands wedding, whether in the past, present or future you are welcome to contact me at the email above, or send me a Facebook message to www.facebook.com/SimplyWeddings-GrandCayman.

There is an additional step that couples from some European, Scandinavian, Asian, and South American countries must followed, called an Apostille. If you need information on whether you need an Apostille attached to your Cayman Islands Registered Marriage Certificate, call me at (345)9499933 or email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Couples from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom do not require an Apostille.

Why you need a day-of planner for your Cayman DIY wedding

2010-05-31T08:36:00.005-05:00

If you have been reading this blog for a while you might also know that we have a wedding in the family coming up this year. On a small island like Grand Cayman, a resident or local wedding is usually a fairly big affair. Experience has shown me that when you are the Mother of the Bride/Groom you should give "day-of" responsibility for the wedding to someone else!

My company Simply Weddings specialises in small, intimate and personalised weddings at many of Grand Cayman's beauty spots. When we have weddings in our family, we hire another planner so that we can relax and enjoy the very special day.

Nowadays, DIY weddings are very popular as understandably, brides try and save money to spend on other wedding-related things. In my business, I try to work with DIY brides where I can. For examples, if you want to bring silk flowers from home rather than having fresh flowers, I try and work along with you.

This bride brought silk flowers for her bridesmaids, but ordered a fresh bridal bouquet for her Grand Cayman beach wedding.

If you are arriving by cruise-ship, you will be in the port of Grand Cayman for approximately 5 hours. This is not sufficient time for you to make contact with vendors. Despite the wonders of the internet, vendors don't always show up when they are supposed to. What starts out as saving a hundred dollars translates to a lot of frustration when for example, your photographer does not appear.

This is why you need day-of coordination by a local wedding professional. Some one with years of local experience will know exactly who to call, or where to go to smooth out any hitches which pop-up on your wedding day. Reputable local wedding professionals will also be in compliance of all local laws, and be knowledgeable of wedding protocols. Day of co-ordination is built in to all our wedding packages except the basic "no-frills" package.

Two of my current bug-bears are wedding photographers who come off cruise-ships to shoot pictures for weddings who have no permission to work in the Cayman Islands. This is simply illegal. When you use Simply Weddings you know that all our vendors are properly credentialed and we stand by their work.

My second bug-bear this week is "wedding coordinators" at local hotels who know absolutely nothing about wedding traditions and customs eg the server at your hotel or restaurant pours and serves champagne immediately after the ceremony.

He or she, knows nothing about the Traditional Champagne Ceremony or what it means, or the Champagne Cork Ceremony, or even that the groom and not the server, traditionally opens the first bottle of champagne.

Cutting the wedding champagne cork, to insert a Cayman coin, a tradition we got from the British, said to bring good luck.

My favourite story about this, is that earlier this year I officiated a wedding at a popular Grand Cayman restaurant. I oversaw the champagne ceremony, but not having planned on doing this, I didn't take my little knife to cut the champagne cork, (and then present it to the newly-weds).
I asked the server if he would split the cork for me, and he did, in TWO pieces!

We take the stress out of your Cayman Destination Wedding, call Joy or Peggy (345)9499933 or email us mywedding@candw.ky

Traditional Caymanian Garden set off this Beautiful Wedding

2010-05-29T20:45:00.010-05:00

Most people in Cayman will know that in addition to arranging weddings I also officiate wedding ceremonies arranged by other wedding planners. This means I often work in other parts of the island, and even on the other two Cayman Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

One of my weddings today took place at this traditional Caymanian garden owned by Cheryl of Heart of Cayman. The floral theme of the wedding involved literally dozens of these pink orchids. Some of you will know that I love orchids, particularly pink orchids, in fact I even use a pink orchid in my logo.

This was part of the floral arrangement on the signing table.

This is one of several Caymanian cottages on the property. They are beautifully restored, and can be rented as a honeymoon cottage, or in this case for the bride to dress and wait in air-conditioned comfort until the garden ceremony was about to begin.

The Awly Garden is just one of the gardens that Heart of Cayman rents for wedding parties.

This is an ideal spot for approximately 40 people

The newly-weds pose under the wedding arch shortly before the recessional when they walk down to greet their guests.

Wherever you chose to be married in the Cayman Islands, call Joy for a beautiful, contemporary ceremony ruich with meaning, and personalised to suit your special day.

Call Simply Weddings-Grand Cayman at (345)9499933 or email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Jewish Influence in Grand Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-05-24T17:17:00.012-05:00

As a licensed wedding celebrant, ( in the Cayman Islands I am known as a Marriage Officer), I perform hundreds of weddings and vow renewals every year. Yet sometimes, for some reason, an individual couple stands out. This was one such couple. They told me they had been together for 11 years, and their love and devotion to each other was very evident. I felt honoured that they selected me as their wedding celebrant, and I really enjoyed sharing one of my special wedding spots, Mary Molly Hydes beach with them last week.

A day made even better shared with good friends and fellow cruisers.

The couple selected this lattice-work arch to represent a "chuppah", a requirement in a Jewish wedding ceremony, which honoured the groom's Jewish background.

Here the groom breaks a glass to shouts of 'Maseltov'. This is to remind us that relationships, like glass, are fragile and must be cared for and protected.

With Joy and their Marriage Certificate

The Lennox 'Swans' cake-topper reminds us that swans mate for life.

Seen here, the well-known wedding tradition of cutting the cake.

This group preferred reisling to champagne, no problem. Non-alcoholic sparkling cider is also available, and complimentary if you are having champagne and have children in your wedding party.

This very unusual wedding garter was made of feathers. The groom got into the spirit of things and took it off with his teeth, according to Caymanian custom.

Wedding on one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Insert your picture here, call (345)9499933 or email Simply Weddings-Grand Cayman.

We are a fully licensed independent, Caymanian company and use all local vendors to give you an authentic Caymanian wedding or vow renewal experience. We are a member of the Association for Wedding Professionals International and work to their Code of Ethics. When you a looking for a simple, elegant, personalised beach wedding in Grand Cayman, come to the Destination Wedding cruise specialists Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman. Now booking weddings and vow renewals through 2011.

