Cayman Islands Inspired Story Board :: Mango

Mango, mango everywhere!  Here in the Cayman Islands we have some lovely mango trees that bear the most delicious mango.  I had some the other day–it was so yummy–so when I was thinking of what color I should use for this week’s story board I figured why not yummy mango??  And besides…I’m on a fruit kick the past few weeks so I thought I’d continue with it.

Cayman Islands Photographer :: Rebecca Davidson

I have had quite a few requests to learn more about the photographers we feature on Crystal Blue.  We thought we’d start by re-posting their introductory features just in case you missed them the first time!  Today, we’d like you to meet Rebecca Davidson!

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I’m so excited to introduce this Cayman Islands photographer to you today.  If you couldn’t tell by her profile photo, Rebecca is FUN with a capital F!  I have worked with Rebecca on countless weddings and always have such a great time with her!  So, without further delay….

Crystal Blue:  Rebecca, how long have you been photographing weddings?

Rebecca:  Can you believe it–15 years! 

Crystal Blue:  That’s incredible.  I know the word passionate doesn’t even begin to describe how you feel about your work.  How do you keep things fresh and new?

Rebecca:  This is challenging.   A lot of brides will say, “I love this shot on your site, I want that!!!!”.  So, what I do is tell the bride and groom I want to create something new and different and specific to them.  I encourage them to let me know what they love and what they are passionate about.  Then the ideas just start flowing.   A few weeks ago I shot a bride and groom and he pulled out his golf shoes for a shot.  The bride wasn’t having any of it!   Anyhow, I convinced her to take a few shots of just their shoes under the dress (the bride with her gorgeous shoes and the groom with his dirty old golf shoes).  They loved one of the shots so much, the ended up using it for their thank you cards!   

Crystal Blue:  That’s fantastic!  Tell us more.  How would you describe your style?

Rebecca:  It is actually hard to pin point a specific style as I would want to list everything I do, emotional, photojournalistic, artistic, traditional, fun etc. and I feel it is almost best to say I adapt to the bride and groom, hugely influence them and bring out their fun and creative side. I guess I would like to be considered their ‘story teller’.  Can that be considered a style? Story Teller!

Crystal Blue:  Well if it wasn’t before, Story Teller is a style now!  What is your favorite part of any given wedding?

Rebecca:  The emotion! Absolutely, hands down. I love it when the bride looks up for the first view in the mirror of her dress, her mother watching from the back.  I love capturing the look when she puts on her shoes. I love love love it when the groom cries or the father of the bride cries. (Or the planner!!!!  Hahaha Yes, I have seen you cry, Danielle! )  It really is an amazing experience and by the end of the day, you really feel part of their family.   Then….. you get to show them their images and they get to relive the whole thing over again.  I love that part!!!  Is that too many favorite things????

Crystal Blue:  Hahhaa, no–you can have as many as you’d like!  And yes, I do get teary at almost every wedding!   You have such a warm and fun loving personality, but since more couples are not used to getting photographed to the extent they are on their wedding day, how do you get them to relax and be themselves?

Rebecca:  I’m a very laid back person, so that immediately relaxes them.  I want to have fun with the bride and groom but I also know it is important to be in the background to allow the natural flow of the family and friends with the couple allowing me to capture those emotions as they unfold.  When I have the bride and groom to myself  is when we have a blast!   After all the fun and creative shots are done is not uncommon for them to say, “That was so much fun!!!We feel like rock stars!”.

Crystal Blue:  That must give you a lot of job satisfaction!  If you could give one piece of advice to a couple looking for a photographer, what would it be?

Rebecca:  When you look at the photographers images, you need to be moved emotionally and be excited by what you see.  Connect with the photographer and make sure you feel comfortable.  Finally, don’t just settle for a cd! This is the most important day of your life!  Let the photographer help you create a ‘piece of art’.  

That’s more than one piece of advice right? Am I in trouble now? Okay one last one…. My favourite slogan….. “Invest in an artist….photography is forever”. Do I talk to much?

