How to Organize a Destination Wedding in 3 easy steps - CAYMAN ISLANDS STYLE

As a Professional Organizer living in the Cayman Islands, this one is a piece of cake or at least a 3 layered one. We (locals) can actually have a Destination Wedding without leaving our Destination! Now, how cool and stress free is that? I'm smart enough to not organize my own wedding. I would get divorced before I got married. I promise not to turn into a Bridezilla (for the benefit of my intended who reads my blogs) :)

Let me tell you how you can pull off a Destination Wedding in the Cayman Islands in 3 easy steps, without flying all the way here and getting delayed because you weren't organized.

Step #1 Snag a MARRIAGE LICENSE!

All you have to do is get in touch with a local Marriage Officer and they will take care of all documentation.

You just have to provide:

• Proof of identity, such as an original or certified birth certificate or passport (your travel documents)
• Cayman Islands international embarkation/disembarkation card (you will receive on the plane)
• Certified or original copies of divorce decrees/death certificates (this one is important! I've seen weddings delayed because the bride and groom had to drag themselves to a lawyer and sign an affidavit to prove that they were divorced or widowed, delaying the wedding by hours). So don't let this happen to you .

Your wedding can be performed the same day as long as your documents are in order. The minimum age of
legal marriage is 16, but under 18's must have parental consent if you were not been married before. All marriages must be attended by a local marriage officer and by two other witnesses. Marriages must take place between the hour of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Step #2. Hire a Local Wedding Planner/Organizer

Your wish is your wedding planners command. Because they do so many Destination Weddings they are familiar with the vendors and are experts at making your dreams come true. I gave one of the top (Luxury) Wedding Planners a budget of US$6,000.00 just to see what I could get for the money and was pleasantly surprised at their suggestions.



Cayman Sunset Wedding-Fevi Yu Photography

 I strongly recommend a wedding planner when doing Destination Weddings, they can guide you around obstaces that only a local planner would know. Whether you have a planner provided by your hotel as part of your wedding and honeymoon package or you are engaging one of the local event planners it will relieve the stress out of not knowing the local vendors for your flowers, decorations, food and photography. Granted, you also have the option of a small ceremony with just the Marriage Officer, your "Honey Bunny", two witnesses, (can be anyone, sunbathers on the beach) the surf and a bottle of champagne!

My fiancee's dad is a Marriage Officer and he is regularly called upon from a seasonsed pool of persons on a regular basis to perform ceremonies, so there is no danger of a newbie doing your wedding.


3. HONEYMOON-Whoo hoo!

We are surrounded by crystal clear blue water and sandy beaches, luxury and economic accommodations, the finest restaurants in the caribbean, fantastic shopping and the only person in the world that you would want to spend your life with and you. Perfect.
Many of the local hotels and resorts offer packages which includes free nights if you do your wedding at their venue. There are also stand alone honeymoon packages available as well to suit every budget and whim.

The perfect wedding and honeymoon. In three easy steps. Check!

Here's to a great start, to a brand new life!