Simple Grand Cayman Cruise Wedding for Georgia Family

2010-05-24T15:33:00.012-05:00

No matter how many weddings I officiate, every one is different and every one has features which brides and prospective brides will want to share with their friends and family again and again. Today's wedding was a close-knit family from Douglasville, Georgia and their wedding took place under the 'natural arch' at Governor's Beach, Grand Cayman.

The bride looked stunning in this gown which was very appropriate for a beach wedding. I picked them up at the cruise landing and brought them to our office to dress, while the rest of the group went by tour bus to the wedding location.

One way to ensure that a large group wedding goes smoothly is to have good transportation arrangements for your guests, and to communicate this to them clearly (including the cost, so that everyone knows what to expect).

This was quite a large wedding party. In the background is a private tour bus which we recommend and can arrange, and the Simply Weddings SUV (which seats six)

Every father looks forward to walking his daughter down the aisle, and this is no different for a Destination Wedding (shoes optional!)

Many couples choose not to have an arch or a chuppah, preferring instead to stand under the
'natural arch' formed by the trees at this lovely spot.

We provide a table and linen for the signing of documents, for every beach wedding

This beautiful tropical bouquet of cybidium and dendrobium orchids, lilies, buttons and birds of paradise is a favourite for our cruise weddings. You can take it back to the ship, put it in a glass of water and enjoy it in your stateroom for the duration of your trip.

This beach wedding included a sand-ceremony. To include both mothers in the ceremony and have them lay down the foundation of the Memory Vase is a lovely touch, which mothers, and others who might be asked to stand in for mothers, always appreciate. At the conclusion of the sand ceremony I top off the Memory Vase with some Cayman sand, and a blessing.

At the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, the whole group went down to the water's edge where they tossed shells with the couple's names and wedding date, into the water. This was the first time I had seen this done, but it was very effective.

Your wedding day should be an unforgettable experience. A little forward planning, and attention to detail can make your Destination Wedding an occasion that your friends and family will remember for a life-time. At Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman
our experienced wedding celebrant and wedding co-ordinator can advise you as to the perfect services and location to suit your small or large group. Call Joy or Peggy today at (345) 9499933 and put your Destination Wedding in Grand Cayman in the hands of our cruise wedding specialists.

2010-05-22T07:38:00.013-05:00

There were so many features to this wedding that are worth sharing that this is actually the second article on this couple. The first one was the lovely story about the bride's grandmother's garter. Here is the lovely bride posing with her sister. Unable to join the cruise with the rest of the family, her sister flew in just for the wedding and joined the group at the Simply Weddings office so as not to miss out on her sister's special day.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. This was a very traditional wedding, and I just wanted to point out that just because its a destination wedding doesn't mean you have to sacrifice those details which are special to you.

The couple arranged to bring their own minister to conduct the ceremony. This is permitted under our Marriage Law as long as a Cayman licensed marriage office is present.

As the Cayman celebrant I have to complete the documentation, sign, and register the marriage.

The champagne ceremony has a traditional meaning, which speaks to a couple being able to co-operate in order to fulfill a task. This couple seemed fully attuned to each other, as seen from this beautiful picture.

Here is the whole group. It is no mean feat to pull off a destination wedding for a large group, but I have seldom had a large group wedding go off as flawlessly as this one did, which just goes to show that forward planning and attention to detail go a long way to ensuring the success of your wedding day ( not to mention having a local wedding planning company like Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners)

The newly-weds and their witnesses

This wedding location has a lot going for it, and couples love to get photos on this pier.

There's even a shady area we used for posed shots. In the summer we can also use this for wedding set-ups so that the entire party is in the shade.

Live music for this wedding was by K-Man-Son, seen here at the microphone. Blake plays and sings contemporary and Caribbean tunes, and can be booked through Simply Weddings

You can book your group transportation on this brand-new airconditioned bus. Joselene will pick you up at the cruise landing and take you to the wedding location, as well as returning you back to George Town after the ceremony. You can book group transportation here.

Call Joy or Peggy to book your Grand Cayman Beach Wedding today 345-9499933.

Floridians Enjoy their MSC Cruise Wedding in Cayman

2010-05-21T15:27:00.013-05:00

When we arrived at MSC earlier this week the little cove was covered with debris. A couple of days before, while doing a wedding I saw a little canoe pulled up in the cove next to this one, and I wondered if that was a safe place for it. Obviously not, as the waves picked it up and deposited it, anchor and all right where I get my wedding couples to stand.

This Floridian groom was a gentleman, and helped me drag it away so we could proceed with the ceremony. It was rather sad, seeing the demise of the little boat, as many couples incorporated pictures of it into their Cayman wedding photos.

The bride wrapped her bouquet with her mother's handkerchief and I told her I would be sure and mention it, so her mother knew she had been thinking of her.

It was the hottest day of 2010 so far, and some ice cold champagne was just the thing.

The trees in this sea-side park are very old and gnarled, and I like what our photographer, Mari Abe of Island Photo does with them.

This is another favourite pose, from Smith's Cove, Grand Cayman

So many couples pose with this iguana! I am going to try and see if I can get a wedding iguana for this popular wedding spot.

Check out our Facebook page, Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman and follow us to get daily alerts on Twitter (JoyofWeddings) Call Joy or Peggy (345)9499933 and see our website for this all-inclusive cruise wedding, the best value for a Grand Cayman beach wedding, and other Cayman wedding packages.

The Story of Joanne's Wedding Garter, and a Cayman Wedding

2010-05-18T13:38:00.006-05:00

I love to hear about the wedding traditions different families have, and this Michigan couple had a most interesting story to tell. First of all, they are both from big families. They are both religious, and they brought their own minister who officiated at their wedding. (Our Marriage Law permits this, as long as a Cayman licensed marriage officer is present and signs the documents). However, the story is about the bride's wedding garter.