Crystal Blue:  You are too funny Rebecca!!!  Thank you SO much for taking the time to chat with us and let our readers get to know you better!  To see Rebecca’s work, click here.  Rebecca was also the featured photographer on yesterday’s Cayman Islands Real Wedding of Marizen and Jamie.

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Rosani and Jerome

Welcome to today’s real wedding of Rosani and Jerome!  I absolutely loved this pink affair and when I say every detail was carefully thought out, I mean EVERY detail!  This wedding is your classic fairy tale wedding from the beautiful gown to the amazing head table.  Combined with fantastic lighting, crystals and amazing floral design, you can’t get much better than this wedding!

Rosani and Jerome are from Cayman, but when they got engaged they started planning a destination wedding in Hawaii.  They stopped those plans and “returned” to Cayman for two reasons…First, ALL of their friends and family could be there to support and celebrate with them.  Second, they knew they could not find a location more beautiful than Cayman!!  (True, true!)

Oh, the crystals, the flowers, the beautiful pink lighting…I just can’t get enough of it!!!  Even the cake cutter was bling’d out!!

Providers who made this day happen :: 

Cake ::  Treats

Coordination, design, equipment rentals, floral ::  Celebrations

Photography ::  Better Angle

Venue ::  Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort

Transportation ::  Grand Limousine

Videography ::  VIP Productions

Cayman Islands Lighting Provider :: Intec Research

I love when we are able to bring a lighting professional into the mix of providers to enhance the design of a wedding.  Specialty lighting can add so much from soft romantic light to full floods of color, pin spots to beautiful chandeliers.  The possibilities are endless and the effect is amazing!

Today we wanted to introduce Intec Research, the Crystal Blue preferred lighting specialist.  Located in Grand Cayman, Intec also spreads it’s arms to Jamaica as well.  The team is full of creative and technical specialists who are ready to give that ”WOW” to your wedding!

Here’s even more good news…you do not need to know technical lighting language to work with them.  You don’t even need to know exactly what you want.   Lastly, what I’m sure worries many of you, you don’t need to have an enormous budget to include a little bit of lighting in your wedding.

Here are a few examples of what Intec can do for your wedding (and this is really just scratching the surface!!).

At this wedding, the colors were white, pink and black.  In the beginning of the evening, they kept it fairly light and throughout the night, the pink color intensified. 

Here, Intec used pin spot lighting to enhance each of the centerpieces. 

At this event, in addition to the red color wash, Intec a gobo to reflect a pattern on the ceiling of this tent.  The pattern mimicked the pattern on the cake!

Last, make it personal.  Add a gobo with your names, your monogram or an image to brand your wedding.  The couple had the gobo on their dance floor, but you can put it anywhere!

As I said above, these few images just scratch the surface.  There is so much a lighting professional can do to really enhance your design and even completely transform a room to work for your wedding.  To learn more about Intec Research click here.

photo credit ::  photo 1 and 2, David Wolfe Photography;  photo 3, Craig Wolfrom Photography; photo 4, Danielle Cococcia

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Kristin and Howie, Part 2

We’re back with more red details from this fun couple! 

During the reception the couple heard from many of their friends and family with heartfelt speeches (all written on their iphones), fun games and dancing the night away.  Bona Fide got the party started with their amazing musical talent and everyone danced the night away!!

Providers who made this day happen ::

Accommodation ::  Grand Cayman Marriott

Beauty ::  La Mer Spa

Coordination and design ::  Octopus Events

Event Rentals ::  Massive Equipment

Floral :: Every Bloomin’ Thing

Lighting ::  Intec Research

Music :: Bona Fide

Transportation :: Grand Limousine

Venue, Food and Beverage :: Grand Old House

photo credit :: Craig Wolfrom

Cayman Islands Wedding Venue :: Ristorante Pappagallo

Today we wanted to officially introduce you to Ristorante Pappagallo!  I’m a little hungry as I write this, so just the thought of this place makes my mouth water…

Pappagallos has the whole package.  A unique venue tucked away in the district of West Bay, you will find this amazing Italian-meets-Caribbean fine dining restaurant.  This thatched roof restaurant has three different dining rooms, so can accommodate parties of small or large.  The menu is beautiful and the wine list extensive.  Of course let’s not forget the amazing service you will receive.  Vico and Franco, along with the rest of the team, will take great care of you and give you an unforgettable experience.  Oh, and let’s not forget Humphrey Bogart…he will meet and greet you at the door and make you feel welcome.  P.S.  HB is a parrot.

