Crystal Blue Providers :: Mise En Place and Sunset Bay

We hope you’re hungry because today we are featuring one of the Cayman Islands finest professional catering companies and their exclusive venue.  Mise En Place (pronounced meez on plahs) was created in 2002 by Chef Sean Collins.  Taking your meal and event to a new level, Mise En Place creates not just food, but exquisite dining experiences to stimulate your senses. 

In addition to culinary delights, Mise En Place now offers an exclusive venue, Sunset Bay.  When I tell you this venue is beautiful, that doesn’t even come close to describing how amazing it actually is!  Water, beach, and garden all in one…what more could you want??

So, I had a few questions for the team at Mise En Place and I thought I’d share them (and the answers) with you…

Crystal Blue:  Describe your process with a couple.  How do you create these dining experiences?

Mise En Place:  We meet with the couple (either in person or by phone) and discuss not only the kind of food they like but the style of their wedding, their vision and their overall personalities.  From there we create a menu which includes the food items as well creative service and display ideas for them to review.  After they review it, we can tweak it however they would like to suit their needs and their vision.  It’s important to us that the food fit in with the overall flow of the event.

Crystal Blue:  What do you mean when you say service and display ideas?

Mise En Place:  There are various ways to serve a meal–buffet style, station style or a plated meal, to name a few.  We need to figure out, with the couple, the best style of service for their wedding.  Also, we like to get creative and display our food in different ways–not just on plates.  It allows us to reflect the couples personality and vision to make the entire dining experience personal.

Crystal Blue:  Tell us more about Sunset Bay!  What a gorgeous property!!

Mise En Place:  Sunset Bay is a private residence in the Prospect area of Grand Cayman.  We have been fortunate enough to have been granted permission to use Sunset Bay as a venue for weddings and other special events.  The property overlooks the water, has a beautiful garden as well as a beach and, as the name implies, has gorgeous sunsets! 

Here are some photos of the creations of Mise En Place as well as Sunset Bay.  To find out more about Sean and his team, click here.  To see what Sunset Bay has to offer, click here.

photo credit::

Cake:: David Wolfe Photography

Ceremony::  David Wolfe Photography

Sunset Bay at night :: David Wolfe Photography

Cayman Island Wedding :: How much does it cost?

Today I wanted to address a question I get on a daily basis (usually  more than once a day) ::  “How much does it cost to have my wedding in the Cayman Islands?”  

No, I’m not going to just throw out a number for you or give you the “magic” answer, but I will give you a few things to consider and steps to take when beginning your planning. 

1::  It is important to think about, talk about and visualize your wedding.  You don’t need to know the details EXACTLY but you should have a good idea about the level of formality, your “must haves”, your “must not haves” and general ideas you would like to explore.  There are a million sources out there–blogs, TV shows, magazines, friend’s weddings, etc.–it can get very overwhelming.  So, first and foremost, think, talk and visualize. 

2 ::  Develop a cost expectation.  You can do this by researching on your own or talking to a planner.  When couples contact me, after their initial consultation, I send them a preliminary cost breakdown.  This is just a starting point (since the actual decisions are not yet made), but at least it helps develop an expectation of what things actually cost here in the Cayman Islands. A cost expectation should be established before the budget of the wedding.

3 :: Research.  If you would like to do some research, you are in the right place.  Crystal Blue Wedding Studio was developed to help you do this.  Visit the Crystal Blue Vendors page to “meet” the top quality wedding vendors in the Cayman Islands.  Many of our vendors have pricing on their websites and if you can’t find what you are looking for, feel free to contact them.  They are here to help!

4 ::  There are tools out there that help determine the industry standard breakdown of your budget.  Those are a good starting point but you will also need to have some flexibility when it comes down to line item amounts.  These breakdowns are not specific to the Cayman Islands and the pricing will vary. 

5 ::  Money saving tip….You will NOT save money by buying everything at home and shipping it down.  The actual item may bear a less expensive price tag, however you should also take into account shipping, duty, customs clearing fees, storage and shipping the items back.  It all adds up! 

That’s just my two cents (no pun intended!) and something for you to think about. 

I’m curious–how did you develop the budget for your wedding?