A few private moments after the ceremony

Pictured here is a very treasured family heirloom. It belongs to the bride's grandmother, Joanne who wore it at her wedding. She has had it refurbished with blue velvet, so it fulfills all the well-loved wedding traditions,

"something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue"

This bride is the third in her generation to wear the family garter, which even has its own certificate for each successive bride to sign. So Joanne, although you were unable to travel to Grand Cayman to witness your grand-daughter's wedding, I want you to know how much you were thought of and how much you are loved by your family.

Thank you Donna and Paul for sharing this beautiful story, and we at Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman wish you all the best, enjoy your wedding-moon and your cruise, and come back and see us sometime.

Joanne's garter, next to her grand-daughter's wedding bouquet

Nest to her grandmother's garter, this bride wears a hand-made garter she made herself, perhaps she is starting her own tradition.

Whether you want a traditional wedding, or something more avant garde call Joy or Peggy (345)9499933, we are a member of the Association for Wedding Professionals International (AfWPI) and work to their code of ethics. Make Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman your choice for your cruise wedding in Grand Cayman.

Traditional Cayman Beach Wedding Good Choice for Topeka, KS Couple

2010-05-14T19:42:00.013-05:00

This couple from Topeka, Kansas got their family and friends together and sailed off for a Destination Wedding on Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

If you have turquoise water and shell pink sand in your perfect colour palette, you can't do better than Governors' Beach, George Town, Grand Cayman. We are using this beach more for groups these days, depending on the services the couple chose.

The bride was escorted and given in marriage by her mother.

Joy congratulating the couple after the ceremony

"We did it, we really did it!"

The groom is a fire-fighter, and we served the whole group complimentary champagne

First you get your girls together...

Then, you get your guys together....

This wedding party was FINE!

Here's the whole group caught in a celebratory jump

Love in the shade

What's a beach wedding without a palm tree?

These days more and more couple are choosing the ease of a Destination Wedding without sacrificing any of the traditional elements. With years of experience in the Destination Wedding business Simply Weddings is ideally placed to ensure you have an unforgettable wedding day in the Cayman Islands. Chose from one of our simple, elegant, personalised wedding packages and relax, knowing your wedding is in the hands of these cruise wedding specialists.

Call Joy or Peggy today (345)9499933 or email us at mywedding@candw.ky and follow us on Facebook to see what's happening daily in your top cruise wedding destination.

These images by Mari Abe of Island Photo, calla lily wedding flowers supplied.

Just say "Oui" to this Grand Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-05-11T19:50:00.006-05:00

Thanks to this couple who were visiting from Montreal, Canada for sending in some pictures for my blog. I really appreciated that they took the time to send us an email with this comment :

"Thank you very much, you're all very professional and it was a pleasure getting married with your help." Since many of our clients come from friends telling friends, and sharing our blog and website it is always good to have feedback when you're happy with our services.

For our cruise clients, so many couples tell me they chose Simply Weddings because of feedback on the various cruise boards, that I encourage you to share your experience of our wedding services with others who might be considering a destination wedding in Grand Cayman.

This groom was concerned about his English, but really all he had to say was "Oui". They said their vows to each other in French. Remember, you can chose to compose your own vows, or use the standard vows we supply.

These are the ever-popular "mango" miniature calla lilies. If you want to select and supply your own flowers that's fine with us. The table for signing, white linen tablecloth and shells for decorations are supplied standard for all our weddings.
This wedding was performed by one of our associates, Rev. Harold Paramlall. He helps us out if I am away or we have several bookings in the same time slot. We make all the arrangements, including preparing the script of your personalised wedding.

Couples enjoy the "proof" shot, that they are now a married couple.

The northern tip of Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman is a fabulous setting for a sunset beach wedding. It has the further advantage of being virtually deserted at this time of day. This town has many excellent restaurants, ask us for recommendations.

Call Joy or Peggy now to book your sunset wedding on one of Grand Cayman's spectacular beaches (345)9499933. We are now booking through 2011. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Email us mywedding@candw.ky and visit our website to see our Cayman wedding packages.

When You Have to Have The Very Best Cayman Cruise Wedding

2010-05-11T12:35:00.013-05:00

This bride from Elkins, Arkansas is a woman after my own heart, she's a planner, and doing all the research and planning beforehand meant that she could relax and enjoy her wedding day in the beautiful Cayman Islands. As I tell my couples, your special day will be worry-free when you book with the Cayman Islands cruise wedding specialists, Simply Weddings.

I arrange to pick you up in the Simply Weddings SUV and take you to our office where you can relax, and get ready while your Special Marriage License is obtained. We can't get the SML until you are physically on the island (unless it's a weekend or Public Holiday, when we have to make special arrangements).

This bridal couple had pre-selected My Secret Cove as the special place for their wedding.

Here they are saying their vows on the little natural staging area.

Although it was only 9:30am I was glad to get some shade in this little spot.

Posing with Joy and their marriage certificate.

Don't you think these "Just Married" T-shirts they changed into afterwards are very cool?

The backs of the shirts had their names, date of marriage, Cayman Islands and their ship

This is a good shot of Smith's Cove, which has been recently improved by our Parks and Recreation Department. It is really kept in excellent condition by their cleaning crews, and I never miss the opportunity to let them know how much I appreciate this.

The newly-weds pose with the new signage at the Park. This is the real name of this park, it's the name I knew this spot as when I was a girl growing up in Cayman.

It is very easy to get married in the Cayman Islands as there is no required residency period, you can be married the same day shortly after you disembark from your cruise ship. In one hour you can be married, and back in George Town where you can have lunch, explore the shops, or even take advantage of some of the island tours. If you are traveling alone, we would be happy to arrange witnesses for your ceremony as required by law. If you are traveling in a group, we can arrange for a brand-new air conditioned bus to pick you up and take you to the wedding location.

Whatever you envisage your Cayman wedding day to be like, we work with you and within your budget to make your dream of a Cayman Island wedding come true.

