Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Erin and Christopher

Even though this wedding took place on Halloween, there is nothing scary about it!  The couple, the details, the photographs and the location are all perfection…and you will see, the group had some fun!

Crystal Blue ::  Tell us about the proposal!

E&C ::  My favorite holiday is New Year’s Eve so I was sure that Chris was going to propose on New Year’s Eve at the stroke of midnight.  When that did not happen, I began to wonder when he would propose…we had been together a little over ten years and I was getting anxious.  I knew it would happen someday, but I never wanted to pressure him into it.  He would propose when he was ready.  (He later told me that he was actually going to propose on New Year’s Day, but he forgot to call my dad and ask permission.) 

On January 3^rd, I was flying to Delaware to visit my family.  As I was drying my hair in my bath towel, Chris came into the bedroom carrying a gift bag.  He said, “You forgot to open a present.”  I could not imagine what it could be because it did not look like any gift he would wrap himself.  It had tissue paper, ribbon, raffia, and was totally color-coordinated.  As I took the bag from him he said, “You can open that gift after you open this one.”  With that he pulled a little black box out and opened it to reveal the most gorgeous diamond ring I had ever seen.  I immediately started crying and hugging him. 

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

E&C ::  It really happened by accident.  We were looking for an island that did not have a lot of rules for out of country couples or a long waiting period between arrival on the island and the wedding day.  Cayman was one of the few that allowed us to arrive a few days prior to the wedding.  We researched the few islands we found and put Cayman on the top of our list.  It sounded like our kind of island…..beautiful beaches and views, lots of exciting things to see, but still laid-back and casual.  We then did some research about destination wedding planners and found Celebrations who was recommended by the Travel Channel and it just kind of all fell into place.  From our first call with Juliette we knew we were in good hands.  We clicked right away and I think we have a friend for life in her.    

We could not have been happier with our decision.  Cayman is one of the most gorgeous places we have ever seen and we cannot wait to go back and enjoy it!

Crystal Blue ::  What was the most memorable event from your wedding day?

E&C ::  The whole day was memorable!  I think taking pictures with Rebecca is definitely one of our favorite memories.  It was just the two of us spending some time alone on our wedding day and getting to enjoy the day and the island as a couple. 

We went out to a dock to take some pictures and met a man who told us he had been married for sixty years.  We saw that as a good sign….of course he told us he would never do it again haha! 

Come back for more in a little while and find out more about the providers who made this day happen!!

photo credit ::  Rebecca Davidson Photography

Cayman Islands Inspired Storyboard :: The Cayman Sea

Without fail, every time I get a glimpse of the Cayman Sea (which, by the way is every day…don’t be jealous!)  I want to jump right in and go for a swim.  While I may not always have my swimsuit in hand, the colors always dazzle and really sparkle in the sun.  The Cayman sea brings the perfect color palette for your Cayman wedding–starting with a very light aqua blue and darkening into the depths of the deep blue sea.  I’ve put together a story board that reflects these amazing blues…I hope you enjoy–I’m going for a swim!

 

 

photo credit:
top row, second from left:: David Wolfe, third and fourth across:: The Knot
second row, first:: The Knot  second and third:: David Wolfe                                                                                                                                                                                                                         third row, first:: Jim Gates  second:: Wedding Channel, third from:: The Knot                                                                                                                                                                                   fourth row,first and second:: The Knot, third courtesy of Danielle Cococcia, last:: Rebecca Davidson

Crystal Blue Top 10 :: Frequently Asked Questions

Of course you will have questions.   You are planning a wedding, something you may not have done before.  The wedding is in the Cayman Islands, somewhere you may never have been before.  Ask away!!  Here are my top 10 (in no particular order) most frequently asked questions from brides getting married in the Cayman Islands.  Feel free to leave your questions in a comment below and I will do my best to answer them!!

10.  Q:  If I get married in the Cayman Islands, is it legal in the United States?

         A:  Yes, as long as you have applied (and been granted) a marriage license by the Cayman Islands Government, a Cayman Islands  Marriage Officer has witnessed your ceremony and you and your witnesses have signed the marriage certificate provided by the Cayman Islands Marriage Officer.

9.  Q:  Do you have photographers in Cayman or do I need to bring my own?

     A:  We have many extremely talented photographers in Cayman and we fully 100% endorse their art!!  All you need to do is check out the Crystal Blue Provider page for photographer information!

8.  Q:  What is the best time of year weather-wise to have a wedding?  

      A:  Although I am not claiming to be mother nature and can’t predict the weather, there are some general rules of thumb.  Rainy season technically begins May 1 and ends November 30.  That doesn’t mean we have torrential rain every day…typically there is a shower once a day for about 45 minutes.  September and October are generally rainier than the other months.  February through April are absolutely gorgeous and typically the most popular months for weddings.

7.   Q:  Is there ferry service to the Sister Islands (Cayman Brac and Little Cayman)

       A:  No, they are too far for a ferry, but we do have daily flights into and out of both sister islands.

6.  Q:  I’m coming on a cruise ship, can we get married the same day we arrive?

      A:  Yes, the Cayman Islands do not have a residency period requirement in order to apply for a marriage license. 