Find out more about Pappagallos by clicking here.

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Carla and Iain

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I love simply elegant weddings. I think it’s ultra-romantic and really focuses on what it’s all about–the couple and the marriage. It’s so easy to get caught up in all of the details, stress out and lose site of what is important, so when I see a simple yet beautiful wedding, I just feel the need to share it with you to help us all remember what is real.

Today is we’re sharing Carla and Iain’s wedding with you. This cool couple lives on the island and could not think of a better place to be married!  I’m going to start today’s post with one for the boys…

The couple kept with natural colors and textures–sand, bamboo, conch shells and raffia.   This one seriously defines beach wedding!

Crystal Blue ::  I know you live here, but how did you actually decide to choose Cayman as the location for your wedding?

Carla and Iain ::  Yes, it is our home but it was a hard decision.  Neither of us is from here so we considered having the wedding back in one of our hometowns.  The breath-taking beaches sealed the deal for us, though…you just can’t beat them!

Crystal Blue ::  Describe the vision you had for your day.

Carla and Iain ::  We just wanted the atmosphere to be really relaxed. We  loved the setting on the beach, under the palm trees.  It was exactly what we envisioned and fit perfectly with our personalities.  Our reception was held at Pappagallos and they completely took care of us!   The setting at Pappagallos keeps with the natural elements we used at the wedding, but combines that atmosphere with the most wonderful food, drink and service.

Crystal Blue ::  If you could do anything differently, would you change anything?

Carla and Iain ::  The only thing would be to have a videographer.  The day goes by in a flash and in retrospect, it would have been nice to look back and be able to relive the moments.

Crystal Blue ::  Well, what do you remember the most?

Carla and Iain ::  Our first dance.  It was so special to us, it’s hard to describe.

Just to close…don’t forget the reason for “the day”, try to enjoy this time together and as much as you can, take it all in!!

Providers who made this day possible ::

Equipment rentals ::  Celebrations

Photography ::  Rebecca Davidson Photography

Cake, Food, Beverage, Reception Venue ::  Ristorante Pappagallo

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Rachel and Boris, Part 2

We’re back with more from this “made for each other” couple.  You can see it in the photos, but honestly, the amount of laughing taking place during this wedding was incredible.  Everyone was so happy, relaxed and just excited for the day!

Crystal Blue ::  What was your favorite design element?

Rachel and Boris :: Where do we begin… The invitation set the tone for the wedding.  The invites were square with the trio of colors and one single Palm Tree.  This easily segued into the design elements.  For the ceremony, I walked down an espresso, wooden runway that just popped off the white sand of the beach.  The guests sat on espresso benches with white rectangular cushions.  The square bamboo canopy that we exchanged our vows under was draped in white fabric with the aqua blue ocean as a back drop.  HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT?!

Then… The reception.  Our guests sat at a table family style with aqua linen and multiple espresso runners that ran width wise.  Each setting was layered with the trio of colors.   The base linen was aqua, then an espresso pintuck napkin, with white square chargers.  The centerpieces were a line of  white orchids in glass vases with actual espresso beans in the bottom of the vase.  We danced the night away under a clear top tent that faced the ocean with a never ending line of tiki torches that separated us from the water…  The finish couldn’t have matched my inspiration an better and my favorite elements were sprinkled everywhere throughout the night.  There was never just one…

Thank you, Rachel and Boris for sharing your day with us!!!