Call Joy or Peggy (345) 9499933 and see our Cayman Islands wedding packages at Simply Weddings-Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners

Grand Cayman - My Secret Cove was the right spot for this wedding last week

2010-05-10T17:02:00.010-05:00

It was a blistering hot day in George Town, Grand Cayman. This groom and his friend, pictured are both postal workers in Arkansas. He told me his friend suggested that Grand Cayman might be a good place to get married, when the two couples were on a cruise vacation. Since they had a great time at My Secret Cove, I think this Grand Cayman wedding was unanimously voted a success.

Below is the quiet spot, not far from the George Town cruise landing, known as "My Secret Cove." Fortunately it does provide some shade these days, but I try and do my cruise weddings as early as possible, before it gets really hot. My clients help by scanning and emailing their documents in advance so that it is very easy to get the Special Marriage License which is required for visitors to get married in Cayman.

The Bride chose a special reading from e.e. cummings to read to her groom "I carry you in my heart".
Iced champagne is part of this all-inclusive cruise wedding package, seen here the newly-weds and their friends raise their glasses in a toast.

This is a private residence near My Secret Cove, but it makes a great back-drop for this formal portrait.

This quiet spot is my favourite by far. It is not available for groups larger than 6 people. How It's natural beauty adds to the special quality of your wedding day in the beautiful Cayman Islands. This spot has it all, beach, rocks, water, greenery all allow for some fantastic wedding pictures. For your unforgettable, worry-free, wedding day on one of the gorgeous beaches of Grand Cayman Island, call Joy or Peggy today at 345-9499933 or email mywedding@candw.ky.

Let Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman take take of all the details in this all-inclusive cruise wedding package.

Cord of Three Strands for this Grand Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-05-07T08:39:00.008-05:00

When this couple from Washington DC contacted us about doing their Cayman Cruise wedding and said they wanted the "cord of three strands" ceremony, I was intrigued, since I had never heard of it. The explanation provided below is courtesy of God's Knot and you should contact them if you are interested in having this beautiful addition to your marriage ceremony.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" From Ecclesiastes 4:12

The cord of three strands symbolises the joining of one man, one woman, and God into a marriage relationship. The Gold Strand represents God at the centre of the marriage, the Purple strand represents the groom, and the white strand represents the bride.

The wedding took place at Governor's Beach, Grand Cayman Island

The happy couple's "we did it!" shot

The wedding party enjoy a celebratory jump!

When you book an all-inclusive Cayman Cruise Wedding with Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman it includes access to our Bridal Room to get dressed. For these and other special touches for your Grand Cayman wedding contact us at (345) 9499933 or mywedding@candw.ky

Todays vendors include, ceremony by Joy for Simply Weddings, video by VIP Productions, these photos supplied.

Simple, Elegant, Residents' Grand Cayman Wedding

2010-04-27T14:42:00.007-05:00

Now that we have had a bit of rain, our garden has begun to look a bit better. The bouganvillas are all in bloom. However most of our registry office weddings are held inside with the air-conditioner going full-blast. Today's couple were no exception,even at 9 am, it was a scorcher.

Joy with a local couple

Some of our registry office weddings are very casual, others like this one this morning, are more elegant. The bride is from Thailand, and the groom is Caymanian.

Inside our spacious office at 306 North Church Street

The limousine was a surprise for the bride, I think it's the largest one on the island. If you look behind the limousine you will see one of the cruise-ships in the harbour. We are ideally located on North Church Street (near Kirk Supermarket, in the ERA Kirkconnell Realty Building) and easy for visitors and residents to find.

Not everybody is lucky enough to get a limousine ride. You will see the Simply Weddings van
around town, especially on cruise-ship days.

Residents of the Cayman Islands must be married by Banns. Your wedding can take place 7 clear days after the Banns are published. If you want a civil (non-religious) ceremony at my Registry Office, or elsewhere in Cayman call Joy or Peggy at (345) 9499933.

Impromptu Grand Cayman Cruise Wedding was quite unusual

2010-04-26T16:03:00.006-05:00

Today was a most unusual day for me. We had two weddings planned, one was a fairly large cruise wedding with lots of extra services, the other was a simple Registry Office wedding for a local couple. I was sitting at the Haagen Dazs cafe reading my Kindle and waiting for my bride and groom to meet me so I could get their Special Marriage License, and take them down to my office to get dressed. A woman came up to me and said something about getting married.

This couple from New Jersey, with the bride's parents and her children, got married at the Governor's Beach

At first I thought she was talking generally, and then I figured out she was saying she and her fiance wanted to get married today! Her stars must have been aligned or something, because everything just fell in place. Sometimes brides spend over a year working with us on their destination Cayman wedding, and this one just fell in place in ten minutes.

I sent the bride and groom down to the office to see Peggy and get the legal requirements done, and set off to do wedding number one, my big group from Washington DC.

Joy with the newly married pair, at Governor's Beach

In the meantime, the bride and groom returned to their ship and got the bride's parents to come and be their witnesses. They visited one of the local jewelry shops where they bought the wedding ring. They then took a taxi to the wedding location, where I was to meet them at 1 p.m.

It can't be any simpler than this, to get married on Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Island is one of the few places on the western Caribbean cruise-ship circuit where you can be married while you are on the island for just a few hours. There is no residency requirement, no blood test. All you have to do is to have the correct documents and a Marriage Officer to do the ceremony. For this couple, due to luck and circumstances, their impromptu wedding just fell in place. In most instances I do only one cruise ship ceremony per day, particularly if the planned wedding includes a large group and many details. I do this because I dislike rushing my couples, and it is most important to me that the bride and groom enjoy their experience in the Cayman Islands.

I get many, many referrals through word of mouth, and comments my couples make on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor. So if you are happy with the service provided by Simply Weddings, please take a moment to share your experience with your friends and co-workers and of course on your social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. You can share this and any article on my blog by email and other sites just by clicking the "Share" button at the end of this article.

You will find me on Twitter under Joy of Weddings, and do become a fan of our Facebook page, Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners.

