Weddings in Cayman Islands

Getting married in the Cayman Islands is a breeze. Most choose to say their vows on lovely Seven Mile Beach with the sun setting into the azure sea as their picture-perfect backdrop. Underwater weddings in full scuba gear with schools of fish as impromptu witnesses are also possible. Cathy Church can photograph your underwater wedding. You can literally leave things up in the air, getting hitched while hovering in a helicopter. A traditional church wedding can even be arranged, after which you trot away to your life together in a horse-drawn carriage.

Documentation can be prepared ahead of time or in one day while on the island. There's no on-island waiting period. In addition to the application, you need proof of identity and age (those under 18 must provide parental consent), such as an original or certified birth certificate or passport; a Cayman Islands international embarkation/disembarkation card; and certified or original copies of divorce decrees/death certificates if you have been married before. You must name a marriage officer (a list can be obtained at the Deputy Chief Secretary's office) on the application, and you need at least two witnesses; if you haven't come with friends or family, the marriage officer can help you with that, too. A marriage license costs CI$160 (US$200).

The best way to plan your wedding in the Cayman Islands is to contact a wedding coordinator (resorts such as the Reef, Westin Casuarina, and Ritz-Carlton have one on staff), who will offer a wide variety of packages to suit every taste and budget. All of the logistics and legalities will be properly handled, giving you time to relax and enjoy the wedding of your dreams. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism keeps a list of wedding coordinators. Or you can order the brochure "Getting Married in the Cayman Islands" from Government Information Services. Vernon Jackson, of Cayman Weddings, is a wonderful marriage officer with a soft accent and a kind heart. Heart of Cayman is another recommended planner, which personalizes weddings in addition to offering a wide variety of themes and locations. You can choose from many different styles of services or rewrite one as you wish.

Information

Cayman Weddings (345/949-8677. www.caymanweddings.com.ky). Deputy Chief Secretary (Government Administration Bldg., 3rd fl., George Town, Grand Cayman. 345/949-7900 or 345/914-2222). Government Information Services (Cricket Sq., George Town, Grand Cayman. 345/949-8092). Heart of Cayman (345/949-1343. www.heartofcayman.com).