Providers who made this day happen ::

Accommodation, wedding venue, food and beverage ::  The Reef

Coordination and design ::  Octopus Events

Event rentals ::  Massive Equipment

Floral ::  Every Bloomin’ Thing

Lighting :: Intec Research

Music :: Joyce Fell, Violinist (Ceremony)

One World, DJ (reception)

Photography ::  Aaron Rebarchek Photography

Stationery ::  Octopus Events, Menus and Place cards

Paper Cut Industries, Invitations, Programs, CD covers, Bookmarks and more!

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Rachel and Boris

Have you ever seen a couple and said “they were just made for each other!!” ?  Well, if you have or if you haven’t it doesn’t really matter, but let me introduce you to Rachel and Boris…these two, without a doubt were made for each other!!!  This fun pair were married only a couple of weeks ago on the East End of Grand Cayman at The Reef.  The resort was a perfect fit for the two and their guests and everyone had a fantastic time!!

Crystal Blue ::  Why did you choose the Cayman Islands for your wedding?

Rachel and Boris ::  We both wanted to choose a place that neither had been to before.  Fortunately, the both of us have seen a lot of the world.  A good friend recommended that we should check out Grand Cayman.  With so much to offer it was an easy decision and our friend could not have chosen better!

Crystal Blue ::  It is rather nice, isn’t it??  How did you choose The Reef as your location?

Rachel and Boris ::  Choosing the resort (as our accommodation and wedding venue) was the most difficult part of the entire process for us.  Grand Cayman has so many beautiful locations for a wedding it was hard to narrow down!  I finally leaned on my wedding planner and asked for her guidance and recommendation.  She gave her recommendations and from there we made our decision.  After that, everything else was easy!!

Crystal Blue ::  What was the design inspiration for your day?

Rachel and Boris ::  Don’t laugh, but it was our living room!  (I laugh…).  Espresso Brown, Aquamarine and white are my favorite colors and the colors of our living room.  The colors are also earthy to me due to our love of the ocean (aqua), sand (white) as we are avid divers.  We knew we didn’t want elements of the ocean on land for a sea side wedding.  For example, we didn’t want Sea Stars, or Sand Dollars as a part of the wedding decor.  We wanted to leave those elements in the ocean.  The Palm Tree however was topside, so that became the “badge” that we carried throughout the entire wedding design.

Come back for more from Rachel and Boris in a while!!

photo credit ::  Aaron Rebarchek Photography

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Maggie and Mason

Thanks for joining us today and we hope you had a great weekend!!!!  We’re so happy to share with you, today, the wedding of Maggie and Mason.  Such a lovely couple, they tied the knot on February 26, 2010 at the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman.  Once again, the Ritz Carlton produced a lovely, simply elegant affair!

Crystal Blue ::  Why did you choose the Cayman Islands for your destination wedding?

Maggie ::  We knew we wanted to get married on the beach and have heard wonderful things about the Cayman Islands.  We booked it, site unseen, and it was perfect!

Crystal Blue ::  Where did you and your guests stay?

Maggie ::  We stayed at the Exclusive Resorts by the Ritz Carlton.  It was just the two of us and our parents.  Originally we were going to head down without anyone, but after thinking more about it, we knew how important it was to have our parents there.  I’m so glad they were!

Crystal Blue ::  How did you decide on the design for your wedding?

Maggie ::  We chose one of the wedding packages offered by the Ritz Carlton, “Two if by Sea”, so it was easy!  We wanted the overall look and feel to be clean, soft and low maintenance and that was exactly what it was!

Crystal Blue ::  Well you had a gorgeous day and it looks like exactly what you wanted!  What did you do to celebrate after the ceremony?

Maggie ::  We had dinner on the beach, just the six of us.  Then, afterwards we headed up to the lounge where a DJ was playing that night.  We danced the night away and pretended all of the people were there for our wedding reception!  It was great fun!!

Thank you, Maggie and Mason, for sharing your day with us!!

Have you had or are you planning a beach wedding?  We would love to hear from you!!

Providers who made this day possible ::

Venue, Coordination, Floral, Decor, Food and Beverage :: The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman

Photography ::  Rebecca Davidson Photography

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