To avoid disappointment in planning your Cayman Islands cruise Wedding or wedding vow renewal ceremony, call Joy or Peggy, our wedding coordinator at (345) 9499933 or email mywedding@candw.ky

We are now booking Grand Cayman cruise wedding packages and vow renewal packages through 2011.

Surprise Wedding Vow Renewal on Grand Cayman Island

2010-04-24T16:28:00.009-05:00

We often get requests to perform a wedding vow renewal ceremony which is going to be a surprise for either the husband or the wife. This is a simple way of commemorating a very special anniversary, and creating lasting memories of an unforgettable Grand Cayman holiday.

This was a 20th anniversary vow renewal with the couple's three children in attendance

In order not to spoil the surprise, I brought the wife's flowers to the beach instead of having them delivered to the condo.

Listening to the beautiful words of the wedding vow renewal ceremony

Steel-pan music added to the ambience of the sunset ceremony

Express yourself! And they did.

Before planning your wedding, or vow renewal check with the manager of your condo to see whether they permit weddings and vow renewals on the beach. Some Cayman condos are very accommodating, some are not, and some charge a fee. Of course, we can always arrange your ceremony at one of the local free beauty spots, like Smith's Cove, Governors Beach, or Mary Molly Hydes beach.

This was one very surprised, and happy wife.

Grand Cayman is an idyllic spot for a romantic wedding, vow renewal or honeymoon. Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman specialises in simple, elegant, and personalised ceremonies suitable for couples and small groups. Call Joy or Peggy (345) 9499933 to book your Grand Cayman Island wedding or vow renewal today or email us at mywedding@candw.ky

Today's wedding services vendors: Ceremony by Joy for Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman, Trisha's Roses, Steel Attitude, Dubadah Boldeau Photography

Cayman Island Pier Wedding for Illinois Pair

2010-04-20T19:44:00.011-05:00

When this visiting couple from Illinois came into our office to finalise the arrangements for their wedding today, they knew exactly where they wanted to be married, the pier at the westerly end of Seven Mile Beach. They had scouted out the perfect location for their wedding, and I must admit I agreed with them. No doubt about it, this location in West Bay, Grand Cayman takes your breath away, it is so beautiful even for those of us who live here.

They chose the perfect location for their Cayman beach wedding

Across the bay are all the condos and hotels which edge Seven Mile Beach, but this was a quiet and serene spot for an afternoon wedding

We had the pier to ourselves

A Cayman wedding, here is the proof!

Opening a bottle of ice-cold champagne

First drink together as husband and wife

Presentation of the champagne cork souvenir

The perfect end to a perfect day!

If you are traveling as just a couple, we can provide the two witnesses required by law. Some wedding packages like our All-inclusive package includes witnesses.

Call Joy or Peggy today to plan your own simple, elegant, personalised, Cayman Island wedding.
Many beach locations to choose from, or choose a lush garden setting or wedding gazebo. We specialise in making your destination wedding in the Cayman Islands a day to remember, call (345) 9499933 and let Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman make your island wedding dreams come true. Email mywedding@candw.ky

Showers didn't stop this Cayman Island Wedding

2010-04-19T16:03:00.015-05:00

When I woke up and listened to the weather, the weather -man said "sunny, with a chance of showers". Peggy and I thought we had better move this cruise wedding down to Blue Water Beach, just in case. I just wanted you to know that we always have a Plan B for your Cayman wedding.

This is probably where I was saying a prayer to the weather-gods that the showers would hold up

The most handsome ring bearers I have seen for a very long time.

"These are the hands of your best friend, which are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other for the rest of your lives..."

The "Blessing of the Hands" reading has been very popular for our Cayman weddings this month. You can select from a variety of readings for weddings, or you can bring your own song, poem or whatever you want me to use.

Our tradition says that opening the champagne is the first job a groom does as a married man. So the bride should be supportive, and let him know he did a good job.

When there are children included in the ceremony, I like to have them hunt for the cork and bring it back for me to split it and insert a Cayman coin.

Wasn't this a lovely family group?

Can you see their cruise ship across the bay?

Another one of our traditions, the groom must remove the garter with his teeth!

Thank you for choosing Simply Wedding - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners to organise and officiate your Cayman Islands wedding. We are the cruise wedding specialists, located less than a mile from the cruise landing. Choose our all-inclusive cruise wedding package and have us pick you up, take you to our spacious office to dress in our Bridal Room and transport you and your party to the beach location you have chosen. Email us today mywedding@candw.ky

Call Joy or Peggy at (345) 9499933 to reserve your date and time. Now booking through 2011.

Our wedding services vendors for this wedding: Trisha's Roses, Caykes, Island Photo

The Stuff Dreams of a Cayman Island Wedding are made of

2010-04-16T16:42:00.013-05:00

You have to admire the Bride and Groom who can put together a Destination Wedding, get their family who live in different parts of the USA and sometimes a foreign country, booked on a cruise, and then arrive in George Town and have their wedding go off without a hitch, with no stress, and the satisfaction of having the family say "This was perfect, it was just what we wanted and imagined."

Of course many of these smart couples chose Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners to ensure that their dream Cayman cruise wedding is perfect in every way. The most successful wedding day, is based on good communication, and being clear about your wishes and expectations, Peggy, our wedding coordinator takes care of all the details, and Joy, in addition to performing the ceremony will make sure you include all the traditional Caymanian wedding day traditions, and perhaps even some from your own country.

Your perfect wedding day in the Cayman Islands begins with the perfect wedding location. We can recommend the right spot for you, based on the size of your group, whether there are children included, and other details. We like this location in West Bay, known as Mary Molly Hydes Beach, at the western part of Seven Mile Beach. It is about 10 miles away from the cruise landing so you get a mini-tour of the Seven Mile Beach strip on your way. One thing about this location is that it is always quiet. Right next door is Alfresco's Restaurant if you want to stay a while longer in this pretty spot.

It was a bright, sunny day and we were happy for the shade of the sea-grape trees.

Words a groom loves to hear, "You may kiss your wife!"