5.  Q:  Should I ship my dress down or carry it down?

      A:  Well, this one is totally up to you, but my two cents…carry it.  It’s a rare occurrence, but with couriers it is a   possibility for things to go missing or get damaged.  You don’t want to take that risk, especially with your dress.

4.  Q:  What is the best time of day to get married?

     A:  Most couples opt for sunset time which varies depending on the time of year.  My suggestion is to discuss it with your photographer or on-island planner as they will be able to tell you when the best light is for your photos.  Legally you can be married anytime between 6:00am and 8:00pm

3.  Q:  What about help with planning and designing my wedding.  Do I have to do it on my own or are there people who can help me with the details of the wedding?

A:  The Cayman Islands have some amazing talent to assist you with whatever your planning and designing needs may be.  The providers you see on Crystal Blue have been invited as members because of their proven high quality standard and are ready to help make your wedding spectacular!

2.  Q:  Can I have a wedding on a Sunday?

      A:  Yes, you can, however, keep in mind that live music must not be played in places licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.  If you are having a wedding on a Sunday and would like music, discuss this with your on-island planner or your venue contact as they can apply for a special exemption.

1.  Q:  Are there a variety of locations to have a wedding and reception or is it just the beach?

     A:  While our beach is GORGEOUS, that is not your only choice!  We have locations with decks overlooking the water, gardens, rooftops and more.  Have a look at the venues section of the membership for more information.

That’s the 10 for today!  Of course there are so many more questions people have, but these are some that I come across more often than not.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will get back to you! 

 

Cayman Islands Photographer :: David Wolfe

I mentioned last week we would be re-introducing you to our favorite photographers.  Below is our interview with David Wolfe.  Enjoy!

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It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to photographer, David Wolfe!  I started working with David on one of the very first weddings I ever planned.  He doesn’t know this (well, now he does) but before I met him I was a little nervous and quite intimidated.  I had heard so many amazing thing about him and here I was– just a newbie! 

Anyway, when he arrived, I was instantly impressed with his down to earth personality, how he immediately made the couple feel so comfortable and just his overall gentle demeanor.  Then, a few days later, I saw the first of the images.  One word, WOW!!!  He really captured more than just the moments but the personalities of the couple and the emotions behind the moments. 

I recently caught up with David to chat with him more about his philosophy, style, etc.  and here’s what he had to say. 

Crystal Blue:  How long have you been photographing weddings?

DW:  For about 20 years!  I shoot about 60-80 weddings per year, so if you do the math, that puts me up over the 1000 wedding mark.

Crystal Blue:  Wow!  That’s amazing!  How do you keep things fresh and new?

DW:  I always, always, always, try to do something new at every wedding; something that I’ve never done before.  Something even a little bit risky photographically.  I try to push the edges of the envelope with regard to exposure, shutter speeds in particular.  I’m also very open to suggestions.  The guests at a wedding know the couple far better than I do.  They often come up with ideas about a photo that will mean something that I would never have a clue about, so I listen to their ideas and go with the flow.

Crystal Blue:  With Cayman the destination it is for weddings, you may not meet some of your couples until the day of their wedding.  Can you describe the process you go through with the couple prior to and on the wedding day?

DW:  I like to keep things as simple as possible.  95% of the weddings I shoot are booked via email and I don’t meet with them until literally their wedding day.  That’s the first time I see them so everyone is being nice and smiling a lot just trying to make a good impression as you do when you meet someone for the first time.  I just build on that initial encounter and try to nurture a friendship by the end of the day.

Crystal Blue:  If someone were to ask, “What is your Style”, how would you describe it?

DW:  I would say very “clean”, having a strong focus on the subject without distracting backgrounds.  I started out working for real newspapers in Tennessee so the photo-journalistic style is ingrained in me.  “Candids” are my favorite.

Crystal Blue:  Newspapers to weddings….Tennessee to Cayman…interesting!!!  What is your favorite part most weddings?

DW:  Being a part of the party!  Everyone at a Cayman Islands wedding is having fun.  I like to have fun with them!

Too right!!!  Thank so much for chatting with us, David!!!!   Do you have any questions for David?  If so, leave a comment below and we will follow up for you.

To see some of David’s work, visit his page in Crystal Blue Vendors.  David was also the featured photographer on yesterday’s real wedding of Katherin and Matt.

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Trish and Michael

We’re back this week after a fantastic week at Engage!10.  Let me tell you, we’re rejuvinated, remotivated and excited for some changes we are going to be making to make your experience at Crystal Blue more meaningful and exciting!!!

Today, we are sharing Trish and Michael’s wedding with you.  Melissa Wolfe did a great job at capturing all of the details of this fab wedding and Trish and Michael were kind enough to share with us their thoughts and the story behind the couple!!

I always wonder why people choose Cayman as their destination….here’s what the couple said:

I wanted a Caribbean island with white sand and clear blue water.  I knew (only from one visit via a cruise ship, a lot of pictures, and word of mouth) that Seven Mile beach offered that.  Compared to many islands, travel was easier for our 24 guests that came from 7 different states.  We also wanted an English speaking island/country where the marriage ceremony would actually be legal.  I don’t think we could have been happier with the choice of any other island.

