Weddings and Honeymoons in the Caymans
Getting married in the Cayman Islands is a breeze, and each year many couples tie the knot here. Most choose to say their vows on lovely Seven Mile Beach, with the sun setting into the azure sea as their picture-perfect backdrop. 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.
The Big Day
Choosing the Location. Choose from beaches, bluffs, gardens, private residences, historic buildings, resort lawns, and places of worship for the ceremony or reception. Most couples choose to say their vows on Seven Mile Beach. Underwater weddings in full scuba gear with schools of fish as impromptu witnesses are also possible (kissing with mask on optional); Cathy Church can photograph the undersea event . You can also get hitched while hovering in a helicopter. If you decide to hold the event outdoors, be sure you have a backup plan in case of rain.
Finding a Wedding Planner. The best way to plan your wedding in the Cayman Islands is to contact a wedding coordinator (resorts such as the Wyndham Reef, Westin Grand Cayman, Kimpton Seafire, and Ritz-Carlton have one on staff), who will offer a wide variety of packages to suit every taste and budget. All 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 also keeps a list of recommended independent wedding coordinators. Or you can order the brochure "Getting Married in the Cayman Islands" from Government Information Services. You can choose from many different styles of services or rewrite one as you wish.
Legal Requirements. Documentation can be prepared ahead of time or in one day while on the island. A minimal residency waiting period, blood test, and shots are not required.
You need to supply a Cayman Islands international embarkation/disembarkation card, as well as proof of identity (a passport or certified copy of your birth certificate signed by a notary public), and age (those under 18 must provide parental consent). If you've been married before, you must provide proof of divorce with the original or certified copy of the divorce decree if applicable, or a copy of the death certificate if your previous spouse died. You must list a marriage officer 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$200 (US$250).
Photographs. Deciding whether to use the photographer supplied by your resort or an independent photographer is an important choice. Resorts that host a lot of weddings usually have their own photographers, but you can also find independent, professional island-based photographers, and an independent wedding planner will know the best in the area.
The Honeymoon
If you choose to honeymoon at a resort, you can spend it getting champagne and strawberries delivered to your room each morning, floating in a swimming pool each afternoon, and dining in a five-star restaurant at night. Grand Cayman offers resort options in different price ranges. Whether you want a luxurious experience or a more modest one, you'll certainly find someplace romantic to which you can escape. For a more secluded stay, opt for a private vacation-rental home or condo.
Wedding Resources
Deputy Chief Secretary. Government Admin Bldg., 3rd fl., George Town, Grand Cayman. 345/949–7900; 345/914–2222; www.gov.ky/about-us/our-government/chief-officers.
District Commissioner's Office. District Admin Bldg., 19 Kirkconnell St., Stake Bay, Cayman Brac, KY2-2101. 345/948–2222; 345/948–2506; www.districtadmin.gov.ky.
Government Information Services. Government Admin Bldg., Cricket Sq., 2nd fl., George Town, Grand Cayman. 345/949–8092; www.gis.gov.ky.