No worries about the legality of your marriage, a Cayman Islands Marriage Certificate is recognised all over the world. I usually register your marriage with our public records office the same day you are married, and we send you the "Registered Marriage Certificate" which shows that you were legally married in the Cayman Islands by a licensed Marriage Officer (me!) and your marriage properly recorded.

Altogether now, jump!

A quiet 'couples' moment' after the ceremony

This couple had not told their friends they were getting married, so here's the "We did it!" shot

Married on world-famous Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

The happy couple took time to frolic in the sand

This couple chose our most popular Cayman Wedding package, the "all-inclusive Cayman Cruise wedding" which includes all legal requirements, photography, wedding florals, champagne and transportation to and from the wedding location. This package includes pick-up near the cruise landing, and dressing facilities in our Bridal Room. You can also leave your belongings at our office and come back after to change into your street clothes.

Ask about our extended all-inclusive cruise wedding package with extra florals, wedding cake, videography, limousine, and whole-group transportation in a new, air-conditioned tour bus.

When you're happy with your Cayman Island wedding, we're happy... call to book your Destination Wedding with Cayman style from the Cayman Islands cruise wedding specialists, Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman, today (345) 949-9933.

Our wedding services vendors today: Trisha's Roses, Mari of Island Photos, champagne from Cayman Corker, and Joselene's tours.

Texans Celebrate Silver Wedding Anniversary in Grand Cayman

2010-04-15T15:19:00.007-05:00

Today I broke my own rule of no more than one cruise wedding ceremony each day, because I really wanted to do this 25th Wedding Vow Renewal for a Texas couple.

The husband told me that this wife had really been looking forward to their anniversary cruise and wedding vow renewal ceremony. Despite the rainy, windy weather today we found a sunny spot on Seven Mile beach and the weather held up long enough for us to do the ceremony.

Beach foliage provided a lovely backdrop for this celebrating couple.

Can you see the wedding rings on the silver starfish?

Posing with their wedding vow renewal certificate.

Here's the cork from their champagne with a Cayman coin, and the date

This is a really lovely part of Seven Mile Beach, good for a romp in the sand with lots of opportunities for candid shots

Whatever anniversary you're celebrating, call Joy or Peggy to plan your wedding vow renewal ceremony, and make this a very memorable year for both of you (345) 9499933 or email mywedding@candw.ky to expolore the wedding vow renewal packages we have on order at Simply Weddings- Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners

Sunset 'Cayman Sands' Wedding and Unity Sand Ceremony for Ohio couple

2010-04-14T13:34:00.003-05:00

Cayman Sands Villa, in the quaint picturesque district of North Side, Cayman Islands

These visitors from Ohio have been staying in North Side, and chose to have their wedding on this side of the island.

A 'before' picture of the wedding rings

The bride being escorted by her dad.

The couple's mothers lay down the foundation of their Memory Vase using Cayman Sand.

The couple pour the different coloured sand representing that just as the grains of sand can never be separated, neither will they be separated from each other.

Here the couple holds their completed Memory Vase, a tangible reminder of their Cayman Islands wedding ceremony

The "proof" shot with the Certified Copy of the Marriage Register

A picture of the whole family group

On this side of the island all the beaches are deserted

I liked this unusual shot of the beach swing

If you're thinking of an exotic Destination Wedding, the Cayman Islands fits the bill. It is far from ordinary, and you can have all the comforts of home. Call Joy or Peggy today, for a customised package like this one (345)9499933 or email mywedding@candw.ky

Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners, your choice for a simple, elegant and personalised wedding in the Cayman Islands

Eloping Texans Enjoy Their Easter Cayman Cruise Wedding

2010-04-12T13:23:00.000-05:00

As you are aware, Peggy and I were both away during Easter, although not at the same time except for the actual weekend. So she was away when I received the enquiry from this couple about a wedding on 6 April. This was a San Antonio couple who had decided to get married while on a cruise, and who wrote to us literally days before their chosen wedding date.

"Will you be my partner...for the rest of my life?"

I saw an article in the New York Times travel section over the weekend, in which one of the wedding gurus advised people to get married at the court-house before they came on a cruise. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to do this, if in fact you want to get married in the Cayman Islands. This is because a wedding in Cayman is easy, quick, efficient and legal! Every week I try and show couples just how easy, and how beautiful a wedding in Cayman can be.

Since I was away, one of our associates, Rev. Harold Paramlall conducted the ceremony at My Secret Cove

I really liked the pastel colours in these photographs, excellent job as usual, Mari

This is our second batch of our private label bubby made especially for Simply Weddings, and I think it is actually better than the first batch

It is quite dry in Cayman now, but I think the stark landscapes are quite elegant

This beautiful wedding bouquet was from Trisha's Roses

This couple chose our "All-inclusive Cayman Cruise Wedding Package" for their Destination Wedding in the Cayman Islands. We meet them near the cruise landing, take them to our office to get dressed to complete the documentation for their Special Marriage License and to pay the balance on their account (We require a $250 deposit to book your date and time), then take them to the wedding location, and afterwards back to the cruise landing. This package includes, photography, flowers, witnesses, and chilled champagne for toasting as well as the legal requirements to be married in the Cayman Islands.

This is our most popular cruise wedding package, as it takes all the stress out of your Cayman wedding, you can relax and let us take care of the details. Call Joy or Peggy to book your Cayman Islands destination wedding today (345)9499933

Destination Wedding at the Cayman Castle

2010-04-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

Days before they were scheduled to fly to Grand Cayman for their 1 April Destination Wedding, this British couple from Tyne & Wear learned that their flight had been canceled due to some recent strike activity by the airline.

Luckily, they were able to make alternative flight arrangements, and their wedding took place as scheduled at the Cayman Castle villa in East End. Whew!

The setup for their Tropical Splendour package at Cayman Castle. Two bottles of Simply Weddings bubbly and a 10-inch cake included!

The ceremony was held on a landing overlooking the sea.

The bride is escorted down the stairs from the Castle, to her waiting groom.