(I think it was a perfect choice, too!!)

The couple exchanged vows on Seven Mile Beach, at the Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa.  After the sunset, they enjoyed an evening of dinner and dancing beachside!

The bride hand stamped all of her stationery with the palm tree logo she found.  This added a beachy look to the day while keeping the elements classy and coordinated.  They chose pink to compliment the aqua color (my fav!) which made a beautiful color combination. 

The cake was made by the fantastic pastry chef at the Westin and decorated with local bougainvillea. 

All in all, it was a great night!  The group danced the night away under the stars and the bride even got to play DJ for a while!  Congratulations to you both and thank you for allowing us to share your wedding!

Providers who made this day happen ::

Accommodation ::  The Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa

Flowers ::  Celebrations

Food, Beverage and Venue ::  The Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa

Photography ::  Better Angle

Rehearsal Dinner ::  Deckers

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Heather and Ryan

I have been dying to post this wedding for so many reasons.  Could it be the beautiful couple?  Yes.  The gorgeous decor?  Yes.  Three different dresses?  Yes.  Basically, it’s everything!!!  I hope you enjoy!

This lovely couple chose Cayman for their destination wedding after many years of visiting Grand Cayman as a family.  The Bride’s family are regular visitors to Cayman and introduced the groom to this amazing island just a few years ago.  He fell in love with it just as quickly as she did, so when it came time to get married, they just knew. 

The couple chose the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman for their wedding location.  Seven Mile Beach was the backdrop for their ceremony, following on to the Grand Terrace for the dinner and the Grand Ballroom for the dancing.  All of their guests wore white which further illustrated their love and support for the happy couple.

No detail was left to chance and special touches were everywhere.  Above, the cake topper from the Bride’s parent’s wedding was on display next to the guest book-scrapbook.  The place settings were complete with a personalized, letterpress menu for each guest.

During dinner, the guests were entertained by fabulous band, Bona Fide then worked their way into the South Beach themed ballroom to dance the night away!

Providers who made this day happen ::

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

Hair :: Spa Esprit

Music :: Ceremony, Eugenio Leon (Harpist); Cocktail hour, Mike Lamay (Steel Drummer); Dinner, Bona Fide

Photography ::  Rebecca Davidson

Rehearsal Dinner :: The Wharf with decor by Celebrations

Videography ::  Picture This

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Natalie and Matthew

Hi everyone!  Sorry for the quietness yesterday…was feeling very under the weather and had to get some rest.  Back today, though and have a fantastic real wedding of Natalie and Matthew! 

The colors of the wedding were sea glass inspired light green and blue and no detail was left to chance.  Even the bride’s beautiful necklace was coordinated with the sea colors. 

When speaking with Natalie, she told me the color palate inspired everything–from flowers to decor and even the guest’s attire.  To keep in line with the themed color palate, they had touches of starfish to complete the beach look.

For the ceremony, the couple enjoyed the music of Kate Allenger of Cayman Violin and also had a sand ceremony to illustrate their unity.   The reception was around the pool area at the Westin–absolutely beautiful.  Tables were dressed with blue orchids, green napkins and starfish.  Even the cupcake tower was appropriately themed.

As the sun set over the horizon, the couple danced their first dance…can you think of anything more romantic??

Providers who made this day happen ::

Beauty :: Spa Esprit

Coordination, Floral and Decor ::  Celebrations

Music :: Ceremony, Cayman Violin;  Reception, One World

Photography :: David Wolfe Photography

Venue, Food and Beverage ::  The Westin

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Ashley and Andrew

Today’s wedding is choc-o-block with gorgeous detail and beautiful colors!  Espresso Brown, Lime Green and a splash of burnt orange really worked for the decor–and it doesn’t hurt that the couple is absolutely stunning!! 

The ceremony took place on Seven Mile Beach with the reception at the Wharf Restaurant.  Celebrations did another beautiful job with the decor and flowers–I just love those roses!!

The couple looked after every detail from coordinating menus and programs to even the cute birdcage card holder for their well wishes.  The tables were dressed with coordinating linens and napkins and no detail was left without thought.

Thank you, Ashley and Andrew for sharing your day with us! 

Providers who made this day happen :: 

Design and decor, floral ::  Celebrations

Photography ::  Rebecca Davidson Photography

Venue ::  The Wharf

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Courtney and Adam

Today’s wedding is filled with such tropical goodness, I thought you would all enjoy a look!  From the colorful flowers to the shoe valet to the thatch woven fans the details just scream “beach wedding”. 

I’m starting you off with the old Cayman Craft Market.  The bright aqua building with the tin roof–a great example of old school Cayman architecture. 

And the flowers…so bright and cheerful!  They just make me smile!

Like with any beach wedding, you can leave the stilettos at home.  Shoes are optional and you can check them here!

And my favorite one from these two…the bride and groom, sitting on a sea wall, eating island patties.  Check out their “we tied the knot” sign.  Instead of a guest book, they had their guests write notes on postcards that they hung from the sign.  Very cute!!

photo credit ::  A Thousand Words Photography

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

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