Special Memories - Turtle Nest Inn, Grand Cayman

Sometimes clients take the time to write and let us know how they're doing, and we really appreciate it. My mom and dad have been married for almost 58 years! My husband and I have been married for 36 years, so both my mother and I have strong feelings about the institution of marriage, and I think this comes out in our ceremonies.

I did a wedding today at Smith's Cove, and a young man whose ceremony I did early this year came up to me to say hi. He wanted to let me know he had recommended our services to the bridal couple, and he was pleased to let me know he and his wife were happy and doing well. Now, that's news I love to hear!

Here is a note and pictures I received tonight from another couple.

"Dear Joy and Francine,

I hope all is well in Grand Cayman. I will have more pictures to send,
but wanted to send this to you and also to your mom. We can not thank you
all enough for our wonderful ceremony on 8/8/08 at the Turtle Nest Inn!
We are loving our marriage and our wonderful memories of Grand Cayman!

Love to you both,
Sarina & Kris"

The Turtle Nest Inn is in Bodden Town, right next to the house I grew up in. I have many happy memories of exploring this beach and riding stick horses with my brother along the shore. Here is Francine, performing the ceremony.

Don't you just love this sunset shot!

Wapakoneta Couple Enjoy Their Special Day

Today I officiated at a ceremony for a couple from Wapakoneta, Ohio who came in on one of the Carnival cruise-ships. It was a beautiful cool and sunny day and I enjoyed myself as much as these two enjoyed their time in Cayman.

They experimented with both starfish to see which one looked better in the pictures

I was very impressed that J designed her own bouquet.

This tropical outfit was crafted by J, it had a beaded hem, a gold cumberband and gold straps.
Special features included the Unity Sand Ceremony (what a great Memory Vase they found and brought from home !). This couple put a lot of time and thought into their ceremony and I thought I would share what they chose for their reading with you.

"Happiness is not something that just happens, it must be created. In the art of relationships, the little things are big things...it is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted: the courtsahip shouldn't end with the honeymoon, it should continue hrough all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives: it is standing together to face the world. it is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other. not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for things of the spirit. it is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. it is not only in wanting the right partner, it is in being the right partner,"


Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Simply Weddings. Call me to arrange your own special day today (245) 5256551/(345)9269933 or email me at mywedding@candw.ky

Seven Mile Beach Wedding Vows Renewal is Special

I am just back from two weeks vacation. One week visiting family in Trinidad, and one week visiting my daughter and son-in-law in New Jersey which involved a trip to Atlantic City. The day before I left I did this simple wedding vow renewal ceremony for a couple married 15 years.

This was really simple, it involved picking up the couple and their daughter and a few friends, from the harbour since they were on a cruise, taking them down to the Governor's Beach and performing the ceremony. The starfish came in handy, as this lady got new rings, which were a surprise.

The couple's 12 year old daughter, in a matching outfit with her mom did the reading for the ceremony as requested and provided by her dad in advance.

This group of friends were traveling on the cruise and joined the happy couple for their ceremony and champagne toast. They then all took a mini-bus to continue the sightseeing and fun before rejoining the cruise for their next stop.

This Simple Renewal Package costs $400 and includes, marriage officer, personalised ceremony and Simply Weddings Renewal Certificate, and champagne and sparkling grape juice for the kids served on the beach. Add flowers, and photography for an even more special package.

Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Simply Weddings, photography by Peggy Moorhead. Call me at (345) 5256551 to make this anniversary special and surprise your Significant Other. Short notice not a problem if I have a slot available, remember I do only one cruise wedding or renewal per day.

Busy Weekend for Resident Weddings

This has been a busy weekend for local weddings, from a group of forty for a morning wedding at Smith's Cove, to a group of four at the Botannic Park, residents have a variety of locales to choose from.

This shot above was taken at the Gazebo which overlooks the lily-pond at the Queen Elizabeth II Botannic Park. This is a popular spot for small resident weddings, there had been another one there on Saturday morning.

Sunday afternoon saw two more local weddings, one at the beach and the other at the couple's apartment. I don't actively promote the fact that I do Sunday weddings, when most local Marriage Officers don't. The fact is, many couples, especially those who work in the hospitality industry prefer to be married on Sunday, and I try to accommodate them.



Another popular spot for locals is Dart's Park. Now that I am getting more adept with my little camera I am going to try and get some Dart's Park shots.

Local couples, whether Caymanian or otherwise are reminded they must be married by Banns and the Banns must be published for 7 clear days before the ceremony can be performed. Bookings for weekends tend to fill up quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment. Call me at (345)525-6551 or (345)9269933. Look for my big blue van with the Simply Weddings logo around town once you email me at mywedding@candw.ky I will send you all the relevant forms and information.

Deserted Beach Wedding for Alabama Couple

This couple, a graphic artist and graphic designer from Alabama had originally planned a wedding on Owen Island, a small deserted cay off Little Cayman. Of course the passage of Hurricane Paloma put paid to this plan and they ended up staying at Villa Azure in beautiful Cayman Kai. They found this quiet spot right down the beach from their villa.

Such a beautiful bride. My little camera hardly does her justice.

The bride assembled her bouquet from beach blooms gathered near their villa.

We did it shot. Send me some more photos, I know you got some good ones and most of mine didn't come out. My hat is fine, after getting blown off into the sea. It was a very windy day, today, this beach appeared quite protected as we could see white-caps on the other side. Coincidentally, one of the witnesses Elizabeth was also celebrating her 6th wedding anniversary today.

Signature Gardens Hosts First Wedding

I discovered this remarkable wedding location which is off the Linford Pierson Highway a few weeks ago and was able to recommend it to this local couple as an ideal spot for their Saturday afternoon wedding.
The bride wore a white lengha threaded with silver, and the traditional Indian wedding jewelry.

The bride poses with her Maid-of-Honour, also in Indian dress

The ceremony took place in the decorated gazebo under a floral arch.

One interesting feature of Signature Gardens is the little bridge and archway.

The happy couple poses with the family group.

Ceremony by Joy of Weddings, arrangements by Signature Gardens, flowers by Party Mart, photography by Luis Vallecillo. Call me for your local wedding ceremony today, 5256551/9269933,

Champion House Restaurant is a Cool Wedding Spot

This couple who are residents, from Honduras selected Champion House Restaurant in George Town for their intimate wedding ceremony and dinner yesterday. The private room they selected was perfect for a short but meaningful ceremony before a few good friends.

The arrangements for residents to be married are quite different as residents, whether Caymanian or from another country have to be married by Banns. The Banns have to be published in a public place (not in the newspapers!) for 7 full days before the wedding can take place. In order for the wedding to take place couples must file a Notice of Marriage. Every Notice of Marriage must be signed by two witnesses who have known the couple for at least two years and/or who can attest to the correctness of the information on the Notice.
Call or email me for a free FAQ sheet on resident marriages in the Cayman Islands.
My "Harmony" couple from Illinois please note my new red hat as promised. I am truly blessed to meet so many fine couples from all over the world. I hope I help you to have happy memories of your wedding day in the Cayman Islands. For your own happy memories of a simpe, elegant, personalised wedding call Joy at (345) 5256551 0r (345) 926-9933.