Joy officiates the ceremony.

A memento we give to every couple who has champagne at their ceremony. Its the cork from their first drink as husband and wife, with the date and a Cayman quarter.

The newlyweds with their Cayman Castle in the background.

Contact Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners today to start planning your dream destination wedding in the Cayman Islands! From Seven Mile Beach to a private villa in East End, we perform your ceremony at the location of your choice!

Call Monday-Friday at +1345 949-9933 or email anytime at mywedding@candw.ky

Photos by Heather Holt Photography. Cake by Caykes.

Simple, elegant, all-inclusive Cayman Island Cruise Wedding

2010-04-01T19:39:00.000-05:00

We have been having a very windy March, and this day was windy enough to send cruise-ships to Spotts. Thanks to our tour-operator, Joselene, this family was met and transported down to our office. It was a relief to have everything go so smoothly as we knew their was an infant in the party.

This is the classic "My Secret Cove" pose, couples have to watch out the waves don't catch their feet

This picture was taken at Smith's Cove

This wedding was all about family. The newly-weds with their witnesses, brother and sister-in-law and niece.

The mothers enjoy our new vintage "Simply Weddings Bubbly"

They thought the cork presentation was a neat idea.

The whole group

They presented their daughter with a floating heart necklace to mark this special occasion.

This is our classic simply elegant, all-inclusive cruise wedding. We create an occasion that every member of this family will remember for the rest of their lives. A "Simply Weddings" wedding is surprisingly inexpensive, and when combined with a cruise you have a "wedding-moon" to remember. Let us take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your Cayman wedding with your spouse and your family or friends. Travelling just as a couple? We provide the two witnesses required by law. No charge for witnesses when you book an all-inclusive cruise wedding.

Call Joy or Peggy today at (345) 9499933 to book your Cayman all -inclusive cruise wedding.

Happy Easter from your Cayman Islands wedding planners

2010-03-31T21:03:00.000-05:00

Someone asked me today if I had lots of Easter weddings, and they were surprised I said we were closed for Easter. Yes, we are closed for the 4 day weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday. We do the vast majority of our wedding ceremonies on the beautiful beaches of the Cayman Islands. Unless you live in Cayman, you can't understand the phenomena that is Easter weekend.

My Secret Cove

During the long Easter weekend, the residents of the Cayman Islands go camping along the beaches. It means every square foot of this gorgeous pink sand will be covered with tents, tarpaulins and sleeping bags. There will be barbecue grills, and bonfires going, fishing lines in the water, everyone who has a boat will be launching it and going to Stingray City. There will be powerboat races, and water-craft races, Easter-egg hunts, domino tournaments and lots of music. It is a time for people to bring their families and relax and enjoy the wonders of the islands where we live.

The water around the Cayman Islands is crystal clear, and clean, making it ideal for diving, snorkelling or just playing around in the water.

The cruise ships anchored off Hogsty Bay can be seen from Seven Mile Beach. This shot was taken from Mary Molly Hydes beach in West Bay.

There are many little coves along the shore-line which can become intimate spots for a quiet beach wedding.

Taken from one of the condos along Seven Mile Beach

The very popular wedding spot, Smith's Cove

Sunset off Seven Mile Beach

There are several sunset dinner cruises you can take following your ceremony, or you can have your wedding performed on a boat.

Sunset off Cayman Brac, one of our two sister islands

Sunset over the North Sound, we were coming back by boat from a wedding at Cayman Kai

Night falls, taken from the Cayman Castle in East End, Grand Cayman

I hope you have enjoyed these pictures of some of the most beautiful parts of the Cayman Is. We want you to enjoy Cayman at its best, and we also respect our residents right to enjoy a traditional Caymanian Easter at the beach. We'll be back next week with lots of weddings, and until then, have a safe and Happy Easter from Joy and Peggy at Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners. Call us at (345) 9499933 or email us at mywedding@candw.ky to celebrate your Cayman wedding.

Sunday Cayman Wedding for this Texas Pair

2010-03-29T14:30:00.000-05:00

I don't do a lot of Sunday weddings for visitors, but sometimes a couple doesn't arrive on island until Saturday and then if they're only staying for the weekend, they want to be married on Sunday. Of course the government office which issues the Special Marriage License is closed on the weekend so we have to make special arrangements.

This Texas couple were staying at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites and wanted to be married at My Secret Cove. I went with some trepidation, since MSC is not so secret anymore, especially on the weekends, but it worked out fine.

Many of my couples will be familiar with this idyllic spot

Posing with their Certified Marriage Certificate

This was one of the most gorgeous wedding dresses I had seen for some time

I liked what Melissa did with this shot, nestling the wedding rings in a red ginger -lily in the bride's bouquet

The couple arranged their own extended photography session with Melissa Wolfe of Better Angle Photography, so they got photos at different venues.

I wanted to put the reading they selected for their wedding, because it is so beautiful.

Taken from poems by Denise Braxton Brown and Peggy Wrightsman

"Let’s grow old together, beginning with today. Let’s work slowly with each other and build a relationship that we can both enjoy being a part of. Let’s share love and understanding that neither of us is perfect; we both subject to human frailties. Let’s hold each other close and whisper through the night, pledging our love, honouring our commitment. Let’s encourage each other to pursue our dreams, even when we’re weary from trying. Let’s expect the best that we both have to give and still love when we fall short of our expectations. Let’s be friends and respect each other’s individual personality and give one another room to grow. Let’s be candid with each other and point out strengths and weaknesses. Let’s understand each other’s personal philosophy, even if we don’t agree. Let’s lie awake long into the night sharing our innermost secrets. Let’s be friends as well as lovers. Let’s laugh at time and plan with each other and wonder how we ever got along without this love we’ve found. Let’s never take for granted these moments that we’ve shared, but always be reminded of how intensely we have learned to live, how completely we have learned to love. Let’s grow old together and look back on life and smile."