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 Inspired Storyboard :: White Sand Beach

If you have been to the Cayman Islands you know we have the most amazing white sand beaches in all of the Caribbean (in one gal’s opinion!).  My husband and I walk the beach every weekend and every time we go, I am reminded of one of the reasons why I am so lucky to live here! 

These are the things that remind me of the beach–neutral colors, sunsets, shells and pretty, simple flowers. 

Challenge for you…create a story board that makes you think of the beach (doesn’t have to be the Cayman beach!) and send it to us.  We’d love to see what you put together!  (And maybe there’s a little something in it for you….)

photo credit:

first row, chuppah:: www.jimgatesphotography.com, couple:: www.jimgatesphotography.com, hair:: www.theknot.com

second row, couple:: www.jimgatesphotography.com, chair:: Danielle Cococcia, reception:: David Wolfe, starfish: Danielle Cococcia

third row, bouquet:: Rebecca Davidson, sand dollars:: www.theknot.com, orchids:: www.weddingchannel.com, beach:

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 :: Jen and Jeff

Today we are featuring the absolutely beautiful, yet simple wedding of Jen and Jeff.  The couple were married on the East end of Grand Cayman at the unique venue, the Cayman Castle.  And, well…I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves.

One of the terms Jen used to describe her day was “picture perfect”.  I’d say so!! 

This gorgeous venue you are seeing is the Cayman Castle.  A one-of-a-kind venue Jen, Jeff and their guests all stayed at the Castle (and guesthouse) and the ceremony was held on the beach below.

To welcome guests, Jen and Jeff had a welcome dinner at the Castle, catered by Mise En Place.  What a way to start the festivities…great food, great views and, of course great company!!

More from Jen and Jeff in a little while!

photo credit ::  David Wolfe Photography

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Pam and Ryan, Part 2

We wanted to share more details from Pam and Ryan’s Cayman Islands Wedding with you.  We hope you enjoyed everything so far!  Have a look at these…the first one on the top left is when they saw each other for the first time that day–very cute!  AANNNDDD…checkout that sunset–hello gorgeous!!!

Vendors who made this day possible :: 

Coordination and design ::  Octopus Events

Event Rentals ::  Massive Equipment

Flowers ::  Every Bloomin’ Thing

Music ::  Cayman Violin and One World

Photography ::  Rebecca Davidson Photography

Venue, Food and Beverage ::  Grand Old House

Cayman Islands Real Wedding :: Pam and Ryan

Hello lovelies!  I hope you had a nice weekend and are ready for some more Cayman Islands beauty this week!!!  Today we are featuring the wedding of Pam and Ryan…one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever met! 

This cute couple was wed at Grand Old House, an absolutely stunning waterfront venue in Grand Cayman.  Here  are some of the details to get you warmed up!

I know Pam and Ryan and was fortunate enough to be able to help them with their day and when we caught up to chat, they shared some of their favorite moments and memories…

Crystal Blue ::  What was the MOST memorable part of your wedding day?

Pam and Ryan ::  

We chose to have photos of the two of us taken before the ceremony and it proved to be so exciting and fun to have that time alone together (well almost alone together) before the ceremony. We still had our special moment of seeing each other for the first time but it was a little more private as it was just in front of our parents and bridal party. At the end of the photos we were both so excited for the ceremony, all the nerves were gone and the rest of the day just felt absolutely amazing.

Crystal Blue ::  Everything was really beautiful, tell us about the decor and your design inspiration. 

Pam and Ryan :: (Pam’s)  favorite colors– purple, clover green & cream–were the color palate. We wanted the décor to be bright and happy as the ceremony and reception were held outside overlooking the water. Octopus Events really provided great design on how to bring out these colors throughout the décor to ensure everything flowed together.

Crystal Blue ::  What was your favorite part??

Pam and Ryan ::  Our favorite design element was the reception table décor. The centerpieces were simple and beautiful and consisted of  purple hydrangea, green cymbidium orchids and limes.   We also loved the cream colored pintuck table clothes (selected by the groom) which added a nice texture. All of this was accented by candlelight to give make it a bit more romantic! 

Crystal Blue ::  The whole evening was great!  Let’s not forget the surprise salsa dancers you had–that was such a fun surprise for all of your guests! 

There is still more to see so come back for more soon!

photo credit :: Rebecca Davidson Photography

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.

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