Crystal Blue Vendor Feature :: Simply Weddings

Today we would like to introduce you to Joy Basdeo of Simply Weddings.  Joy is one of the only civil celebrants in the Cayman Islands and specializes in visitor cruise weddings, however, she also performs ceremonies and vow renewals  for local residents and stay over guests.  I spoke with Joy to find out more about her process with each couple and wanted to share it with you.

Crystal Blue :: Joy, how long have you been in business and can you describe your services?

Joy ::  I started working with my mother at Cayman Weddings and was there for 14 years!  I obtained my license and went out on my own in early 2008.   Our company provides the legal requirements for both visitor and local weddings (note to readers, the legal requirements are different if you are a local resident versus a visitor).  We can handle simple planning arrangements and specialize in visitor cruise weddings. 

Crystal Blue :: Can you tell me the process you go through with each couple?

Joy ::  The process starts when we are contacted by the couple, usually through our web-site, blog or Facebook page.  We then send them an application form, and a description of our packages.  If it is to be a custom wedding we will give them an approximation of what their wedding will cost. 

We get the couple to send their documentation in advance so that I can evaluate it.  This is important, since under the Cayman Islands Marriage Law, the onus is on me as the Marriage Officer to evaluate whether the couple is free in law to marry.  Such an evaluation protects the integrity of the Cayman Islands as a place where legal marriages (i.e. recognized in the couple’s home country) are performed.

If it is a cruise wedding, we meet the couple on the day, complete the final documentation, finalise the order and details of the wedding ceremony, provide a place for the couple to get ready and take them to their chosen wedding location.

If the couple have chosen one of our packages, we also provide photography, flowers, champagne, wedding cake or whatever additional service they have booked.

Crystal Blue :: That’s terrific!  When people arrive on cruise ships they are here for such a short time, it is great that they have someone to handle all of the details so they can just enjoy themselves.   Tell us about your favorite wedding.

Joy ::  It is easier for me to tell you about my favourite couples.  Many of my couples stay in touch with me for years after the wedding, and come back and  see me if they are revisiting the island.  In my Top Ten clients are the “Maniacs” a couple from Maine I married a few years ago. The husband is a policeman, and the couple’s best friends who attended as witnesses, are firefighters.  They were here as stay-over visitors. I did the ceremony at what used to be called Bus Stop 29, on Seven Mile Beach.  (I do a lot of ceremonies for policemen, firefighters and armed services personnel and I always give them a complimentary bottle of champagne in appreciation for the work they do to protect us every day.)  This wedding was such fun!  I think because the people involved were such nice young people, and still happily married!

Crystal Blue ::  What a fun couple–and unique venue, I might say!  If you could give one piece of advice to couples, what would it be?

Joy ::  Fortunately I do have the opportunity to give couples advice, in the part of the wedding ceremony which is called  “The Charge”.   I like to say, as part of this advice, “lean on each other’s strengths, and forgive each other’s weaknesses”.  I have been married to my husband for almost 40 years, and I know how important it is to understand and appreciate your partner’s qualities.

Crystal Blue ::  That is so true!!!!  Thank you Joy for talking with us today!!!  One little fun fact about Joy that she didn’t mention…she wears a hat at every ceremony!

You can read more about Simply Weddings here.