Let Simply Weddings -Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners handle all the details for your wedding day in the Cayman Islands. Whether you are a cruise or stayover visitor, a local or a resident we take the stress out of your wedding arrangements. Call Joy or Peggy today (345) 9499933 to arrange an appointment or to book a date. Now accepting bookings through 2011, most credit cards accepted.

Family Wedding Vow Renewal for New Yorkers in Cayman

2010-03-25T20:04:00.000-05:00

When I learned that this husband had ordered special flowers for his wife and daughters, I realised this was going to be a very special wedding vow renewal. I asked Dubadah Boldeau to be their photographer since she is very good with children, and her images are outstanding.

This New York couple were on a repeat visit to Cayman, staying at the Westin with their four children and in-laws. They walked over to Governor's Beach for their sunset vow renewal.

These special order flowers were a hit

This couple wrote their own very moving renewal vows

With cake, champagne, and sparkling grape-juice for the children, we had a real party going on the beach

I have to say how impressed I was with all four of these children. They were all very well-mannerd, played well together and were all together a pleasure to be around.

Everybody got to sign the Certificate of Vow Renewal, even the 4 year old.

Here is the very special certificate, I hope it will be a tangible reminder of a great vacation in the Cayman Islands for this couple and their family.

And to cap it off, they got a spectacular sunset!

Our vow renewal packages are surprisingly inexpensive, and include a decorative certificate, a bottle of chilled champagne served on the beach ( up to 6 people) marriage officer and ceremony. Add cake, champagne or photography for a deluxe package. Call Joy or Peggy at Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman (345) 9499933 or email us at mywedding@candw.ky
Cruise wedding vow renewals also available.

Missouri Couple Enjoy Their Cayman Beach Wedding

2010-03-25T15:47:00.000-05:00

Some couples book their Cayman cruise wedding over a year in advance, some like this Missouri couple, just a couple of weeks. We were happy we could accommodate them as we also had a Registry Office wedding booked today.

I am using this part of Governor's Beach more now for my morning weddings as it gets hotter, because of the welcome shade provided by the casuarina trees. Here you see the wedding party with the "best woman" and maid of honour.

Yes, here is the proof! After being together for 10 years, they tied the knot in Grand Cayman
while of a western Caribbean cruise which included Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel.

I'm glad they chose Cayman, the prettiest beach and the easiest island to get married on.

Weather-wise it was a perfect day for a wedding in the Cayman Islands. Everybody got lots of pictures of the pink sand and the turquoise water.

After the wedding we all had wedding cake from Faith Gealey-Brown's "Caykes" served on the beach before I took them back to the harbour to enjoy the shopping and the sites of our capital, George Town.

If you're thinking of a Destination Wedding in the Caribbean, or a wedding while on a cruise to the Western Caribbean, you're in good hands with Joy and Peggy of Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman Wedding Celebrants and Planners. We are an independent, family owned Caymanian business and we take the stress out of planning your simple, elegant but affordable Cayman wedding. Our vendors and our prices are simply the best, and we give you the personalised, friendly service that makes the Cayman Islands a preferred cruise destination.

Call Simply Weddings, the cruise wedding specialists, today at (345) 9499933 or (345)5256551 or email us at mywedding@candw.ky to get started with your special wedding day in the beautiful Cayman Islands.

International Flavour to this Cayman Islands beach wedding

2010-03-24T20:39:00.000-05:00

This couple had been to Cayman many times before, in fact they visit every couple of weeks, so we had lots of time to talk with them about exactly what they wanted for their Cayman beach wedding.

The bride and groom work on one of the cruise ships which visit Cayman every couple of weeks.

The groom's parents are from the UK (the groom's aunt was also in attendance) and the bride's parents are from New Zealand, the guests who were mostly their colleagues from the cruise ship are from all over the world, making this a truly international celebration.

The wedding location was Governor's Beach. The limo picked up the bride and her parents at the cruise landing.

The large grouped clapped for the bride and her father as they walked to where the groom amd his parents waited.

The groom's family are Hindu, and the couple chose to use wedding vows based on the Seven Wedding Blessings. Another option would be to have someone, perhaps a family member read the seven wedding blessings of the Hindu marriage ceremony.

Popping the celebratory champagne. A group this size needed several bottles.

The whole group poses for the photographers, there was no shortage of people to take pictures

The bride carried a casual arrangement of calla lilies, and dendrobium orchids.

The wedding was followed by a wedding reception at Casanovas, a waterfront restaurant near the cruise landing

Wherever in the world you call home, welcome to the friendly Cayman Islands. Simply Weddings - Grand Cayman will take care of all your wedding services needs as soon as you set foot on Grand Cayman. Call Joy or Peggy at (345) 9499933 to book your Cayman Island wedding today.

Cayman Weddings Founders Celebrate 59 years of marriage

2010-03-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

Between them they have officiated at over 6,000 weddings in the Cayman Islands. The company they founded 26 years ago still sets the standard for beautiful, meaningful wedding ceremonies "where the sun meets the sky, the sky meets the water, and the water meets the land." They are my parents, Vernon and Francine Jackson the founders of Cayman Weddings.

Vernon & Francine Jackson, the Cayman Islands' best known Marriage Officers, at their 59th wedding anniversary celebration last weekend.

Cutting the anniversary cake, after which everybody sang "Happy Anniversary Gammie and Gampie"

Of course they had to feed each other

With (most) of their grandchildren, grand nieces and nephews and their spouses or significant others

With their great-grandchildren and great- grand nieces

The matriarch and patriarch surrounded by all their family. Joy and Peggy of Simply Weddings are second and third from left respectively. The children's tea party was followed by a supper party for their friends, including several members of their original wedding party.

Coming to Grand Cayman to celebrate a special anniversary or vow renewal? Do you dream of a wedding on a tropical island? We are the Cayman Islands choice for simple, elegant, and personalised weddings and vow renewals. Call Joy or Peggy today to start planning your Cayman island wedding (345) 9499933 or email mywedding@candw.ky

Pictures by Dubadah Boldeau, cake by Miss Vivene's Cakes