A Wharf Wedding is an excellent choice!

The Wharf Restaurant in George Town is an excellent choice for a wedding where there is a fairly good sized group. The Wharf has its own very private beach, which is free of cost once you are having your wedding lunch or reception on the property.

Here is the set-up for a wedding today, where the group of 50 were visiting on the "Enchantment of the Seas"

The Wharf's proximity to George Town increases its appeal in terms of moving a large group of people from the harbour to the restaurant.

This bride flew in her own florist and flowers. Here is the sea-shell themed bridal bouquet with orchids, hydrangea and a pearl cascade.

The Matron of Honour was dressed in sea-foam green and carried this bouquet of orchids and garden roses imported from France.

I incorporated the Unity Sand Ceremony into the proceedings, using black and white sand for the bride and groom. I poured the foundation with Cayman sand scooped from the beach in one of my favourite trumpet shells, and topped off the Memory Vase with a bit more Cayman sand before I sealed it for them to take back home.

Chair decorations were orchid sprays, grass and hydrangea accented by a large shell.

I thought this was a good shot of the beach. In the distance you can see the Jolly Roger, a favourite party boat.

The lovely bride posed with her mom and dad after the ceremony.

The Wharf is just one of over 200 excellent restaurants in Cayman. You can find location, menus and prices at Cayman Restaurant Guide. A restaurant can be a good choice when there are elderly guests with decreased mobility. In the case of the Wharf, a private beach and an excellent restaurant is a winning combination. I will officiate at a wedding at any of the Cayman Islands superb restaurants. Call me today to arrange your own unique wedding celebration, (345) 5256551 or (345) 9269933.

Laughing in the Rain!

Because I am used to so much sunshine, sometimes I forget how wet it can be particularly in November. This week it seemed like the rain would go on forever, even though it was a dry night for trick-or-treating with the grand kids last night. The weather seemed to play a particularly bad trick on this Texan couple, here just for the weekend and staying at the Ritz Carlton who had their wedding scheduled for sunset on 1 November.

As we drove down to West Bay I was on the phone working out Plan B, and when we arrived at the beach it seemed certain that the nuptials would have to be postponed. Fortunately we had veteran photographer Marcos Montana who has shooting our weddings for the last 20 years and has pretty much seen it all where weddings are concerned. Since the chance of rain for the next day was 60% the couple gave us the go ahead to proceed rain or shine.



The Groom saved the day by arriving in a stretch limosine! This was a Plan B I had not even considered, but it worked just fine. The weather held up for the 10 minutes or so I need to do the ceremony. I pronounced them man and wife under a broad umbrella, and then there was a mad dash back to the limo for champagne.

This couple wrote their own wedding vows, and I will share them here because I thought they were very special.

“ I Groom/Bride, take you, Groom/Bride to be my wife/husband , my friend, and my love. On this day I affirm the relationship we have enjoyed, looking to the future to deepen and strengthen it. I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph. Together we will dream, will stumble but restore each other, we will share all things, serving each other and our fellow humanity. I will cherish and respect you, comfort and encourage you, be open with you, and stay with you as long as we shall live, freed and bound by our Love. "


The future looks bright for this lovely couple, and I hope today's rain will prove to be showers of blessing.






Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Cayman Weddings, flowers by Trisha's Roses, photography by Marcos Montana. Call me at (345)5256551 0r (345)926-9933 t0 arrange your wedding in Cayman today. We cater for both visitor and resident weddings. Visitor weddings can be done the same day with proper documentation, resident weddings require at least 8 days waiting time for the publication of the Banns of Marriage.

Lakeland Couples' Smiles Push Storm Clouds Away

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

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

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

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

This was taken at the West Bay Public Beach. I guess we could have used these blue cabanas if the rain had threatened to drench us.

It wouldn't be a tropical island without a few coconut trees, now would it?

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

Weekend Wedding at the Reef Resort, East End

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

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

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

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

Wedding Fun at Blue Water Beach, Grand Cayman

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Legal Points about Marriages Cayman Residents Need to Know

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

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

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

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

Notice of Marriage

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

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

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

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

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

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

Banns of Marriage

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

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

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

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

They will state your AGE at your last birthday.

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

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

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

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

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

Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate

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

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

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

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

Book Your Date Early!

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

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

Stunningly Lovely Bride Stars at Governor's Beach

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

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

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

The ring exchange, with Francine Jackson officiating.

The newly-weds hold their Certified Marriage Certificate.

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

A little stroll on the sparkling pink sands.

There is a saying here that once you have got Cayman's sand between your toes you just have to come back to the islands.

One last shot, to give you a taste of the sunset, the water and the sand...a perfect backdrop for a lovely couple. My mom, who has officiated at almost 3000 weddings, said she enjoyed this one very much, so I know these were a very nice couple...best wishes for a long and happy married life!

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

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