Need advice on Wedding in Grand Cayman Feb 07
Aug 2nd, 2006, 11:03 AM
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Need advice on Wedding in Grand Cayman Feb 07
All -
I've been researching GC as I am planning a wedding there on Feb 12, 2007. I have the location picked -- Wharf Restaurant and have also picked the photographer - David Wolfe. My fiancee and I are planning to stay at the Westin - while the 40+ odd visitors will be scattered across the island due to varying preferences (villa / kitchen / resort etc).
Our objective is to have a lovely intimate elegant wedding for less than a million bucks! (ie - a small yet reasonable budget)
What is left is officiant / flowers and band.
The remaining questions are:
1. Should I worry about hiring all of the vendors myself -- without using a wedding coordinator? I've talked with celebrations and they are a bit steep -- not sure I need to spend +$1000 for "coordination". Any advice / experiences to share?
2. I'm thinking of using Cayman weddings -- for the basic paperwork / officiant -- has anyone had a recent experience to share?
3. What about bands -- especially steel drum bands -- has anyone hired a band directly in GC lately? Should I be concerned about booking them and then experiencing a no-show? All of the large vendors (Westin / Old House / Celebrations) has provided options but it is hard to choose - without firsthand experience. If anyone has feedback, I'd love to hear it.
Thanks much!
(Also - as I've done a ton of research on the topic - if anyone needs info re: wedding / accomodations I'd be glad to share)
I've been researching GC as I am planning a wedding there on Feb 12, 2007. I have the location picked -- Wharf Restaurant and have also picked the photographer - David Wolfe. My fiancee and I are planning to stay at the Westin - while the 40+ odd visitors will be scattered across the island due to varying preferences (villa / kitchen / resort etc).
Our objective is to have a lovely intimate elegant wedding for less than a million bucks! (ie - a small yet reasonable budget)
What is left is officiant / flowers and band.
The remaining questions are:
1. Should I worry about hiring all of the vendors myself -- without using a wedding coordinator? I've talked with celebrations and they are a bit steep -- not sure I need to spend +$1000 for "coordination". Any advice / experiences to share?
2. I'm thinking of using Cayman weddings -- for the basic paperwork / officiant -- has anyone had a recent experience to share?
3. What about bands -- especially steel drum bands -- has anyone hired a band directly in GC lately? Should I be concerned about booking them and then experiencing a no-show? All of the large vendors (Westin / Old House / Celebrations) has provided options but it is hard to choose - without firsthand experience. If anyone has feedback, I'd love to hear it.
Thanks much!
(Also - as I've done a ton of research on the topic - if anyone needs info re: wedding / accomodations I'd be glad to share)
Aug 3rd, 2006, 05:34 AM
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gidget,
I met a couple who got married in Grand Cayman on my trip there in May.
This website might be more helpful.
www.caymanactivityguide.com
The bride of the couple that I met posts on that forum and has alot of helpful Wedding Planning information on that site.
Good luck! and congrats!
Christie
I met a couple who got married in Grand Cayman on my trip there in May.
This website might be more helpful.
www.caymanactivityguide.com
The bride of the couple that I met posts on that forum and has alot of helpful Wedding Planning information on that site.
Good luck! and congrats!
Christie
Aug 3rd, 2006, 02:17 PM
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I had a very positive experience with Cayman Weddings. And definitely look into using Trisha's roses for your flowers. We got married on the beach in front of Villas of the Galleon (next to the Westin) and had our wedding dinner at The Reef Grill. It was wonderful.
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Aug 3rd, 2006, 07:17 PM
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Sounds like you've done lots of research.... don't worry, all of the vendors you mentioned are first class.... as to whether or not you need to use a wedding planner, that is up to you (and your budget).
Why not come down for a quick trip in off season (ie between now and December) to look around and plan it ?
Why not come down for a quick trip in off season (ie between now and December) to look around and plan it ?
Aug 3rd, 2006, 07:30 PM
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Good suggestions from all of these folks! I believe there is an old trip report from Kristen when she got married down there a few years ago--you could probably do a search here (with patience) and find it.
I got married on a different and did not pay for a wedding coordinator, but I worked with the owner and desk manager of the hotel where we stayed. Surely the Westin has that kind of contact information for their guests that you could use, even though you're not getting married on the property.
And Tom's got the best idea of all--why not go down for a weekend to check it all out? I don't know where you live, but American Airlines has an amazing rate to Grand Cayman right now from where I live in the northeast $376 plus taxes for Monday-Thursday travel before 16 December.
I got married on a different and did not pay for a wedding coordinator, but I worked with the owner and desk manager of the hotel where we stayed. Surely the Westin has that kind of contact information for their guests that you could use, even though you're not getting married on the property.
And Tom's got the best idea of all--why not go down for a weekend to check it all out? I don't know where you live, but American Airlines has an amazing rate to Grand Cayman right now from where I live in the northeast $376 plus taxes for Monday-Thursday travel before 16 December.
Aug 5th, 2006, 11:13 AM
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Thanks all! I did have Cayman Weddings on my list for the ceremony -- thanks for that confirmation Kristen.
I read about Trisha's roses too. I'll phone her as well.
Tom - looked at your resort too - am thinking of coming over after the wedding for a last couple days of diving / relaxation in a "quieter" area...
One of the many deciding factors in choosing Cayman for the wedding was that we already have a booked and pd for (extra bonus!) 2006 annual Thanksgiving trip to the islands planned for Cayman. So I do plan on going down and meeting everyone /reconfirming much before Feb. I thought this would lend reassurance to the event too!
Lastly - I will look at caymanactivityguide.com --
Thanks again to all! What did folks used to do before the internet? How lucky we are!
Gidget
I read about Trisha's roses too. I'll phone her as well.
Tom - looked at your resort too - am thinking of coming over after the wedding for a last couple days of diving / relaxation in a "quieter" area...
One of the many deciding factors in choosing Cayman for the wedding was that we already have a booked and pd for (extra bonus!) 2006 annual Thanksgiving trip to the islands planned for Cayman. So I do plan on going down and meeting everyone /reconfirming much before Feb. I thought this would lend reassurance to the event too!
Lastly - I will look at caymanactivityguide.com --
Thanks again to all! What did folks used to do before the internet? How lucky we are!
Gidget
